While the DSi isn't going to be a factor for those of us in the U.S. and Europe until next year (unless you're importing), we're already gathered in a solemn knot and singing a dirge in honor of the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo's last juggernaut was supposed to be alive and kicking, healthy as can be, and part of a three-pillar strategy for Nintendo's control of the gaming universe. Instead, we're preparing to bid farewell to those fat cartridges, and with them, a bevy of DS/DS Lite accessories, add-ons, and extras.If you're trading in or selling a DS to fund a DSi purchase, you'll be gaining a lot ... but today, we're here to mourn everything you're going to lose, and if you've bought a lot of DS accessories, you stand to lose a lot if you don't keep a DS or DS Lite around. Step right into the gallery to kick off the tour of tragedy, or slip past the break for a moment of song in honor of the death of the GBA slot.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-06-2008 @ 12:13PM
Nigeria said...
Now where will all my plastic, add-on crap go?
Damn you, Nintendo.
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10-06-2008 @ 12:46PM
KaBob799 said...
Well I doubt we will be seeing many more gba add-ons now so by the time it comes out there wont be as much of a demand for having a gba slot.
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10-06-2008 @ 1:04PM
aj said...
I've never heard of, let alone seen, about 95% of those things on the list.
But I do play GBA games. And I want my copy of Final Fantasy VI to always have a home, dammit! And what of Fire Emblem? WHAT OF FIRE EMBLEM?!?!
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10-06-2008 @ 2:02PM
Puddles said...
GBA games are the reason I won't be getting a DSi. The 2 Fire Emblem games alone make it worth having the GBA slot.
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10-06-2008 @ 2:42PM
Ravnos said...
I honestly can't stand when people say "Who needs the GBA slot, you'll be able to download the games anyway!" There are compelling arguments to be made for removing the GBA slot on the new DS, but "buying games I already paid for" is not one of them.
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10-06-2008 @ 3:15PM
Professor Lario said...
Can someone make a list of the best GBA games to pick up while the getting is good?
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10-06-2008 @ 7:08PM
Monodi said...
There are a lot. A. LOT.
Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem the Sacred Stones
Drill Dozer
Megaman Zero
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Zero Mission
Golden Sun
Golden Sun 2: The Lost Age
Kirby Nightmare In Dreamland
The Legend of Zelda Four Swords/Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda Minish Cap
WarioWare Inc. Mega Microgame$
Wario Land 4
Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen
Final Fantasy VI
Mystical Ninja Goemon
Donkey Kong Country 2 (though I hate the toony sound effects)
Try importing Mother1+2 and/or Mother3
10-06-2008 @ 7:38PM
Zealot said...
This is just a quickly-cobbled together list from memory of things I enjoyed and things I haven't played but are generally considered good, but...
Castlevania Aria of Sorrow/Circle of the Moon/Harmony of Dissonance
Drill Dozer
Final Fantasy IV/V/VI/Tactics Advance
Fire Emblem/FE: The Sacred Stones
Golden Sun/GS: The Lost Age
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Minish Cap
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Metroid Fusion/Zero Mission
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/FireRed/LeafGreen
Scurge Hive
Sigma Star Saga
Summon Night: Swordcraft Story
Super Mario Advance 1-4
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
I didn't include a couple of things that I like but are impossible to find anymore, but this list should be a good starting point.
10-06-2008 @ 7:41PM
Zealot said...
Oh, and add to that the stuff from Monodi's list. As has been happening a lot lately, the post wasn't there when I clicked on this thread and suddenly appeared afterward.
10-07-2008 @ 10:36AM
Professor Lario said...
You guys rock. I saved your responses in my 'Games I want' watch list. : )
10-06-2008 @ 4:43PM
HairyBalls said...
I'm going to keep my DS Phat and get a DSi.
I also have a GBA SP and Micro, so no GBA slot on the DSi doesn't matter to me.
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10-06-2008 @ 5:40PM
Jason Hill said...
As much as i am willing to shell out money for a 3rd ds, i will be keeping both my NES Gameboy Advance SP and Gold Triforce DS Lite. The next handheld better be a brand new ds or i wont be supporting these changing dses anymore.
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10-06-2008 @ 5:45PM
gukid said...
I just actually bought "another" GBA Micro the other week. Got the Famicom 20th Anniversary one from Play-Asia while it was on sale. Great little toy :P Also picked up a copy of Magical Vacation for $6. So many great Japanese GBA games that still haven't come out here, so with my flashcard and hopes of further fan translations (whooo, Kaio-Shin!) I'll be playing GBA for years to come, whether NoA likes it or not.
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10-06-2008 @ 6:53PM
Monodi said...
I hate to say it this way, but this is one nail to Gunpei Yokoi's cross. Even if he was the father of portable gaming, the GameBoy signature was a legend and to see it end this way on the name of evolution is sad.
Luckily we still have Metroid and hopefully Kid Icarus soon which will give the retribution to the real person who pushed Nintendo into the gaming market.
Sigh.
Oh anyway, I have been thinking about splitting them up. Not literally of course. I might sell my DSLite to get a DSi but also I would like to get either a GBASP or the Mother3 Edition of GameBoy Micro.
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10-06-2008 @ 8:11PM
ecco6t9 said...
I will miss my Taito Paddle and Rumble Pak.
I would say case and stylus but I've got a feeling Waterfield and Panache should have DSi products.
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10-06-2008 @ 8:16PM
Jacksons said...
That not-yet-released Tony Hawk really irked me. I have no interest in the DSi, but obsoleting a game that's not even out? That's messed up.
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10-06-2008 @ 8:25PM
J.K. said...
I got rid of my GBA stuff and Guitar Hero made my hand hurt more than anything in gaming before so it's no loss to me personally.
BE ADVISED... Nintendo has said the DSi is REGION LOCKED! WTF?! If you own any games outside your region they will NOT work in this, and I do - Electroplankton! >:\
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10-06-2008 @ 10:32PM
David D. said...
@J.K.
Don't worry, DS cartridges aren't region locked. Nintendo seems to be only locking downloadable content.
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10-07-2008 @ 5:34AM
freestyler_rmg said...
well... i don't quite agree with DSi... Nintendo's trademark is backward compatibility... you can use Game Cube's controller on Wii... or you can play gameboy's game on gameboy advance... or you can play gameboy advance's game on Nintendo DS... well... DSi is a media player... there's a lot usefulness for gba slot... well... let's see what Nintendo have in their mind...
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10-07-2008 @ 7:31AM
Hoffer said...
I will probably buy a DSi, but will not sell my current DS.
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