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Welcome to the news section of Gengar132's Nintendo Galaxy. The purpose of this section is to inform you, the reader, of recent events concerning Nintendo products. Since the news on this page is relatively current, the content must change often. I hope to update on a weekly schedule, but if things get out of hand, I may have to update bi-weekly.
Week of September 6: Game Boy Advance

This week's news story will be about Game Boy Advance (temporary name), Nintendo's next generation handheld. For those of you who may not know, Game Boy Advance is the recently announced product thought to be in development awhile ago under the code name Atlantis.

Nintendo Power Source recently released the first specifications of this promising handheld. See for yourself: these are the specs, as released by Nintendo of America

  • CPU: Memory embedded 32-bit RISC CPU (CPU core design by ARM)
  • LCD: Reflective TFT Color LCD
  • Display Size: 40.8 mm x 61.2 mm
  • Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
  • Maximum colors to be displayed simultaneously: 65,000
  • Size: Approximately Height 80mm/Width 135mm/Depth 25mm
  • Weight: Approximately 140g
  • Power Supply: 2 AA Alkaline batteries
  • Battery Life: 20 hours continuous play
  • Launch Date: August 2000 in Japan, Christmas 2000 in America and Europe
  • Suggested Retail Price: To be announced

But what does all that mean to you? Well, ARM Corporation is well known for its cell phone CPUs, for starters. Then we move on to the screen. It will utilize the same type of screen as Game Boy Color, meaning it will not be backlit. The size of the screen, as you can see from the specs, will be a horizontal rectangle.(as opposed to GBC's not-quite-square screen) Game Boy Advance will be backwards-compatible with all existing Game Boy and Game Boy Color games Now, if you would point your attention to the the release date, you will see it is planned to be released alongside Nintendo's next-gen Dolphin. GB Advance will probably be used as some sort of controller with seperate screen. The system will probably cost about as much as GBC ($80), maybe a little bit more.

But one of the most interesting features of Game Boy Advance is its internet capabilities. When connected to a cellular phone, the GB Advance will be able to access the internet. Nintendo Power Source says that users will be able to "download game software, participate in multi-player games, chat, and exchange e-mail".

Overall, the Game Boy Advance looks to be a great piece of hardware, and with developers like Nintendo and Konami supporting it, great software should come as well. With Internet and Dolphin integration, GB Advance should sell extremely well.(as if it wouldn't) It's only problem that I can see, is that it is being released so soon after Game Boy Color. A lot of people are going to be upset that their new purchase will be outdated so quickly. But I suppose that there is no alternative that will allow it to be released at the same time as Dolphin, assuming Dolphin is released on schedule. I, for one, can't wait for Game Boy's next evolution to hit America.

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Favorite Links
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IGNpocket's Game Boy Advance FAQ
Everything known so far on Nintendo's successor to the Game Boy Color.



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