.: Q4 2006.: Q1 May 15th, 2010.: Q4 2008Units sold81.51 million (as of June 30, 2010 )Media@ 16.78 MHz, Sharp LR35902 (-derived) @ 8 or 4 MHzMemory32 KB internal, 256 KB external, 96 KBDisplay, 240×160 pixels, 40.8×61.2Power2 × AA batteries, 16 million combined,PredecessorSuccessorThe Game Boy Advance (commonly abbreviated as GBA) is a 32-bit developed, manufactured and marketed by as the successor to the. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North America on June 11, 2001, in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001, and in on June 8, 2004 as iQue Game Boy Advance. The GBA was part of the. The original model did not have an illuminated screen; Nintendo addressed that with the release of a redesigned model with a screen, the, in 2003. Of the aforementioned redesign was released in 2005, which included a screen. The final redesign, the, was released in 2005.As of June 30, 2010, the Game Boy Advance series has sold 81.51 million units worldwide. Its successor, the, was released in November 2004 and is also compatible with Game Boy Advance software.
Main article:The technical specifications of the original Game Boy Advance are, as provided by Nintendo: Size:approximately 14.45 cm (5.69 in) x 2.45 cm (0.96 in) x 8.2 cm (3.2 in) (LxWxH), 140 g (4.9 oz).Weight:approximately 5 oz (140 g).Screen:2.9 inches reflective.Display Size:40.8 mm (1.61 in) by 61.2 mm (2.41 in)Power:2× AA batteriesBattery life:approximately 15 hours on average while playing Game Boy Advance games (also dependent on the Game Pak being played, volume setting and any external peripherals being used - e.g. A screen light )CPU:16.8 MHz 32-bit with embedded memory. 8.4 or 4.2 MHz Sharp LR35902 (-derived)coprocessor for Game Boy backward compatibility.Memory:32 kilobyte + 96 kilobyte (internal to the ), 256 kilobyte (outside the CPU).Resolution:240 × 160 (3:2 ).Color support:15-bit RGB (5 bits depth per channel), capable of displaying 512 simultaneous colors in 'character mode' and 32,768 (2 15) simultaneous colors in 'bitmap mode'.Sound:Dual 8-bit DAC for stereo sound (called Direct Sound), plus all legacy channels from Game Boy. The new DACs can be used to play back streams of wave data, or can be used to output multiple wave samples processed/mixed in software by the CPU.Backward compatibility for and games is provided by a custom 4.194/8.388 MHz -based coprocessor (Game Boy Advance software can use the audio tone generators to supplement the primary sound system), while a link port at the top of the unit allows it to be connected to other devices using a. When playing Game Boy or Game Boy Color games on the Game Boy Advance, the L and R buttons can be used to toggle between a stretched widescreen format (240 × 144) and the original screen ratio of the Game Boy (160 × 144). Game Boy games can be played using the same as on the Game Boy Color.Every Nintendo handheld system following the release of the Game Boy Advance SP has included a built-in light and rechargeable battery.The Game Boy Advance and 2D graphics hardware have scaling and rotation for traditional tiled backgrounds in its modes 1 and 2 and scaling and rotation for bitmaps in modes 3 through 5 (used less often on the GBA because of technical limitations).
On each machine supporting this effect, it is possible to change the scaling and rotation values during the horizontal blanking period of each scanline to draw a flat plane in a perspective projection. More complex effects such as fuzz are possible by using other equations for the position, scaling, and rotation of each line. The 'character mode' supports up to 4 background layers per frame, with each tile being 8x8 pixels in size and having 16 or 256 colors. The 'character mode' also supports up to 128 hardware per frame, with any sprite size from 8x8 to 64x64 pixels and with 16 or 256 colors per sprite.
Clockwise from left: A, a Game Boy Advance, and a. On the far right is a shown for scale.With hardware comparable to the, the Game Boy Advance represents progress for sprite-based technology. The Game Boy Advance has platformers, SNES-style, and classic games ported from various 8-bit and 16-bit systems of the previous generations. This includes the series, as well as the system's backward compatibility with all earlier Game Boy titles. All titles were GBA-exclusive and none of these were backwards compatible with older Game Boy systems. It featured a warning message that was refuse to play on classic Game Boy.was the final licensed Japanese GBA game release.
Released November 2006, it was the final Nintendo-published game for the system. 2 Games in 1: Columns Crown & ChuChu Rocket! Was the final European GBA game, released November 2008.
Was the final North American GBA game, released in February 2008. The last Nintendo-developed game released for the system was the Japan-only rhythm game, which later went on to form the popular Rhythm Heaven series.Compatibility with other systems An accessory for the, known as the, was released in 2003 as the successor to the peripheral for the.
The accessory allows Game Boy Advance games, as well as Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, to be played on the GameCube. However, some games may have compatibility issues due to certain features (for example, games with built-in motion sensors would require players to manipulate the console itself).Game Boy Advance games are compatible with the and Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles, which feature a cartridge slot at the bottom. They are not, however, compatible with the, as it does not feature a cartridge slot.Virtual Console. See also:As part of an Ambassador Program for early adopters of the system, ten Game Boy Advance games were made available free for players who bought a system before August 2011. Unlike other Virtual Console games for the system, players were not able to use features such as the Home menu or save states (since the games are not actually emulated and are running natively).
3DS systems that have custom firmware installed can also install the ten available games available to Ambassador Program members. Many other Game Boy Advance games can also be played via custom firmware by injecting a difference game into one of the officially released Game Boy Advance games, including Game Boy Advance games not available on the Wii U Virtual console. stated Game Boy Advance games will be available on the sometime during April 2014. On April 3, 2014, the first of the announced GBA games (, and ) were released for the Wii U Virtual Console. A full Virtual Console service for Game Boy Advance games was launched for the console. All of the Virtual Console releases are single player only, as they do not emulate multiplayer features enabled by cables.Accessories Official.
The installed on a GBA, showing internal lighting.Other accessories for the Game Boy Advance are:.: The Afterburner was an internal system manufactured by Triton Labs and released in mid-2002. The installation consisted of disassembling the system, removing some plastic from the interior of the case, attaching the lighting mechanism to the screen, and soldering two wires to the motherboard for power.
Optionally, a or an could be added to allow adjusting the brightness of the light. When the initial version of the Game Boy Advance SP was released, it included a very similar integrated lighting system. This was replaced in the subsequent version of the Game Boy Advance SP with a display. According to Triton Labs, the Afterburner achieved considerable success during the lifespan of the GBA, with many gamers buying it despite the kit technically voiding the system’s warranty, and the company had minor trouble keeping up with demand for the accessory during the 2002 holiday season.
Halo Light: The Halo light was an external system that replaced the screen protector/lens of the GBA. The Halo had an external power adapter that connected to the link port, it featured on/off functions with a dimmer and a pass-through connector so other devices could be connected to the link port. Worm Light: The Worm Light was an adjustable and flexible light that connected to the link port.
It had a small bulb which shone over the screen.: The GBA Movie Player is a versatile gaming cartridge that allows users to play games, watch movies, read files, listen to sound clips, etc. The GBA Movie Player does not actually play MPEGS or MP3s directly, a freeware conversion software is needed, that converts an array of formats into GBM and GBS formats that are compatible with the GBA Movie Player. There are two forms of the GBA Movie Player with one using a CF (Compact Flash) card and one using an SD (Secure Digital) card, though different companies have made their own devices similar to the GBA Movie Player.
GBA TV Tuner: It makes the portable system into a portable television. There are several versions available, which are made by different companies. The most popular TV Tuner requires a cartridge inserted in the Tuner to start up. The TV Tuners can store up to 99 channels.: The Game Boy Advance version of the GameShark, programmed only to work with Game Boy Advance games as making the device take Game Boy Color cartridges would have made it too expensive. This cheat device allowed users to change the code in their games to create cheats. Codes could be entered by hand or uploaded to the device itself with the provided USB cable and software.: A cheating device like the GameShark, the Action Replay was sold mainly in Europe.
It has a few extra features as well as an updated interface. Action Replay MAX Duo: This was an update to the Action Replay for Game Boy Advance. Not only did it function as an Action Replay, but for DS users, it could hold premade game saves or 'powersaves' that could be downloaded from the Action Replay site as well as user made saves. It did not, however, function as a cheat device for games; it was only for data backup.
Worm Cam: This device by attached to the top of the Game Boy Advance and connected into the link port of the GBA. This device functioned as a digital camera which allowed digital pictures to be taken. The snapshots could then be uploaded to a PC with the USB cable and software provided.
This camera's strange shape prevented it from being used with the GBA SP. DigiCam SP: This camera attachment was also made by Nyko and was essentially the Worm Cam for the Game Boy Advance SP. This add-on would slide on to the top half of the GBA SP (behind the screen) and a small plug would be connected into the link port.
DataBoy: This cartridge plugs into the GBA game slot and converts the Game Boy into an RS-232 data scope (also known as serial line monitor or protocol analyzer). Users can play GB games, GBC games, and GBA games on it.: These devices are commonly used for independently created games, or other third party development. Glucoboy: A blood glucose monitor with built-in games released in Australia in 2007 for children with.
There are also numerous AC adapters that allow the Game Boy Advance to be used without batteries.Revisions Game Boy Advance SP. Main article:In early 2003, Nintendo introduced a new form-factor for the handheld, known as the Game Boy Advance SP (model AGS-001). The redesigned unit resembles a pocket-size computer, including a folding case approximately one-half the size of the original unit. It also supports a rechargeable, a significantly brighter screen, and an internal front-light that can be toggled on and off. The redesign was intended to address some common complaints about the original Game Boy Advance, which had been criticized for being somewhat uncomfortable to use, especially due to an overly dark screen. Around the same time as the release of the, Nintendo released a new backlit version of the SP (model AGS-101) (commonly referred to as the 'GBA SP+', SPII, or SP2).
The switch that controls the light now toggles between 'normal' (which itself is already brighter than the original 's screen), and 'bright', an intense brightness level similar to an LCD television.Game Boy Micro. Main article:In September 2005, Nintendo released a second redesign of the Game Boy Advance.
This model, dubbed the Game Boy Micro, is similar in style to the original Game Boy Advance's horizontal orientation, but is much smaller and sleeker. The Game Boy Micro also allows the user to switch between several colored faceplates to allow customization, a feature which Nintendo advertised heavily around the Game Boy Micro's launch. Nintendo also hoped that this 'fashion' feature would help target audiences outside of typical video game players. Unlike the previous Game Boy Advance models, Game Boy Micro is unable to support and titles. The Game Boy Micro did not make much of an impact in the video game market as it was overshadowed by Nintendo's other portable, the, which also played Game Boy Advance cartridges. Unit colors. Fielder, Lauren (May 16, 2001).
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The Game Boy Advance has gone from has-been, to fond memory, to desirable old-school console. The DS predecessor was essentially a Super Nintendo you could cram in your pocket, and its library of games is one of the strongest in portable gaming. With so many incredible games, narrowing down the list to the top 25 was a harrowing task, but these are the games that stood out and stand up against the test of time.
Even if you might not agree with each game's specific placement within the top 25, we'll bet you'll be hard pressed to deny these titles' inclusion within the best games for the Game Boy Advance.For more modern Nintendo games, check out our list of the, the, and if you’re looking to upgrade, here’s the. 25) Developer: Publisher: SEGA Year Released: 2002 Though gave the Game Boy Advance rendition the moniker 'junior,' there was nothing small about this portable product. The series began in the arcades and on the GameCube as a Marble Madness-inspired action game with tons of unlockable features and modes, and for the Game Boy Advance version the UK development studio Realism managed to squeak out every ounce of potential in the GBA's hardware to offer that same fun and frantic experience. The GBA version might not stand the test of time when compared to the rising power of other handhelds, but when it was released. Managed to really show off what the system could do, and it's rare to see a third-party developer pour so much effort into so many game modes on the portable system. Though the development studio couldn't survive very long after Super Monkey Ball Jr.'
S release, Realism went out with a bang with one of the finest console-to-handheld ports on the GBA. 24) Developer: Camelot Publisher: Nintendo Year Released: 2001 One of the first 'hyped' games on the Game Boy Advance, Camelot - who had been making much of its money with Golf and Tennis games on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy - returned to its RPG roots with an original adventure that could give Square's teams a run for their money. This game pushed amazing visuals, a dynamic soundtrack, and a complex story, and even though it focused on the archaic 'random turn-based battles' mechanic for half of its gameplay, it was still a fulfilling console-style experience on such a small system.
Its sequel,: The Lost Age, tweaked and streamlined a bit, and actually enabled data transfers from the first game in the series.but it was the original release that made the biggest impact for Game Boy Advance gamers. 23) Developer: Hudson Publisher: Year Released: 2003 A bad name with even worse box-art, hit the scene with a collective shrug by the gaming population. And then, suddenly, people started playing the game within. It's a completely old-school inspired action design that melds such classics as Capcom's Bionic Commando, Sega's Shinobi, and Namco's Rolling Thunder, and what's more it's incredibly fun and challenging - a side-scrolling arcade-style game that could only really thrive these days on the 2D-happy Game Boy Advance platform. It's one of the toughest games to find in the used cartridge market; finding it won't make you rich, though. It's only valuable in the 'awesome gameplay' sense.and in this case, it's worth its weight in gold.
22) Developer: Publisher: Nintendo Year Released: 2004 Way back in the black and white Game Boy days Nintendo updated its classic Donkey Kong arcade design with a contemporary design that fleshed out the barrel-jumping, hammer-whacking mechanics into a huge assortment of full-screen puzzle games. That concept was the basis for this NST-developed production. The added power of the Game Boy Advance not just enhanced the visuals, but the team managed to squeeze in a bunch of new puzzle ideas in the update. It's a great game that fits the Game Boy Advance's pick-up-and-play environment since players could whip out the system, solve a puzzle, and put it away for later. 21) Developer: Marvelous Publisher: Year Released: 2003 You would think that hoeing the fields, milking the cows, and other menial tasks would make for an unbelievably boring videogame experience, but Natsume's Harvest Moon series manages to suck gamers into its economic-focused gameplay. 'Addictive as crack' would not be a strong enough term for this game, and the Game Boy Advance version works extraordinarily well because you can take the experience with you. The goal is to live a full life on the farm, and you'll find hours upon hours just drifting away as you try to reach that mark.
If you'd rather play as a girl, Natsume released Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town with slight tweaks to the translation and gameplay, and it was also a foundation for the Nintendo DS version of Harvest Moon, but its the original game that made the big splash. 20) Developer: Flagship Publisher: Nintendo Year Released: 2005 Every Nintendo system needs a Legend of Zelda game. It's almost the law or something. It took the Game Boy Advance several years before a development team hunkered down to create an original adventure for the portable system, and the one that was created was an incredibly fun and charming adventure that brought back a lot of the familiar 2D overhead game mechanics established in past games on the Super NES, NES, and Game Boy. The inclusion of the ability to shrink and grow was explored to some really good results, giving Link and players the ability to explore a world that would have normally gone unnoticed at the character's feet.
There's a huge world to explore when you're the size of a bug, and the designers pushed some great ideas in this adventure. 19) Developer: Publisher: Nintendo Year Released: 2001was, literally, the premiere game for the Game Boy Advance. Though the game took several months after the launch of the system to be released, it was the game Nintendo spotlighted at the debut of the hardware. It was the game that showed gamers that the Game Boy Advance had the ability to bring Super NES experiences to a portable, and in a way that blew away the visuals and audio of the 16-bit console.
The game mechanics of Mario Kart were tweaked for Super Circuit, but the heart of the Super NES game was clearly here. The designers even exploited the GBA's single cartridge multiplayer function so that four players could hit some classic SNES courses without the need to buy a copy of the game. And after the competition? They went out and bought a copy anyway.
Awesome work. 18) Developer: Intelligent System Publisher: Nintendo Year Released: 2002 By the time of Metroid Fusion's development, the franchise had already been snagged by the GameCube as the ultimate first-person adventure. But for those who really wanted to go back to the roots of the series, and that's the void fills - the game is a throwback to the gameplay mechanics of the classic Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid II, but it moves the story forward and gives Samus a sleek new look. It was an incredibly fun adventure with the traditional 'Metroid Twist.'