View Full Version : Introducing the Nintendo Gameboy Player! (for Cube)
iscariot
19-Nov-2002, 07:40
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/021119.jpg
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/021119.html
The Game Boy software can enjoy itself on TV screen.
"About a NINTENDO game cube Game Boy player"
Nintendo Co., Ltd. (head office : Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, the president : Satoshi Iwata) puts on the market "the NINTENDO game cube Game Boy player (henceforth, Game Boy player)" which enables the play of the software of a handheld game machine "Game Boy" on TV screen next spring.
Exclusive software of "by equipping home TV game machine "NINTENDO game cube" main part bottom with Game Boy player", it is "Game Boy", the "Game Boy color", and the "Game Boy advance" * The play of (the number about 1,400 sorts / of number abbreviation of domestic total sale 170 million book and titles, and as of March 31, 2002) is attained by the controller of a game cube on domestic TV screen. Moreover, a "NINTENDO game cube GBA cable" can be used and the Game Boy advance can also be operated as a controller.
Of course, if a game cube is equipped with the "Game Boy player", in order to function as one set of a Game Boy advance, communication and waging war of the Game Boy advances also become possible by connecting it and the Game Boy advance of a stock by "the communication cable only for the Game Boy advances."
While beginning "Pocket-Monsters ruby sapphire" and "tradition gods' try force &4 ‚Â sword of ZERUDA" towards next spring from an end of the year and putting many good role playing games on the market for the Game Boy advances, at home, a character is raised on TV screen and the play style of communicating and playing a match against a friend with a handheld game machine outside is born.
This the "Game Boy player" has planned sale in May of the same year in Japan, and has planned deployment in Europe and Australia after that probably beforehand in March, 2003 and North America.
* Some Game Boy software cannot be used.
Brand name NINTENDO game cube Game Boy player
NINTENDO GAMECUBE GAME BOY PLAYER
Sale scheduled day March, 2003
Manufacturer's suggested price 5,000 yen (according to tax) schedule
Size Width [ of 150mm ] x height [ of 57.3mm ] x depth of 155.1mm
Mass About 370g
Color variation Four kinds (a NINTENDO game cube main part and same color)
Use power supply It supplies from a NINTENDO game cube.
The maximum power consumption 0.8W (NINTENDO game cube ŠÃœ‚Ãœ‚¸)
Others The Game Boy player startup disk enclosure
PC-Engine
19-Nov-2002, 10:22
I've gotta have that 8)
Rodéric
19-Nov-2002, 10:24
Interesting idea, let's see what they come with, gameplay wise.
cybamerc
19-Nov-2002, 10:29
Ingenu:
> Interesting idea, let's see what they come with, gameplay wise.
Gameplay wise? It's a device that will let you play Game Boy games on your TV without the need for an actual Game Boy unit - nothing more, nothing less. There are some pretty damn awesome GB games out there so if you don't have a GB or can't stand the tiny screen this is an excellent opportunity to find out what you've been missing out on.
So... will this include the GBA link (i think some GC games have a GBA Link option)
cybamerc
19-Nov-2002, 13:01
Multiplayer is supported and it will play nearly all GB, GBC and GBA titles.
Tagrineth
19-Nov-2002, 14:09
KICKASS! I am SO buying that!
Wow! A Game Boy accessory (Game Boy Player) for your Game Boy Advance accessory (Game Cube)! ;)
Doesn't look like you can have it and the network adapter hooked up at the same time though...
cybamerc
19-Nov-2002, 14:41
The network adapter will still fit with this thing on.
PC-Engine
19-Nov-2002, 14:48
The network adapter will still fit with this thing on.
Yep the GCN has two slots one for the network/modem and the other is a high speed serial port.
Magnum PI
19-Nov-2002, 14:54
Wow! A Game Boy accessory (Game Boy Player) for your Game Boy Advance accessory (Game Cube)! ;)
Doesn't look like you can have it and the network adapter hooked up at the same time though...
look at here, there is at leat two expansion ports on the GC:
http://www.nintendo.com/systems/images/system_header.jpg
and the gameboy player use a different one that means the broadband one is free.
If you say so, the network adapter shape seems to correspond to the raised "insert" on the GameBoy player to me.
Or maybe not. Pffft, shrug.
Clashman
19-Nov-2002, 15:04
Didn't they do this with Super Nintendo and Gameboy? I seem to remember something about *finally* being able to put GB games into color, even though it was something like 16 ugly ass colors.
Magnum PI
19-Nov-2002, 15:46
If you say so, the network adapter shape seems to correspond to the raised "insert" on the GameBoy player to me.
Or maybe not. Pffft, shrug.
look at the picture, the connector the gameboy player uses is rather in the corner of the console, while the broadband adapter is more in the middle.
and the shape of the connector used by the gameboy player is more "squarish".
Clashman: Yeah, Super Game Boy.
I believe that Donkey Kong was the first title that had been programmed for it. The game worked on the normal GB, but it had custom borders when used on the SGB. I believe that they resembled the DK arcade cabinet.
archie4oz
19-Nov-2002, 18:31
If you say so, the network adapter shape seems to correspond to the raised "insert" on the GameBoy player to me.
It's too far to the back... It uses the highspeed port. The network adaptors use serial port 1 which sits in front of the highspeed port. Then there's still the available serial port 2 on the other side as well that's available for whatever else...
Yep the GCN has two slots one for the network/modem and the other is a high speed serial port.
Three, not two...
Ozymandis
19-Nov-2002, 18:38
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
Magnum PI
19-Nov-2002, 18:48
you could not have a peecee.
you daddy could not want you to use his peecee.
you could want to use your superb stereo setup.
or to enjoy you gba graphics on your hdtv 28 inches teevee.
;)
Best peripheral of next year! Online-kits and emulators can sock it!
Let's just hope there's at least an option *not to* zoom/interpolate/filter the screen. I want my pixels intact and non-interlaced!
I'm quite curious if my vertical split routine for GBC will work on this.. :)
cybamerc
19-Nov-2002, 19:49
Ozymandis:
> why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want
> to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC
> and with improved graphics?
Because PCs suck for anything but graphical adventures and some of us don't mind paying for our games.
mkillio
19-Nov-2002, 19:51
I am so hyped for this and I love Metroid Prime!
Tagrineth
19-Nov-2002, 20:22
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
Here's a couple of really simple and LAME reasons:
1. GCN boots several times faster than any PC I've ever seen.
2. Got a PC GamePad? If not, there's another reason. Keyboard am teh suck.
3. Oddly enough, though SNES games look great with 2xSaI, GBA games look like crap IMO.
4 - the NO FRIGGIN' DUH reason - . If you play the games on your PC when you're at home, that means you have to have two seperate save files per game, unless you can magically transfer your saves from your HDD to your cartridge. :lol:
Am I the only one a little perplexed at all the hype?
I mean, ALOT of GBA games _SUCK_. Like, SNES shovelware to the extreme. I really regret my purchase.. for all I've used it for, I might as well have just brought my laptop out with me during lunch and played on a 15" backlit screen ;)
I don't know, I think the GBA is a pewp platform. Golden Sun and Advance Wars aside, I bought mine on the hope of a FF IV(ht) port :(
In anycase, the GB player for SNES didn't seem to spark this much furor... so yeah, I don't get it!
Tagrineth
19-Nov-2002, 20:32
Am I the only one a little perplexed at all the hype?
I mean, ALOT of GBA games _SUCK_. Like, SNES shovelware to the extreme. I really regret my purchase.. for all I've used it for, I might as well have just brought my laptop out with me during lunch and played on a 15" backlit screen ;)
I don't know, I think the GBA is a pewp platform. Golden Sun and Advance Wars aside, I bought mine on the hope of a FF IV(ht) port :(
In anycase, the GB player for SNES didn't seem to spark this much furor... so yeah, I don't get it!
Well, yeah, but there are quite a few GBA gems too. :P Don't have time to list any though! Gotta run...
archie4oz
19-Nov-2002, 20:38
Far better selection of titles in Japan... Factor in the popularity of the AGB in Japan coupled with people wanting to just simply pop their game into their 'Cube to play on the TV while sitting their couch or at their kotatsu, and continue playing the same game they were playing while on the run earlier in the day...
Even if the product does make it outside of Japan, it probably won't get used nearly as much as it would there...
Ozymandis
19-Nov-2002, 20:39
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
Here's a couple of really simple and LAME reasons:
1. GCN boots several times faster than any PC I've ever seen.
2. Got a PC GamePad? If not, there's another reason. Keyboard am teh suck.
3. Oddly enough, though SNES games look great with 2xSaI, GBA games look like crap IMO.
4 - the NO FRIGGIN' DUH reason - . If you play the games on your PC when you're at home, that means you have to have two seperate save files per game, unless you can magically transfer your saves from your HDD to your cartridge. :lol:
1. Can't argue with that, although it's not too big a gap.
2. Yes, I do. I agree that KB sucks though.
3. Hmmm. I don't agree. Well, maybe. Depends on the game. Metroid Fusion looks bad with it, Golden Sun looks good with it.
4. Since I don't own a GBA, that's not a problem.
Because PCs suck for anything but graphical adventures...
What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Or this topic?
...and some of us don't mind paying for our games.
*looks at huge CD case sitting next him with a couple hundred games in it, all bought retail, most at full price*
I'm certainly not opposed to buying games. I prefer not to buy games that came out in more impressive form on SNES years ago. That's why I have a real problem with buying a GBA and games for it. It's not worth the cost, my money is better spent elsewhere I think. So for those one or two GBA games I can't live without, I just play them on my PC.
cybamerc
19-Nov-2002, 21:30
Ozymandis:
> What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Or this topic?
PCs are not suited for the kind of games you'll find for GBA. While it may be cheaper downloading a ROM off the internet and play it on an emu, the enjoyment is nowhere near the same.
> So for those one or two GBA games I can't live without, I just play
> them on my PC.
If you're not interested in GBA games (outside of stealing them of course) why are you even in this thread? This device is for ppl who enjoy GBA games and don't mind paying for them. Just because you have no need for it doesn't mean other ppl won't find it appealing.
Reznor007
19-Nov-2002, 21:37
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
Because this is the "legal" way to play a GBA game on anything other than a GBA. Surely you know Nintendo's stance on emulation.
While it may be cheaper downloading a ROM off the internet and play it on an emu, the enjoyment is nowhere near the same
...no where near the same as when you played it on SNES (and could actually see the screen) however many years ago :lol:
wtf!? :o
This is the coolest thing ever. I'll will own this on day 1.
Question...
The GBA screen displays a non-interlaced signal right? If so, maybe there's a chance the Gameboy player will, somehow, increase the resolution to 320x240 at least and maybe support progressive scan. That'd be very nice.
Actually, the AGB screen outputs 240x160 *interlaced*. However, I can't think of any reason why this device wouldn't output the full 240x160 pixels every 60th of a second, since you code the AGB like the screen was "progressive" anyway.
What horizontal resolution does the GC support?
Btw, I sure hope there's a 100% unfiltered output mode for us who appreciate pixels as originally drawn.
Tagrineth
20-Nov-2002, 00:12
I'm certainly not opposed to buying games. I prefer not to buy games that came out in more impressive form on SNES years ago. That's why I have a real problem with buying a GBA and games for it. It's not worth the cost, my money is better spent elsewhere I think. So for those one or two GBA games I can't live without, I just play them on my PC.
I own 11 GBA games.
ONE of them is an SNES remake - Breath of Fire II, because I loved the first and was always ticked that I missed the chance to buy the SNES version years ago, sorta like F-Zero X.
SNES remakes aren't the only good GBA cames. Jeeze.
PC-Engine
20-Nov-2002, 00:20
Three, not two...
Thanks for the correction :oops:
I should've just looked under my GC :lol:
There's serial port 1, serial port 2, and the high speed port...that's pretty cool. I wonder what the tiny port 2 will be used for?
Yes, via their purchase of Rare, Microsoft is now a Nintendo GameCube 3rd party developer.
Hilarious!
BenSkywalker
20-Nov-2002, 01:59
This is going to sell for around $40? I'll be picking one up.
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
I'd have to agree with you. The only reason I bought a GBA was to play the rom games, that I had played on my computer, while I travel.
Console games for home, handheld games for traveling, simple as that.
I don't know, one of the reasons I picked up a GBA (besides to celebrate my [thankgod] HIV neg results) was to attempt to relive all the good times I had with my TurboExpress curled up in bed before going to sleep. Well gee, didn't the lack of a backlight put a stop on that? I mean, I heard it was bad, but even with a lamp beside me I have to twist my wrists into unhuman positions just to see the screen.
I'm considering using it as trade bait for Steel Batallion.... :D :D :D (I have a platinum one though, and feel its 'special' in some way)
Ozymandis
20-Nov-2002, 08:32
Just FYI: I'm not a big software pirate. I buy 30 games a year, or more usually, most at full price. I just don't like the idea of paying 30 bucks for a GBA game. It doesn't sit well with me. But I think my girlfriend is getting me a GBA for Christmas, so looks like I'll have to start buying the games :(
PCs are not suited for the kind of games you'll find for GBA. While it may be cheaper downloading a ROM off the internet and play it on an emu, the enjoyment is nowhere near the same.
If you're not interested in GBA games (outside of stealing them of course) why are you even in this thread? This device is for ppl who enjoy GBA games and don't mind paying for them. Just because you have no need for it doesn't mean other ppl won't find it appealing.
Actually I use my PC more for emulation than for actual PC games these days. My PC resents your remark. As for the "enjoyment factor", if I'm not travelling, the enjoyment is actually greater. 19 inch monitor, 3 inch non-backlit LCD screen. 640x480 with pixel smoothing versus 240x160. Hmmm, decisions decisions..
And if I steal GBA games, then obviously I'm somewhat interested in them :lol:
Because this is the "legal" way to play a GBA game on anything other than a GBA. Surely you know Nintendo's stance on emulation.
What do I care about their stance on emulation? They're not looking out for my best interests.
I own 11 GBA games.
ONE of them is an SNES remake - Breath of Fire II, because I loved the first and was always ticked that I missed the chance to buy the SNES version years ago, sorta like F-Zero X.
SNES remakes aren't the only good GBA cames. Jeeze.
That wasn't really my point. Pretty much everything I've seen done on GBA is more-or-less the same sort of stuff I used to play on my SNES. Not too much new ground being broken on the handheld in terms of gameplay...
Reznor007
20-Nov-2002, 09:15
Just FYI: I'm not a big software pirate. I buy 30 games a year, or more usually, most at full price. I just don't like the idea of paying 30 bucks for a GBA game. It doesn't sit well with me. But I think my girlfriend is getting me a GBA for Christmas, so looks like I'll have to start buying the games :(
PCs are not suited for the kind of games you'll find for GBA. While it may be cheaper downloading a ROM off the internet and play it on an emu, the enjoyment is nowhere near the same.
If you're not interested in GBA games (outside of stealing them of course) why are you even in this thread? This device is for ppl who enjoy GBA games and don't mind paying for them. Just because you have no need for it doesn't mean other ppl won't find it appealing.
Actually I use my PC more for emulation than for actual PC games these days. My PC resents your remark. As for the "enjoyment factor", if I'm not travelling, the enjoyment is actually greater. 19 inch monitor, 3 inch non-backlit LCD screen. 640x480 with pixel smoothing versus 240x160. Hmmm, decisions decisions..
And if I steal GBA games, then obviously I'm somewhat interested in them :lol:
Because this is the "legal" way to play a GBA game on anything other than a GBA. Surely you know Nintendo's stance on emulation.
What do I care about their stance on emulation? They're not looking out for my best interests.
I own 11 GBA games.
ONE of them is an SNES remake - Breath of Fire II, because I loved the first and was always ticked that I missed the chance to buy the SNES version years ago, sorta like F-Zero X.
SNES remakes aren't the only good GBA cames. Jeeze.
That wasn't really my point. Pretty much everything I've seen done on GBA is more-or-less the same sort of stuff I used to play on my SNES. Not too much new ground being broken on the handheld in terms of gameplay...
Well, you asked what is the point of the device, and the point of it is to play GBA games "legally" on something other than GBA. That totally answers the question doesn't it?
And as far as the games go...when you only have about the same processing power as an SNES...what do you expect it to do? Even the current consoles aren't really revolutionary...just evolutionary much the same way the GBA is over the GBC.
cybamerc
20-Nov-2002, 09:59
Some of the best games this gen have been released on GBA. I'd rather pay 30 bucks for a spectacular game that is played on a handheld than 50 bucks for a mediocre console title.
Magnum PI
20-Nov-2002, 17:57
now, if you like to play new old-school 2d games legally, you don't have many choices.
neither the xbox, the GC, or the PS2 could provide you this type of games.
the gba seems to be the obvious choice.
so the GBA is interesting not only to the ppl who like to play while they're travelling but also to ppl who enjoy old-school gaming.. and these ppl will enjoy the possibility they now have to play it on their TV which is a lot better than the handheld screen.
now there is some speculation at the possibilty you could play your GB* games online. a lot of these games are already networked, all nintendo would need to do is to replace the physical cables by logical ones over internet.
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
I'd rather play my GBA games on my 36" WEGA XBR than my 21" Hitachi computer monitor..
;)
That and I'd rather enjoy it on my stereo system than my headphones. :)
I'm definitely getting this.
Tagrineth
21-Nov-2002, 00:58
This is cool BUT...
why mess with this when (if I'm not going to be travelling and just want to play GBA games in my home) I can just play the games on my PC and with improved graphics?
Hate to say it like that...
I'd rather play my GBA games on my 36" WEGA XBR than my 21" Hitachi computer monitor..
;)
That and I'd rather enjoy it on my stereo system than my headphones. :)
I'm definitely getting this.
61" HDTV 8)
Some of the best games this gen have been released on GBA. I'd rather pay 30 bucks for a spectacular game that is played on a handheld than 50 bucks for a mediocre console title.
Other than Golden Sun 1 & 2, Advanced War, and maybe Yoshi, I have no idea what spectacular games you are talking about.
Emulators also let you save the game anytime you want and in 10 different slots, which is a major plus in some games.
:o Ozy, you don't like GBA? What a shame >_<
For me, portable gaming always boosted my attention span for gaming. I guess it's one of a comfort factor. I play console games more than PC games because I find sitting on the couch more comfortable, and I play handheld games more than console games because I find lying on the bed more comfortable. I guess I'm one of proud (and recklessly stupid) dude who enjoyed playing SNES Final Fantasy IV and VI through GameGear TV tuner inside the comfort of my bed. (I wouldn't try THAT again, but boy, what an experience!)
Playing Shining Force II on Nomad was far more satisfying experience than playing it on either Genesis or PC emu. ;) And I didn't even touch NGPC emu cuz none of my gamepads and keyboards have as great response as my NGPC thumbpad, which is important to pull off some crazy combos.
That being said, I do dislike GBA for having crappiest lighting condition a portable screen can have. but with Afterburner installation, I sure will enjoy it more than I would play it on computer monitor. I do agree with you for expensive GBA game prices. GBA games having prices as expensive as some of DC games (of that day) are simply ridiculous. We already know of Nintendo's high license fee. but this time, the devs have to pay dearly for meager storage spaces. Ever wonder why Golden Sun : the Lost Ages is one of few games that are 128Mbits? cuz Nintendo makes it expensive for the others ;p but overall, I find playing portable versions of games I played on SNES a blessing. So I suggest you give GBA another chance. :)
Tagrineth
21-Nov-2002, 01:38
Some of the best games this gen have been released on GBA. I'd rather pay 30 bucks for a spectacular game that is played on a handheld than 50 bucks for a mediocre console title.
Other than Golden Sun 1 & 2, Advanced War, and maybe Yoshi, I have no idea what spectacular games you are talking about.
Emulators also let you save the game anytime you want and in 10 different slots, which is a major plus in some games.
Well let's see, we have Golden Sun 1 and 2, Advance Wars, SMW2: Yoshi's Island, SMW, Megaman Battle Network 1 and 2, and soon 3, F-Zero Maximum Velocity, Metroid Fusion (WOOHOO), Megaman ZERO, Sonic Advance, Breath of Fire 1 and 2, Tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodis, Tony Hawk 2 3 and 4, Castlevania (name one of 'em :P).
Probably more, those are just all the good GBA games I've actually PLAYED.
And there'll be more coming up soon (stuff like FF Tactics, though I didn't like the PSX game much [note that FFT GBA is a NEW game, not a port], an original Mario (you know it'll happen :P), Zelda 3...).
Looking at GBA's library is like looking at PSX and PS2's - there are a LOT of mediocre games, but a few real gems are sitting in there.
mkillio
21-Nov-2002, 01:47
There's also Eck vs. Sever 1 and 2 as well as Doom I & II.
Ozymandis
21-Nov-2002, 08:34
Some of the best games this gen have been released on GBA. I'd rather pay 30 bucks for a spectacular game that is played on a handheld than 50 bucks for a mediocre console title.
I don't agree with either of your points. Although Golden Sun has caught my eye as being a solid RPG, and Metroid Fusion is pretty good, the rest of the stuff on GBA to date I'd file under "forgettable". Even those two games I'd be leery of paying 30 dollars for.
I'd rather play my GBA games on my 36" WEGA XBR than my 21" Hitachi computer monitor..
;)
That and I'd rather enjoy it on my stereo system than my headphones. :)
I'm definitely getting this.
For me, I'd rather have the games on my monitor. Although I do have a 32 inch Toshiba HDTV, I can use the filters on emulator and get a superior picture even if it is on my small monitor. And I far prefer headphones in any scenario :)
To each his (or her) own I guess.
Ozymandis
21-Nov-2002, 08:36
:o Ozy, you don't like GBA? What a shame >_<
Nope, I don't care for GBA a bit. And as you mention, lack of a backlight is disappointing. Actually, it's a killer for me, as the only time I could see playing a portable system is in bed.
I'll stick with my Game Gear when I ever need a portable system, thanks :D
Some of the best games this gen have been released on GBA. I'd rather pay 30 bucks for a spectacular game that is played on a handheld than 50 bucks for a mediocre console title.
Hehehe, but I still would pay 50 bucks for that spectacular game to be played on TV instead of small GBA screens, which I think is killing my eyes. I think I played more GBA games this year than any other consoles. This gadget is indeed a welcome :)
Tagrineth, you played Golden Sun 2 already? :roll:
I have Yu Gi Oh for the GBA (gotta admit it's sad to have a computer beat you by throwing out a CyberStein+ BEUD combo on the first turn or a Exodia combo on the 3rd draw (damn lucky)
Golden Sun awesome game
Breath of Fire II awesome game as well
Dragon Warrior III -GBC game but I like it too
Super Mario World (great game from SNES days)
Phantasy Star I, II , III is coming as well .
Tagrineth
25-Nov-2002, 02:37
Tagrineth, you played Golden Sun 2 already? :roll:
Yep! Japanese version. I couldn't tell any new features offhand, what with not understanding any Japanese, but the core gameplay is about the same, and the battle graphics are SLIGHTLY improved. :)
vBulletin® v3.8.6, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.