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Game Boy Advance Console has Serious Visibility Problem

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: July 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Sure this is a whiz bang 32 bit wonder that runs fantastic games...but the Engineers at Nintendo chained this futuristic computing platform to a horrible display screen. The TFT reflective display is just fine if you hold it at just the right angle in full direct sunlight. But if you try to play it indoors, even with lots of sun light pouring through the windows, you will be really straining to make out anything on the display. The new improved resolution is great, but what good is it if you can't see it. I was able to view the old Color Game Boy much better than this one. So this is a case where the system has wonderful specifications but its usability is way below sub-par. I read some of the reviews on cnet and elsewhere that suggested an add on light. So I purchased the Nyko white LED light. This is cool technology. Bright white LED light that is consumes virtually no power and shrinks the lifetime of a pair of alkaline batteries to somewhere around 11 hours. However, even with this technological marvel, you still have to strain to see the display. The light doesn't disperse enough so you have a hot spot on the screen, if you try moving the light so it doesn't reflect, you will find it useless if positioned to either side or stretched up further above the display. The display needs LOTS of light. My personal advice is to wait until Nintendo gets enough complaints from consumers that they re-engineer the product to include a back light. With white LED's now on the scene, they have NO Excuse in providing a display that is viewable. So if you are in the market for a Game Boy, stick to the old Color one or the cheaper monochromatic version. The games are just as fun and it will be quite some time (read a few years) before all of your friends have a Game Boy Advance making it possible to chain them together for multiplayer fun like the Game Boy Advance marketing touts.

P.S. My daughter and wife both tried this product out after we bought it for my daughter's birthday and they both gave it the same thumbs down.

NOT BAD BUT TOO DARK!!!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: July 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This system would be much better if it is backlit..How could these guys not include a backlight for this thing..If you do get one, get a light accessory, but even this thing gets in the way of the screen...Loss of respect for Nintendo developers for leaving out such a crucial item...

No Backlight, No Sale

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: July 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Back before GBA was available, I read every report eagerly... until the specs came out and I realized there was no backlight. I lost interest right then, but my husband recently bought one for himself. Having seen it in person, I can say that I am every bit as disappointed as I thought I would be. Even using an accessory light, the picture is so frustrating, compared to what is technologically possible, that I'm not interested in playing it. When/if Nintendo comes out with a backlit version, THEN I will buy it.

Can barely see the screen!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 24, 2001
Author: Amazon User

We bought the GBA for our son, and couldn't believe how awful the display screen was. When you can see the game, its beautiful, but you're straining your eyes most of the time. We thought it was our GBA that was defective, so we went to return it to the store where we purchased it, when we were told that almost everyone who has purchased it has complained about the screen/lighting on the GBA. We bought a light attachment, hoping to improve the view, but it just added a glare.

I have seen the Light....not

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Did they bother to test the system in this market at all? The graphics are luscious, the sound is killer, the controls are a vast improvement. Almost everything about this system is amazing. But the screen? ARGH! No Backlight equals eyestrain which equals headaches which equals bad system. I have to twist and turn the unit to try and catch the most light possible, but in most circumstances, it is still a miserable experience.

I seem to remember another of their can't miss systems (Virtual Boy) failing miserably because of one chief reason. The graphics, sound and concept were great, but they foolishly decided that monochrome was the way to go, even after us gamer's had been spoiled by full color displays for years.

I hope they receive an overwhelming amount of criticism for this and they feel pressured to add a backlight, but knowing Nintendo, they will be stubborn and ignore us. I would gladly pay $30 to $50 more for the backlight, even if it means shortening the battery life 50%. I hope this helps any would be buyers.

Save your money, buy a GBC

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: August 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The display on the GBA is extremely dark, much darker than on the GBC. Games are almost unplayable except in direct sunlight.

I bought a GBA for myself (I'm 43), and my 8 year old son has a GBC. Now we both fight over the GBC, because the GBA is so awful to look at. I tried to trade my son for his GBC, but he won't take it. That says everything you need to know about the Game Boy Advance. Skip it and get a Game Boy Color. You'll be much happier.

Super Mario Advance RULZ!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: July 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you've ever played GBA's Super Mario Advance, you know how cool this game is! It's 2 games in 1 feature make it totally awesome. With S.M. Advance's 7 worlds & 22 level's, this game is made for Mario Lovers! Then, in Classic, the three different modes make this game even more challenging!! Somthing that has helped me tons in GBA is my Nintendo GBA magizine. It has all kinds of tips, tricks, & maps! If you don't have a GBA, I'd get one REAL SOON!(don't forget your S.M. Advance game & a light, too!)

For the Gameboy Advanced only!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The Gameboy Advanced is practicly a handheld Playstation and for Tony 2, it has incredible graphics. The Wrestling game is just horrible which is why I give it 3 stars instead of five. The 20 hour thing is useful when your mom/dad won't go buy you batteries or your on the road. The strap is a good protector for the GBA. The light is just a light. I recomend you go buy the F-Zero package or Mario/Tony package. I bought the Mario/Tony before and loved it ,but it got stolen and now I have this one and didn't like the retarted wrestling game. Buy this package for Tony and the GBA.

USELESS - CAN NOT SEE SCREEN

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: July 18, 2001
Author: Amazon User

TOO DARK!! CAN NOT PLAY! MY SON TOOK THE BATTERIES OUT TO USE IN ANOTHER GAME. SAVE YOUR MONEY, DONT BUY!

This is great!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: June 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is a must have video game machine to own. It is light weight and very good graphics. This package is a very great deal for what you are getting. You get the power pack, worm light, TONY HAWK PRO SKATER 2 (which is an excellent game) and FIRE PRO WRESTLING, and the carring case! Big savings!! It has 32 bit graphics and has a bigger screen than GBC. You can play it easier than GBC because it is much wider so you can spread out your hands more. There are also 2 extra buttons added to this machine for more control playing the games. It has over twice as much colors than GBC. Nintendo has made a great improvement with the Game Boy with new technology. This is a limted time to get this special pack. Get it now and you won't be sorry. This is a great deal for a great video game console. So get it now!!

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