Nintendo Game Boy Color White Console
- Platform: Game Boy Color
- Console Type: Handheld
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The Nintendo Gameboy: A secret guilty pleasure exposed...
Pros
Compact, wide variety of games
Cons
Cannot be used in low-lit areas without light accessory
Recommended it?
Yes
I remember the first Gameboys ? gray exterior, black and white screen, and quite a bit larger then their counterpart of today. Several children that I babysat had these magnificent hand held games, and I hate to admit that I loved the moment I got them tucked into bed. It was time to feed my Tetris addiction.
Fast forward 10+ years?
I am now older, (hopefully) a bit wiser, married, have a preschool-age son, and I still have Gameboy cravings.
With high-tech, graphic intensive games and game consoles such as Playstation and Dreamcast why would I want something that seems so inferior?
The memories
I love many of the games that are available on the Gameboy system. Tetris, of course, is an old favorite, but there is also Space Invaders that brings back a bit of nostalgia of the Atari system I had as a kid.
It?s compact
The Gameboy is small, so small in fact that it can slip into your coat pocket. This could present problems if you tend to lose things easily, but it can also open up a world of possibilities as well. Wonder how your kids (or you for that matter) are going to make it through that cross-country road trip or plan trip?? The Gameboy is a great way to pass the time when you have nothing to do and can go virtually anywhere.
Easy on the batteries
A Gameboy requires 2 AA batteries. I have had my Gameboy since Sept and have had to change the batteries once (yes, I said one time). Granted, while I am not playing it all day everyday?I have to have some time for Epinions?it is usually turned on at least once a day. If you are worried about battery consumption you can also purchase an AC adapter.
Simple to use
Call me an imbecile, but I am intimidated by today?s game systems. I cannot handle control pads with 15 buttons ? what are they all for anyway?? I certainly do not have the dexterity (or memory for that matter) to use them all effectively.
The Gameboy, on the other hand, is very simple. There are the ?start? and ?select? buttons, the directional button, and the ?A? and ?B? buttons typically used to jump and shoot. Easy enough, huh?
Choices, choices?
There is a huge array of games for the Gameboy. There is, of course, Tetris but you also have your choice of basic, well-known arcade favorites such as Space Invaders and Frogger and role playing games such as *gasp* Pokemon. There is also quite a selection of racing and your basic ?shoot?em up,? adventure-type games. In addition, Nintendo has a great marketing on games based on animated movies like Rugrats, Toy Story, and Tarzan. No matter what your taste of games might be, the Gameboy most likely has a game just for you.
Stylish
Gone are the gray Gameboys of old. The buyer now has a large selection of colorful Gameboys to choose from ? clear, teal, purple, lime green, yellow, and the list goes on. They are thinner and sleeker ? the sports coupe of hand held games, if you will.
Accessorize that Gameboy!
Here is where the big money can come into play. Where would a game system be without the plethora of accessories to go along with it? Games aside, for the Gameboy you can buy a carrying case, AC adapter, printer, camera, magnifier and light, link (to link 2 Gameboys together), and the list goes on.
Does one actually need all of these little gadgets and gizmos? In a word ? NO!
Depending on what your needs are plan accordingly. A carrying case is a good idea as is the AC adapter. The case is a safe place to store your Gameboy and the assorted games you may have collected. You do not have to buy the ?official? Gameboy case. I use a very small camera case made by Case Logic and my husband has a case made for a portable CD player. (*sigh* Did I fail to mention we own 2 of these things??)
Ok, it cannot all be good?
Cost
The only major drawback to feed the Gameboy addiction is the cost. A color Gameboy in itself is not outrageously expensive, about $70. (By the way, black & white Gameboys can still be found at a cheaper price, but some games can only be played on the color system).
Where the money really comes into play is in the games and the array of accessories I mentioned earlier. The typical games costs anywhere between$20 and $30. If you like a large variety of games the cost can add up rather quickly. The price will also rise if you add accessories. The camera will run you in upwards of $50 and the printer is expensive as well. Then along with the printer you will need to buy the paper?another $10 for that. In most cases, these types of accessories are not needed at all?the choice is entirely up to you.
Lighting
Yes, lighting can pose a problem. To play the Gameboy you must be in a well-lit room in order to properly see the screen. This means no playing at night while your spouse sleeps (hhmmm?maybe that light accessory could come in handy after all!).
Well, I hope you?ve come away a bit more informed about that little hand held game your kids, or even your husband, has been pinning away for. As for me?I?m off to shoot up a few pesky aliens before dinner! ;o)
Fast forward 10+ years?
I am now older, (hopefully) a bit wiser, married, have a preschool-age son, and I still have Gameboy cravings.
With high-tech, graphic intensive games and game consoles such as Playstation and Dreamcast why would I want something that seems so inferior?
The memories
I love many of the games that are available on the Gameboy system. Tetris, of course, is an old favorite, but there is also Space Invaders that brings back a bit of nostalgia of the Atari system I had as a kid.
It?s compact
The Gameboy is small, so small in fact that it can slip into your coat pocket. This could present problems if you tend to lose things easily, but it can also open up a world of possibilities as well. Wonder how your kids (or you for that matter) are going to make it through that cross-country road trip or plan trip?? The Gameboy is a great way to pass the time when you have nothing to do and can go virtually anywhere.
Easy on the batteries
A Gameboy requires 2 AA batteries. I have had my Gameboy since Sept and have had to change the batteries once (yes, I said one time). Granted, while I am not playing it all day everyday?I have to have some time for Epinions?it is usually turned on at least once a day. If you are worried about battery consumption you can also purchase an AC adapter.
Simple to use
Call me an imbecile, but I am intimidated by today?s game systems. I cannot handle control pads with 15 buttons ? what are they all for anyway?? I certainly do not have the dexterity (or memory for that matter) to use them all effectively.
The Gameboy, on the other hand, is very simple. There are the ?start? and ?select? buttons, the directional button, and the ?A? and ?B? buttons typically used to jump and shoot. Easy enough, huh?
Choices, choices?
There is a huge array of games for the Gameboy. There is, of course, Tetris but you also have your choice of basic, well-known arcade favorites such as Space Invaders and Frogger and role playing games such as *gasp* Pokemon. There is also quite a selection of racing and your basic ?shoot?em up,? adventure-type games. In addition, Nintendo has a great marketing on games based on animated movies like Rugrats, Toy Story, and Tarzan. No matter what your taste of games might be, the Gameboy most likely has a game just for you.
Stylish
Gone are the gray Gameboys of old. The buyer now has a large selection of colorful Gameboys to choose from ? clear, teal, purple, lime green, yellow, and the list goes on. They are thinner and sleeker ? the sports coupe of hand held games, if you will.
Accessorize that Gameboy!
Here is where the big money can come into play. Where would a game system be without the plethora of accessories to go along with it? Games aside, for the Gameboy you can buy a carrying case, AC adapter, printer, camera, magnifier and light, link (to link 2 Gameboys together), and the list goes on.
Does one actually need all of these little gadgets and gizmos? In a word ? NO!
Depending on what your needs are plan accordingly. A carrying case is a good idea as is the AC adapter. The case is a safe place to store your Gameboy and the assorted games you may have collected. You do not have to buy the ?official? Gameboy case. I use a very small camera case made by Case Logic and my husband has a case made for a portable CD player. (*sigh* Did I fail to mention we own 2 of these things??)
Ok, it cannot all be good?
Cost
The only major drawback to feed the Gameboy addiction is the cost. A color Gameboy in itself is not outrageously expensive, about $70. (By the way, black & white Gameboys can still be found at a cheaper price, but some games can only be played on the color system).
Where the money really comes into play is in the games and the array of accessories I mentioned earlier. The typical games costs anywhere between$20 and $30. If you like a large variety of games the cost can add up rather quickly. The price will also rise if you add accessories. The camera will run you in upwards of $50 and the printer is expensive as well. Then along with the printer you will need to buy the paper?another $10 for that. In most cases, these types of accessories are not needed at all?the choice is entirely up to you.
Lighting
Yes, lighting can pose a problem. To play the Gameboy you must be in a well-lit room in order to properly see the screen. This means no playing at night while your spouse sleeps (hhmmm?maybe that light accessory could come in handy after all!).
Well, I hope you?ve come away a bit more informed about that little hand held game your kids, or even your husband, has been pinning away for. As for me?I?m off to shoot up a few pesky aliens before dinner! ;o)
