Game Boy Micro System

Nintendo has been the kings of the handheld market forever.  Competitors have come and gone while Nintendo’s Game Boy remained undefeated.  Nintendo has been never been one to rest on a single design for the Game Boy hardware.  There have been several versions of the Game Boy dating back to the original monochrome color versions released years ago.  The last update to the Game Boy was the Game Boy Advance SP which changed the shape of the system to a flip top style casing.  But now Nintendo has decided to redesign the Game Boy Advance hardware again and this time tiny is the key. 

The Game Boy Micro is a small pocket size system that is very stylish and sleek.  The layout of the system returns to the original Game Boy Advance layout and is similar to the PSP layout.  The directional pad is on the left side of the screen and the “A” and “B” button are on the right side of the screen.  The screen for the Micro is what Nintendo is calling the best Game Boy screen yet.  The screen is 2 inches, backlit and the brightness can be adjusted to indoor or outdoor lighting.  The system measures 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall, 0.7 inches deep and weighs 2.8 ounces.  Seeing these numbers in print doesn’t mean anything until you get the system in your hand, which I’m happy to report, was a pleasure.

As the name implies the system really is micro.  One of the Nintendo reps pulled the system out of his pocket and at first I didn’t think it was a system but a lighter or maybe a small phone.  But to my surprise this little device was the new Game Boy Micro.  The system is very light weight but doesn’t feel fragile like a certain other portable system that I have in my collection.  The Micro really could be mistaken for something else besides a gaming system upon first inspection but once the system turns on the familiar Game Boy Advance logo appears.  The shoulder buttons are still on this system but now have a much lower feel to them then the SP.  I thought the shoulder buttons were gone until I turned the system around to see the buttons just a lower setting. 

The system only plays Game Boy Advance games and is not backwards compatible with Game Boy or Game Boy Color games.  I don’t believe this will be an issue since the DS is only backwards compatible with GBA games and the GBA market is still going strong.  The games on the system still look great and played just as fine.  Nintendo was only showing off the new Fire Emblem game for the GBA on the Micro but the action and text on screen was still clearly visible.  The Micro will even allow you to customize the look of the system with faceplates that will be available as well.  Nintendo had several systems on display at E3 with several different faceplates.  I applaud Nintendo for this feature since we usually see a system with multiple colors when introduced but with only 1 or 2 when launched. 

The Game Boy Micro might not be the new Game Boy some of us wanted to see at E3 but it was still a nice surprise.  The system will come with a rechargeable battery and is expected to be launched in the fall of 2005.  No price has been set yet for the system as of this time.  You might not need another Game Boy system but you might have to get one once you see the Micro.  If small is in then the Micro will end up in the hands of many gamers this holiday season. 

For All E3 2005 Previews