GBA games-shorter shelf life? (1 Viewer)

[Chris Bardon]

I've noticed something strange about GBA games, and that's that they seem to have a much more limited shelf life than other console games. Am I crazy, or is there a reason for this?

One prime example is the original Advance wars. I was looking for a copy of this game a couple years back (about a year and a half after its release) and it was nowhere to be found. At the same time, launch games for Xbox and Gamecube are still on store shelves years after their release.

I guess what I'm wondering is if I should pick up a copy of Minish Cap now while I can (even though I might not get to it for several months). Might be better to do that than to plan on buying it had find it out of stock everywhere.

 

[Steve Y]

There are definitely some GB/GBA games that have a much shorter shelf life. The original Super Mario Bros. with bonus features for the GBC, for example (which was replaced by the similarly priced but lesser "NES Classic Series" edition)... the Sonic Pinball game for the GBA, which I played once and was pretty good, also appears to be "out of print".

Keep in mind that larger retailers like Best Buy often have very pathetic selections (the BB in my town only had about ten games last I checked)... but even when you go online, some games are much harder to find unless you find individual sellers who are getting rid of their copy.

Thankfully, cartridges are much more durable than CD-based media, so you don't really run the risk of getting a "scratched up" copy that won't play properly.

s

 

[Paul Simmons]

Not only are cartidges more durable, but the system is going to last much longer than a cd-spinning system, no moving parts! I swear my SNES still runs like it's brand new, while my 3rd PS1 is starting to have difficulty running some games http://forums.maxima.org/images/smilies/rotz.gif

 

[Chris Bardon]

Same here-all of my cartridge based systems still work like they did on day one (OK, the NES is a little tempermental sometimes). The PS1 is pretty much toast though-it started skipping a while back (although I haven't played it in a couple of years now-since DW7). Still, I guess that's what you get for building a system with zero moving parts!

 

[PerryD]

I've actually had bad luck with cartridge based systems, my first NES went bad, the screen would jitter as it scrolled, and my SNES died completely. As far as I know, all my CD systems work (including the 3D0 from 1994, PS1 and Saturn from 1995/1996 range).

 

[Greg_S_H]

I was thinking about trying Prince of Persia: Sands of Time GBA, but Amazon doesn't have it, and neither do my local stores. I'm sure I can find it, but yeah . . . GBA games seem to be off the shelves quick. Sometimes CompUSA has older games, though. I bought Duke Nukem Advance on eBay last year, and found a couple of copies in CompUSA soon thereafter. I should have bought them, as it commands a decent price on eBay. But, both copies are gone now.

The local Circuit City used to have really old GameBoy games. About two years ago, I was able to buy brand-new copies of the Zelda Oracle games. The store remodeled soon thereafter, and now their selection is pretty poor.

 

[RichardK]

My wife bought me a GBA-SP for Valentines day. It came with the Golden Nugget Casino and Texas Hold Em...although fun for a spell, im growing tired of these two.

Any must haves old/current that I should look out for? Im pretty open as far as gaming tastes go.

Let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[PerryD]

RPG: Zelda Minish Cap, Golden Sun, Mario & Luigi
Platform: any Metroid, any Castlevania, Klonoa, Kirby
SNES ports: any Super Mario Advance, any Donkey Kong Country
Racing: Super Mario Kart
Minigames: Wario Ware Inc, Game & Watch 4, Mario Party Advance
Retro: Namco Museum, Konami Classics

 

[Paul Simmons]

Fire Emblem is a very addictiing strategy game.
The Megaman Zero series are good action games but they are quite challenging.

 

[DeanC]

Mario Pinball Advance, NHL 2004 are my 2 Advance sp games I love. Wonder why Nintendo Gameboy didn't make a 2003 NHL.
Deja Vu is also a classic Gameboy colour game you can play on it too.

 

[RichardK]

thanks for the replies, i'll try and check some out...

 

[Mike_G]

I've had the same problem. I was looking for the GBA version of Chessmaster and couldn't find it (still can't). I was looking for the GBA version of the Activision cart and I found the very last copy on Amazon. Seems as if you have you snag GBA games as soon as they come out.

Mike

 

[DeanC]

Yeah, I have collected all the EA Sports NHL Hockey since 2001, I have 2002, then 2004. I can't seem to find 2003 anywhere.

Also the Sonic Pinball, and also the Activision cart.
I hear also you can't find Maniac Mansion, or Deja Vu book 1 and 2. But those are gb colour games, but are awesome collectors

It seems the Nintendo DS isn't doing so well. I never play my turboexpress, Atari Lynx, or Vectrex( Im still waiting for some system to bring out a portable Berserk, or Tempest.)

Wondering if they will bring another Nintendo portable out. The PSP coming looks too complicated and big right now. Waiting to see if PSP will come out with a smaller better unit later.

I'll just stick playing with my Sega Nomad or Gameboy SP