The X-Entertainment Blog!

07/18/2004: The GBA SP Classic, reviewed.

Remember that gigantic inflatable Spider-Man I picked up in the carnival article? I still haven’t found the correct spot for it. Amazing, I know, it being a 7′ bulky inflatable Spider-Man and all. Looks like it’d make a great pool raft. I don’t have a pool. The preceding was an obvious lead-in to this article on the Game Boy Advance SP Classic, the retro-themed portable system complete with a nice library of classic NES titles. I’m definitely down with this one, even after blowing so much cash on games I’ll play 1-3 times. Judging from the Amazon-100 poll in the last entry, I’m not the only one who likes licking this machine. More stuff coming to the blog tonight…

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 211 comments

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lookie here:
http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=m-Game-0000-704

Ghosted by collectors @ 07/19/2004 1:07 PM EDT

I should be able to hold out on buying one of these…

Unless they release Tetris.

Then, I’m in huge trouble.

Ghosted by Yzziefrog @ 07/19/2004 1:09 PM EDT

I have That Gameboy Advance SP Plus The Legend of Zelda and Mario Bros.

Ghosted by MightyStalfos @ 07/19/2004 1:45 PM EDT

JonnyRBee, River City Ransom is already out for the GBA. From what I hear the conversion was really accurate, right down to the ‘BARF!’ quotes by the bad guys.

Ghosted by 4thDown @ 07/19/2004 1:47 PM EDT

oops — yeah, a paragraph got chopped off in the article. will fix when i get home.

Ghosted by Matt @ 07/19/2004 1:47 PM EDT

For people looking for River City Ransom, just go pick up River City Ransom EX. It’s just like the old game with about 300% more stuff crammed into it, none of which you actually NEED to deal with or use. Plus, you can recruit other gang-members to have up to three other computer people fighting with you at the same time. The only downside to the game is there’s no way to link up for 2-player action.

Also, whoever mentioned http://www.pocketnes.org deserves a medal. While the blank GBA cartridge you need to put the stuff on can cost upwards of $100, considering how many NES games you can fit on one cart, it’s a steal compared to the official releases. You know, literally, since the money doesn’t actually go to Nintendo. But if you can’t justify paying $20 for a game that’s $0.99 in the used bin of the same game store, it’s a good alternative.

Ghosted by Marc @ 07/19/2004 1:49 PM EDT

I already had one(silver) and I traded it in with my two worst games.

Ghosted by MightyStalfos @ 07/19/2004 1:50 PM EDT

JonnyRBee – A River City Ransom remake is out on GBA right now. For the most part, it looks pretty faithful to the original. Click on my name to see a review of it.

Ghosted by A-wel Cruiz @ 07/19/2004 1:59 PM EDT

If Nintendo wanted to make some REAL money, they’d reissue the NES itself. This is as close as we’re really going to get to that…

Ghosted by Mars @ 07/19/2004 2:23 PM EDT

OH THANK GOD, someone finally told me the name of that song. I sure as shit didn’t expect to find it here, though.

As far as I know, there are three "Who Are You?" ads, and one of them has Goldfrapp’s "Strict Machine" but does anyone know what the third one is? Never heard it, sounded pretty cool.

Ghosted by Niq @ 07/19/2004 2:32 PM EDT

HOLY SHIT!!!

I Wish I Hadn’t Read This Article Because Now I Have To Go Out And Buy Every Single One Of These Games Along With The System Tomorrow Morning!!!

I Just Hope The Rest Of The Classics Eventually Come Out. I Won’t Be Able To Justify This Spending If I Can’t Own Ltd. Anniversary Editions Of: Super Mario Bros. 2 & 3, Adventure Island, Metroid, Mega Man 1-3, Bases Loaded, Contra, Paper Boy, Techmo Bowl, Duck Tales 1 & 2, Double Dragon, T & C Surf, Ghostbusters 1 & 2, Blades Of Steel, Mike Tyson’s Punchout, Kid Icarus, Castle Vania 1-3, Dungeons & Dragons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 & 2…

Please, Please, Please, Nintendo, Release Every One Of These Titles!!!

I Really Hope This Isn’t Just Going To Be These 8 Or So Games…

Ghosted by Oliver @ 07/19/2004 2:41 PM EDT

hey …. where can i find old nes games in flash or java …. any suggestions?

Ghosted by Graves @ 07/19/2004 3:48 PM EDT

Meh, I also think that for the most part these are wastes of money.

Especially when there are already 1000 versions of most of the games, or they have only so much depth to begin with. Really, the only one I see as any sort of value is Zelda, but then again even that just got 2 rereleases!

I already have Animal Crossing, with all the NES games unlocked (including Zelda and SMB!). I already have Super Mario Bros. Deluxe.

Plus, I think the Japanese Famicom versions are a little snazzier: the main box contains a smaller mock-up of the classic box which then houses the cartridge.

Perhaps when series 2 comes out, I’ll give some of them a try.

Ghosted by Ian, Just Ian @ 07/19/2004 3:56 PM EDT

Actually, it’s modeled to look like an Orginal NES closed up. notice the bottom half is dark grey while the top is light and has the stripe on the side. Look at your nes. exactally the same almost.

An snes…was grey and purple.

Ghosted by Henry Aird @ 07/19/2004 4:03 PM EDT

They better release Jaws for this beeyatch!….and Tecmo Bowl…

Stop looking at me swan!

Ghosted by Goody @ 07/19/2004 4:18 PM EDT

Oh, and for Graves…I dont know of any flash games, but there are some pretty good emulators out there, like JNES and Nesticle….those work pretty good and there is a rather large library of ROMs out there as well…not that I condone any of this, just some interesting info…

and they have Jaws for that beeyatch too!

Ghosted by Goody @ 07/19/2004 4:21 PM EDT

I was thinking more of a X-E RPG, maybe like the 9-Volt portion of WarioWare. I can see it now….

MATT is attacked by NOUGAT MONSTER.
KILLER DUCK uses CHIA BOMB.
blap!
NOUGAT MONSTER is damaged.
GABBYLICIOUS casts HULK HANDS.
kachoink!
NOUGAT MONSTER is reeling.
KINGKLASH throws MARE WINNINGHAM!
blorgh!
NOUGAT MONSTER is defeated.
But TEAM X-E also suffers 10% damage!

Ghosted by kingklash @ 07/19/2004 4:33 PM EDT

I have a dreamcast disc that holds 760 original nintendo games on it. I’m willing to give some away. Its amazing, works just like they would if it was on a regular nintendo, but with perks. Like programs on your computer, you can save and load whereever you want, also you can use the memory card to save spots as well.

If anyone is interested, just leave a post. I will be returning to look

Ghosted by Benji @ 07/19/2004 4:46 PM EDT

*broken link*

the link for the Skeletor @ Pee-Wee’s Playhouse appears to be just reloading the main page. I wasn’t sure if you knew, but now you do.

Oh, would Spiderman look good on the roof of your building being held aloft by two giant Shrek hands? I think it would, hehe.

Ghosted by kidneyboy @ 07/19/2004 5:01 PM EDT

There should be a SEGA Genesis 10-in-1 coming soon. Looking like a Genesis gamepad, of course

I’ll just wait for someone to send off their used NES to EB Games so I can get it for cheap. I’m still waiting for a used Dreamcast to turn up. I want one baaaaaadly.

Ghosted by AngeFaitore @ 07/19/2004 5:15 PM EDT

I did the emulation thing for a while, even got them on my PDA for portability, but I missed the stupid little controller.

The one thing I really see missing (well not really "missing" since it wasn’t an original feature, but now I’ve gotten used to it) is the ability to save states.

Ghosted by Shelby @ 07/19/2004 5:19 PM EDT

Evin –

I think this link clarifies the whole Super Mario Bros. 2 mess…

Ghosted by TranceFormer @ 07/19/2004 6:48 PM EDT

oh i just noticed that the link didn’t come up http://www.classicgaming.com/TMK/smb2_madness.shtml

Ghosted by TranceFormer @ 07/19/2004 6:49 PM EDT

Just wanted to let everyone know that right now on the Discovery Channel show "BIG," they are building a GIANT amusement park crane/claw game.

Ghosted by Cameron @ 07/19/2004 7:04 PM EDT

Matt, I appreciate you taking to the time to respond to my comment, sincerely. This site is one of the few out there worth reading, so I’d really hate to lose it. Keep up the superb work and good luck.

Ghosted by Pedro @ 07/19/2004 7:07 PM EDT

Aw, no comments on my GP32 link? =(

Ghosted by PsychoJ @ 07/19/2004 7:10 PM EDT

Matt, don’t knock the Atari 7800. It may not have been as famous as the NES but it was a neat system. Hell, I still own one.

As for those games, most of them I already own. The only one I would buy is Zelda. The other games I feel aren’t worth paying $20 for. It would have been better to put some of those on one cartridge.

Ghosted by Bert Raccoon @ 07/19/2004 7:39 PM EDT

Somehow I think nostalgia will always be in.

Ghosted by Crimson @ 07/19/2004 7:42 PM EDT

Has anyone seen those TV/Games things that have old atari games on them. You just plug it into your tv and play the games. I seen
Pac Man
and for some reason Spongebob Squarepants.

Ghosted by JLAJRC @ 07/19/2004 7:48 PM EDT

yeah i’ve seen those things, forgot what they are called though; at some malls, ive also seen controllers in the shape of an N64 controller that plug into a tv and have 60 some NES games on em

Ghosted by TranceFormer @ 07/19/2004 9:40 PM EDT

I can’t get the Game Boy Advance until my original conks out. 15 years and going strong….
P.S. (just an observation) judging by all the comments already posted, I think we the people were anxious for a little X-E.

Ghosted by manimal789 @ 07/19/2004 10:20 PM EDT

The NES-style GBA is nice, but the games are mostly rip-offs. There’s SMB Deluxe for the GBC, which is Super Mario Brothers plus the lost levels and a bunch of extra stuff, and the Pac-Man Collection for GBA, with the original Pac-Man plus 3 other pac-man games. Not to mention the E-reader versions of some of the other games.

I suppose releasing those that are on the E-cards is excusable, since some may not have or want an e-reader, But releasing a bare-bones Super Mario Brothers when they released a much better version 5 years ago on an inferior system? And releasing Pac-Man alone when there is still a cart for the same system which has it packed with more games? That’s disgustingly blatant greed if you ask me.

Ghosted by Adrian @ 07/19/2004 10:33 PM EDT

Pikachulover, what do you mean by "Just play the old cartrages on the GBC? Can you actually play old NES cartridges on the GBC. If so, I’ll be heading to bookmans an get all they have in stock. Also Nate, I’m twelve, and I think that the old games are cool. Even though i’m surely the suckiest gamer on the planet.

Ghosted by TOM @ 07/20/2004 12:15 PM EDT

SuperMarioBros. DX for the gameboy color was lame because the screen was cropped. When the cheepcheeps were after you on the bridge you couldnt even see what direction they were coming from unless you held the up button for a few seconds.

Ghosted by Frizzurd @ 07/20/2004 3:38 AM EDT

Benji, I emulate on DC too, and definately see its advantages

However, I really. really. really. REALLY. want that GBA SP (can’t justify it at all, as I recieved a blue GBA SP for Christmas from my mum and dad). I’d also love to own those games because though I loved them when I was young, I didn’t own them then. I want to own physical copies of Mario 1, Excite bike, and Zelda. There’s something about having the games in legit physical form that I just adore.

As for somebody saying they wanted Mario 2 and 3 to be released as well, I believe they’ve already been re-released with zany, confusing names.

Ghosted by jjgoreha @ 07/20/2004 8:44 AM EDT

What, no love for Xevious?

Ghosted by Abob Lyndsae @ 07/20/2004 9:34 AM EDT

"It’s weird seeing Mario fawn over Pauline instead of Princess Toadstool…"

Well, the sick thing is, if I remember correctly, Pauline is Mario’s niece. Now I don’t feel so bad when he gets hit by those barrels. Kong is just trying to protect decency. Good for you, Kong!

Ghosted by Lackadaisical @ 07/20/2004 10:17 AM EDT

Move out!

Ghosted by kingklash @ 07/20/2004 11:31 AM EDT

Maaaaaatt, we need more articles. Quit your job and write more….

Ghosted by need more @ 07/20/2004 11:43 AM EDT

Aren’t the seals changed to Yeti things in Ice Climber. Oh, and I think Nintendo wants to erase all things about Yoshi’s Island being Super Mario World 2 with the Super Mario Advance conversion. Proof:

Original Title Screen:
http://www.classicgaming.com/tmk/images/ss/ss_smw2_t.gif

Super Mario Advance 3 Recreation:
http://www.classicgaming.com/tmk/images/ss/ss_sma3_t-yi.gif

I smell conspiracy…

Ghosted by NES Boy @ 07/20/2004 12:03 PM EDT

Matt, why didn’t you include a link to your old Quickie article on Ice Climber?
Here’s the link in case anyone is interested:
http://www.x-entertainment.com/archive/quickies/23/index.shtml

Ghosted by mutton72 @ 07/20/2004 1:41 PM EDT

In case nobody knows about this….In Metroid Zero Mission (an AWESOME remake of the NES original) you get the original NES version once you beat the game. It’s so good, words can’t describe.

Ghosted by Harris @ 07/20/2004 2:13 PM EDT

I hope they bring original arcade Punch-Out!! to the DS. M. Tyson wasn’t ever in the original.

Ghosted by kingklash @ 07/20/2004 2:23 PM EDT

TranceFormer-

I don’t buy it. Nowhere does whoever wrote that declare his sources, and it hardly looks like an official Nintendo website.

Like I said earlier, I’ve read a bunch, and the only thing that came close to an official explaination was the magazne article I read. I think I’ll trust a large gaming magazine with access to the developers over some random person’s fan website.

Ghosted by Evin @ 07/20/2004 2:40 PM EDT

Oh right. ClassicGaming is GameSpy.

Still, they don’t quote any sources, and seem to have the same information as all the fan-sites that say the same thing. Maybe I’m fickle, but I’m still sticking with my story.

Ghosted by Evin @ 07/20/2004 2:43 PM EDT

I wish they would just come out with collection discs for the gamecube that have all the original nintendo games on them.

Make like 5 discs with 200 games on each and sell them for $50-$100. I would definitely buy some if not all of them.

Ghosted by Beerstalker @ 07/20/2004 3:27 PM EDT

TO THOSE OF YOU WHINING ABOUT THERE BEING ONLY ONE GAME PER CARTRIDGE:

Those games cost as much to make back then as a modern games costs to make now. What makes you think it’s a good business move for Nintendo to release ALL their games at once for the price of a single game?

I know you *want* a disk or cartridge with hundreds of games on it, but it’s more profitable to put them on individual cartridges, each for 20 bucks.

The very fact that you’re whining about it means you’re already interested in them, and will probably get them anyways, so Nintendo has done its job.

Ghosted by Rambozo @ 07/20/2004 3:58 PM EDT

Now Behonkiss, you really expected anyone outside our insane little world would agree with you?

Rambozo, technically, it’s more profitable to put each of the 8 world of Super Mario Bros. on a 20$ cart. No one will argue it’s not. But there’s a point where it becomes pure rip-offism.

The games cost as much to make as modern games. While I don’t believe that, I’ll give it to you. These games were sold for the NES for 50$ (I think…). So any production cost has been paid off, and on top of that, profit was made on pretty much all the games offered for the GBA. Anything reaped from subsequent release is pure profit.

And it’s obvious why it’s a good buisness move to sell 200 NES games on a single disc. It costs next to nothing to port the games over, while it costs a whole hell of a lot more to make a whole new game. The only reason they don’t is that they’re willing to screw the consumer with a cheap product. And it is cheap. As mentioned, probably, before, I could get a NES and two games for the price of two of these GBA ports, and that’s stupid. Pure stupid.

Ghosted by Saf @ 07/20/2004 5:42 PM EDT

TELL EM STEVE-DAVE!

Ghosted by Graves @ 07/20/2004 5:44 PM EDT

People, nintendo is a company. They need to turn a damn profit, don’t like it? Don’t buy it, shut your traps.

Ghosted by I rule @ 07/20/2004 7:14 PM EDT

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