Topics

926

NWR Forums Discord / What are "Tinny Girls"?

« on: February 15, 2006, 06:04:41 AM »

There's an e-mail in my mailbox that says something about large roosters and "Tinny Girls".  This makes me wonder what a tinny girl is.  Perhaps it's some kind of ultra-hip, modern slang for a farmer's daughter?

[The Nintendo Game Boy Player vs. The Datel Advance Game Port:]

927

Nintendo Gaming / The Nintendo Game Boy Player vs. The Datel Advance Game Port

« on: February 13, 2006, 08:13:41 AM »

vs.

The Nintendo Game Boy Player vs. The Datel Advance Game Port:

First off, let me say that, quite simply, if you want to play your Game Boy games on the big screen, don't even consider Datel's Advance Game Port.  All things considered, it is simply not worth it - there are too many flaws and the Game Boy Player is all-in-all a much better alternative.  However - where exactly does the Advance Game Port fit in?  Why would Datel create a product if they felt it was completely inferior to an existing product on the market?  Perhaps there's more to this little device than we think.

Let's break this down into a few different categories:

Availability:

Game Boy Player - For about $50 (even less used) you can pick one of these puppies up at generally any gaming store, some retail stores, or directly from Nintendo's website at store.nintendo.com.  I've had mine since about release and have never had an issue.

Advance Game Port - The suggested retail on these is $35 - but you'll generally be able to find 'em new for cheaper.  If all else fails, you can order one directly from Datel at codejunkies.com.  I've never seen one for sale used, however.  Word of caution though, the software disc originally included in my package did not work *at all* and it took me about two weeks to manage to get someone from Datel to get a replacement disc to me.

The Winner - Well, this one *should* go to the AGP since it's $15 cheaper - however they really lose points for having a faulty product and having about the worst customer service I can recall.  When I've dealt with Nintendo's Customer Service (although not over the Game Boy Player) it's been nothing but spectacular... I'm going to call this one a tie - simply because I'm not sure the $15 savings is worth dealing with the fire hoops that Datel makes you jump through to get help.

Hardware:

Game Boy Player - The Game Boy Player is a one-inch tall square that connects through one of the data ports on the bottom of your GameCube.  If you have the GCN's Broadband or Dial-Up Modem installed, they will not affect the installation process one bit.  Installing the GBP is fairly simple, snap out a port cover, snap in the GBP and tighten some screws.

On the down side to the GBP - in the US, the unit is only sold in Black - so if you have an Indigo or Platinum GCN, you are going to end up with a 1" Black base to your GCN.  This doesn't look too unattractive, however one can't help but wish Nintendo would have released the alternative colors here as well.  In addition, because the GBP is designed to be more of a permanent attachment to your GCN, if you want to disconnect it to bring to a friend's house or such, there is *some* effort required (although near-minimal).  Because the unit does attach to the bottom via the screw-holes, the GBP prevents the ability to secure most third-party battery packs and some third-party monitors to your GCN - so keep this in mind as well if you own a battery pack/mobile screen for your Cube.

Also, the standard Game Boy Player design will not attach to the Japanese Panasonic Q - the GCN/DVD hybrid player.  For the Q, you need a specially designed Game Boy Player - and those will run you a pretty penny *if* you can even find one.

Advance Game Port - The Advance Game Port is a palm-sized device (think computer mouse size/shape) that can sit next to or dangle from your GCN.  This unit plugs into Memory Card Slot B and is as simple as putting in a memory card - and removed just as easily.  As with the GBP, the unit only comes in black, however it tends to not stand out as much, as the unit isn't directly attached to the GCN.

Since the unit attaches to through the memory card port, there is no issue securing battery packs or mobile monitors to your GCN!

Although I do not have a Panasonic Q to test the unit on, I see no reason why the unit would not work on the Q.  In fact, I have high hopes that the hardware will work with the upcoming Nintendo system Codenamed: 'Revolution' as well.  However, this is all speculation.

The Winner - I'm going to have to give this one to the Advance Game Port.  It's smaller, easier to connect/disconnect, doesn't block the use of other accessories and doesn't prevent attaching other accessories (well, except a second memory card or GCN Microphone).

Software:

Game Boy Player - The software that comes with the GBP is region coded - which means (in general) that the disc you need to run your GBP must have been purchased from the same country that your GCN was purchased from.

The options given with the GBP are pretty basic, a filter (which, in general, you won't notice much of a difference), a countdown timer, minor controller customization - nothing too exciting.

The two advantages that the GBP has is the Border/Screen Size adjustment and the reset feature.  The GBP allows you to view the Game Boy Game in one of two views.  "Full" view, which due to the wider shape of the Game Boy Advance screen, shows the border bars on the top and bottom of the picture (think "widescreen" DVD movies). The "Normal" view is shown in a somewhat smaller square which does help deter some of the pixelization  that occurs when you stretch images designed for the smaller GBA screen out to the larger TV screen.  The GBP comes loaded with 20 different borders, including a nice, plain black one.  The reset feature allows you to quickly load another Game Boy game (or even reload the one you're currently playing) without having to reboot the entire GameCube.  This can really be handy when you want to quickly reset your current game as you don't even have to get up off the couch.

Advance Game Port - This is where the AGP really shines - well, dimly glows I should say.  To start with, the AGP features 10 built-in games.  Nothing too exciting, basic shoot-'em-ups, a breakout clone and the like.  These ten games play something akin to some flash/java games on the web, but they are a nice distraction from time to time.  Second, the AGP has an almost fully-functional Action Replay (a.k.a. GameShark) *built-in*!  Not only that, but the AGP comes with a DVD disc to teach you the ins-and-outs of 'hacking' your favorite GBA games along with a feature that will let you play/pause the game and view various values and changes to help create your own cheat codes.  Another nice feature of this intergraded Action Replay is that during regular game play, you can press the Z button and bring up a list of cheat codes that you can then toggle on/off during game play!  A good example of this is in Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World - You're playing, running along and you want fire-power.  Hit the Z button and turn it on.  Now, suddenly, you want a cape, again, hit the Z button and toggle it on!  Need to be small to slip through a secret crack - use the "Small Mario" code, go through, then use the "Cape Mario" code right afterwards.  It's pretty neat!

Now, keen-eyed readers will notice that I said "almost fully-functional" Action Replay.  The AGP is lacking a button that the Action Replay for the Game Boy Advance had.  When you assigned a code to this button (say a code that lets Mario hover without falling) and you pressed the button on the top, it would activate the code.  Letting go of the button would turn it off.  The AGP is missing this button - although it could have been remapped to one of the GameCube Controller's buttons.  To rub in the lack of a button even more, the pre-loaded codes are the exact ones that are loaded into a GBA Action Replay - including codes for the button!

Another (minor) downside is that the built-in Action Replay does not allow me to use my PowerBoard - the Keyboard made for the GCN by the same company who makes the Advance Game Port.  Seems silly to me...

One last feature that the Advance Game Port has is that you can take "snapshots" of your game.  Basically, the AGB creates a Save Point at any point in the game - even if the GBA game doesn't allow saving.  These saves are created on your own GameCube memory card and require a whopping 50+ blocks each - so have your MC1019's handy.  Also, of course, since these saves are on the GCN's memory card, don't expect to be able to save your game on the AGP and load it up later on your Game Boy Advance - you'll have to open the save back up on your AGP.

As for viewing the games, the AGP shows the screen in about the same size that the GBP's "Normal" mode - however there is no option to adjust the border to something more pleasant than the purple/white glow of the Advance Game Port border.  While not horribly distracting, a blank/black option would have been nice.

The Winner - Again, the Advance Game Port takes the gold here.  While I really, really like the reset/reload ability on the Game Boy Player, having a near-fully functional Action Replay on the Advance Game Port can't be beat.  Even those who don't want to cheat, the ability to tweak around in a game can make revisiting an old favorite a little more fun.  Try beating Super Mario World with the "Always Small Mario" code on.  The save state ability is a bit of a plus, especially for games that do not have a save feature.

Compatibility:

Game Boy Player - Now is the time for the Game Boy Player to kick it into gear.  The Game Boy Player plays (almost-) every single Original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance title on the market (there are a slight few exceptions) - and it does a damn good job at it!  The sound is crisp and clear, the colors are spectacular (well, unless you're playing an old Game Boy title!) and the selection is spectacular!

The GBP also features a GBA-Generation link port on the front of it, allowing the unit to be linked to other Game Boy units for multi-player games.  In addition, the GBP can be hooked up to other GBPs for multi-player Game Boy Games or can be hooked to a second GameCube for the ability to use the GBA Connectivity feature (although a second TV is also required).

Advance Game Port - Ouch... Where to begin.  First, the AGP *only* plays Game Boy Advance games.  Second, it doesn't even play all the Game Boy Advance Games.  Third, the games that it does play it doesn't play very well.

You'll only be playing GBA games - no original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games with this unit.  In addition, there are some games that play so glitchy on the unit, they're simply unplayable (extreme slow motion, etc).  As well, there are some GBA games that simply refuse to load (I was unable to get *any* of the   Classic NES Series games that I own to load).  The games I tested out that did play well were plagued with horrible sound (choppy and static-ridden music and effects), washed out colors and some minor frame rate issues.

Everyone will be happy to know that the e-Reader does work perfectly fine in the AGP though.

As for multi-player gaming... Nada.  No link port here.  DS-Style GBA single player only.

The Winner - The Game Boy Player, hands down.  The games play pretty much as if you are playing them on a Game Boy Advance - and having the selection of over 16 years worth of games is wonderful, considering that you'll also be able to play the best game ever to grace mortal hands, Link's Awakening.

The Champion - Well, you'd think that since the Advance Game Port won two-point-five out of the four categories, it would win, but it doesn't!  While the built in Action Replay feature is probably the strongest positive on the AGP, it doesn't remotely compare to the GBP's ability to play all the Game Boy games - and play then well.  With some of the neat extra features, the Advance Game Port *would* have been a stronger contender if it even just played all Game Boy *Advance* games without horrible sound and such, but it doesn't and that is its weakest point.  The Game Boy Player plays games and, quite frankly, that's what it comes down to.

928

General Gaming / Online gaming and taxes...

« on: February 11, 2006, 05:15:38 AM »

NPR News Story

An interesting story - brings up some interesting questions...

929

Nintendo Gaming / MEGATON - DS REDUX!

« on: February 09, 2006, 07:45:09 PM »

I'm not sure exactly what's going on here, but...


(Don't worry about the space, I've got permission)

Anywhoo, I've got a friend in Japan who doesn't do English well.  None the less, we trade infomation at times (and, occasionally, products).  Of minor interest to me (and an almost obsession to him) is the Nintendo "Hard Numbers" (like the NES-001 or DOL-101).

Anywhoo, he sent me this picture and we're guessing it's possibly NTR-101 since the DS Lite is USG-001 (what the heck USG is, we haven't a clue)...

Anywhoo, apparently, these are custom, button-less DSes (DSii?) were custom built for the Shigureden Exhibit in Kyoto. I'm not sure I quite get it, but apparently its a kind of exhibit for some 100-ish historical Japanese poems. The exhibit is primarily funded by Nintendo.

Anyway, it's kinda neat...

930

NWR Forums Discord / Hide the kids...

« on: February 07, 2006, 05:16:53 AM »

 

931

Nintendo Gaming / Electroplankton for $25 shipped

« on: February 05, 2006, 06:09:22 PM »

Overstock.com - Electroplankton $25 (Free Shipping)

I've been on the edge if I wanted to order this or not, but for $25 with no shipping?  I'll bite.  I figure there might be a few others here who'd be interested.

Thanks to Staind204 and CheapAssGamer.com for this one.

Speaking of which, is there anyone here who doesn't check out CheapAssGamer.com on a regular basis?  If so, I'll stop re-posting the great deals I find there, since it'd be silly.  

932

General Chat / I just sat through the Doom movie...

« on: February 04, 2006, 03:12:08 PM »

My roommate brought home the DOOM movie on DVD today.

It wasn't *HORRIBLE*, like I expected.  But it wasn't good.  It also reminds me why I fear a Legend of Zelda movie.

933

General Chat / Boy, casual gamers are dumb

« on: February 02, 2006, 07:22:30 AM »

Well, to be fair though, this guy might not really be any kind of gamer at all... but.

Here's the story though.  In my living room is the various Nintendo systems (I even hide my PS1 in shame - it's not out to be seen) along with other various Nintendo stuff including my Donkey Kong Card game I just got yesterday evening and my Nintendo shrine that has a lot of various Nintendo related items including a rather nice sized Mario Kart Telephone.  On the TV screen was Nintendo's Super Mario World (Bright, colorful paused so I could answer the door "Donut Plains 3" screen with Mario riding Yoshi in mid-jump).  Connected to my Nintendo GameCube was my SNES-ish Hori Digital Controller (man, I love this thing!).  I go to get the door.

It's the bug man!  He comes into my apartment  While here, he trippeds over my controller cord.  He says (something along the lines of) "Whoops, there went the TV remote..." *looks* "I mean XBox controller."

I remember when *all* video games were 'playing Nintendo'.  When did all video games become the XBox?

934

NWR Forums Discord / CIndy Sheehan...

« on: February 02, 2006, 12:28:00 AM »

Or:



Or:

[snip]

Which is it?  

935

NWR Forums Discord / UncleBob's Reading Assignment

« on: January 30, 2006, 12:51:10 PM »

All members of this forum are now assigned to read the sixteen page epic, The Doom Comic.

For any forum members who cannot read, an audio version of this great work of literature is also allowed as part of this assignment.

Please complete this assignment before our next class meets so we can discuss the author's reasoming for choosing the phrase "Rip and Tear" along with the historical important of Big Guns and their inclusion within related works of literature from this time period.  As a secondary topic, we'll discuss the importants of leaving a clean enviroment for our children and our children's children.

Class Dismissed.

936

NWR Forums Discord / Probably the most deep thread ever posted here...

« on: January 26, 2006, 04:28:22 AM »

Okay, this is a hypothetical situation - so don't try to tear it apart with plotholes...

You just died.

You're standing in front of the Almighty God himself (or whatever is beyond here..)

(S)He's decided (for s/he works in mysterious ways) that s/he's going to reincarnate you.

Now, you've got to choose between to lives.

Both lives take place in the year 2099, in a post-apocalyptic world where there survives two cities in domes.

Each city is very similar in tech, values, knowledge, etc.  Outside the domes are instant death from the radiation created by the sun that is no longer filtered out by our atmosphere - which was desolated in the wars.

Inside each of the domes, there is no disease, no crime or violence - Plenty of things to do though.  Everyone is happy.

Now, the major difference between the two domes is this:

In the first dome, in order to keep the population under control, each year on January 1st, 100 people are put to death,  During the year, 100 babies are allowed to be born (if, perchance, someone died during the last year by other means aside from the yearly executions, one less person is executed at the beginning of the year - however, with the level of medical technology, this is very rare).  The 100 people who are put to death are anyone who's over 30 years old.  This way, you know exactly when you are going to die.

In the second dome, much like the first, the population is kept under control with 100 deaths each year on January 1st and 100 babies being born each year.  However, the big difference is that everyone's name is put into a computer that randomly (and without anyone being able to tamper with the results in any way, shape or form) picks 100 people from *any* age group - anyone from Little Timmy-12 who was just born yesterday on up to Old Man Wilson who's been lucky enough to avoid being drawn for 112 years!  This way, you haven't a clue when you're going to die - but you could possibly only live to be five or fifty...

Which do you pick?

937

Nintendo Gaming / GameCube Keyboards, Cheating, Zelda-Hell and Boredom...

« on: January 23, 2006, 06:50:10 AM »

In case you've ever wondered.

Back in the day when the Action Replay for the GameCube was first released, I snagged one up ASAP - because I'm a big cheater and I wanted the NES games in Animal Crossing.  I'm not certian on the exact dates, but I seem to recall that the AR was released shortly after Animal Crossing.

Anywhoo - a while later after Wind Waker was released - it was discovered that, using the Action Replay, you could access "Test Rooms".  Some of these rooms ranged from neat little things you could try out with ladders to no where to what I've since dubbed Zelda-Hell - large, brightly colored open spaces where the NPCs just stand in rows staring at a huge, brightly colored wall.  Anywhoo, there are 14 (known) test rooms and each of these test rooms require codes that are about 72 characters long.  I don't know how many of you have an Action Replay, but entering codes with the controller on this thing sucks - so, for the longest time, I never got to try out the test rooms.

Then, one day, I found the "PowerBoard".  Basically a slightly-special PS/2 compatible keyboard with a PS/2-GCN adapter included, made by Datel (the Action Replay people) for use with the Action Replay and Phantasy Star Online.  Anywhoo, I found it and it was cheap (like $5 - new).  I was excited, I'd finally get to try out the Zelda Test rooms!

Boy, was I wrong.  I got home to find out that my PowerBoard didn't work with my Action Replay because it was too old - however, after talking to Datel's customer support, they'd gladly allow me to purchase an updated AR disc - that has PowerBoard support - for about $20+Shipping.  I couldn't see spending more money on this, so, sadly, I was still unable to play the Zelda test rooms.  (Okay, actually, I could have played them all along, but again, controllers suck for typing.)

Forward to a while later and a friend in Japan found a slightly used ASCII keyboard for the GCN for what would be about $25 shipped.  Considering these run about $70 new (not to mention shipping) and are kinda hard to come by here in the states (since they wern't released here), I was all excited because I'm a self-proclaimed hardware whore (I have a GCN Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter and two ROBs...)

Well, this keyboard didn't work on the outdated Action Replay either (although I didn't expect it to).  I still wish it worked on Animal Crossing though.

Now, forward to about 3-4 weeks ago - I read over at CAG that Circuit City has (newer) GCN Action Replays in clearance for $10!  Yay!  I go to my closest Circuit City and *bam* - one left, $10.  I run it home and plug everything in and sure enough, the PowerBoard works.  But the funny thing is, this one came pre-loaded with the Zelda Test Room Codes - meaning that I didn't have to enter them in, thus I didn't need the keyboard. Heh.

Aside from that, today I got my ASCII Keyboard out and plugged it in with the (newer) Action Replay and, sure enough, the Keyboard works.  For what that's worth.  'eh, what can I say, I was bored.

938

Nintendo Gaming / They'll never honor it... Batalion Wars for $0.99

« on: January 19, 2006, 02:52:02 PM »

Thanks to Cheap Ass Gamer...

Battalion Wars for $0.99 at Buy.com

Probably a pricing error, but it's worth a shot, I guess.

939

Nintendo Gaming / Animal Crossing: Wild World Shipping again!

« on: January 18, 2006, 03:50:24 PM »

After being out since our initial shipment at launch, our store finally got some more copies of AC:WW in today.  So if you're still looking for this one, start calling around...

940

Nintendo Gaming / Nintendo vs. (Yet another game idea...)

« on: January 16, 2006, 10:05:31 AM »

Okay, this would be a DS game with single card download play and online multi-player.

I can't really think of much of a way to make it worth buying/playing for single player mode, but the Multi-Player modes could be interesting.

This is kinda an expansion of the Mario vs. Bowser game idea.

Picture you and a friend playing against each other in classic Nintendo battles!

First example would be the Mario vs. Bowser battle of Super Mario World.  Mario Runs around, stunning MechaKoopas and throwing them back at Bower.  Bowser has to try and get Mario - duh, but has a few other issues.  For example, if Bowser doesn't throw a MechaKoopa out of his Clown-Ship in time, the MechaKoopa-making-machine inside will explode - this ending the game for the player playing Bowser.  Also, occasionally while modifying the Clown-Ship for a different mode of attack, Peach will use the distraction to her advantage and escape long enough to throw power-ups to Mario - and if Bowser doesn't quickly put her back underwraps, she'll just keep throwing Power-Ups to Mario!

Now, let's see a classic Donkey Kong style game, one person playing Mario attempting to save Pauline and the second playing DK, throwing barrels down the construction site.  Now, DK's pretty slow, so he can't just throw endless barrels down the ramps, but he can choose when to toss 'em down and, with the touch screen, pick the path they'll take.  And what about a Donkey Kong Jr. game in this style?

Perhaps a Legend of Zelda battle between Link and Ganon, set in the Sacred Realm of Link to the Past - where the Ganon-Player gets  to try to kick Link's butt with his various moves?

Any thoughts?  Games you'd like to add?

941

General Chat / 24...

« on: January 15, 2006, 04:32:55 PM »

Anyone else as addicted to this show as I am?

942

General Chat / I love old Nintendo crap....

« on: January 12, 2006, 06:00:39 PM »

Look what I just bought!

Donkey Kong Card Game

I'd link pictures, but they're too big to post and I'm too lazy to shrink 'em down (I want to go to bed)...

And to think, I found this while looking for Nintendogs Cards on eBay.  I guess something good did come out of those blasted cards...

943

Nintendo Gaming / Nintendo Puzzle Games + Wi-Fi Connection...

« on: January 10, 2006, 08:04:02 PM »

So, we (well, most of us, anyway) are all excited about Nintendo bringing Tetris to the DS - Online...

What other 'classic' Nintendo Puzzle games would you like to see online on the Nintendo DS?

Although I have about a bazillion different versions of it (NES, SNES, N64, GBA, GBA download, Wario Ware), I'd kill for a Dr. Mario DS with online play.  If all else, I'd like to find someone who can finally beat my wife (at Dr. Mario, that is).  I swear she's like a robot built for the sole reason of kicking ass at Dr. Mario.

What classic puzzle games would y'all like to see online on the DS?

944

Nintendo Gaming / I'm a tool! (Nintendogs Cards...)

« on: January 10, 2006, 07:17:46 PM »

Everyone needs to help me and break Nintendo's control over me (well, not really, but still!)

Thanks to various trades around the Internet, I'm down to only needing one Nintendogs card:

3/18 - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (The pop-up one)

Now if I can just get this one!

To trade, I have the following:
Regular Cards:
1×4, 2, 3³, 4, 5, 6³, 7², 9², 10², 11², 12³, 13, 14², 16³, 18, 19³, 20³, 21, 22², 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28³, 29³, 30³, 31³, 32³, 33³
Pop-Ups:
1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16
Contest Loser Cards x19
Stickers (Numbers from the last two digits of the bottom, right hand corner):
57², 58², 59², 60×4, 61³, 62×5
Tattoos (Numbers from the last two digits of the bottom, right hand corner):
02×5, 03×5, 04×5, 05×5

Help!

945

Nintendo Gaming / I hereby officially hate Animal Crossing: Wild World

« on: January 09, 2006, 03:26:29 PM »

I've discovered something today that makes me sad.

Apparently, there's a limit on the number of items you can have in a room.  I can't say how this works for all rooms, I haven't played around with it much, but apparently, the limit is 24 items in the main room (fully expanded) of the first floor.

Which would be *okay*, except... The Chess Set.  In order to have a fully displayed chess set, you need to be able to display 36 pieces... Twelve more than the limit.

Stupid Nintendo, why would they do something like that?

946

Nintendo Gaming / Exclusive DS design...

« on: January 09, 2006, 08:23:37 AM »

Poképark DS

947

Nintendo Gaming / I stole Dizzy...

« on: January 05, 2006, 04:48:22 AM »

I stole Dizzy from Hilys.  Sorry Akuda.

948

Nintendo Gaming / My first DS/WiFi Public Hotspot test...

« on: January 02, 2006, 06:21:34 PM »

Failed Miserably.

I was at a Barnes and Noble bookstore today.  The DS could find their WiFi service with no problem, but it couldn't connect.  In fact, it just froze the entire DS - where I had to reboot (oddly enough, Mr. Resetti didn't yell at me for not saving).

Anywhoo, anyone had any luck using (official) public hot spots with their DS?

949

Nintendo Gaming / ESRB Game Ratings, M rated games and the Revolution Download service...

« on: January 02, 2006, 06:18:17 PM »

Are there any NES/SNES/N64 games (or possibly downloadable SEGA games) that are (or would be) Rated M that would likely be up for download?  If so, how do you think this would work?  Nintendo is known for being kinda overprotective of this sort of stuff...

950

Nintendo Gaming / Wanted: Chess Pieces

« on: January 02, 2006, 06:11:35 PM »

Hey!  I want Chess Pieces!  Hook me up!
If you want them as well, I'd be happy to just cat 'em, so, again, hook me up.

Here's what I've got:
Black Pawn (
Black Bishop (2)
White Bishop (2)

So I need everything else (yeah, a lot).  And, if they exist, I need the Floor/Wallpaper, although the guide doesn't list 'em...