Can someone compare GBA games played on an SP vs. DS?

H

Hollywood

Banned
Ok, questions:

1) How much better does GBA games look on the DS over the SP, if any at all? And what screen do they play on?

2) Is it more comfortable to play GBA games on a DS over an SP? Ergonomically and everything? What are the excess buttons used for?

3) Does the battery last longer on a DS than GBA SP when playing SP games?

4) Do the games sound any better on the DS than on the SP?

5) Does the DS help any GBA games TECHNICALLY speaking? Less slowdown in games that have it, smoother look, etc?

Thanks ... and any other thing of note in comparing the two would be appreciated also.
 
"1) How much better does GBA games look on the DS over the SP, if any at all? And what screen do they play on?"

It looks better overal, but some games now look amazing (the first castlevania for instance)

"2) Is it more comfortable to play GBA games on a DS over an SP? Ergonomically and everything? What are the excess buttons used for?"

I prefer the feel of the GBA over the DS, the placement of the shoulder buttons is a little funky on the DS.

"3) Does the battery last longer on a DS than GBA SP when playing SP games?"

No idea - i haven't recharged my DS yet though.

"4) Do the games sound any better on the DS than on the SP?"

Played with sound down on a train.

"5) Does the DS help any GBA games TECHNICALLY speaking? Less slowdown in games that have it, smoother look, etc?"

Just by being brighter and backlit helps - as Pana point out to me, there is a slight tint to the GBA SP games and that's not there on the DS.
 
Hollywood said:
Ok, questions:

1) How much better does GBA games look on the DS over the SP, if any at all? And what screen do they play on?

2) Is it more comfortable to play GBA games on a DS over an SP? Ergonomically and everything? What are the excess buttons used for?

3) Does the battery last longer on a DS than GBA SP when playing SP games?

4) Do the games sound any better on the DS than on the SP?

5) Does the DS help any GBA games TECHNICALLY speaking? Less slowdown in games that have it, smoother look, etc?

Thanks ... and any other thing of note in comparing the two would be appreciated also.
Click to expand...

1. The games like a LOT better. I've went back into my GBA collection just to replay games on the DS because they look so good. :) The colors are not washed out and everything just looks crisper.

2. To me it is much more conforable. Although the SP is more convenient as far as space saving is concern, the DS is just more comoforable in your hand because it's bigger.

3. The batter lasts the same for the DS when playing a GBA game as it does for the SP(they actually use the same battery.)

4. YES!! They do, the DS has built in stereo speakers(that are better quality aswell) so of course it sounds better.

5. no improvements in that respect.
 
Hollywood said:
Ok, questions:

1) How much better does GBA games look on the DS over the SP, if any at all? And what screen do they play on?

2) Is it more comfortable to play GBA games on a DS over an SP? Ergonomically and everything? What are the excess buttons used for?

3) Does the battery last longer on a DS than GBA SP when playing SP games?

4) Do the games sound any better on the DS than on the SP?

5) Does the DS help any GBA games TECHNICALLY speaking? Less slowdown in games that have it, smoother look, etc?

Thanks ... and any other thing of note in comparing the two would be appreciated also.
Click to expand...

1) Quite a bit. After seeing the games on the DS's backlight screen you'll realize just how washed out they were on the SP.

2) This is a matter of personal preference. The DS is a little bit wider than the normal GBA and it's also heavier. If you thought the normal GBA felt better (ergonomically) than the SP than you might enjoy the size/ergonomics. I felt the SP was too small, and therefore welcomed the increase in size.

3) I believe the SP battery lasts a few hours longer than the DS battery.

4) The games sound much better on the DS when compared to the SP. Because of the stereo speakers you can hear the sound clearly without headphones. I'm not sure if there is any difference between them when using headphones.

5) No. The DS doesn't enhance the games in any way (except making them look better because of the screen's lighting).


Hollywood said:
Okay .. what screen do they play on, and what is on the other screen while they are playing?
Click to expand...

You can chose which screen you want the game to play on. The screen that is not in use is turned off.

Hope this helps.
 
Hollywood said:
Okay .. what screen do they play on, and what is on the other screen while they are playing?
Click to expand...

You can choose which screen to display GBA games on. Nothing is on the other screen when playing GBA games.

-edit Crap, already answered. How do you delete posts?
 
The screen quality is really nice, and I like the feel of the system, but the thing that I like the most about playing GBA games on the DS is the d-pad. The GBA and SP d-pads were way too small and 'slippery' for me.
 
yeah I prettty much agree with what was said, they look just as good on an SP except the SP front light gives a blueish hue to the game, being backlit the DS does not do this. The buttons are more like the original GBA but ABXY are a bit smaller I think. So there you go.
 
I can't play GBA games on a DS. The controls just don't feel right. I tried playing Minish Cap after playing it for like 40 hours on a GBA, and it was frustrating as hell. The d-pad isn't as sensitive as the one on the SP (or too sensitive; I'm not sure which, but he keeps walking in directions I'm not trying to make him walk), and the default button setup is awkward. If they were actually thinking, they would've made it so Y = B, and B = A, or at least given the option to config it to your liking.

Screen looks nicer, yes, but that's about it. Otherwise, I much prefer playing on my SP, and will continue to do so from now on.
 
I just recently took some side by side pictures of the GBA and DS. Coincidentally answered a number of your questions too. Sound is much better, but the ABXY buttons are a bit smaller. The horizontal layout is more comfortable, but since you're not using X and Y buttons in GBA games, they're slightly awkward.
http://www.wcnews.com/news/showupdate.php?id=5954

gbavsds5t.jpg


gbavsds4t.jpg
 
Funny this thread popped up. I will buying a DS JUST to play GBA games...nothing more...in about 8 hours when EB opens up. Can't wait. Too bad none of the DS games interest me.
 
Hollywood said:
1) How much better does GBA games look on the DS over the SP, if any at all?

2) Is it more comfortable to play GBA games on a DS over an SP? Ergonomically and everything? What are the excess buttons used for?

3) Does the battery last longer on a DS than GBA SP when playing SP games?

4) Do the games sound any better on the DS than on the SP?

5) Does the DS help any GBA games TECHNICALLY speaking? Less slowdown in games that have it, smoother look, etc?

Thanks ... and any other thing of note in comparing the two would be appreciated also.
Click to expand...

1. Subjectively comparing the two, I'd say the DS makes GBA games look a little sharper and brighter. It's slight, but any uptick is always appreciated. This assumes you don't mind a black border surrounding the screen, since the DS has bigger screen dimensions.

2. Like others have said, the DS face buttons are a bit cramped and the system as a whole is wider than an SP. Personally, I have no problem playing RPGs and strats on a DS, but action games really make me feel the pain caused by ergonomic differences. Whether it's because the system is too wide, the shoulder buttons are spaced far apart, or because the d-pad requires a slightly harder press, I can't pin down any one cause, BUT I can say that after an hour of Donkey Kong Country 2 or Metal Slug, the muscle on my left hand below the thumb hurt like hell and my fingers on that hand were feeling arthritic. I'm sticking to the SP for fast-paced games.

3. Yep - seems to be a good 2-3 hours more than the standard SP battery.

4. In a way, they do sound better on the DS, since you're getting stereo sound out of the speakers instead of mono, but if you used headphones in the past, there'd be no difference.

5. The DS doesn't do a damn thing to help GBA games. One of the system's two processors is an ARM7, which is the same processor the GBA uses. When you play a GBA game, only that processor is used. One thing that may be pro or con depending on your perspective though, is that you can keep a GBA game in the GBA slot while a DS game is in the DS slot. It's kinda nice having two games in the system at once and selecting them from a menu....


(I actually still prefer the SP for GBA play, firstly because I like its light weight and smaller size, secondly because I don't get hand fatigue from using it so long as a game isn't shoulder-button intensive, and lastly because the shell's color scheme isn't so distracting--I have a black SP)
 
They look a good deal better, but the d-pad on the DS is quite terrible IMO and so the games don't control nearly as well as they did on GBA(SP)
 
The d-pad and buttons are so close to the edge on the DS, that I feel like I'm getting carpal tunnel when I play it. Same with the original GBA. I don't have this problem with the SP, because I'm able to hold it in a way that lets me stretch my thumbs out to reach the buttons/dpad. On DS my thumbs are bent to use the dpad/buttons. It also doesn't help that the buttons are so tiny and cramped together.

What I can't understand is, I have this problem but my hands are only average-to-small in size. People with larger hands would have to bend their thumbs even more it seems. Which would be terribly uncomfortable IMO. My thumbs hurt literally within 20 minutes of playing DS.

When I was using my original GBA, I had to buy one of those grip handle thingies that attached to the sides, which made the GBA even bigger, but I could finally play it without destroying my thumbs. Now I have to wait for something similar to come out for DS :(

Even with all of this though, I find the DS screen to be so superior to the SP, I continue to try and play GBA games on it. It's really hard for me to go back to the washed-out SP now :(

Worse still, the PSP seems to be plagued with the same issue, dpad/buttons are placed way too close to the edge. And that analog nub looks like it will absolutely murder my thumb:(
 
Playing GBA games on DS is good if you're playing a game that doesn't require any precision controls. If you're playing a platformer or something, the old SP/GBA works better.
 
CVXFREAK said:
Playing GBA games on DS is good if you're playing a game that doesn't require any precision controls. If you're playing a platformer or something, the old SP/GBA works better.
Click to expand...

That kind of stinks. A lot of my favorite GBA games are action/platformer types. I didn't try a GBA game with it when I tried it out...I just sort of thought the width would make things play better....but I wasn't paying enough attention to the d-pad and such.
 
Gahiggidy said:
ndsr10.jpg

ndsr11.jpg
Click to expand...

And there you have it folks.....

*LITERALLY walks out the house to drive to EB to pick up a DS*
 
I much prefer the size of the DS for my hands, but I had to learn to take a very relaxed grip with my hands not clenched too tightly around the system to avoid cramps from the shape and button placement. Still, once you get used to it, it's quite nice compared to an SP. I would still kill for an option to remap A and B to SNES style B and Y like you could with Super Gameboy.

Yes, I own a Super Gameboy.
 
Wow that does look better. I don't see why they are different though, does the SP backlight just suck in comparison?
 
wow those are better screens, but it looks like the DS buttons are even tinier than the SP buttons. Is there a size difference in the D-pad too?
 
Two words......

night and day...NIGHT AND FUCKING DAY!!! This is the only way I can describe the difference in quality between the GBASP and the DS screen when running GBA games. It's so unfreakin believable it's not even funny! The clarity and detail is astonishing!!! The over-reflectiveness of the GBASP's screen is nowhere to be found and it's bright enough for me not to have to hold at a certain angle all the time.

Like others have said, the DS face buttons are a bit cramped and the system as a whole is wider than an SP. Personally, I have no problem playing RPGs and strats on a DS, but action games really make me feel the pain caused by ergonomic differences. Whether it's because the system is too wide, the shoulder buttons are spaced far apart, or because the d-pad requires a slightly harder press, I can't pin down any one cause, BUT I can say that after an hour of Donkey Kong Country 2 or Metal Slug, the muscle on my left hand below the thumb hurt like hell and my fingers on that hand were feeling arthritic. I'm sticking to the SP for fast-paced games.
Click to expand...

The controls just don't feel right. I tried playing Minish Cap after playing it for like 40 hours on a GBA, and it was frustrating as hell. The d-pad isn't as sensitive as the one on the SP (or too sensitive; I'm not sure which, but he keeps walking in directions I'm not trying to make him walk), and the default button setup is awkward. If they were actually thinking, they would've made it so Y = B, and B = A, or at least given the option to config it to your liking.
Click to expand...

I am having a hard time identifying with these issues you guys are referring to. I played Metal Slug, Streetfighter 3, Puzzle Fighter II and this game for the Sega Master System(SMS games look off the fucking hook by the way) called The Ninja. All of these games require constant rapid movement of the D-pad and I didn't have a problem with ANY of them. In the The Ninja(SMS) you have to constantly dodge ninja stars and wolves and all kinds of shit. It played beautifully, just as well as it did on my old Master System 20 years ago. SFIII I used Ken and was able to do "doo-kits" and "are-you-kits" all day long with no problems!! Not sure what the problem is but you guys may have defected units. Better check that out.

The d-pad and buttons are so close to the edge on the DS, that I feel like I'm getting carpal tunnel when I play it. Same with the original GBA. I don't have this problem with the SP, because I'm able to hold it in a way that lets me stretch my thumbs out to reach the buttons/dpad. On DS my thumbs are bent to use the dpad/buttons. It also doesn't help that the buttons are so tiny and cramped together.

What I can't understand is, I have this problem but my hands are only average-to-small in size. People with larger hands would have to bend their thumbs even more it seems. Which would be terribly uncomfortable IMO. My thumbs hurt literally within 20 minutes of playing DS.
Click to expand...

I admit the d-pad is a little too close to the edge but I've already gotten used to it. Infact if anyone should be complaining it should be ME....since my hands are humongous! I'm talkin "Chris Webber palm the ball with one hand" like size! I just hold it softly by the tip of my fingers and don't have a problem. Plus it gets points for making the start and select buttons bigger and putting them in a much more convenient location. I still hate the fact that the volume control is a slider though.

Anyway I can't emphasize how gorgeous GBA games look on thing. It's like having a VGA monitor in the palm of your hand! No dead pixels either!

Good job Nintendo!!!!!! :)
 
After finishing the majority of FF1 DOS on the DS, I can't say I've run into any of the cramping or "crab-finger" problems that I had with the original GBA. If I had to guess, the weight and balance of the system fixes a lot of the problem. The L/R are also surprisingly like the SNES this time around.

My biggest ergonomic problem with the DS is the shape of the sides - the left and right have these odd edges that dig into my palms a bit. In general the SP just feels more comfortable in my hands. With actual DS games, strain gets exascerbated by quite a bit since in all likelyhood one of your hands is no longer holding up the system.

For SP games, I suppose you could use the bottom screen if you wanted, but on every system I've used, the touch screen overlay is clearly visible, like a photoshop filter applied to the image. Like John TV says, the lack of face button customization is an incredibly stupid oversight, but for some reason it wasn't a big deal to me after the first few hours.

Sound is clearly better at most volumes; having stereo is nice but I get the impression that the speakers are just plain built for a higher quality output. There are a few levels where the bass starts acting up though.
 
Isamu, are you using a flashcart with emu's on it? I have some questions:

What emu's are there and how well do they perform?
What flashcart did you get? Where/how much?

Thanks.
 
Crazymoogle said:
After finishing the majority of FF1 DOS on the DS.
Click to expand...

Speaking of which....can I get you to give me a high five on how ridiculously gorgeous FF I & II looks on this bitch? I mean...I seriously don't think there's a PC monitor in the world that can touch the clarity of GBA games on the DS. And that's saying A LOT.

PanopticBlue said:
Isamu, are you using a flashcart with emu's on it? I have some questions:

What emu's are there and how well do they perform?
What flashcart did you get? Where/how much?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Check your PM in about 5 minutes :)
 
It sounds pretty split honestly. I mean the DS looks like it plays the games with better lighting, but some people prefer the SP over DS control wise. The orginal GBA really killed my hands with Mario Kart and stuff like that, so I'dd like to try the SP on that game.
 
It takes like an hour or two to adjust to the controls, after that it feels just fine. Not perfect, but much better than the SP for something like Aria of Sorrow where you had to use the shoulder buttons a lot, that shit cramped up my hands like nothing else.

Its just such an improvement visually that I think all serious GBA single player lovers should pick one up. The features of the DS, with access to both libraries just cement that.
 
Sho Nuff said:
It looks frickin amazing. Playing Out of this World (Another World) on it is now doable! :O
Click to expand...
You gotta be kidding me, right? Where the heck? I mean...when/where/how?
 
I still rather play my GBA games on my SP. The DS is much too clunky to hold. The only advantage is the triggers are easier to use on the DS. Other than that, I prefer the SP.
 
Relax guys. I thibnk that may have been a typo or something. OotW doesn't exist for the GBA.

captainbiotch said:
Its just such an improvement visually that I think all serious GBA single player lovers should pick one up. The features of the DS, with access to both libraries just cement that.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up :)
 
btrboyev said:
u8ups1sp.jpg
h0kps1ds.jpg




Can you tell which one is DS? ;)
Click to expand...

I'm going to take a stab and say that the DS is the top one ;)
 
Hollywood said:
OK, enough shameless plugging. Personally I think everyone should goto this thread:

http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?p=717319#post717319 :D

Anyway, those pictures really show a difference. But can you use the Y button as the B button for GBA games? The B and A button on the DS look like ergonomic hell honestly.
Click to expand...

Sadly, you can't I can't figure out why Ninty didn't five us this option :(
 
Well that sucks. Honestly I'm interested in a DS, but when there's only one game (Mario) that I would get like a lot of playtime with right now ... $150 is just too expensive. And I look at the release list for games, and there's nothing big coming out ... until like next year. Maybe late in the year too.
 
Salmon said:
You gotta be kidding me, right? Where the heck? I mean...when/where/how?
Click to expand...

This needs clarification. I know there was a petition to get a port of this game, but I never heard anything come out of it. Another World was a frigging awesome game.
 
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