GameBoy Advance Accessories buying guide

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GameBoy Advance Accessories

Nintendo rode its Game Boy Advance to great success in the early part of the 21st century, and the system is still going strong even in the wake of the Nintendo DS. Because it's an older but still viable handheld, the GBA has inspired an incredible array of accessories. Manufacturers have had years to think of ways to tweak the system and get more out of it, leading to a veritable banquet of upgrades for customers. Take note that the GBA is available in two designs, the wide, button-spaced original design and the compact, clamshell-equipped SP. Before you buy an accessory, double check to make sure it's compatible with your design of GBA.

Essentials

GameBoy Player : Make up for the too-small GameBoy Advance screen with this adaptor, made to allow you to play GBA games on TV screens via the GameCube. Doing so allows you to appreciate the graphical definition while not having to squint..

GameBoy Advance Camera : Change your GBA into a low-grade digital camera with this device, which also allows you to transport it to your computer's hard drive via a USB cable.

E-Reader : This attachment allows old-school Nintendo games to play on your system via a simple yet tedious process of swiping code cards through the E-Reader before play.

Rechargeable Battery Pack : Nearly anyone who's owned a GBA or other handheld system has run out of power at an inopportune time. This battery provides an extra jolt of juice when you need it most.

Looks, Saving and Connection

Flash Advance Card : A flash card is a portable hard drive that stores memory. This can come in handy for those who like to mod their GBA into a PDA-like advice.

TV Adaptor : Like the GameBoy Player, the TV Adaptor lets you take your GBA action from the small screen to your TV, sans GameCube. It's an excellent buy if you've got a load of good-looking GBA-exclusive games.

Light : The original GBA design was cursed with the major flaw of a dim screen, making extensive backlight necessary in order to play. An attachable , battery-powered light solved the problem.

PC Linker : Another must-by for modification experts, this linker connects your GBA to your home computer. Some use this device to let the GBA work as a controller for Internet gaming.

Power, Wireless and Visual

Wireless Adaptor : The DS comes out of the box capable of wireless multiplayer, but you'll need this baby if you want to challenge friends in GBA games. It does away with the need for cumbersome, too-short connector cables.

Power Pack SP : A portable power pack designed especially for the SP, the package also includes a device that allows you to charge your SP on the road by inserting an attachment into your dashboard power source.

Headphones : Before buying headphones for the GBA, take care to look for the rectangular attachment node, which flies in the face of the nearly universally accepted pronged attachment. At least the DS righted this design flaw.

Replacement Outer Screen : GBA screens have a way of smudging, and unless you've protected it with a clear plastic protector, you might want to substitute a replacement screen to relieve the smudges.

Et Cetera

TV Tuner : One of the coolest -- at least in concept -- accessories available for the GBA is the TV Tuner, which lets you try and catch ever-fleeting broadcast signals with your game machine.

SP Carrying Case : Complete with a belt-keyring clip, this soft-cover device nestles your SP in a cocoon of protection. The SP is so small that even when encompassed in the case it fits easily into most pant pockets.

GBA Carrying Case : Same as the SP case, only with a wider design to accommodate the original GBA's structure. You'll probably want to use this case only at home, because the case makes the GBA too large to fit into most pockets.

External Links

GameSpot -- One of the top gaming resources on the net.
IGN -- Covers video games as well as the rest of the entertainment world.
Game Informer -- An excellent video game magazine's home page.
Nintendo.com -- Nintendo's official site.

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Essentials

GameBoy Player : Make up for the too-small GameBoy Advance screen with this adaptor, made to allow you to play GBA games on TV screens via the GameCube. Doing so allows you to appreciate the graphical definition while not having to squint..	GameBoy Advance Camera : Change your GBA into a low-grade digital camera with this device, which also allows you to transport it to your computer's hard drive via a USB cable.	E-Reader : This attachment allows old-school Nintendo games to play on your system via a simple yet tedious process of swiping code cards through the E-Reader before play.	Rechargeable Battery Pack : Nearly anyone who's owned a GBA or other handheld system has run out of power at an inopportune time. This battery provides an extra jolt of juice when you need it most.

Looks, Saving and Connection

Flash Advance Card : A flash card is a portable hard drive that stores memory. This can come in handy for those who like to mod their GBA into a PDA-like advice.	TV Adaptor : Like the GameBoy Player, the TV Adaptor lets you take your GBA action from the small screen to your TV, sans GameCube. It's an excellent buy if you've got a load of good-looking GBA-exclusive games.	Light : The original GBA design was cursed with the major flaw of a dim screen, making extensive backlight necessary in order to play. An attachable , battery-powered light solved the problem.	PC Linker : Another must-by for modification experts, this linker connects your GBA to your home computer. Some use this device to let the GBA work as a controller for Internet gaming.

Power, Wireless and Visual

Wireless Adaptor : The DS comes out of the box capable of wireless multiplayer, but you'll need this baby if you want to challenge friends in GBA games. It does away with the need for cumbersome, too-short connector cables.	Power Pack SP : A portable power pack designed especially for the SP, the package also includes a device that allows you to charge your SP on the road by inserting an attachment into your dashboard power source.	Headphones : Before buying headphones for the GBA, take care to look for the rectangular attachment node, which flies in the face of the nearly universally accepted pronged attachment. At least the DS righted this design flaw.	Replacement Outer Screen : GBA screens have a way of smudging, and unless you've protected it with a clear plastic protector, you might want to substitute a replacement screen to relieve the smudges.

Et Cetera

TV Tuner : One of the coolest -- at least in concept -- accessories available for the GBA is the TV Tuner, which lets you try and catch ever-fleeting broadcast signals with your game machine.	SP Carrying Case : Complete with a belt-keyring clip, this soft-cover device nestles your SP in a cocoon of protection. The SP is so small that even when encompassed in the case it fits easily into most pant pockets.	GBA Carrying Case : Same as the SP case, only with a wider design to accommodate the original GBA's structure. You'll probably want to use this case only at home, because the case makes the GBA too large to fit into most pockets.