GBA 2 Debut at E3

[Crash]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – While Nintendo's next generation console gaming system likely won't hit living rooms until 2006, that doesn't mean the company won't introduce new hardware this year. A new analyst report suggests the company is planning to ship the next version of the Game Boy portable gaming system by the end of 2005.

If so, that would be the third new handheld gaming system in as many years for Nintendo, whose Nintendo DS was one of the hottest items of the 2004 holiday season and Game Boy Advance SP was one of the must-have gifts of 2003. The new Game Boy would face stiff competition, though, from Sony's PSP – which will hit U.S. stores in March.

"We believe it is likely that the next version of the Game Boy Advance SP will ship as early as this holiday, ahead of most expectations of calendar year 2006," wrote P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research.

The new system, he predicts, will launch at a $99 price point, with prices on the Game Boy Advance falling to $49. Nintendo DS prices, he wrote, will likely remain unchanged.

Nintendo representatives were unavailable for comment.

Official confirmation of the new Game Boy could come as early as March 10, when Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is scheduled to give a keynote speech entitled "The Heart of a Gamer" at the upcoming Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco.

It's unclear at this point what sort of advances might be found in a new Game Boy. While this may be a graphical leap forward like many next generation consoles, it could just as easily be an incremental step, slightly enhancing the company's current offering.

Releasing a new Game Boy on the heels of the Nintendo DS, which features two screens and a touch pad, might seem a bit odd, but Nintendo has been quite vocal in saying the two systems are built for different audiences. The Game Boy has traditionally been aimed at children, while Nintendo hopes to reach an older audience with the DS.

McNealy said the numbers seem to be backing Nintendo up.

"The Nintendo DS has, by and large, been additive to Nintendo software revenue and units sales and not cannibalistic," he wrote. "Even with the DS launch in November, GBA software revenue and unit sales were up double-digits in December and January."

That's not to say it has all been smooth sailing for the DS. While the system enjoyed tremendous success during the holiday period, software sales have been rather disappointing. So far in 2005, new title releases have been minimal, which has stymied the system's momentum.

And the imminent launch of the PSP will only make the fight harder. Sony's system has been getting rave reviews from overseas users – and demand will almost certainly exceed supply when the PSP launches in the U.S.

But a new hardware launch would help keep Nintendo top of mind with consumers during the holiday season. Sony will be heavily promoting the PSP as December draws near – and Microsoft is expected to launch the next version of its Xbox gaming system this fall. Without a new device, Nintendo could easily be overshadowed.

There's also the real threat of piracy with the current generation of Game Boys. Although piracy of GBA games has not been a major problem in North America, the company has seen a dramatic rise of digital theft in the Asia-Pacific region. The cartridges used for GBA cards are fairly easy for hackers to crack and the games are often posted online. The DS, which uses flash memory cards, has not had the same problems, writes McNealy.

A new Game Boy could give a boost to some game publishers. While industry leader Electronic Arts (Research) and Take Two Interactive Software (Research) do not have big presences on Nintendo's handhelds, THQ (Research) makes a large number of games for the system. And Activision (Research) has shown an increased interest in them recently.

"We believe that a new GBA SP could mean between $10 million to $20 million of additional revenue for both Activision and THQ in FY06, and an additional $0.02 to $0.04 in earnings," wrote McNealy.

The question is, though: Will Nintendo's audience be willing to shell out another hundred bucks (or more) for the third year in a row? Or will they invest their gaming dollars elsewhere?


Game Boy Advance 2 set to stun E3 – DS to evolve into PDA

New model to launch this year – Climb-down looms for NCL

28th Feb 2005

The new model of the Game Boy Advance will be shown at Nintendo’s E3 press conference this year in what will be one of the most remarkable moments in recent videogame history.

The unit will be a true gaming machine and will come equipped with a large high-quality back-lit screen and analogue controls, very much, one might argue, like Sony’s PSP.

Nintendo staffers have confirmed to SPOnG.com that preliminary hardware will be shown both at the firm’s conference and encased alongside the Nintendo Revolution on the showfloor.

Indeed, SPOnG has been privvy to the emergence of the next-generation of Game Boy Advance for some time, though little more than it’s E3 debut was known.

As this news breaks, perhaps the most pertinent point to be mulled is exactly how Nintendo is going to explain the situation to fans and, of course, early adopters of the Nintendo DS. The answer to this conundrum is quite possibly the most incredible climb-down the games industry has ever witnessed.

Specifically, Nintendo will unveil a suite of PDA-focussed software for the DS powered by recently licensed Palm OS technology. The machine will evolve from a pure gaming machine into a PDA equipped to play Nintendo 64 quality games. Essentially, Nintendo believes that with the right software, it has a high-powered, wireless-enabled PDA capable of playing games of a higher standard than any competing device.

Picking up the pieces, however, will be something of a PR nightmare, something that Nintendo is fully aware of. The DS, announced so soon after the PSP was unveiled by Sony, was effectively a spoiler machine, aimed at snatching away market share from SCEI. Although this has been categorically denied by the Kyoto giant, the revelation that a new Game Boy, which in essence appears to be a PSP with a Nintendo badge, confirms this belief beyond any doubt.

The new Game Boy will be based around existing Nintendo GameCube hardware and will be, when it launches in the US and Japan towards the end of this year, the most powerful handheld console on the planet. SPOnG also believes it likely that the machine will make use of GameCube software. Revolution connectivity was confirmed.



No way nintendo would do this would they... flood the market and kill everyone?


:-(

[Dark Samurai]

Well as a Nintendo fan I can say this...

Go Nintendo Family GO!!!!

[GameMaster]

This is so exciting. The Gameboy Advance 2 will have graphics slightly better than the Gameube.

[Jonbo298]

Although it seems like Nintendo is turning the DS into a PDA type thing now, hopefully the GBA 2 will have everything we desire in a handheld with 3D games. Analog controls, awesome graphics, but without the games, they wont get anywhere.

Hopefully the DS doesnt turn into another Red Headed Step Child :p

All I gotta say is, when I'm on that floor in E3 this year (not 100% confirmed but like 95% confirmed), its gonna be something to remember :D

[Dark Samurai]

Im pretty sure that everyone will say "I thought that Nintendo was all about gameplay!"

Not this time... HAHAHAH!!! Now its both...

[Jonbo298]

Its nice to see them branching out but they should've just made the DS from the start a PDA'ish thing right out of the box instead of waiting til now to announce PDA'ish things.

Oh well, hearing this news isn't gonna make me want a DS anytime soon now. I just want a Game Boy Advanced :p

[Canyarion]

Hm... I don't think the market is ready for another handheld... They better wait a few years. If they launch something like a PSP with GameCube technology, the handheld will be exactly the same as the console one, IMO.
People prefer the PS2 over the GCN. They will prefer the PSP over the GB4. :unsure:

Oh am I the only one who doesn't really believe this?

[Crash]

what if the new GBA plays gamecube games!?? the GC games are about the same size of UMD's .... then it'll be cool!

[Blackmane]

That is my feeling as well. Screw the DS vs. PSP choice, it should be GBA 2 vs. PSP. Too bad it is coming out so much later than the PSP.

[Canyarion]

I really don't get you... nothing personal though.

Why do you want the fourth GB to play actual GC games? That means almost no software sales for the GB4. It will share the game sales with the GCN.
That's why I think Sony never launched that mini Playstation thing.

And PSP vs GB4.... with the GB4 having GCN graphics/techs... not good... PSP already has a huge headstart. And we all know that the GCN couldn't win that battle. Why try again??? :(

[MuGen]

I'm with Canyarion.... Nintendo kind of threw a curve ball at fans with that announcement. People who waited for an awesome handheld from Nintendo got it in the DS and now they announce that a new handheld stronger than the DS is being launched.

Now what do the fans who have the DS but have no more money... do? Especially the fans who don't really NEED a PDA'ish DS.

I think they could wait a year... but its all up to them. OH... and btw.. Who said Nintendo wasn't in it for money?

[KillerGremlin]

And no one is angered that the DS was just a ploy to help keep the PSP out of the market? No one?

None of you think that it was deranged making thousands of people drop 150 for something that will be made obsolete within the next year?

If Nintendo goes through with the GBA2, I do think I may find myself boycotting the company and sticking with Sony.

[Jonbo298]

If Nintendo goes through with the GBA2, I do think I may find myself boycotting the company and sticking with Sony.

Cya :wave: :p

Nintendo wanted the DS to be the third pillar for them but unfortunately alot of people aren't taking it that way :unsure:

But I do hope the DS has the staying power for years to come alongside the DS. It is weird to do so but hopefully the 2 seperate "handhelds" idea turns out well.

[gekko]

Well we all knew it was coming, but certainly not so soon.

Perhaps Nintendo is just doing what Sony did for PS2, create the hype that the current system, which is leaps and bounds above everything on the market, won't even compare to what they are about the release. It's one way to try to stop the PSP.

However, I think Nintendo would make more profit developing batteries for the PSP. That was harsh, I'm sorry... :D

[Dyne]

Nintendo staffers have confirmed to SPOnG.com

*buzzer goes off*

EENNNHHHH

Game over. Have a nice day!




But really, I don't see Nintendo wasting any time here at all. End of 2005 is a good date.

[Perfect Stu]

why make DS obsolete already?

[Crash]

why is everyone so hard on the DS, I think it's a great machine... I can't wait for games like Metroid Hunters, and Band Brother etc... It's well worth the $150.00

This just gives me another reason not to buy the PSP, cause you know Nintendo can make a more powerful handheld than the PSP and do it at half the price. Plus have awesome games for it...I hope they make it with a folding design though Like the SP

They could call it the Nintendo:F.U.

[GameMaster]

All I gotta say is, when I'm on that floor in E3 this year (not 100% confirmed but like 95% confirmed), its gonna be something to remember :D

I'm going also. We'll have to meet up (or perhaps I'll just watch you from a distance). :cool:

[Crash]

GM. have you registered for E3 yet... we're still trying to go, but we need a good plan to get in...

[GameMaster]

GM. have you registered for E3 yet... we're still trying to go, but we need a good plan to get in...

I haven't registered under GT's name because Neo has made no mention of sending a representative. I don't even know if he can or how he goes about it. But I'll be going for another site since I live close enough. However, I'd like to wear a GT shirt when I go...

The other site would never know what a GT jersey really stood for... :sneaky:

If you can arrange to get GT a spot, I'll go with you.

[Crash]

i've tried talking to neo about it, we have to make a few liscences, but Solid Snake, Crash, you, jonbo whoever need to all go wearing our cool shirts

[DarkMaster]

If Neo buys a business license for GT, he could make us all staff members and then we could all go.



But if he decides to be a meanie and won't lay down the green, then I suggest that you guys throw up a cheap (ie. crappy) website on video games and register a license for it. Just know that you have to register nearly a month in advance to the showing at the latest.

[GameMaster]

i've tried talking to neo about it, we have to make a few liscences, but Solid Snake, Crash, you, jonbo whoever need to all go wearing our cool shirts

Maybe we can all contribute some $$$ to getting a license? I'd like to go with you guys. Let's organize a meeting with Neo sometime soon. Sound good?

[Vampyr]

At first I was like "no, this can't be true, I don't have enough money for another system"

But then I realized that all those GBA games that I havn't been able to afford will probably drop in price. So I'm all for this. I won't buy it, but it will enable me to get some GBA games that I can't afford at the moment.

[Crash]

Heh, couple of message boards are calling it the GAME BOY JESUS

LOL

[Jason1]

Im not sure I 100% buy this whole thing about it coming out by the end of they year, but time will tell I suppouse.

As for the idea itself, im all for it. Hopefully if it really happens it will give the PSP a seirous run for its money, because even though the DS has jumped to an early lead, I still see the PSP selling very, very well........

[Teuthida]

/me does a happy little jig.

[KillerGremlin]

Wow. Maybe the majority of you didn't drop 150 on your DS....but this is exactly why Nintendo continues to do what they do....if people don't make a notion that they aren't happy with Nintendo then....blah. You all seem to be taking this like it's fine and dandy. More reason why I hope the PSP does as good as it is.

I refuse to get into a long winded debate in this thread, because I doubt anyone will take my side, unless Null drops by, but even then...

[Jonbo298]

PSP is guaranteed to sell well. Its a matter of if Sony can provide with the demand which right now is looking hard to keep up but who knows :)

But the reason I'm getting in is that someone in my SG in CoH owns a business and is making some "loopholes" and getting the people who express interest and can go in. I may sport a GT T-Shirt, just depends :p Don't want to look really weird :p

[thatmariolover]

I told you all it was going to happen, and several of the other board members understood it as well. You have to read into everything Nintendo says. They specifically said the DS was not a Gameboy and that Gameboy hardware would continue to be developed separately.

That should have been enough to clue a lot of people in on the fact that the DS wasn't going to be Nintendo's primary handheld platform for this upcoming clash of the handheld titans.

And yet, saying this, I'm still rather skeptical that any of this news is actually true... Yet.

[Stonecutter]

why is everyone so hard on the DS, I think it's a great machine... I can't wait for games like Metroid Hunters, and Band Brother etc... It's well worth the $150.00



Because it ****ing sucks! Ok?

I'm sorry, I'm trying to like the thing but, no. Why the hell do you release a system that's kind of the spiritual successor to the N64 and then not give it analog control? Huh? There's no reason for it not to have analog control.

Secondly, the two screens are a gimic, plain and simple. I have no doubt that Nintendo is going to release some cool **** that utilizes the feature but you're going to be hard pressed to find many third party developers that put much more effort into it than they did with that LCD thingy the dreamcast had.

One of the greatest things about being a third party developer is that your game can reach 100% of the market. If your game comes out on all three systems than anyone who wants your game can buy it. With the GBA, it was the only game in town, and it's dirt cheap to developer for. Do you really think that when the time comes for the DS to go head to head with the PSP that companies are actually going to put the time and effort into making two entirely different versions of the same game, one for the PSP and one to utilize the dual screens? If you believe that, then you've got some high quality ****, and shame on you for not sharing.

Go ahead and cry about Nintendo being the only company that tries to innovate. On a lot of ground, I'll support you in your argument, but sad as it is, the fact is that a lot of that attempted innovation is shooting themselves in the foot, time and time again. The PSP has a lot going for it, and if they can fix some of the issues (that whole fiasco with the square button is laughable and embarrassing) it's going to hurt Nintendo, and using the console market as a guide, what would you rather bet your money on? Sony getting its head out of its ass or Nintendo getting its head out of the sand?

My money would be on sony without so much as a second thought.

[thatmariolover]

Hey, sorry that you don’t like the thing. But I really disagree with you. I honestly don’t know where you got the idea that it’s the “spiritual successor” to the N64. The graphical abilities might be similar, but that’s where similarity ends. As for analogue control, the PSP’s solution is hardly better. It’s not truly analogue; it’s more like a round D-Pad. There are more levels of control in using the touch screen as an analogue emulator. Sorry for those of you incapable of getting used to it, but it’s far superior to a D-Pad if you just get used to it.

As for the screens being a gimmick, I can kind of see why you would say that at this point. They haven’t been utilized nearly as well as they can be. But to all naysayers I’d ask that they go pick up a copy of WarioWare: Touched. By far the most innovative and feature showcasing game on the DS (although somehow a multiplayer mode was overlooked?).

As surprising as it might be, it’s not that hard to alter code to support dual screen support at all. Although tapping into the two separate rendering engines could be a slight obstacle, I’ve heard no beef from developers thus-far. So let’s not create stink when everything’s lemony fresh. Do you honestly think that if there’s a market there that developers aren’t going to tap into it? The DS is already a success, and considering that there’s only going to be 300,000 PSP units available in the U.S. at the launch (the official numbers my Gamestop was just given today in a conference call) there’s going to be a bit of a problem with supply. No, of course the DS isn’t going to get the mainstream support that the PSP is going to get. It’s pretty obvious that the DS is not a mainstream handheld. It does cool stuff and has cool ideas and it’s about playing games differently. It’s hardly something that’s easy to adapt to when we’ve become so used to the way we play games. It’s an acquired taste, and it’s obviously only going to appeal to a specific group of gamers. A fact Nintendo is well aware of – and the very reason for this thread: GBA 2.

Nintendo really does try to innovate, although I’m hardly crying about that. I’m frustrated because a lot of people just don’t understand Nintendo’s goals in releasing the DS. They don’t understand what the DS is really trying to accomplish. It’s not a handheld for mainstream gamers. It’s mostly for the hardcore guys, or people willing to look a little bit further, or for people who never play games even. Nintendo is a great company doing great things for gaming. They’re willing to gamble a little bit and that’s fine by me. If Nintendo never regains it’s “crown,” I’d be perfectly satisfied having Nintendo be the icing on my cake of games. As long as they continue to do what they’re good at, I can find a good median between mainstream and innovation.

As for who’s really going to win this little handheld competition, only time will tell in my opinion. E3 will shed a lot more light on the issues that most of us are concerned about (both with Nintendo and Sony). I’d be much more readily prepared to make predictions after I’ve seen what both companies really have up their sleeves.

[Jonbo298]

How can you consider WarioWare: Touched! a game?! Its just a gimmick to showoff the touchscreen :mad:

[Neo]

No one has told me how much this business license would cost.

[MuGen]

I agree with Stonecutter there... I won't go so far as to bash the DS but anyone who has a preference will belittle the use of another function.

Now, when I think about the Touch Screen on the DS, I think it's a pretty spiffy idea, and fanboy-ism aside, it's pretty innovative. As thatmariolover stated, the Touch Screen is better than a D-pad in terms of control, which is true. However... For that better control in movement in the game, you sacrifice versatility. You need your whole hand to keep the stylus sturdy and control it on the Touch Screen. A hand you need to press buttons and such... I don't know many people who have 3 hands. Some games are developed so you don't need those buttons but eventually you will waver for the games that can do so much more. That is why the Analog Control is very much a necessity.

The PSP's disc control is almost like an analog with 360 degrees of motion, only that it doesn't stick out like a joystick, and I think it's damn impressive. It's nothing like just a round D-pad because D-pads aren't as smooth.

But of course... as the DS' touch screen's capability was compromised, the fans will beg to differ and compromise the ability of the PSP's control capability. There will always be heated arguements about such... but this topic is about Nintendo releasing another Gameboy.

I want to ask this to the Nintendo fans who've shelled out $150 for the DS...
are you now happy to know that they are planning a more powerful handheld at a cheaper price? Or are you kind of upset that they came from behind with this announcement? It may be known that Nintendo was going to release a Gameboy behind the DS, however it wasn't known that it were to be this early after the DS' launch. People who purchased the DS are now stuck with what Nintendo plans to be a Palm PDA'ish handheld, while all the Software and new innovative games go to the codename "Jesus."

Now, people with good jobs may be able to shell out another lump sum of money to get this new Gameboy, but what about the kids who were so ecstatic to finally own a DS? Younger kids have no need for a PDA'ish handheld, and they will be begging for this new Gameboy.

All fanboy-ism aside, my respect for Nintendo has only diminished with this kind of market strategy they are pulling. Of course I'm a Sony fan, and many of you know this... but I have respect for entity's like Sega and Nintendo for their innovation, and they are legends in the gaming industry. But my respect goes only so far, and now that I hear Nintendo pulls a fast one with it's customers..... my respect has gone. The only thing I can look forward to is the Ps3 and the Revolution. I can't begin to disclose my thoughts on this handheld market, because it's getting nasty.

[Teuthida]

The only reason the DS even came into existence is because Yamauchi hadn't screwed things up for the company (that he fails to realize he's no longer the president of) in a while. The urge to screw is a powerful urge indeed.

[Perfect Stu]

The only reason the DS even came into existence is because Yamauchi hadn't screwed things up for the company (that he fails to realize he's no longer the president of) in a while. The urge to screw is a powerful urge indeed.

lol

[DarkMaster]

No one has told me how much this business license would cost.
In depends on which state you live in. You're a Texas man right? Well you gotta check prices on available business licenses in the state of Texas.

Your state will determine the cost and availability (just having money won't get you a license). In some cases a license for a small business can range from $100-$1000, but it really depends on your place of residence (ie. where the business will be established and primarily maintained). Also like I said you can't always just get one by having the money to pay for it, sometimes you're required to meet certain standards. Your age, employment, income, things like that, all come into play (though again it differs depending on where you live).

It could very well be a simple $100 down for you, but I wouldn't know what the state of Texas offers. You'll have to find a website that deals with these things and check it out further.

[Crash]

In depends on which state you live in. You're a Texas man right? Well you gotta check prices on available business licenses in the state of Texas.

Your state will determine the cost and availability (just having money won't get you a license). In some cases a license for a small business can range from $100-$1000, but it really depends on your place of residence (ie. where the business will be established and primarily maintained). Also like I said you can't always just get one by having the money to pay for it, sometimes you're required to meet certain standards. Your age, employment, income, things like that, all come into play (though again it differs depending on where you live).

It could very well be a simple $100 down for you, but I wouldn't know what the state of Texas offers. You'll have to find a website that deals with these things and check it out further.

can we make a thread for this topic, cause I'd really love to figure it out!

[Stonecutter]

can we make a thread for this topic, cause I'd really love to figure it out!
I was thinking the exact same thing.


WTF are you guys talking about?

[Crash]

gettting business lisences for GT so we can get to E3... yay

[GameMaster]

gettting business lisences for GT so we can get to E3... yay

Will you invite me to join you?