DS as GBA replacement

KarishBHR

Member
What are your guy's experiances with the DS as a total GBA replacement, is it the same in the long run? What screen do you use? EXC
 
I use the top screen since the bottom one is usually slightly smudged from the touching. GBA games look a lot better on the DS, with a higher color saturation. I don't think i've turned on my SP since I've gotten my DS.
 
+ bright vibrant screen top or bottom (mine is set to top, avoiding cleaning the bottom screen every time)...
+ much nicer/louder stereo speakers ... sometimes needs to be turned down just a bit...
+ there will always be a DS game in the other slot to jump between...
+ seemingly better battery...


- no multiplayer GBA games...
- no GB or GBC games...
- larger unit..
- no real way to turn off the light...
- no GC to GBA connectivity (4 swords is awesome...)



all in all, it's replaced my GBA completely... I have 4 SP's and 2 GBA's and I haven't gone back to any of them....
mostly because I'm spoiled on that nice screen now.
 
The improved screen and built-in headphone jack are nice, but the size and buttons kill it for me. SP is still the best way to play GBA games on the go.
 
Vark said:
I use the top screen since the bottom one is usually slightly smudged from the touching. GBA games look a lot better on the DS, with a higher color saturation. I don't think i've turned on my SP since I've gotten my DS.
Pretty much the same for me. I've replayed a bunch of games on it just because they look stunning, so bright and vibrant. The only small issue is the tiny control problems with the A dn B button placements, but you pretty quickly get used to it. I had no issue playing any of the Castlevanias or Yoshi's Island. Also, in certain games certain sounds are more noticeable due to the stereo output, there are some background sounds in Fire Emblem that I had never really heard the first time around that I noticed on the DS (birds chirping, water, etc).

I only wish my SPs weren't going to waste now. :/ I turned on one while my DS was charging, and just couldn't stand the blue bands and washed out colors. I didn't even bother getting into a game, the FE title screen looks just plain horrendous now. But I'll be keeping them around for multiplayer since Mario Party is coming and I do have some hope in, somehow, someday, finding someone to play multicart multiplayer Mario Kart with, something I've never done in Super Circuit. :lol

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have used the bottom screen once, no difference in quality at all, but I switched back simply because I'm so used to the SP style of things. That and it's easier to lay down and play with the game running on the top screen than the bottom.
 
The backlit screen makes the games look much better, but the button layout is what kills it for me. The B and A buttons on DS are where the X and O buttons are on PS2. The buttons are tiny and I have to hold the DS in an awkward postion to play GBA games. It doesn't take long for my hands to start cramping when using it. I would definately keep your GBA and compare them if you get a DS. The control set up might not even be an issue for you. I still think the best way to play GBA games is w/the GBPlayer.
 
if you want to play Crystal Chronicles

or you can wait til the DS version comes out.

I don't have any trouble playing gba games on a DS, I do it constantly. I find it more comfortable than the tiny SP, because of the location of the r and l buttons. also, I don't have giant american hands.....
 
I wonder if it would be possible for Nintendo to come out with new firmware to map the X and Y buttons for use when playing GBA games.
 
at the moment i use my ds exclusively to play gba games since there are no ds games out now that i want. for playing gba games the ds blows away the gba sp. i use the top screen.
 
exoduster said:
I find it more comfortable than the tiny SP, because of the location of the r and l buttons. also, I don't have giant american hands.....

I agree it's alot more comfortable. It's nice not having your wrists cramped up like when you play games on the SP.
 
I play GBC games more than any of handheld's game so the DS couldn't replace my GBASP anyway

Its screen is excellent looking, though...GBA games get a healthy boost in visuals
 
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