Customer Reviews
Decent enough... - By: London Eskimo, 15 May 2007 
The GBA maybe showing its age against the DS & PSP but it's still a decent portable gaming system & there's nearly always something for everyone here.
The handheld has a large list of games plus it can play older Game Boy & Game Boy Color titles giving you access to a massive library of games to choose from. If you have the right cables you can link up with other GBA's to play multiplayer games & even link up with the Gamecube on certain games.
The only major problem with the system is the lack of a back light display which means that if you play the GBAin a poorly lit place you won't see very much. There are ways around this (worm light, afterburner...) but you are worried about this I recommend getting the GBA SP or a DS instead.
If you are looking for a cheap portable gaming system, you won't go far wrong with the GBA. Get some decent rechargeable batteries & bus/train journeys will never be the same again.
Good system for the kids - By: , 28 Mar 2006 
This is an OK first game system for the kids. it will keep them amused for some time, although, if you are used to the screen lighting up, this is not for you. but once you get used to that, you can enjoy the console, plus the ability to link to other users can take you to another level, so long as you have the same game !!!!
Nice.... but - By: , 22 Dec 2005 NTSC version (Canadian Purchase)
Bought this unit on Dec 2005. Nice shiny box looked impressive already. Plugged GBA cart (this is required)in tuner & away I went. Surprisingly & quickly found reception. Some of the channels look excellent, volume is also good. Manual colour, brightness & contrast control. I pluggedin the mini cable adapter, great looking image. Ran my mini dvd, that too was exceptional. Not bad for 40 Canadian dollars.
After an hour, I noticed that changing the channels via d-pad realy sucks, need the use the select buttons & L/R to navigate quickly. Cable channels are notin the proper sequence I'd expect it to be. Can't be mobile (box indicates it's great on a bus, car, but manual says otherwise). Battery life is short to my standards. Used 2500mah rechargables (NiMh). It last only 2 hrs. With 800mah rating on the unit I should get 3 hours of air time. I'll double check my batteries & try again later. Power adapter is HUGE, needs to go on a diet. They should have added a stand for GBASP users, now I have to create one. No display to indicate what channel you are watching unless you change the channel. No power switch. Im not sure if power is being used when GBA shut off.
This is a great unit for the price, lots of minor problems but not a deal breaker, would recomend if you have an GBASP & cartridge already.
Glad I got it - By: , 03 Nov 2004 
This little machine is great, nice new style & nice to hold. I mainly use it for my old GBC games but it's much nicer using this. The stretched screen is nice & I like using it for my old games. Sure the cartridge sticks out when using an old game but who cares? I don't notice it. The new GBA SP has made me want to get one a bit but not as much that I want to get it, the only new thing would be the backlight & I got my GBA modified before the SP was released to have a backlight so I don't even need it for that now so I'm set because all the GBA SP games work on the normal GBA. I would recommend getting this over the GBA SP simply because it's cheaper & practically the same. Well done Nintendo :)
Reasons why old GBA is better at home. - By: , 17 Jul 2004 I have own the old GBA for about 2-3 years now & I have been happy with it. Even with the SP coming out this didn't make me what to trade itin for just a backlight, rechargeable batteries & a new style because I only play the Game Boy at home using a adpator or rechargeable batteries & that's probably why I have never needed the SP.
If this is how you would use your GBA then the old style would suit you. It is also cheaper as well, has better sound (including a headphone jack & a better sound controls) & you can use the TV tuner for it as well.
