"Get this EVEN if you don't own any other Gameboy!"

The GameBoy. Not even the MOST optimistic people would think it would last THIS long. When it first came out, it made people bring video gaming with them wherever they went. What was also nice is that it had a good game library, and got everyone addicted. Then they made a Game Boy Pocket, which was the same thing except the screen was easier to see, and it was 40% smaller so it could fit in your pocket(which is the idea). And THEN there was ANOTHER Game Boy, the Game Boy Color, which is still being sold today, but not really necessary now that there is the Game Boy Advance, which is even smaller, and has a different (and better) design, and graphics that are even BETTER than the SNES! So, let's start the review, shall we?

Graphics: 9

An EXCELLENT advancement. The 2D graphics are PlayStation or Saturn material, and look sharp, and RUN perfectly. The only flaw in this section is the 3D, which is pretty poor. Unless you're talking about THPS2, which uses polygons for the characters, and the backround is 2D but acts 3D, which is the way the GBA uses it's 3D capabilities. Not too bad though with THPS2, because even though it's not texture mapped, you can't tell anyways!

Sound: 10

FULLY DIGITAL! No more buzzing and beeps and bleeps, we finally have crystal clear sound! Although the speaker on the GBA doesn't show it, when you attatch your GBA to some headphones or speakers you hear pure bass, clear music and fully recorded sounds! Perfect job here!

Design: 8

Also a good point. The D-Pad is to the left of the screen and the buttons are to the right, and shoulder buttons on the top. The screen is 40% bigger, making games seem big too. The only drawback(and it's pretty big) is how hard it is to see the screen. Especially with GBA games, because they use more colors. Older games work better, they look clear and there's no trouble seeing them. But if you plan on buying a game like Castlevania: Circle of the Moon you better plan on buying a light for the GBA, cuz you're gonna be looking at your GBA in weird angles if you wanna see the picture. Plus, on there screen there are smudges galore, although scratching it is pretty hard to do, as long as you don't TRY to. ^_'
The game cartriges are the same width, but they are twice as short! And knowing they have all this power inside them, it's pretty amazing.

Backwards Compatibility: 10

This GBA plays it's fellow GBC and GB games just as they were made to be played(but there are still the bees inside your speaker). And not only that, using the shoulder buttons you can stretch the screen to the edge. It isn't a bad thing at all. It will look a little different but after awhile you won't care and think it looks exactly the same as it does on a GB or GBC.

Games: 9

Not very many for launch, but with the fellow GBC and GB games following the GBA, the game library is also spectacular. Games like THPS 2 and Castlevania deserve awards even as launch games. Unlike the PS2, the games at launch are actually have a good start and with Breath of Fire, 4 player Mario Kart...oh man...need I say more? This looks like it will lead the Game Boy into another legacy.

Rent or Buy? BUY BUY!!! It's cheap too! Unlike the Game Boy when it first came out, which was $170, this baby is only at $80! So what are you waiting for? GO OUT AND BUY THIS MOTHER! EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWN ANY OTHER GAMEBOY!

It's worth the money. Trust me.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/05/01, Updated 08/05/01