It has been 25 years ago that the GBA released in America (it's 25th anniversary in Japan was actually almost 3 months ago ago on March 21). I've never played on this console so I don't really have an opinion on it, but I'd like to hear the opinion of the ones who did play on it!
Happy 25th anniversary to Game Boy Advance!
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Outside of edutainment crap on the PC, the GBA was my first gaming system. At like 6 or 7 I begged my mom for one after seeing SpongeBob SquarePants: Supersponge in one of her store catalogs. For a while we were constantly buying Hi-C juice hoping to win one, since a promotion was going at the time to "win a GBA and a hot new game"
We never lucked out with that, but it was a core memory leading up to when i finally did get my GBA. I remember countless hours of being outside using the sunlight to see the screen because it didn't have a backlight. Having a lamp accessory that hung over the system to light the screen, having to swap out battery packs or dock the entire system to charge. Simpler times. My first Mario game was also on this system, specifically Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. For this reason, when i later experienced other versions of Super Mario World i found the lack of voice clips jarring. Those voice clips Mario and Luigi had in that game live rent free in my head.
We never lucked out with that, but it was a core memory leading up to when i finally did get my GBA. I remember countless hours of being outside using the sunlight to see the screen because it didn't have a backlight. Having a lamp accessory that hung over the system to light the screen, having to swap out battery packs or dock the entire system to charge. Simpler times. My first Mario game was also on this system, specifically Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. For this reason, when i later experienced other versions of Super Mario World i found the lack of voice clips jarring. Those voice clips Mario and Luigi had in that game live rent free in my head.
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That's older games for ya
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Super Mario Advance is my preferred way of experiencing classic Mario titles and always will be.
Though, the GBA for me had always been a Pokemon and a Kirby machine. I spent countless hours in Pokemon Ruby, adored that game (FireRed didn't hook me as much but I still enjoyed it). Kirby and the Amazing Mirror is my favorite Kirby platformer to this date.
BTW, I barely played on the original GameBoy Advance because it was pretty dogshit due to its lack of backlight and batteries you had to replace (I played earlier on the GameBoy Color with that set up). The GameBoy Advance SP is a massive, worthwhile upgrade and the device I spent most of the GameBoy Advance library on, I've got a red one.
Though, the GBA for me had always been a Pokemon and a Kirby machine. I spent countless hours in Pokemon Ruby, adored that game (FireRed didn't hook me as much but I still enjoyed it). Kirby and the Amazing Mirror is my favorite Kirby platformer to this date.
BTW, I barely played on the original GameBoy Advance because it was pretty dogshit due to its lack of backlight and batteries you had to replace (I played earlier on the GameBoy Color with that set up). The GameBoy Advance SP is a massive, worthwhile upgrade and the device I spent most of the GameBoy Advance library on, I've got a red one.
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Sparks
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While I never had a Game Boy Advance, I did play the original Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga in 2014 thanks to the Wii U's Virtual Console. While I prefer the remake, the original is super fun to play too.
Moores Law is just insane. First you're playing Super Mario World on this fat console, and then 10 years later, you're playing an even better version of the game on a super small device. This kind of stuff just really fascinates me.
I didn't really grow up with a GameBoy Advance. My dad used to have one but it got lost on a trip. I've gotten into the GameBoy Advance a bit more recently.
I own a red SP. It's definitely way better than the original, but for some reason it doesn't have a headphone jack. Kinda surprised me cause even the GameBoy had one.
I love how this console is backwards compatible. Actually, I believe it is the first console with this feature. (The GameBoy Color doesn't count because the cartridges for that console can be played on an original GameBoy.) I have several GameBoy and GameBoy Advance games. My favorites being Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Kirby And the Amazing Mirror, and this weird unofficial Zelda compilation that my brother got for me off of eBay.
I didn't really grow up with a GameBoy Advance. My dad used to have one but it got lost on a trip. I've gotten into the GameBoy Advance a bit more recently.
I own a red SP. It's definitely way better than the original, but for some reason it doesn't have a headphone jack. Kinda surprised me cause even the GameBoy had one.
I love how this console is backwards compatible. Actually, I believe it is the first console with this feature. (The GameBoy Color doesn't count because the cartridges for that console can be played on an original GameBoy.) I have several GameBoy and GameBoy Advance games. My favorites being Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Kirby And the Amazing Mirror, and this weird unofficial Zelda compilation that my brother got for me off of eBay.
Princess Viola
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The GBA is such a weird ass console to me like...why didn't it have four face buttons?
'Okay here's basically a portable SNES...also it has two less buttons than the actual SNES' like why? What's the point, it just made the tons of SNES ports the GBA ended up getting control weird compared to the originals.
Probably one of the dumber things they've done imo.
'Okay here's basically a portable SNES...also it has two less buttons than the actual SNES' like why? What's the point, it just made the tons of SNES ports the GBA ended up getting control weird compared to the originals.
Probably one of the dumber things they've done imo.