News from Lik Sang



Aiming for the image-conscious folks who love video games, Nintendo today confirmed the Gameboy Micro will be launched in Japan on September 13th 2005. While PSP has already taken the tiara as the sexy goddess of portables, the Gameboy Micro is equally beautiful but in a very different way. Being a tiny 10 cm (4") by 5 cm (2"), and a stunning 1.7 cm (.7") thin, it's around the same size as an iPod Mini, but just two thirds of the weight. This is something that you can just slip into the pocket of your jeans, and at under 80 grams (2.8 ounces), it's half the weight of a GBA SP.

Further comparing it to the previous Gameboy, the units 5 cm (2") screen has adjustable controls that go far brighter and display colors much more vividly than in the past, and as such Nintendo claims this is best looking Gameboy screen ever, more akin to that of the NDS. While the size is reduced to match the machine, because the resolution remains the same, your games should look even clearer. Heading under the hood, there's the usual GBA processor, with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and much to the rejoicing of fans, a standard headphone port. Nintendo have also stated that all of the GBA's 700+ titles will run just fine.

As for the 'hood' itself, like a cell phone, the Gameboy Micro features removable and customizable face plates. Beyond the many available with the consoles launch, more choices will continue to flood in for ever after, ensuring your console always looks unique. Upon powering on the system too, the start and select buttons glow a cool blue, and all buttons along with the d-pad have been re-designed with a much softer feel than that of the GBA SP. So not only does the Gameboy Micro look good, but it feels good too.

Pre-orders are open as of right now, and like all handhelds systems, the Gameboy Micro is region free.