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The Game Boy Micro (stylized as GAME BOY micro or Gameboy micro and also called GBA Micro) is the second and final redesign (much smaller) of the original Game Boy Advance and is, overall, the final of the six models in the Game Boy line, alongside the AGS-101 model of the Game Boy Advance SP. Development of the Micro began in 2004 (shortly before the release of the Nintendo DS) and was first announced at E3 2005 on May 17. It is much smaller than any Game Boy, including the Game Boy Pocket, but can still play all GBA games. However, unlike the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP, it does not have backwards-compatibility, meaning that it cannot play the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color games because it lacks the Z80 processor that is required to play those games as well as design changes. It was designed with a very small screen and a powerful backlight. Unlike the SP, the Game Boy Micro does not have a clamshell design (similar to the GB, GBC, and the original GBA). This makes Game Boy Advance games seem to be in HD quality, and prevents reflections on the screen's surface. Backwards compatibility with the Game Boy and Game Boy Color was sacrificed in order to make the Game Boy Micro smaller and more affordable. It also doesn't work with the Game Boy Advance cable link.
The Game Boy Micro uses its own unique charger that isn't compatible with any other Nintendo consoles and also comes with its very own faceplate unlike the older Game Boy models.
The Game Boy Micro never sold as well as Nintendo wanted it to, as the lack of GBA games being made was scarce and also due to the screen size dropping down to a 2 inches display and it was overshadowed by Nintendo's other portable, the DS, which was released ten months before the Micro) as well as the upcoming DS Lite (which also played GBA games).
The system, along with its predecessors, were discontinued in December 2009 and system sales shipping ended on May 15, 2010, ending the 21-year history of the long-running and classic Game Boy line.[2]
See also[]
- Game Boy (Predecessor)
- Game Boy Color (Predecessor)
- Game Boy Advance
- Game Boy Advance SP (Redesign)
- Nintendo DS (Successor)
References[]
- ↑ Vega, N. (March 13, 2017). A look back at the Game Boy Micro, the Nintendo console that time forgot. Business Insider. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ↑ https://www.webcitation.org/6hBWlh2lb?url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1603.pdf