Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Never played a Pokemon game before. What's the best GBA one?
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GB/GBC/GBA Collecting Thread
- Thread starter tiggerkiddo
- Start date
Dr. Feel Good
Banned
Play FireRed or LeafGreen. Then Emerald.
You're in for a hell of an experience.
The double pack for the other two GBA games might be the way to go, boxed is about £30 and loose is about £10-20
That's what I should have done! Canceling my previous order now!
So, I took the chance on a FF6 cartridge and.. man, it's so hard to tell if it's fake (at least for me it is). Comparing it to the real deal, everything seems to be there, even the printing on the chip, but at least two things about it feel off to me:
a) The cartridge definitely feels lighter compared to a 100% confirmed legit cart.
b) "Game Boy Advance" engraving on the top is a bit too distinct.
(c) Not sure if this is relevant but the stamp above the 'C E' letters is '11'.)
GBA detectives, help!
a) The cartridge definitely feels lighter compared to a 100% confirmed legit cart.
b) "Game Boy Advance" engraving on the top is a bit too distinct.
(c) Not sure if this is relevant but the stamp above the 'C E' letters is '11'.)
GBA detectives, help!
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Need pics. Easiest way I know of is to look at the holes on the contacts. On legit carts they're all at the top of the contacts:
On fakes, they're scattered all over:
Don't need to open the cart, just look up in it.
On fakes, they're scattered all over:
Don't need to open the cart, just look up in it.
BomberMouse
Member
If the dots are not aligned, it's a fake for sure. If they are, that still doesn't mean it's legit.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Personally, I've literally never seen a fake without the misaligned holes. And it's crazy how common fakes are. I've never seen a fake SNES, NES, or Genesis cart in the wild. But, see fake GBA games all the time at local resale shops.
sixteen-bit
Member
pretty sure I found a fake world of illusion in the wild but yeah fake GBA stuff is waaaay more common
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
I got a fake Dracula X for SNES in the mail, but never seen a fake out in the wild that wasn't GBA. I came home with a massive amount of fake Pokemon once. I am usually really good about checking, that day I just got excited they had so much GBA stuff in I wanted. As soon as I got home and sat down I realized the first one was fake, then looked through them all and of course they all were. Luckily the place took them back no problem.
Another place (part of the same chain) had a hilariously fake Metroid Fusion once. The guy working seemed really offended when I told him. Said they had a book telling them how to spot a fake, so he'd look into it. I told him a couple quick tips that were immediately obvious, plus the fact it had a completely bogus label. Went back a week or so later and they had put it right back out for sale. Scummy.
But, yeah. Pokemon are where it's really at. Constantly see fakes out there.
Another place (part of the same chain) had a hilariously fake Metroid Fusion once. The guy working seemed really offended when I told him. Said they had a book telling them how to spot a fake, so he'd look into it. I told him a couple quick tips that were immediately obvious, plus the fact it had a completely bogus label. Went back a week or so later and they had put it right back out for sale. Scummy.
But, yeah. Pokemon are where it's really at. Constantly see fakes out there.
Tal Shiar Agent
Member
I wouldn't have bought the one I did on the last page if the guy didn't show a picture of the actual circuit board. I already got burned by fakes.
thechristoph
Sir!
Did you get yours from godofgaming? I got one from him today. The dpad is mushy and I noticed the thing with the right arrow too. Zero mission was the first game I tried and it felt just a little off.
drtomoe123
Member
There's a hilariously overpriced retro shop near me that once had 23 fake GBA games in their glass case at one time. It was pretty embarrassing considering that they'd have a legit cart right next to the fake one. You'd think that a person working at a video game-focused store would realize something was up when they saw three copies of FFVI Advance with three different label designs.
sixteen-bit
Member
In cases like this it makes you wonder if it's more about noticing the blatant fakes or simply not giving a fuck.
PumpkinSpice
Banned
A lot of places like that are pretty desperate for cash. They probably don't care if its fake as long as someone buys it.
I had a very brief period of wanting to collect GBA games, and then I got 3 fakes from eBay in a row. I can't believe how saturated the market is with them.
drtomoe123
Member
Ain't that the truth. I bought a copy of Gradius V from this same store and it had a massive label scratch. I returned it the next day and they tested it out on their PS2 and it didn't load. Go figure, the next time I came in the store the same copy was sitting on the shelf in their PS2 section.
sixteen-bit
Member
maybe they got that """""""PROFESSIONAL RESURFACING"""""""
Need pics. Easiest way I know of is to look at the holes on the contacts. On legit carts they're all at the top of the contacts:
On fakes, they're scattered all over:
Don't need to open the cart, just look up in it.
That's generally my first test. Check to see the Nintendo trademark right above the contacts and the holes lining up.
nintendork666
Member
Did a little hunting in Ann Arbor before class today...
Most titles were a steal at $1.99 each. Ya gotta love those Game Boy bargain boxes.
Most titles were a steal at $1.99 each. Ya gotta love those Game Boy bargain boxes.
Agent Unknown
Member
Wow, price on backlit AGB 001 mods have skyrocketed, glad I got my flawless backlit unit from Peagles when I did. 
Talk about batteries in Pokemon carts on previous page has me confused. I thought most GBA carts used flash/EEPROM for saves? Seems like I read conflicting info on this. I need to know because one of my most prized saves is my perfect Yoshi's Island Advance perfect file and I'm also thinking about getting a copy of FF VI and if Im going to get into a game that big, I want to know my cart will have a reliable save.
Talk about batteries in Pokemon carts on previous page has me confused. I thought most GBA carts used flash/EEPROM for saves? Seems like I read conflicting info on this. I need to know because one of my most prized saves is my perfect Yoshi's Island Advance perfect file and I'm also thinking about getting a copy of FF VI and if Im going to get into a game that big, I want to know my cart will have a reliable save.
Wow, price on backlit AGB 001 mods have skyrocketed, glad I got my flawless backlit unit from Peagles when I did.
Talk about batteries in Pokemon carts on previous page has me confused. I thought most GBA carts used flash/EEPROM for saves? Seems like I read conflicting info on this. I need to know because one of my most prized saves is my perfect Yoshi's Island Advance perfect file and I'm also thinking about getting a copy of FF VI and if Im going to get into a game that big, I want to know my cart will have a reliable save.
It's the clocks.
Agent Unknown
Member
Ah, got it.
Out of curiosity, how much did the mod cost when you bought it? Was it a kit or an entire finished unit? As it stand now, I've sourced parts to my own backlight mod (I'm late to the game) and it's run me $87.Wow, price on backlit AGB 001 mods have skyrocketed, glad I got my flawless backlit unit from Peagles when I did.
Impotaku
Member
Been collecting on & off since the Jpn gba launch, still some games that i'd like to get but have most of the ones that i wanted now. Nowdays it seems a nightmare if you want something that doesn't have a crushed box or is not a fake, ebay is still ok but you really have to do your homework to avoid fakes. Thankfully it seems Jpn games are not targeted as much.
Most of the games i have, still a few weird obscure ones to get though.
A complete set of the famicom mini series, these were a pain to get even back in the day, as play asia/play asia's suppliers were stealing the club nintendo codes out of the games meaning that i couldn't register to get the cases from club nintendo. Certain games were hard to get even on release meaning trying to find another copy with a code in was was annoying. Still it was worth it in the end as it's a fantastic set to own.
Another thing of the gba i love to collect, the e-reader is hated by most people but i loved the thing. The extra stuff you could do with it was a lot of fun a precursor to the amiibo with content adding, was lucky to get quite a few complete sets of the cards before they disappeared from sale. Sadly my animal forest set will forever remain uncompleted Did manage to complete sets for Mario advance 4, Pikmin, Hamtaro, fzero, pokemon collosseum, Domokun
Most of the games i have, still a few weird obscure ones to get though.
A complete set of the famicom mini series, these were a pain to get even back in the day, as play asia/play asia's suppliers were stealing the club nintendo codes out of the games meaning that i couldn't register to get the cases from club nintendo. Certain games were hard to get even on release meaning trying to find another copy with a code in was was annoying. Still it was worth it in the end as it's a fantastic set to own.
Another thing of the gba i love to collect, the e-reader is hated by most people but i loved the thing. The extra stuff you could do with it was a lot of fun a precursor to the amiibo with content adding, was lucky to get quite a few complete sets of the cards before they disappeared from sale. Sadly my animal forest set will forever remain uncompleted
Did manage to complete sets for Mario advance 4, Pikmin, Hamtaro, fzero, pokemon collosseum, Domokun
^^^^^ impressive collection impotaku! Congrats!
what's that game with a plate with some fried food and chocolate topping located on top of a mountain about?
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In other news last night I bought Wario Ware Twisted on eBay, just waiting for it to arrive now! I had to get it from someone in the US because there never was a PAL version of it. But I can't wait to try it!
what's that game with a plate with some fried food and chocolate topping located on top of a mountain about?
------------
In other news last night I bought Wario Ware Twisted on eBay, just waiting for it to arrive now! I had to get it from someone in the US because there never was a PAL version of it. But I can't wait to try it!
Impotaku
Member
Ah thanks, the game is called nonono puzzle chalien sort of a mini compilation of puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErLTpJQTbew
Thank you! It looks really fun. Especially that game where the main character is walking.
Tal Shiar Agent
Member
There were two versions of the e-Reader? The only one I've seen and the one I own is the one with the link cable port.
RadarScope1
Member
That's one of the best CIB collections I've ever seen, Impotaku. Great stuff!
theSlacker
Member
And then go through all your disk games to check for Disk Rot. Oh yeah, then check all your cover artworks and designs to see if they were print jobs. Welcome to the madness. :3
GayForMaster
Banned
Been collecting on & off since the Jpn gba launch, still some games that i'd like to get but have most of the ones that i wanted now. Nowdays it seems a nightmare if you want something that doesn't have a crushed box or is not a fake, ebay is still ok but you really have to do your homework to avoid fakes. Thankfully it seems Jpn games are not targeted as much.
Most of the games i have, still a few weird obscure ones to get though.
What?!@!??! There's a Dragon Quest Rocket Slime on GBA?!?!?
Edit: No localization, damn
Really impressive though, I like it all!
Has anyone seen this?
Any other 3D games that exist for GBA? This is nuts.
Don't do this to me.
Impotaku, your collection is amazing. I absolutely love your pics. Your CIB collection is quite possibly my personal favorite that I've seen posted
Is your SMA:4 e-Reader cards a 100% complete set? As in that it includes all the rare promo stuff? I'd kill for a collection of all the original Japanese cards. I only have the NA cards, plus home-made printouts of the Japanese exclusive levels with translated names that I can scan into my NA copy.
You can't even find the Japanese cards on Ebay... trust me I've tried.
Congrats on such an impressive collection.
P.S. What are these? They look interesting.
Is your SMA:4 e-Reader cards a 100% complete set? As in that it includes all the rare promo stuff? I'd kill for a collection of all the original Japanese cards. I only have the NA cards, plus home-made printouts of the Japanese exclusive levels with translated names that I can scan into my NA copy.
You can't even find the Japanese cards on Ebay... trust me I've tried.
Congrats on such an impressive collection.
P.S. What are these? They look interesting.
Impotaku
Member
Thanks, i love the tiny Japanese gba boxes they are really nice to collect which is why i try and go for ones in mint condition which is also why i don't have a large collection as nowdays a lot of games haven't survived that well in decent condition.
As for mario advance 4 my collection is 99.9% complete i'm only missing one extremely rare promo card (B dash de kakenukero) i have tried several times in the past to win it on yahoo auctions Japan but even my £150 bid wasn't enough to secure it. But apart from that 1 missing promo i have literally every single other mario advance card and promo card.
The white gba boxes are all a mini series called bit generations, they are simple stylised games, some of them are pretty addictive. My favoutites been digidrive & orbital although sound voyager is really cool in it's concept.
Digidrive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiktBKZEzA
Orbital
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aQg5vJrUEM
As for mario advance 4 my collection is 99.9% complete i'm only missing one extremely rare promo card (B dash de kakenukero) i have tried several times in the past to win it on yahoo auctions Japan but even my £150 bid wasn't enough to secure it. But apart from that 1 missing promo i have literally every single other mario advance card and promo card.
The white gba boxes are all a mini series called bit generations, they are simple stylised games, some of them are pretty addictive. My favoutites been digidrive & orbital although sound voyager is really cool in it's concept.
Digidrive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiktBKZEzA
Orbital
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aQg5vJrUEM
NormalFish
Banned
Wow impotaku's collecting is incredible. Japanese boxes look so great.
thechristoph
Sir!
Here's my GBA family.
Micro is a launch unit and it works great. Little paint scuff on the back though. Around the time of the Wii launch I bought a bunch of faceplates off nintendo's web store. I lost them in a move....
Did a shell swap on that AGS 101 last night. Those hinges are a real pain to transplant, and I nearly lost one of the caps. The mechanism isn't as snappy as it should be but it does catch in the correct spots.
The backlit AGB is by godofgaming on eBay. I had to open it a couple times as there were problems with the screen. It might be too tight now; there's a spot on the screen that does that color warping thing like when you tough your laptop screen. It's about as bright as the dim setting on the 101, but brighter than the lowest setting on the micro.
AzureTranquility95
Banned
Nice touch having each system display a different GBA port of a Final Fantasy game.
QQ how does the GBA port of 4 hold up? I own the 3D version on DS, but would probaly be up to either add-on or replace the DS version with the GBA version if there's a consensus on which is better.
Not much of a FF nut I must confess. I own 1 version of the first 10 games (Well technically 9 since I have the 1+2 GBA remake), with FFX being my favorite one hands down and also the only one I beat more than once (Two 200+ hour playthroughs... on vanilla)
QQ how does the GBA port of 4 hold up? I own the 3D version on DS, but would probaly be up to either add-on or replace the DS version with the GBA version if there's a consensus on which is better.
Not much of a FF nut I must confess. I own 1 version of the first 10 games (Well technically 9 since I have the 1+2 GBA remake), with FFX being my favorite one hands down and also the only one I beat more than once (Two 200+ hour playthroughs... on vanilla)
Yes! There are a lot of 3D games on the GBA. For starter, if you want something that looks like Asterix, you can try kill.switch.
Lots of racing games also use 3D, like V-Rally 3 (best racing game on the system), Top Gear Rally and Colin McRae 2.0.
And then there are the bad ones, like Crazy Taxi, Herbie Fully Loaded or Driver 2. And let's not forget about Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam which looks very '80s (I don't really mean it as a compliment)
You also have tons of FPS games. Doomand Doom 2 are pretty good port of the original games in my opinion, but Ice Nine is the best there is. Both Ecks vs Sever games and Duke Nukem Advance are also pretty cool.
The pseudo 3D effect of Iridion 2 looks awesome too. It's miles better than whatever Star X was trying to achieve anyway.
And last but not least, there's Payback, a nice GTA clone.
thechristoph
Sir!
Thanks! The FF4 port is fine. There is a problem with it that ranges from barely noticeable to enraging depending on how much you want it to be just like you remember. If you don't have much memory of the SNES version then you might not even notice the bug and I suggest you do not research it because you won't be able to ignore it once you know what it is.
Tal Shiar Agent
Member
Are backlit modded 001s pretty much impossible to get now? I've heard there was a shortage on 101 screens.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Tons of them on eBay, but they've gone up in price a good amount. Gonna spend $130-150.
Anyone cut the price if you supply them a GBA?
Seven Force
Banned
The GBA version of 007: Nightfire is a guilty pleasure of mine.
Didn't know Ecks Vs. Sever got a sequel, might have to actually track that down. I kinda liked the first one.