GBA Clone

[TwinChargers]

Seeing that there is some interest in another topic about this portable, and I've been curious about it for some time, I thought I'd dedicate a thread to it.

 

So heres the link for those that might be interested. Claims to have 498 games built in, and from what info is provided, a Pokemon Movie. About 100 of the games are GBA games, the other 400 are Nintendo 8-bit games (quite a few Japan and Europe exclusives also). Games can be removed and added through a USB port, as long as they are GBA roms I believe.

 

Seems like a pretty neat little product, and for under $60 to boot. I'm aware of other products such as the Dingoo and GP32x, but this looks like more of an "entry level" of emulation devices, and thats also a plus (for me anyways).

 

So the questions I have, does anybody have this thing or anything similar? I've never dealt with DealExtreme, are they pretty reputable? I've tried to find more info on this product, but I'm pretty hard pressed to find a whole lot. I've found this, but thats about it.

 

Any info on this, related items or about the folks at DealExtreme would be greatly appreciated.

Edited February 27, 2010 by TwinChargers

[monzamess]

Here's what I know.

 

There are four colors of that device at DX. Each has its own product page, so look at the comments and reviews on each one.

 

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24382

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24381

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24380

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24379

 

In addition they have a similar item in the GBA-SP form factor, in different colors, and I don't think you can rewrite the internal memory:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25221

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25220

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25219

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25218

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25217

 

(that last link has a review from a guy at Assemblergames, which will NOT let me register on their site for some reason they won't explain)

 

Finally there is another SP-like device that gets some bad reviews:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23254

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23255

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23253

 

As far as DX as a company goes:

 

I've ordered several times from DX over the last year. They have always shipped me my stuff, and when they sent me a wrong item once (two numbers transposed in item #) they refunded me. They are not out to rip anyone off.

 

HOWEVER, they are ____slow____. Typically, you place an order, and if they have the item in stock, it could still take a week to get into the mail system, and then (to the US) it's another 2-3 weeks before it's in your hands. This applies to items that say "In stock." If you order something that's not in stock--they're marked "Typically ships in XX days", they will get it from their supplier, which can take weeks sometimes, and ship it to you. If it says "backordered" that basically means "out of stock probably forever" and "out of stock" means "out of stock definitely forever."

 

Sometimes they'll surprise you and you'll have something in your hands in 2 weeks. Usually not. But in my experience they _will_ eventually get you your item.

 

Maybe all my typing will spur some good discussion...

Edited February 27, 2010 by monzamess

[videogametrader]

This looks interesting. Although it looks like it's not compatible with GBA, only GB and GBC. They also have a GBA SP clone as well. I'm going to look into getting a few of these to review.

 

Tom

[Wickeycolumbus]

Very interesting!

 

Although it looks like it's not compatible with GBA, only GB and GBC.

 

There are GBA games built in (one of the screen shots shows this). The description also says "Allows for attachment of Game Boy Advance accessories" and that it has a 32 bit ARM processor (which is what a GBA has).

[Tom-Lynx]

It does not run GBA games....it is not backlit either.

 

When it says "compatible with GBA accessories," it is referring to add-ons like lights that you physically clip onto the external plastic case.

 

Edit: Ignore everything I said

[monzamess]

Tom, you're reading the item description, which normally is the right thing to do, but in this case it's wrong. According to people who bought them, the device mentioned in the OP plays GBA games both from internal memory (2GB) and from regular cartridges. It actually does not take GB/GBC carts but can play those games through emulation. It's also backlit--I was skeptical of that at first, but it is.

[Tom-Lynx]

Tom, you're reading the item description, which normally is the right thing to do, but in this case it's wrong. According to people who bought them, the device mentioned in the OP plays GBA games both from internal memory (2GB) and from regular cartridges. It actually does not take GB/GBC carts but can play those games through emulation. It's also backlit--I was skeptical of that at first, but it is.

 

 

My apologies....thank you. I'll go back and edit my post.

[Video]

I'll have to see about one of these, or two, one to hack and see if I can use parts for my original GBA.

 

I hear it doesn't [p;ay GB/C games though (from the cart port, though it's supposed to from memory, I think)

[TwinChargers]

Out of curiosity, did anybody here decide to pick one of these things up?

[+Gemintronic]

I'm curious to see how it performs in the real world as well. If the battery life is as poor as some of the reviews say you're better off buying a real GBA with flash cart. The Dingoo 320 seemed to have good battery life and acceptable framerates playing GBA..