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Game Boy Micro

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The Game Boy Micro (stylized as GAME BOY micro)[a] is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on September 13, 2005 as a smaller, lighter redesign of the Game Boy Advance. The system is the last Game Boy handheld, alongside the AGS-101 model of the Game Boy Advance SP. Unlike its predecessors, the Game Boy Micro lacks backward compatibility for original Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

Game Boy Micro
A Silver Game Boy Micro with cartridge inserted
Also known asOxy (code name)[1]
ManufacturerNintendo
Product familyGame Boy
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationSixth
Release date
  • JP: September 13, 2005
  • NA: September 19, 2005
  • CHN: October 1, 2005
  • AU: November 3, 2005
  • EU: November 4, 2005
Introductory priceUS$99.99 (equivalent to $155.99 in 2023)
DiscontinuedYes; date undisclosed
Units shipped2.42 million[2]
MediaGame Boy Advance Game Pak
System on a chipNintendo CPU AGB
CPUARM7TDMI @ 16.78 MHz
Memory288 KB RAM, 98 KB VRAM
PredecessorGame Boy Color
SuccessorNintendo DS
Related

History

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According to Nintendo of America vice president George Harrison, the idea for a smaller version of the Game Boy was first discussed in 2004.[3] Harrison explained that, unlike the traditional console development process, Nintendo was always thinking about new ideas for the Game Boy, describing it as a "continuous process of invention".[3] Developed under the code name "Oxy",[1] the company tried many ways to see how small they could make the Game Boy, opting for a metallic casing that, according to Nintendo Co. Ltd president Satoru Iwata, was "unusual for Nintendo".[4]

The Game Boy Micro was announced by Nintendo of America's vice president of sales and marketing, Reggie Fils-Aimé, at the company's Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference on May 17, 2005.[5][6] The system was released in Japan on September 13, 2005, in North America on September 19, 2005,[7] in Australia on November 3, 2005,[8] and in Europe on November 4, 2005. It was released in China as the iQue Game Boy Micro on October 1, 2005, and later released in South Korea on November 9, 2005.

Design and specifications

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The control pad has a similar design to the later Nintendo DS Lite and Nintendo 3DS systems.

The Game Boy Micro retains some of the functionality of the Game Boy Advance SP but in a more compact form factor. Additionally, it has a backlit screen with the ability to adjust the brightness. The shape itself is oblong, similar to the style of the Nintendo Entertainment System controller. The Game Boy Micro features a removable, decorative housing called a faceplate. Designs with special faceplates were sold as a customization feature. Faceplates for the Micro are made using in-mould decoration.[9]

The Game Boy Micro cannot play original Game Boy and Game Boy Color games due to design changes. While the 8-bit Sharp SM83 processor necessary to run games from older Game Boy systems is still present, it lacks other internal hardware necessary for backward compatibility. It is also incompatible with other peripherals due to its design.

  • Dimensions: 50 by 101 by 17.2 millimetres (1.97 in × 3.98 in × 0.68 in)
  • Weight: 80 grams (2.8 oz)
  • Processor: 32-bit 16.8 MHz ARM processor (ARM7TDMI)
  • Screen: 2 inches (diagonal) backlit with adjustable brightness
  • Resolution: 240×160 pixels
  • Framerate: 60 Hz[10]
  • Colors: 512 (character mode) or 32,768 (bitmap mode)
  • Battery: built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, up to 5 hours of battery life with top brightness and sound or 8 hours with both features on default
  • Headphones: 3.5mm jack[11]

The Game Boy Micro has a two-way switch on its right side for adjusting volume. By holding down the left shoulder button, the switch can also be used to adjust the backlight between five levels of brightness.

Software and hardware

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The Game Boy Micro is compatible only with Game Boy Advance Game Paks, including Game Boy Advance Video Paks.[12]: 10  As with other Game Boy Advance systems, there is no regional lockout on software.

While Game Boy or Game Boy Advance Game Link cables and the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter are not compatible with the Game Boy Micro system, adapters and a Game Boy Micro-compatible Wireless adapter have been released.[12]: 18  Nintendo also redesigned their Play-Yan music/video adapter to better fit the Game Boy Micro. This device is able to play MP3 and digital video files from SD cards.

Packaging

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In Japan, the Game Boy Micro was released in four different base colors: black, blue, purple, and silver.[13] Also available at launch was a limited edition version, based on the controller of the Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Family Computer.[14] In October 2005, Square Enix announced that they would be releasing a special faceplate, featuring artwork by Yoshitaka Amano, to promote their re-release of Final Fantasy IV on the Game Boy Advance.[15][16] On November 17, 2005, Nintendo released a Pokémon version in Japan, featuring a red Micro with a black faceplate containing the silhouette of Pikachu.[17][18] Another special edition of the Micro was released on April 20, 2006, which bundled Mother 3 with a red Micro and a themed faceplate.[19][20]

 
Comparing the size of Game Boy Micro and Game Boy Advance SP

In the United States and Canada, the Game Boy Micro launched with two regular color choices, each sold with three interchangeable faceplates included: silver with black, "Ammonite" and "Ladybug" faceplates; and black with silver, "Flame" and "Camouflage" faceplates.[7] The "20th Anniversary" edition was released on December 4, 2005, which was the Famicom controller-inspired version released in Japan.[21][22] In Europe, the Game Boy Micro was available in four different colors, with one matching faceplate: silver, green, blue and pink. Game Boy Micro sold in Australia have the same colors (except Green which replaced by red color) as Europe.[23]

Aside from Nintendo of America's online store, additional faceplates were not sold in the US, and were entirely unavailable in the UK.[24][25] The feature was omitted from the product's marketing, packaging, and manual in Europe.

Release and sales

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Life-to-date Number of units shipped
Date Japan Americas Other Total
2005-09-30[26] 0.41 million 0.29 million 0 0.70 million
2005-12-31[27] 0.57 million 0.47 million 0.78 million 1.82 million
2006-03-31[28] 0.58 million 0.47 million 0.79 million 1.83 million
2006-06-30[29] 0.59 million 0.47 million 0.80 million 1.86 million
2006-09-30[30] 0.59 million 0.47 million 0.80 million 1.87 million
2006-12-31[31] 0.60 million 0.96 million 0.85 million 2.40 million
2007-03-31[32][33] 0.61 million 0.95 million 0.87 million 2.42 million

Generally, the Game Boy Micro did not sell well, and failed to reach the company's aim of units sold. The Game Boy Micro sold over 170,000 units during its first days in Japan.[34] According to a Q1 2007 Nintendo earnings release, 2.42 million Game Boy Micro units had been sold worldwide as of March 31, 2007, including 610,000 units in Japan, 950,000 units in the Americas, and 870,000 in other territories such as Europe and Oceania.[32] As of July 30, 2007, the Game Boy Micro had sold 2.5 million units, according to GamePro. It was ranked #8 in their "The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time".[35] Satoru Iwata stated that the marketing of the Nintendo DS may have hurt the Micro in the marketplace and admitted that Game Boy Micro sales did not meet Nintendo's expectations.[36]

The system retailed for US$99,[37] compared to US$79 for the Game Boy Advance SP. The system was originally available in black and silver, and a red 20th Anniversary Edition was later released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System.[38]

Reception

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A blue Game Boy Micro next to a Game Boy Advance cartridge

The Game Boy Micro's backlit screen, which is superior to the original frontlit Game Boy Advance SP model (a later backlit remodel added a similar high quality screen to SP systems), has been praised for its visibility.[39] Due to a finer dot pitch, the screen is more evenly lit, and the brightness is adjustable. The smaller dot pitch has also improved the apparent sharpness of the display.[citation needed]

The removable faceplates have also been praised because they allow for personalization and protect the high-resolution backlit screen.[39]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ ゲームボーイミクロ (Japanese: Gēmu Bōi mikuro)

References

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  1. ^ a b Casamassina, Matt (May 19, 2005). "E3 2005: Revolution Not Final Name". IGN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  2. ^ "Consolidated sales units, number of new titles, and sales unit forecast" (PDF). Nintendo. April 26, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Thorsen, Tor (September 13, 2006). "Q&A: Nintendo Vice President George Harrison". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  4. ^ Bishop, Todd (May 20, 2005). "Q&A: Video-game industry maverick promises a Revolution". Seattle PI. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  5. ^ Carless, Simon (May 17, 2005). "Nintendo Announces Game Boy Micro". www.gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Taub, Eric A. (May 18, 2005). "New Miniature Game Boy Due in Fall From Nintendo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Fisher, Ken (August 17, 2005). "Game Boy Micro launches September 19 in US, November 4 in Europe". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  8. ^ Ramsay, Randolph (August 14, 2008). "Game Boy micro to hit Australia in November". CNET. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS XL - Good but inexpensive". iwataasks.nintendo.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  10. ^ Sfetcu, Nicolae (May 4, 2014). Game Preview. Nicolae Sfetcu. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  11. ^ "Nintendo Game Boy Micro Specs". CNET. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Game Boy Micro Instruction Manual (PDF) (Instruction manual). Nintendo. 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  13. ^ Niizumi, Hirohiko (August 18, 2005). "Game Boy Micro gets Japanese, European release dates". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Choi, Dan (August 18, 2005). "Game Boy Micro faceplates and colors to differ by region?". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Rose, Alan (October 3, 2005). "Square Enix unveils FFIV faceplate for Game Boy Micro". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  16. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (October 3, 2005). "Final Fantasy Face Plate". IGN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  17. ^ Bramwell, Tom (October 12, 2005). "Pokémon GB Micro planned". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  18. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (October 10, 2005). "Pokemon Micro". IGN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  19. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (February 21, 2006). "GBMother". IGN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  20. ^ Bramwell, Tom (February 21, 2006). "Mother 3 GB Micro". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  21. ^ Carless, Simon (November 4, 2005). "Nintendo Confirms NES-Branded Game Boy Micro For West". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  22. ^ Harris, Craig (November 22, 2005). "20th Anniversary Game Boy Micro Releases Early". Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  23. ^ Game Boy Micro launch date and price Archived January 17, 2023, at the Wayback Machine. Nintendo Europe. August 17, 2005.
  24. ^ "No Micro Faceplates for Europe". British Gaming Blog. January 4, 2006. Archived from the original on August 6, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  25. ^ "Game Boy Micro Faceplates". store.nintendo.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  26. ^ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. November 24, 2005. p. 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  27. ^ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. January 26, 2006. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  28. ^ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. May 25, 2006. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  29. ^ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. July 24, 2006. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  30. ^ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. October 26, 2006. p. 28. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  31. ^ "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. January 25, 2007. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  32. ^ a b "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. April 26, 2007. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  33. ^ "2007 Financial Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2008.
  34. ^ Jenkins, David (September 23, 2005). "Japanese Sales Charts, Week Ending September 18". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  35. ^ Blake Snow (July 30, 2007). "The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time". GamePro. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  36. ^ "Nintendo Co., Ltd. – Corporate Management Policy Briefing – Q&A". Nintendo Co., Ltd. p. 3. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008. The sales of Micro did not meet our expectations ... However, toward the end of 2005, Nintendo had to focus almost all of our energies on the marketing of DS, which must have deprived the Micro of its momentum.
  37. ^ Harris, Craig (September 12, 2005). "Game Boy Micro US Packaging". IGN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2007.
  38. ^ Harris, Craig (December 2, 2005). "20th Anniversary Game Boy Micro". IGN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Sarrel, Matthew D. (September 1, 2005). "Game Boy Micro". PCMag. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
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