Monday, April 23, 2012

Is this a portable game system or a vending machine prize?

I don't think I've ever mentioned this here, but I've long wanted to own a GameBoy Micro. For various reasons, though, I've avoided buying one.

Until recently, of course.

My original plan was to buy one of the Special 20th Anniversary Edition systems--the ones that are red and gold a la the Famicom--but then I saw, on good ol' eBay, the hot pink GameBoy Micro seen in the photos below.


As you probably can tell (by, again, checking out the photos above and below), this particular GameBoy Micro is of the complete-in-box variety. And, surprisingly enough, the box in question is in pretty great condition--as is the system itself.


I haven't spent much time with it yet, but I've spent enough time with it to have come to the realization that these suckers are tiny! Too tiny? I personally wouldn't say so, although I'm sure some folks feel that way.


Anyway, would it surprise you to hear that this latest acquisition has piqued my interest in GameBoy Advance games? I'll bet not.

I haven't yet added any new GameBoy Advance games to my collection, but I'm planning on doing so soon. Which games? Well, I've been eyeing up (on eBay, of course) copies of Kurukuru Kururin and Legendary Starfy, for starters, so maybe I'll start with those.

See also: A few more photos of this awesome little system

20 comments:

Kimimi said...

That's the exact same Micro I've got! I love the screen on the Micro, it's my favourite GBA by far :D

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, yeah, the screen is great on these things, Kimimi! Also, how cool is it that you've got the same Micro? I guess great minds really do think alike :)

BTW, I just thought of another GBA game I should acquire soon: Mr. Driller A! Ugh, too many games, too little time and money...

Kimimi said...

If you do get a GBA Starfy or Mr Driller A I'd love to hear about them; my GBA library's rather lacking and I think there's a good chance at least one of those two would be right up my street :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

I'll definitely let you know if I get either of them, Kimimi! I've never been too sure about Starfy, to tell you the truth -- it looks good, of course, but I've heard it's even easier than Kirby, which doesn't seem possible and which turns me off a bit. I guess we'll see!

Kimimi said...

I was thinking along those lines too until I played one of the DS Starfy games - I found it really good fun and extremely charming. It's definitely not difficult, but I was having so much fun I didn't care :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, now you've made me feel a LOT better about Starfy, Kimimi :) That's about how I feel about the Kirby games I've played -- they're cakewalks, but I don't really care because they're so cute and fun and they bring a huge smile to my face while I'm playing them. Maybe I'll get Starfy after all...

Would you recommend any of the GBA games you own or have played, BTW? I'm always up for suggestions and recommendations :)

Tetsuo said...

It's so tiny it's the first and only Game Boy which genuinely fits in your pocket.

I never go anywhere without my black Japanese GBA micro, I love it.

Is it TOO small? Even though my hands are small, it is perhaps a tad, yes. But that screen so crisp and bright which more than makes up for it, and there is no lack of quality GBA games, so you forget that quite quickly.

Quick tip: hold L and press + & - to adjust the brightness up and down.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Tetsuo!

I'm actually amazed at how small these suckers are. I mean, I had heard they were small, but I imagined they were a bit bigger than this.

That said, I really like its size. It really makes me think and realize I'm playing a 'game,' if that makes sense :)

I can't imagine how funny I look playing it, though. I have some pretty big hands, after all.

As for the screen being wonderfully crisp and bright: Yes! I agree 100 percent. That's the reason I finally picked one up, to tell you the truth.

Thanks, too, for pointing out the brightness tip. I appreciate it!

Terry said...

I love my Micro, and still carry it around when I have the urge for some "Advance Wars 2" or the GBA "Final Fantasy" games. It's small, but the design is so great.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Terry! You know what? Being able to play the GBA Final Fantasy remakes on the go was one of main reasons I picked up this Micro. That and being able to play Rhythm Tengoku, of course :) Anyway, it's great to hear from Micro lovers like yourself!

Cairney said...

Fantastic purchase! I really miss my old micro, the image clarity was amazing. You have such a huge library of great games to play too. I kind of want one now...oh well, enjoy!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hello, Cairney! Welcome to my blog :) Thanks for following me, BTW -- and for making me aware of your blog. I'll be keeping an eye on it, for sure.

What happened to your Micro, if you don't mind me asking? Did it die, or did you get rid of it for some reason?

As for the GBA having a huge library: I agree wholeheartedly. Of course, all of Nintendo's handhelds wind up having huge libraries of great games, don't they?

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha! My thoughts exactly, Justin :)

Retr0gamer said...

A pink handheld? For the last while I've been managing to pick up only pink handhelds and I'm not even looking for that colour. My girlfriend gave me her pink DS when she upgraded to a DSi, I recently got a 3DS but wanted a US one so jumped on the first one that came up cheap. It was pink. Also currently have a pink GBC in the post on the way to me.

Luckily I look damn good in pink :)

I really love the GBA micro. So small and portable but with a wonderful screen. Would love one myself... in pink :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, a man after my own heart! Strangely, this is my first pink handheld, Retr0gamer, although I've always wanted an original DS in pink (not DS Lite). Maybe I'll get one later this year. Anyway, you definitely should add a pink Micro to your collection. Such great little systems :)

L Harrington said...

Good choice! I have long been a collector of Game Boy consoles/games and my favourite are my Micros. In the UK they are actually quite rare so bravo for the near mint boxed one you have!

Although I collect them rather than sit down and play them I actually really like the Micro. They launched at a similar time the first edition DS was released and thus, no one really bought one. However, I think they are a great bit of small kit!

Great on the go!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks for the comment, Lucy! Always nice to hear from a fellow collector/fan of the good ol' GB. I didn't even know a hot pink Micro existed until I saw someone post photos of one on Flickr. Once I saw that, I knew I had to have one :)

Matt Sainsbury said...

That is such an amazing looking console. I don't think Nintendo has ever outdone the design on that one.

Bryan Ochalla said...

That's an interesting comment, Matt. I can't disagree that it's an amazing-looking console, as I agree wholeheartedly, but do I think it's their best-designed console? I don't know. It's right up there with the best, though -- which, IMO, are the original GameBoy, the Super Famicom, the GameCube and the DS Lite :)