Game Boy Micro

Game Boy Micro is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The system is the second major redesign of the Game Boy Advance, and is marketed towards the "image conscious" Nintendo's Game Boy Micro Projects Dynamic New Image''". Nintendo.com. May 17, 2005. consumer, with emphasis placed on its small size and sleek design. According to Nintendo of America executive Perrin Kaplan, its codename during development was Oxy. The unit also has a model name of "OXY-001" on the back of the unit.

Introduction

The Micro was officially unveiled by Nintendo's vice president of sales and marketing, Reggie Fils-Aime, at the company's E3 press conference on May 17, 2005. The system was released in Japan on September 13, 2005 and in North America on October 2, 2005. It was released in Europe on November 4, 2005 and Australia on November 3, 2005. It has also been released in China as "iQue Game Boy Micro" on October 1, 2005.

The system retails for States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*89 in the United States, compared to US$79 for the Game Boy Advance SP. The system was originally available in black and silver, and a red 20th Anniversary Edition was later released. In Canada, the Micro retails for approx $119 CDN but has sold for as low as $49.99 CDN (July 2006). In Japan, the handheld runs for about ¥12,000, ¥2,800 more than the SP. The system sells for €95/£69 in Europe. In Australia, although its retail price is listed as Dollar|AUD$" target="_blank" >^*149.95, it has been selling for as little as AUD$49.95. And in China, it sells for ?880, ?212 more than the iQue GBA SP.

Design and specifications

The Game Boy Micro retains most of the functionality of the Game Boy Advance SP, but with an updated form factor. It is smaller than previous Game Boy systems; slightly bigger and about two thirds the weight of an iPod mini. Additionally, it features a backlit screen with the ability to adjust the brightness so as to adapt to lighting.

The Game Boy Micro also features a removable face plate that allows consumers to purchase alternative designs.

Dimensions: 50 x 101 x 17.2 millimetres (2 x 4 x 0.7 in). It is almost the size of an average credit card.
Weight: 80 g (2.8 ounces) About the weight of 80 paperclips
Processor: 32-bit 16.8-MHz ARM processor (ARM7TDMI).
Colors: Various (Examples)
Screen: 51 millimetres / 2 inches (compared to 74 millimetres / 2.9 inches for the GBA), backlight with adjustable brightness. According to the Micro's press release, the "best Game Boy screen ever".
Battery: built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery( Up to 7 hours of battery life with the brightness turned up and the sound on max or 13 hours with both features on regular)
Headphones: supports standard headphones without additional accessories.

The Micro also has a two-way switch on its right side for adjusting volume up or down. By holding down the L shoulder button, the switch can also be used to adjust the backlight between five levels of brightness.

In keeping with the system's target market (the "iPod generation"), Nintendo has redesigned their Play-Yan music/video adaptor to better fit the Micro. This device can play MP3 and digital video files from SD cards.

Software

The Game Boy Micro is compatible with all Game Boy Advance cartridges, including Game Boy Advance Video cartridges. Unlike the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP, however, the Micro does not support games made for the original Game Boy or Game Boy Color. The e-Reader card series is also officially incompatible because the accessory cannot fit; however, physically removing the link cable connector from the e-Reader will make it fit, and run on the Game Boy micro (as well as the original Nintendo DS). However, the design of the e-Reader makes the Select and Start buttons difficult to access during gameplay, and its size and shape in relation to the system makes it awkward to hold. Physically removing the link port connector from the e-Reader will prevent the accessory from linking up with other Game Boy Advance systems or the Nintendo GameCube due to its necessity in transferring data through the link cable.

As with the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP systems, there are no regional lockouts on software, so North American games can be played on Japanese hardware and vice versa.

Packaging

In Japan, the handheld has been released in four colors and styles each. The four colors are black, blue, purple, and silver. The Micro also has four limited edition styles: one based on the original Famicom video game console's controller: a blue bodied model with a faceplate based on Final Fantasy IV Final Fantasy IV (w/ Game Boy Advance Limited Edition. Play-Asia.com. (Out of print.), a red bodied and red faced edition for the release of the game Mother 3Mother 3 GB Micro. Eurogamer. February 21, 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2006 and a red bodied model with a black faceplate containing the silhouette of the iconic Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise.Game Boy Micro (Pokémon Limited Edition). Play-Asia.com. (Out of print.)

In the United States and Canada, the Micro is available in two regular colors, each sold with three interchangeable faceplates included: black with silver, "Ammonite" and "Ladybug" faceplates, and silver with black, "Flame" and "Camouflage" faceplates. "Stylish New Game Boy Micro Ships Sept. 19". Nintendo.com. August 17, 2005. A new "20th Anniversary" edition was released on December 5, which resembles the Famicom style Micro. However, it was only renamed and lacked the distinctive 20th Anniversary symbol featuring the iconic Mario.

In Europe the handheld is available in four different colors, with one matching faceplate: silver, green, blue and pink. In Australia the colors are silver, black, blue and pink. "Game Boy Micro launch date and price!". Nintendo Europe. August 17, 2005.

There are reportedly no plans to sell additional faceplates in the US (as indicated in the letter page in issue 200 of Nintendo Power) or the UK "McBacon". "No Micro Faceplates for Europe". January 4, 2006. Nintendo of Europe cannot supply replacement faceplates of any kind, and the feature is omitted from the product's marketing, packaging, and manual in Europe. However, some thirdparties are manufacturing such faceplates for sale in the US and Europe, and some importers stock faceplates acquired from Japan.

Release and Sales

The Game Boy Micro sold over 170,000 units during its first days in Japan. "Japanese Sales Charts, Week Ending September 18". Gamasutra. September 23, 2005.
The North American release has fallen to criticism; with a formal release of September 19, many stores threw the date out the window and many had delayed it until September 26 or as late as September 30.
According to the latest financial report, the Game Boy Micro has currently sold over 1,900,000 units worldwide (part of the 70 million units sold worldwide of the Game Boy Advance series), including 590,000 units in Japan, 530,000 units in America, and 800,000 in Europe and Australia. "Consolidated Financial Highlights". Nintendo. January 26, 2006.

Reaction

Criticism

Because the Micro is so small, it relies heavily on proprietary (nonstandard) ports. Because the port on the Micro is different from either of those that belong to the GBA SP, it is not compatible with the SPs functions without special cables. While the headphone jack port has been restored, gamers must buy two link cables (GBM-GBM and GBM-GBA) to restore full multiplayer functionality. The Nintendo.com store lists the two cables at $9.95 and $7.95 respectively. Also, the GameCube-Game Boy Advance cable does not work with the Micro, leading to a user by the name of Troz1820 posting how to hack the cables to restore such compatibility "Troz1820." "Gamecube to Game Boy Micro cable instructions". Cheapassgamer.com. December 30, 2005..

Additionally, the shrunken power port means that the SP/DS AC adapter cannot be used, so it is not as readily swappable or replaceable if the GBM adapter is lost, since some people may already own an SP or DS.

Consumer conversion to proprietary accessories is an idea that is no different from any other Game Boy release, as buyers generally had to upgrade their accessories along with the new unit for the releases of Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. For an item that is considered part of the Game Boy Advance family, however, many of the differences were criticized as being too major. The SP was another upgrade, and although its design was radically different, it retained most of the original GBA's functionality.

The lack of Game Boy/Game Boy Color backwards compatibility has also been heavily criticized. Without the backwards compatibility, many gamers have said that the Micro is more novel than useful, especially with the functionality issues. Critics have noted that the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite, (the original DS is dimmer, while the DS Lite is brighter than the Micro on its highest setting) can also play GBA games with the added ability to play DS games.

At $99, the Game Boy Micro is the same price as a Nintendo GameCube (as of the 2005 holiday, with a free copy of Mario Party 7 and an extra controller) in the United States, $20 more expensive than the backlit and original Game Boy Advance SP and $30 cheaper than the more functional and sophisticated Nintendo DSlite. Many gamers have noted that they would be willing to buy a Micro if the price were lower. Nintendo has since dropped the price of the Black and Silver models to $89, again in the US.

The near-simultaneous, albeit extremely low-key release of the backlit model of the Game Boy Advance SP has also drawn criticism over the purpose of the Micro. There have been concerns that Nintendo may cannibalize its own market. Some gamers who were hesitant to get the Micro due to the smaller screen and loss of back compatibility are opting for the improved SP. The new improved SP sports a backlight equal to the GBM, and a screen of at least comparable quality Harris, Craig. "IGN: GBA SP Gets Brighter". IGN. September 21, 2005, but retains the SP's software and accessory compatibility.

Lastly, the North American launch itself has been criticized. Early on, Nintendo did not create any major hype through widespread marketing, and both Nintendo and retailers clashed on the release dates. The official Nintendo release date was September 19, 2005, but many stores did not have it in stock until the week after. After the unit was in stores, however, a fair marketing campaign appeared on television, in magazines and in comic books.

Praise

The Game Boy Micro has been praised for returning to the original Game Boy Advance horizontal layout. Many people disliked the vertical layout (used on the Game Boy and SP), because they found it uncomfortable to fit their hands so close together when operating the controls. The Micro's A and B buttons are also much larger than any previous model, making them easier to use. Naturally, the system's smaller form factor - the smallest in the Game Boy line - has been welcomed.

The Game Boy Micro's backlit screen, which is superior to the Game Boy Advance SP's, has been praised for its visibility. "Game Boy Micro Review". PCmag.com. The screen is similar to that of the Nintendo DS in terms of legibility, however due to a finer dot pitch the screen is more evenly lit, and the brightness is adjustable. The smaller dot pitch has also improved the apparent sharpness of the display. The screen is also significantly brighter than that of the Nintendo DS (but not the Nintendo DS Lite). The release of a Game Boy Advance SP with a brighter screen has made this benefit a somewhat moot point.

Despite the mediocre launch and perceived problems, gamers are pleased that Nintendo has not ignored the Micro. Nintendo also has created a host of new accessories, and has adapted the Play-Yan to better accommodate the Micro's formfactor.

Removable faceplates have been praised because they, "...allow for personalization and protect the high-resolution backlit screen.". "Game Boy Micro Review". PCmag.com.

References

External links

Game Boy consoles | Sixth-generation video game consoles | Video game console remakes

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