INTRODUCTION
So you like to game on the go. If you are like me, you have some games on your PDA, but they can chew through a battery pretty quickly. Of course, there have always been other portable gaming options. From the early Mattel Football (which I remember my father having), to the first generation Game Boy and GameGear (which I still have someplace), portable gaming has been part of my life. I was recently given a Game Boy Advance by a friend of mine, and while it was entertaining, the lack of a backlit screen made it difficult to use in most situations. Then I saw the Nintendo Game Boy Micro at a recent gaming convention and found myself being seduced back to the world of Mario. But with a botched release date (supposedly the 19th of September, but no store had them until the 24th), I began to wonder if there were problems with the earlier released Japan models. Now that I've got my hands on one, let's take a look how it really performs.

OPEN 'ER UP
While I always expect a somewhat useless carrying device with my portable electronics, I would have never expected Nintendo to release a device with extra faceplates packaged in the normal retail box. But that's what they did - three faceplates accompany the unit itself, the charger, a small plastic faceplate remover (or toilet seat as I've heard it called) and the somewhat useless bag (Figure 1). Each of the two US models come with three different faceplates (the black unit comes with a camouflage, silver, and flame faceplate).

(all images link to higher resolution)

Figure 1: The Nintendo Game Boy Micro comes with three faceplates (and removal tool), a carrying bag, and charger.

First task was to strip off the original black faceplate and take a look at the insides (Figure 2). The D-Pad looks and feels a lot like the original NES controller, as do the buttons (although a lot tighter overall). Beneath the 'b' button is the speaker, and above the 'a' button is a yet unknown socket. Some believe this may lead to LED-style faceplates in the near future. The screen is bordered by a thin rubber seal to help keep dust from slipping between the protector an the screen. It does help, somewhat, but I found myself staring at a couple of white flecks a few hours into playing with the unit (after cleaning, it hasn't happened since). Popping a new faceplate on, such as my wife's preferred color (Figure 3), is a simple task that anyone could perform. The nicest feature of these faceplates? Built-in screen protection. If you scratch the faceplate, you don't need to purchase a new unit or polish the old one, just snap on another and away you go.

Figure 2: The Micro stripped of its faceplate. Note the small socket in the upper right corner.

Figure 3: An example faceplate (the one my wife prefers).

AND AROUND WE GO
Taking a look around the Micro, we find functionality at almost every angle. Compared to the Game Boy Advance titles it supports, the unit is slightly smaller than two cartridges together, and slightly larger than one cartridge tall, and just about two cartridge widths thick (Figure 4).

Figure 4:The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is not much larger than the Game Boy Advance titles it supports.

The top of the Micro sports the new charging jack (meaning that if you have accessories that plug in here, you need either an adapter or a new cable), and the L/R shoulder buttons (Figure 5). The shoulder buttons have to be pressed closer to the center than I care for, but it doesn't take much time to get used to this change. The cartridges load from the bottom of the unit (Figure 6), where you can also find the headphone jack, Start/Select buttons, and the power switch. The sound levels out of the unit are quite good, although with high-end headphones, I did notice a slight buzzing noise that wasn't noticeable with say a standard pair of iPod headphones.

Figure 5:The top of the Micro sports the charging jack (which is different than the previous jacks) and the L/R shoulder buttons.

Figure 6:The bottom of the Micro is where you insert the game cartridge and headphones. The power switch and Start/Select buttons are also located here.

The two sides of the Micro (Figure 7 & 8) are where you find the faceplate removal buttons, the volume/brightness rocker switch, and lanyard attachment. Volume levels were adjustable from silent to quite loud and the built-in speaker actually performed better than I expected. Unfortunately, each press makes an annoying chirping noise. When paired with the L shoulder button, the volume rocker becomes the backlight brightness toggle, allowing for five levels of magnificent screen shine.

Figure 7: On the left side of the unit is where you find the faceplate removal buttons.

Figure 8: The volume rocker switch also doubles as the brightness switch (when used with the L button). Note the lanyard attachment.

SIZE DOES MATTER
As mentioned before, the Micro is quite small and light. Compared to my V710 (Figure 9), it was just slightly longer but lighter even with a game cartridge installed. Versus my well used Game Boy Advance (Figure 10), it was no contest. I had always considered the GBA to be small, but the Micro really blows it away (on more levels than one).

Figure 9:The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is not much larger than my cellphone (V710) and lighter even with a game installed.

Figure 10: A comparison to the original Game Boy Advance.

In hand (Figure 11), I found the Micro to be a little small, but not uncomfortable. Playing platform games such as Super Mario Bros. 3 on the Micro was a bit harder with my large fingers, but most people I showed it to had no problems managing the device at all. Role playing and strategy titles such as Advance Wars were a blast to play, even on the small screen and I had no trouble with the unit at all.

Figure 11: In hand, the Micro is small, but not uncomfortable.

LIGHTS OUT
When you first power up the Game Boy Micro, you are greeted with the standard Game Boy splash screen, and if you can pry your eyes away from the screen, you would notice the Select and Start buttons light up based on the battery level. Blue for good charged, red for needs charged. The red lights will also appear when using the device to signal it needs to be charged soon. I got at least 8-10 hours out of my first gaming session before the lights even turned on (full brightness with little to no sound).

Figure 12: The Start and Select buttons display different colors depending on the battery charge.

The screen itself is wonderful (Figure 13). The pictures here don't even do it justice. The text it tight and clean, the colors are vivid and bright. If you look close, you can see the pixels, but you'd really have to be looking. Even in bright sunlight, I had no problems seeing the screen.

Figure 13: Even very small text is easy to read in all lighting situations.

At full brightness, the comparison between my Dell Axim X50v and the Micro would be considered a tie. Simply fantastic on all levels.

Figure 14: At full brightness, it was still a tie between my Dell Axim X50v and the Micro.

PROS

• Fantastic screen
• Long battery life
• Appealing size and design
• Includes three removable faceplates that protect the screen

CONS

• Slight buzz from the headphone jack
• Only supports Game Boy Advance titles
• New power jack means you have to purchase new accessories

OVERALL IMPRESSION
In all, the Nintendo Game Boy Micro is quite impressive. The kind of portable gaming device that you could easily carry with you without looking like you were packing an oversized Sharp Organizer so you could talk to your new found furry friends. Of course, it's not as technologically advanced as the DS either. But that wasn't its intent. The lack of support for other Game Boy titles isn't that big of a deal to me (as I don't own any of those units or games), although this has made a bigger impact on others. Truthfully, every person I showed it to was in awe of its size, design, and display. Even those with Playstation Portables. If you currently have a PSP, DS, or even a new SP - the Micro probably isn't for you (unless the price drops about $20). But if you are coming from nothing, an older Game Boy Advance, or even a first generation SP, the Micro might be the perfect upgrade. Personally, I give the Nintendo Game Boy Micro the following score: