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GBA

Nintendo Announces Wireless GBA Link

by Mike Sklens - September 25, 2003, 10:45 pm EDT
Total comments: 14 Source: Bloomberg

Now you can get your link on without the mess.

Nintendo recently announced at the Tokyo Game Show a wireless link adapter for the Game Boy Advance and GBA SP. The device will allow players to link up just as if they are using a standard link cable, only without the wires involved. The adapter's signal can reach several meters, but no specific distance is known yet. It was developed in conjunction with Motorola.

Iwata also mentioned that events or stores can have special base stations installed and connected to the Internet for players to transfer data from distant locations.

Furthermore, this new wireless link adapter will come bundled with the upcoming Pokèmon Fire Red and Leaf Green games coming out in Japan next spring. The price for the bundle is set at 4,800 Yen (approx. $40 USD). Here is a picture of the device courtesy of Watch Impress.

Wireless GBA Link

Update: The Wireless link will allow for up to five players to connect to each other at the same time, unlike the standard link cables which only allow up to four players. Also, sadly, games will have to specifically support the adapter.

Talkback

Berto2KSeptember 25, 2003

Now if they would only make a wireless GCN to GBA cable I would be close to heaven. I don't know anyone else around here with a GBA so this isn't much use to me unless I go home for a visit with my brother.

JoeincoreaSeptember 26, 2003

You stole my thunder Berto2k face-icon-small-wink.gif

I was gonna say the 'exact' same thing.

I would really love to see a GCN/GBA wireless adapter since we use the Wavebirds for one reason and that
is a 9month old Golden Retriever in the house .. wires can be a fun toy for her. Wireless is the only way to go
for my family!

face-icon-small-happy.gif

TAYREL713September 26, 2003

The odd thing is this is what those Portable Monopoly guys were/are working on as their next project after The Afterburner. Once again Nintendo is pissing on these guys fire.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorSeptember 26, 2003

Does anyone else smell internet gaming for anyone with a wireless lan? Or is this a different technology?

KnoxxvilleSeptember 26, 2003

....games have to specifically support the adapter?!? WACK! I mean, there is no way they could reverse engineer this thing? There goes my Shining Soul dreams.....

YorrikeSeptember 26, 2003

Two things I already dislike about this:
1.) It's not a plug in replacement for the existing link cable, as games need to specifically support it
2.) I can't use the headphone adaptor at the same time as this thing. That annoys me, as the keeping our sounds to yourself in multiplayer games is important.

Bill AurionSeptember 26, 2003

I heard that they are working on it so it will work at distances the Wavebird is capable of working at...If they can work it out you can play in different rooms ^_^

DjunknownSeptember 26, 2003

Quote

1.) It's not a plug in replacement for the existing link cable, as games need to specifically support it


ummm, where does it say that this will work only for specific games? Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but it says:

Quote

The device will allow players to link up just as if they are using a standard link cable, only without the wires involved


Now there maybe games that may capitalize on the wireless feature, as you could probably post high scores, get download-ables for games, etc. But as far as something like getting your Soul Trade on in Castlevaniva is concerned; its still possible.

As far as no headphones, that's a bummer, but that's one of the weaknesses of the SP. But since I don't have to buy batteries and don't have to mess with lighting kits, I can stomach the trade-off. But that's just quirky ol me. face-icon-small-smile.gif

KnoxxvilleSeptember 26, 2003

Djun, read the fine print Homer....

"Also, sadly, games will have to specifically support the adapter. "

It's right there, in black, white, and lavender.

DjunknownSeptember 27, 2003

oopsie.... Slap me silly and call me a monkey's uncle! There it is!!

Better to catch me now than later I'spose face-icon-small-blush.gif

KDR_11kSeptember 27, 2003

Register

That article has an actual pic of the device connected to the SP and goes more into the technical details. For example, it is NOT a Bluetooth device.

AjguyOctober 01, 2003

I don't understand why Nintendo would not make this work as a link cable replacement when Triton Labs is making one that will be widely available. How hard could it have been to do this with an amateur company pulling it off?

PIACOctober 02, 2003

i still want my USB internet connection for GBA, it would be so simple and open up MASSIVE gaming opportunities

Tuxedo.BondOctober 09, 2003

You could probably find some kind of spliter out there that will have enough room for both headphones and that adapter.

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