As a light source, Gamester’s Flood Light is simply one of the best. The unit clamps on to the system and folds out with a long fluorescent bulb that lights up the screen evenly with little to no glare, if you angle it correctly. The bulb’s length is a distinct advantage over smaller devices like the Worm Light, and the light output is significantly brighter as well. Even comparing it to some Afterburner installations, the Flood Light outperforms. You gain a profound sense of freedom from being able to see the screen in any position.

However, the freedom the light brings is hindered greatly by the bulk of the device itself.

With the Flood Light attached, the GBA no longer fits into your pocket or most carrying cases, so you will need to find some other way to carry it. Since the unit does cover the screen, you don’t need to worry about scratches, but you’ll likely need to either carry it openly or put it in a backpack.

Unlike other lights that hook into the GBA’s power, the Flood Light’s dazzling brilliance comes at a cost of three AA batteries which add a lot of weight to the system. So although your eyes will be relieved, you’ll find yourself looking for ways to support your wrists from the added strain.

The batteries also don’t last very long, so you’ll find yourself changing them frequently. Anyone with a GBA should be using rechargeable batteries anyway, but the Flood Light will likely have you buying a few extras. The other problem is that for some odd reason, the battery cover requires a screwdriver to remove, which is an unwelcome inconvenience. If you happen to lose the screw, it could be very difficult to keep the batteries from popping out and scratching the GBA’s screen.

The Flood Light clamps onto the GBA using the two connector slots on the top and the groove in the GBA casing on the bottom. This secures the device well, but perhaps a little too well. Since you can’t hook in other devices like the GBA-GC link cable or the eReader, you’ll need to take it off. This is easier said than done. You’ll need to dislodge the bottom piece first, which takes either a long finger nail or a flat-head screwdriver. It can be very painful if you do it wrong.

Overall, while the Flood Light is clearly one of the best light sources on the market, the bulk and design of the unit add on so many frustrations that it eventually ends up collecting dust. For some, the Flood Light might be nice to have on-hand, but most people will be better off spending a little more on a GBA SP or Game Boy Player.