Nintendo DS & Sony PSP

[Diosoth]

$50 bucks isn't an insane amount of money, but I have a late-model ("BRIGHTER SCREEN!") SP in awesome condition that is backwards compatible all the way back to the original Gameboy. The Micro only plays GBA games and I think its diminutive size is more of a novelty than it is practical. Plus, the SP has a screen-protecting clamshell design, whereas the Micro just has exchangeable faceplates.

$50 is a tough sell for a device that is (from my perspective at least) outmoded by something I already own. I'd buy one for $20, though. No sweat.

Gamestop sells the Micro for $30 used.

[Puffy2k316]

It's little size is what makes it so great. It's far from a gimmick. It's the first portable that you really can take everywhere. I carry it in my pocket everywhere I go now because it's just so easy to carry around (it's way smaller then my cell phone).

Gamestop sells them for 30 used but they're pretty hard to come by in stores.

[MrMatthews]

I'm sure I'll pick one up eventually, because it is pretty cool. I prefer new (again, at the right price ) but I wouldn't balk at a used one in good condition.

What games do you typically play on it, if you don't mind me asking?

[Puffy2k316]

Metroid Zero Mission/Fusion, Link to the Past port, all the mario advance games, the Sonic Advance games, Final Fight, the 3 Castlevanias, all of those are in my rotation.

[MrMatthews]

Outside of the Advance Wars omission, you just listed most of my favorites

[stalepie]

Ninja Five-O is a good one too.

[MrMatthews]

yeah, not the easiest or cheapest game to get a hold of, though.

[havok666]

Days of Ruin is my favourite AW game in the series, I like how the CO powers are balanced and not huge game changers. It is unfortunate that they removed the War Chest but online play was a good addition.

[MrMatthews]

I agree. Despite the visual overhaul, it didn't advance the series in any way, especially coming directly off Dual Strike. But the gameplay was as solid as ever, and I like the fact that missions can be replayed even after they've been completed. The side-missions that open up give the game quite a bit of replay value.

But after three games of admittedly juvenile storytelling, the darker, more mature motif was a welcome addition to the series.

[havok666]

Yeah definitely. The storyline was actually engaging this time around. A lot of unexpected death and I liked how the story rushed you along the map. As the story progressed the odds against you kept getting higher and higher. I wasn't just going through it for completion sake, at the end of each mission it left you with a cliffhanger ending. I'm hoping the next game is even more darker and gets bumped up to a "T" rating.

Oh and the music was excellent.

[Knuckle Duster]

Astro Boy: Omega Factor is probably the only game I regret not buying on the GBA.

[MrMatthews]

It's not too late. I just picked that one up recently, myself.

[RowdyRodimus]

When it comes to Gameboy games, other than Advance Wars (1 & 2), my favorite game on it is Scurge: Hive (weird I know). For some reason it reminds me of an RPG type Metroid and Blaster Master rolled into one. Plus, I bought it new a couple of months ago for 4.99 at Hastings.

[jerry coeurl]

I ONLY LIKE HAVING PHYSICAL COPIES OF GAMES IN MY COLLECTION.

That's cool and all, but it's not like it's a "one way or the other" thing. If you own physical copies of PSX games, you can make them into eboots and play them on your PSP; it's not like you're forced into downloading ISOs just because you've unlocked the thing. Anyway, I like playing PSX games on my PSP because it's a hassle to dig out/hook-up my PSX (only have Genesis/CD, Saturn, & DC hooked up to my tv), and plus it's just really nice having a portable PSX.

And also your other comment, about how you don't want to modify any console to do anything other than it was intended to do... technically speaking, the PSP was designed to play PSX games, Sony just decided to completely ignore this feature and only release a handful of the most well-known games. I think it basically makes the PSP worth playing, getting custom firmware on the thing. Mine went literally untouched for about two months 'til I figured out how to rip/convert all of my fave PSX games for portable play.

e: forgive me if this has already been resolved; I just wanted to add my $0.02.

[MrMatthews]

I have all my consoles hooked up and read to go. I have absolutely no reason or desire to emulate games. Nothing against you or anything, but I don't see why that's so damn hard for some people to comprehend.