Nintendo @ E3: Hands on with the Game Boy Micro

by Peter Rojas on May 18th 2005 9:59PM

They didn't have a Nintendo Revolution lying around, but we did have a chance to get up close and personal with the brand new Game Boy Micro. Very slick little package, but that squint-inducing LCD screen is definitely pushing the limits of how small a screen on a portable game console can get and still be useable.

Reader Comments (112)

Wow that is Small

wow... that's one tiny screen

I want one.

Those are stupid

Wow I want one of these bad. I'm going to see if I can trade in my SP for one of these when they come out. :) I would get the black one that you guys showed earlier, that is if they ever come out with one like that; 'cause then it could match my PSP. :D

I agree with everything here.

the screen is way too small... pretty useless...

It's so small, I could eat it in one bite...

I'd rather have an SP so screen doesn't get scratched. I just wish they added 2 more buttons so I could play games just like on the super nintendo.

I'm not too familiar with the SP, but does it (and this) have two shoulder buttons? It looks like it does, but I don't know for sure.

If it does, is it possible to hold that and be able to hit the shoulder buttons and the A B buttons at the same time? It seems too small to me, but I guess I have to see it in person.

what is the price point? This is one Nintendo product I actually desire.

What a load of crap. How many advance handhelds do we really need? The screen size is just lame, and the controls at such a small scale are probably awkward... well, at least not for small children. But then again, that's been Nintendo's preferred demographic since the beginning.

This is kind of cool I guess. The screen size could end up being a problem, but it seems like Nintendo's shooting for a very low price point.

Hell, I'd pick one up for $50-$60 range.

at leaast its got a headphone port. Way to go NintenDO!

Like some have said, if it was cheap enough I would get one. I don't know why, but I would. Maybe my PSP can have sex with it.

This thing would have come out a long time ago, but I had to hide this uncomfortable hunk of metal in my @$$ for 5 years.

It looks about the size of a psp screen.

"it looks about the size of a PSP screen". NO! The PSP's screen is the finest in the industry in quality and size. I bet you could fit 2-4 Micro screens in the PSP's.

"Maybe my PSP can have sex with it."
hahaha

"It looks about the size of a psp screen."
You're crazy.....have you seen the psp, look at his thumb compared to the micro....

I think thehebrewhammer meant that the entire unit is about the same size as a PSP screen.

Easy Zach.

He meant the entire system looks about the size of the PSP screen.

And I refuse to get into PSP screen quality issues.

zach..

*slow clap.. nice one.. you picked up on sarcasm..

I REALLY hope Nintendo listens to people on this.. it looks uncomfortable with the shoulder buttons, like.. it might be TOO SMALL..

Nin, no one really asked for a 2 oz Gameboy or whatever this is.. release it ONLY if it's comfortable to play and that screen is feasible.

The bottom line is most people on here have cell phones with small screens, and no one squints. Okay? I'm looking at my cell phone, a Siemens..looks to have about a 1.5" screen (diagonal).. This GB is a 2" diagonal...

dS has 3 inch, and PSP has 4 inch.. AFAIK

so the biggest worry is the l and r buttons, are they comfortable?

Nintendo wants people to shell out for their 3rd GBA system in almost as many years. The Micro will be obsolete when the GBA 2 arrives.

I don't think the screew ill be that bad, I mean, if you look at the comparison with the Treo, and then compare a Treo to another Gameboy model I'd say the Micro's screen is not too bad. It's bigger than a cellphone's screen, and you all have to admit that you've played cellphone games.

And you will be able to hit the shoulder buttons while pressing the other buttons, just like the SNES controllers. Your other fingers will support it, as well your thumb pressing the button will help as well.

That guy has HUGE hands on the first and last pic, it didn't look that small in the IGN hands on pic

http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/615/615202p1.html

Either that or it's the guy who took the pictures fault for tilting the unit, and getting it an angle.

Hmm I'd still get it if it was ranged in the 45-50 dollars

If it could make phone calls I'd be interested... Otherwise it's just a rehash of old tech. I'll stick with my scratched up on the outside, clean on the inside SP.

if it's really really really cheap, i'll buy it...lol

yes!! that is small but i don't think the screen is any smaller than the game boy color?? i still have my game boy color and i measured the screen and its the same size.i bet it's going to retail around $60 to $75. dose anybody know if this game boy has a rechargable battery?

Virtuous,

It is already made obsolete by the DS. The micro is not ment to be the next big thing, just something neat to spend $50-60 on.

Crafty Japanese with their small hands, thinking their better than us...

ketch,

Those are my hands, fool! And believe you me, they're not actually that big; the Micro is actually pretty micro.

Best,
Ryan

Thank you for that "crafty japanese" comment,klinko.Yeah we make it so small that you americans can't play it!! LOL *crafty*

the important thing is - how is the screen? sharper than the SP? or as good as the SP? backlit? how heavy is it? how's the tactile response of the buttons? and are they attached to girl's hips like psps? ;D

So how does it feel when you play it, Ryan? Feel like your hands would get cramped up after extended play time?

From the IGN article:
-EXT port on top for charging the internal battery (btwn the L and R shoulder buttons) and "as a plug-in for the link cable dongle that will be made for the unit."
-smaller screen than the GBA/GBA SP
-brighter, more vibrant screen than the SP ("text is completely legible even at the slightly smaller size")
-allows your hands to spread out a little more than the SP.

seaotter,

It's pretty good, but not the best I've ever seen. The backlight is great, and it's very light. The buttons felt pretty decent, but that's kind of one of those things you have to play for a while to really know.

Lars,

Let's just say this: I'll probably be buying one.

Best,
Ryan

I would be a Nintendo whore for one of these!

Nice. I think it's a neat little gadget. May not be intended for hours of use, but great for a quick game fix. If it's like 60 bucks or so I'd get one, even though I have an SP and a DS. Screen looks pretty sturdy.

it would be great if the thing had a wirless link capability built in

I think the button layout is lame.
How many of you here would rather have 4 buttons up front without the lame shoulder buttons???

This thing is just asking to be made into a belt buckle!

Kos: "How many of you here would rather have 4 buttons up front without the lame shoulder buttons???"

Uhm.... no.

cool! i was responded :P

anyhow, any idea on the pricing from the people at the nintendo booth? this is the one i can buy and slip into a jeans pocket and wont feel anything!

videos of the gameboy micro in action:

http://e32005.textamerica.com/?r=2535490

Lots more pics/videos at the rest of the MoBo as well...

http://e32005.textamerica.com/

Dude, to imagine, the controllers we all used to use with NES' now can play games by themselves. I am forsure going to get one of those.

Xbox360 is nice, PS3 is awesome, and yeah Revolution could be revolution. But I don't think I'll buy them soon after it's been released.

Gameboy Micro is just there with a decent design. It's not great, not fast, outside next-generation war... but... I'm getting one. Instead of buying one of powerful game consoles, I'm getting this tiny classy-named portable where highest fun is guaranteed on lowest risk. Hell, even this company has stupidly(by good mean) been offering oldest games with latest supports. I think that's why Nintendo is standing on the game industry so strong.

Does anyone remember the iPod shuffle ad with the shuffle next to the pack of gum? They should do one with the new gameboy. Don't eat THIS, either.

Imagine attaching an e-reader to that! :)

If they release that Play Yan thing in the US, this would rock as an mp3 player.

Hey, I need a new keering! They'lle be giving these away in cereal packets soon...

I think this thing is going to make a fortune for Nintendo. If they get it to fall into the $50 price range, it's going to lure every 5-10 year olds parents away from making the leap to get a whole console. Also, think of the two-three kid households where the kids fight over the GBA- parents will scoop up one of these and be heroes of the household.

They'll also be able to re-market their games, and make more profit without having to develop any new software. Seems like a great business move.

One another token- do you think Revolution will have downloadable version of portable games as well? And would it be a stretch for them to release, in the future, a gameboy system that would also be able to download from this massive library...?

I thought it was pretty comfortable to hold but the screen was a little hard on the eyes especially if you plan on playing rpgs on it.
i will probably pick one up.

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Nintendo @ E3: Hands on with the Game Boy Micro

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