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Game Boy micro
Microside
Basic Information
Type(s)
Handheld Console
Generation
Sixth
Nintendo
Game Boy Advance
Technical Information
Supported Media
GBA Game Pak
European Union European Release
November 42005
CanadaUnited StatesMexico North American Release
October 22005
Japan Japanese Release
September 132005
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The Game Boy micro is a redesign of the Game Boy Advance. It features the same technology, just a new design. Nintendo claimed that despite the screens small size, it is the brightest and clearest screen they have put on any handheld. According to Reginald Fils-Aime, it was designed for "the image-conscious gamer". It was revealed at E3 2005. Unlike its advanced brethren, The Game Boy micro lacked the ability to play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, and it is not able to use a link cable for multi-player without a special adapter.

The Game Boy micro launched in Japan on September 13, 2005 for 12,000 yen (coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. series), North America on October 2, 2005 for $99.99, and in Europe on November 4, 2005 for £69.

Design and specs[ | ]

The unit itself is slightly smaller than an iPod mini. In North America the micro is available in two colours, each including two interchangeable faceplates for gamers who want to customize it (these being silver with "Ammonite" and "Ladybug" faceplates and black with "flame" and "Camouflage" faceplates). while Europe received it in four colours: Silver, Green, Blue, and Pink. Japan once again kicks the asses of other regions in the colours department, along with the American Black and Silver colours and the European Blue, Japan will get a Purple micro and a micro resembling a controller for the Famicom (the Japanese version of the NES).

  • Dimensions: 50 x 101 x 17.2 millimetres (2 x 4 x 0.7 in).
  • Weight: 80 g (2.8 ounces).
  • Processor: 32-bit 16.8 MHz ARM processor (ARM7TDMI).
  • Colours: Various.
  • Screen: 51 mm / 2 inches (compared to 74 mm / 2.9 in. for the GBA), backlight with adjustable brightness. According to the Game Boy Micro's press release, the "best Game Boy screen ever".
  • Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels.
  • Buttons: The Game Boy Micro has lines on the Directional pad. Possibly to match with that of the Nintendo DS Lite and the Wii.
  • Battery: built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (Up to 5 hours of battery life with the brightness turned up and the sound on max or 8 hours with both features on regular)
  • Headphones: 3.5mm jack, supports standard headphones without additional accessories.

Software[ | ]

The Game Boy Micro is compatible with all Game Boy Advance cartridges, including Game Boy Advance Video cartridges. Unlike the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP, however, the Game Boy Micro does not support games made for the original Game Boy or Game Boy Color. The e-Reader card series is also effectively incompatible because although the accessory can fit, the design of the e-Reader makes the "Select" and "Start" buttons difficult to access during gameplay. Its size and shape in relation to the system also make it awkward to hold. This can be avoided by removing the E-Reader from the cartridge slot after the game has loaded.

As with the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP systems, there are no regional lockouts on software, so North American games can be played on Japanese or European hardware and vice-versa.

Gallery[ | ]

External Links[ | ]

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