Game Boy Advance FAQ
Note: Original publication date is missing
How much will the system cost?
When it is released in Japan, it will cost 9,800 yen (a little more than 91$) Expect similar pricing in North America and Canada.
How much playing time is there on the GBA?
Nintendo said that the system will last for up to 20 hours on two full AA batteries, depending on what kind of batteries you purchase.
Who created the thing?
Besides the idea from Nintendo, a UK company called ARM Corporation is responsible for the 32 bit RISC CPU.
What are the exact specifications?
Visit the GBA Speculation section of Gamequbed to find all of Advance’s specifications.
What kinds of games are in development?
More than 60 US and European developers have been slaving away at the system, and you can expect your favorite companies on board making games (Rare, Camelot…)
How about 3-D worlds like Nintendo 64?
No such luck, as the system has the virtually the same power as the SNES. Developers, however, have been toying with the idea of FPS in 3D, similar to the now cancelled Resident Evil for Gameboy Color. As technology evolves, we’ll be seeing more and more of this technology being implemented in GBA games, but expect them mostly to be side-scrolling.
What about being able to play imported games?
Nintendo hasn’t yet specified on the territorial lockout on games. In the past, any Gameboy Game can work with any Gameboy, regardless of which country it was released in. However, Nintendo is trying to crack down a piracy, so there is a chance we could be seeing non-compatible games.
What about backward compatibility (GB/GBC/GBA)?
The system will be 100% compatible with your previous games. You have the option to expand the screen to the width of the GBA, but since the screen is wider, there will be a distortion effect. It has also been said that the GBA will turn all of the black and white GB games into color; although there is no official word on it.
What about system power?
Nintendo has said that the power of the GBA is equal to that of the Super NES. Some specifications may actually surpass the SNES, and extra features are included in, like Dolby Digital Surrond Sound with headphones!
How many buttons will the system have?
The GBA will have the standard 8-way D-Pad, two shoulder buttons (L and R) and two action buttons (A and B), plus the Start and Select buttons.
Will the screen be backlit?
No, the screen is already what you would find in the GBC. The only major difference is the higher resolution and much wider ratio. Nintendo has taken a wrong turn with the screen not being backlit, as it is very hard to see the screen. However, Nintendo says this cuts down on battery usage and can still be played proper with correct lighting in the background.
What’s that all about Advance and Gamecube connectivity?
The GBA is planned to integrate with the Gamecube to a certain extent. Games couldl use the GBA has an external controller, which is planned to plug into a Gamecube controller port. The main purpose, however, is to make it so only you can see your individual statistics on your GBA screen. You could also theoretically use your Advance as a controller for a 2D Nintendo game. Konami has created spin-off Mobile 21 to explore uses with the GBA controller and the Gamecube.
How will the Internet play a role with the GBA?
Nintendo announced back in September of 1999 that cell phone connectivity would play a major role in the GBA’s future. By hooking up the GBA to your cell phone, you would be able to download media, enter chat rooms and check your email all on your GBA. Nintendo doesn’t seem interested in marketing the idea in North America, as the main function of the system is to play games.
The only other hint was given by Peter Main and stated that the GBA would make use of a modem device. Wireless Internet gaming is already becoming extremely popular in Japan and in other countries as well.