Handheld consoles.

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:35 pm

Or whatever the hell you call it.

I'll probably be doing som traveling in the near future (a bunch of people are moving away, so I'll be going by train to visit them).

What handheld consol do you recommend?
The handheld Sony-thingy (PSP) is WAY to expensive.
So I'm thinking about the Gameboy Advance, or the Nintendo DS.

The Advance is cheaper, has more games, and I'll probably be able to buy alot more used games(=cheap games) for it.

The DS -> is newer, and therefor cooler.

I'd like to play a RPG of some sort - preferably one with alot of story (Games that I think has story; Suikoden, Tales of Symphonia, Final Fantasy VII. Games that doesnt have story; Wind Waker [it feels like you're just treasure hunting]).

So, what do you guys say?
Is the Advance worth buying? Does it feel good in your hand? Is the screen okay? Etc.

E.J.Su · Post by **E.J.Su** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:01 pm

Obfleur wrote:The Advance is cheaper, has more games, and I'll probably be able to buy alot more used games(=cheap games) for it.

Actually, DS has more games, since DS plays all GBA games.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:04 pm

or u can get a PSP that has emulators to play.

GBA,megadrive,snes,MAME, pretty much everything, and surf the net etc...

so...

I dunno, its like what can u afford.

if u can only afford a gba, thats what your gonna get. a DS (gba with a mouse) obviously is your next option, and finnaly a PSP.

And I really dont care if Sony make it.

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:09 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote: And I really dont care if Sony make it.

Neither do I?

Well, honestly I want to spend as little money as possible.
A Gameboy A will cost me 400SKR.
A PSP will cost me 2400SKR.
Quite a difference.

I think I can get a Gameboy A, with a cool game, for like 700SKR.
That's roughly £50.
And I really just want one game I can play.
When I'm finished with it, I sell it / exchange it for a new one.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:18 pm

out of interest is it to play the game on the move? - i mean u could emulate it and play the game on your PC?

I can e-mail u the files...

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:23 pm

If you hack a psp open then it could be a good move, as you can get roms on the memry card, however, the firmware on the machine is updated everytime you play a new psp game on the machine, so this will not be an ideal solution if you do not have regular access to a pc to download the latest hacks.

There is also the issue that the PSP itself is pretty fragile, and has a fairly weak battery life (4-6 hours). So this may not be ideal for travelling.

The DS has the benefits of a superior battery (10 hours ish), and a huge backlog of GBA games to play on it. It is also a pretty tough little machine and could withstand a lot more wear and tear than a psp. Its a bit cheaper also, and there has just been a price cut in the states which could be reflected in Europe soon.

I think a GBA SP still costs £70 which is a rip off when a DS is £100, so i wouldnt even bother considering an SP.

Good time consuming GBA games...I would probably suggest either of the Advance Wars of Fire emblem games (turn based strategy - ideal for handhelds) or possibly Mario & Luigi which is very fun and very very long!

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:26 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:out of interest is it to play the game on the move?

Yeah, I'll be on the move

Thanks Hound.
I think I'll go with the Gameboy Advance (and I'll probably buy a used one).

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:06 pm

I would like to buy a console as well, was thinking about the DS because it sounds like it has interesting possibilities with the two screens. And because I've never had a console.

Why don't you just try to find the coolest game and see what console it is for?

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:09 pm

May I suggest as a game for the GBA that you get either:

1. A METROID(! these ones are good..trust me) one.

2. A Castlevania one. ( All but Circle of the MOon are l33t)

OR, if you wanna have some GAME, get yo arse a ZELDA Minish Cap, it is Zelda on par. No more should be needed to say.

Also, you have to remember that a game boy is of course always region-free, buy a game in the states or jap or wherever, play it on yo european gba. And that just about all the old GB and GBC games work on your GBA, I'm playing some Duke Nukem 2 GBC at my GBA when the craving comes.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:29 pm

the DS = so far.

A wide screen game in verticle mode.

or

A game with a mouse! - sorry pointer.

Yoshi go go is good tho.

I like the DS as its inovative, what i find sad is the actuall design of the unit I think totaly sucks it looks crap.

guess what im a PSP man, but only because its like having a portable PS2 with lots of emulators.

My good friend has a DS that I do play on a regular basis, but im still always left thinking, its like using a mouse. the games are fun but thats about it, fun, pick up for 5 mins, throw away.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 4:48 pm

Eline wrote:I would like to buy a console as well, was thinking about the DS because it sounds like it has interesting possibilities with the two screens. And because I've never had a console.

Why don't you just try to find the coolest game and see what console it is for?

The DS has gone down very well with the ladies apparantly. Its a very fun console and the ethos behind a lot of the games is 'pick up and play'.

The machine itself is pretty ugly though. Don't let that put you off

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:14 pm

nintendo dogs, electroplazam, yoshi, Kirby, all is good

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:23 pm

Castlevania is coming out soon too. And apparently Meteos, is a cool sorta bizarre Tetris-like game too.

Except f*ckin' wild in speed when you play it.

Metroid Prime Hunters is da bozz-bozz, too bad I don't live in japan, cause then I'd get one h*lluva lot more out of the internet-play.

Would perhaps the stunning lady Eline want a pic and info on GameBoy Advance Micro?

It's about half the GBA-size, but the same machine really, and it comes with exchangeable shells. So you can change that, just like on a mobile-phone. Don't know why they haven't done that yet, really.

Prize in the UK will apparently be about 69£. Maybe a bit steep...
http://level7.nu/texter/read.php?id=59547&jump=

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:06 pm

as much as castlevania and stuff are nice, they offer nothing new but trying to controll a game designed for a d-pad with a mouse/stylus.

Ninty dogs befits from wi-fi, ectro,yoshi and Kirby are true examples of why 2 screens a stylus are of use and not novlty.

Castlevania and metroid might aswell be on a GBA

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:12 pm

I agree about Castlevania, the touch screen is merely used to draw symbols. It will still be a great game though, Castlevania games are always good.

I disagree about Metroid Hunters, the touch screen makes a fantastic control system, one that suits an FPS to the ground. Combine this with the Ds graphic power and Wifi ability and its certainly a worthy game and it will be a true killer app.

I played an 8 player Bomberman game the other night, u need only 1 cartridge and beam the game to the other systems. All the maps and weapons included. One of the best multiplayer nights we have had.

*edit* I really want a GB Micro, they are very cute. £70 is far too steep though. If it was released at around £50 i probably would have got one without thinking about it. Does anyone know if they can link up with the cube still?

Kup_1 · Post by **Kup_1** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:23 pm

This might sound silly, but couldn't you buy the games you really want, then rent or borrow the console for them?

That might save some money....

StoneCold Skywarp · Post by **StoneCold Skywarp** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:36 pm

I'd opt for one of the Nintendo machines, particularly if you're fond of RPGs.

Look out for (besides the Zelda games) Golden Sun 1&2, Shining Soul and Shining Force 2. Also, Mario & Luigi is a pretty decent RPG which is easy to pick up and play.

Failing that, Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles may be worth a peep.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:42 pm

yep I think the DS is good as u can draw on the old GBA titles.

Im pretty certain over the next year you will see the PSP begin to end up with games we thought it would.

Pro evo is good for me...

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:47 am

The micro does look nice

but I still want as DS.

But first I need to find out the price and which games they have...

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:56 am

they cost about £100

they can play all the GBA and GB games. so u have a big libary of old games to play.

but DS games I belive that are worth it and offere a new experience, and games I belive you would enjoy are.

Nintendodogs - Electroplazma - Kirby - Yoshi go go.

Those 4 I feel show off why its cool to have 2 screens and a stylus.

I understand Metroid prime is pretty and has a stylus for control, but It feels gimicky - its essentialy, oh looks its goldeneye, lets use a stylus instead of a mouse.
I dont belive its what the DS was designed for.

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:45 pm

Thanks, I have to remember those games.

I don't really like the 'standard' platform and adventure games, a much too impatient and inexperienced to enjoy those.

Now I'll just have to find a way to get a DS as a birthday present...

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:20 pm

Nintendogs does indeed look the bee's knees.

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:10 pm

You people say that you can play Gameboy Advanced games on the Nintendo DS.
Is this through emulating - or can you just buy a GBA game and plug it in?

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:13 pm

You can just buy a GBA game in the store, then go home and plug it in to your DS. It's even got a special port for reading the little suckers.

Now, go get one. And give me one for free. Since I have his stupid rule of "I can only buy every 2nd console of a certain type". Wich means I can buy original ninty, but not super ninty, n64 but not gamecube, Revolution but not whatever might come nexy.

It's the same for the hand-helds, gb, no gb pocket, but gb color(never got around to buying one for some reason, all the same I didn't

), therefore got the uber-leet that was GBA, but therefore can't get the DS even tho I want to.

You see the dilemma?

it saves a hefty amount of money tho. The pc, and "borrowing" from friends have to sustain me in the interim periods.

Jazz · Post by **Jazz** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:02 pm

I say Gameboy advance cause my sister owns 1 and it keeps you ocupied.

adam.creighton · Post by **adam.creighton** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:09 pm

Now don't laugh, but I think the best RPG on the GBA are the Pokemon Games. And Give Golden Sun a try.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:55 pm

pokemon games are actually very enjoyable rpgs. golden suns not bad either.

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:54 pm

I'm guessing that nobody really cares

But I've decided to go with the Nintendo DS.

The Touchscreen/stylus, the ability to play GB Advance games, the price, and "Oh blow in my microphone hole, and stuff'll happen on the screen. And you can also talk to me, yay" is what made me want it.

Now I just need to get the money

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:16 pm

An excellent choice oB.

So, any games in perticular that you're aiming to get for this one?

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:04 am

Cool! Let me know how you like it, because I'm still thinking about buying one as well.

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