Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance ( GBA) is the successor to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, it is the first Nintendo handheld that is not based on the technology of the original Game Boy. The Game Boy Advance has learned with the Game Boy Advance SP revision. Despite the fundamental change in the hardware, the two representatives of the latest Game Boy generation can process all Game Boy games. All Game Boy Advance models are also available in many different colors.

The Game Boy Advance has sold in its entire term of more than 81.51 million times.

• 2.1 Specifications

• 3.1 Specifications

Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance ( GBA) was launched by Nintendo in 2001 as a successor to the highly successful Game Boy Color on the European market.

Compared to the classic Game Boy offers the handheld console technology to the state of an improved Super Nintendo, a bigger picture, a modified form ( cross - held portrait) and full backwards compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

On criticisms of how the non-ergonomic for larger hands keys, the lack of AR coating and the lack of backlight, Nintendo responded with the development of greatly improved Game Boy Advance SP.

Specifications

• Screen: 4.08 cm × 6.12 cm; 240 × 160 pixels; TFT screen with max. 32,768 colors
• CPU: 16.77 MHz 32-bit RISC CPU ( ARM7TDMI, ARM architecture ) and 8-bit CISC CPU ( Z80/8080-Derivat )
• Memory: 32KB I-RAM (1 cycle/32 bit) 96 KB VRAM (1-2 cycles ) 256 KB Eram (6 cycles/32 bit)
• Sound: Speaker ( mono) / headphone (stereo)
• Multiplayer: Four ( along with GBA or GBA - SP ) or two ( with Game Boy or Game Boy Color )
• Power supply: 2 x 1.5V AA
• Battery run time: 15 hours
• Dimensions: 8.2 cm deep × 14.45 cm wide × 2.45 cm
• Weight: 140 g
• Plug-in module: 3,45 cm high × 6.0 cm wide × 0.95 cm deep; maximum of 4 Gb ( 512 MB ), ( 256 Mbit (32 Mbyte ) memory at the factory )
• Compatibility: plays all the old Game Boy and Game Boy Color games from

Games module

Games continued to be delivered as well as with the predecessors to the module. In contrast to the old Game Boy modules, these were only half as large, but had far more memory for the games (GBC max. 32 Mbit / 4 MB, GBA max. Mbit/32 512 MB).

Unlike previous games was set in Game Boy Advance games from 2002, rather than battery backed RAM to Flash memory or EEPROM memory which could store all storage items safe, even without power supply. Only some games such as the Pokémon series continued to have a battery for the real time clock on the board.

Games could be played for two with just one game thanks to the improved technology now, and three link cable was a Game Boy Advance per player, as well as for a two-player link cable, for three players, two link cables and for four players needed.

Accessories

The most important accessory proved to be the multiplayer link cable, which was to be replaced later by a wireless adapter. This adapter is only supported by a few games (such as Mario Golf Advance Tour ). The new link cable was installed in the middle of the cable itself a hub, which allowed the insertion of a further link cable and thus enabled without any additional accessories, except for the cable itself, playing with up to four players.

A similar cable that was published, served to the Game Boy Advance with Nintendo at the time current home console, the Nintendo GameCube to connect. Unlike the multiplayer link cable it only had one plug for the Game Boy Advance and one for a controller socket on the GameCube. On connected GBA was able to appear on certain GameCube games expanded information, or the GBA itself can be used as a controller. Partial Game Boy Advance games were published simultaneously with compatible GameCube games, the first game that took advantage of this opportunity was Sonic Adventure 2 BATTLE in conjunction with Sonic Advance.

Game Boy Advance SP

The Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP, SP stands for " Special" ) is a handheld game console by Nintendo in notebook design and the first revision of the Game Boy Advance. His technique for playing games corresponds to that of its predecessor, only the design, the screen and the power supply were changed. The screen now includes a lighting function and is in the device instead of a simple battery compartment is a replaceable lithium -ion battery integrated. In addition, the display is now better protected due to the folding function from scratches. However, the design also has shortcomings; so criticize fans for example, that the older GBC and GB games far forward protrude from the device that the connection of headphones specifically a separately purchased adapter is needed and that the battery can only charge with a special charger.

2005 an improved SP model appeared (model AGS -101), which replaced the existing front light ( illumination of the LCD from the front) by a backlight. The GBA games have on this extended SP in about the look that they achieve when running on a Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS lite. The improved model was offered in late 2006 in Germany in the colors " Surf Blue ", " Pearl Pink" and " Tribal" and can be seen next to the color of a new packaging. However, there are also old models ( AGS -001) in the new colors can be easily operated using only the model number on the bottom of the device correctly identify. The screen backlight can be adapted for these models in two stages, but is no longer disabled.

Specifications

• Size: 82 mm × 84.6 mm × 24.3 mm
• Weight: 146 g, with Game Boy Advance Game: 156 g, with Game Boy Color game: 168 g
• CPU: 16.77 MHz 32-bit RISC CPU ( ARM7TDMI ) ( with ROM ) 8bit CISC CPU ( Z80 )
• Memory: 32KB IRAM (1 cycle/32 bit) 96 KB VRAM (1-2 cycles ) 256 KB EWRAM (6 cycles/32 bit)
• Screen: 40.8 mm × 61.2 mm; 240 × 160 pixels; AGS -001: Front -light illumination, AGS -101: backlight illumination
• Color: max. 32,768 colors simultaneously;
• Battery: Li- Ion battery; without illumination: 18 hours ' duration; with illumination time: 10 hours ' duration; 3 hours charging time for GBA SP ( 2006) always 10-11 hours.
• Other: Link port, backward compatible

Game Boy Micro

The Game Boy Micro ( GBM ) is a very small version of the Game Boy Advance. It was first unveiled at Nintendo's E3 press conference on the 2005 to the public. He should address the "image -conscious buyers ," according to Nintendo's marketing spokesman Reginald Fils -Aime.

The Game Boy Micro has all the features of the Game Boy Advance SP, but can not play Game Boy and Game Boy Color modules. In addition, it provides in contrast to the first generation of GBA SP models have a truer color backlight whose brightness can be adjusted and a non-reflective liquid crystal screen.

In Japan, the Game Boy Micro was released on 13 September, a week later in the United States. In Europe, the handheld was released on 4 November 2005.

Unlike its predecessors, the Game Boy Micro has a metal housing. The front cover is made of plastic and can be exchanged at any time with one of the alternative covers available separately.

Specifications

• Size: 10 cm wide, 5 cm high, 1.8cm deep
• Weight: about 80 g
• Colors: silver, blue, pink and green Different colors and designs with interchangeable front cover