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Portables (Games) Entertainment Games

GPS for GBA 139

Posted by CmdrTaco from the only-room-for-one-gadget-in-your-bag dept.
Grey Ninja writes "I just came across a preview for a new gadget that's going to be demoed at E3, which is a GPS and map attachment for your GBA. It should be mentioned that you can pre-order now and get $50 off. " I can't imagine very many useful applications for this, but it sure is nifty.
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GPS for GBA More

GPS for GBA

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  • GPS for the Parent (Score:2, Interesting)

    by mfh ( 56 )
    It's 11pm, do you know where your kids are?
    Well... now you do!
    • Dude, it's GPS. Now they know where they are.
      • The /. abstract suggested that there might not be many uses for GBA GPS, so I offered one; track your kids. If the satellite can find them and tell them where they are, it can sure as hell tell *you* where they are!

        • Re:Applications (Score:5, Informative)

          by darien ( 180561 ) <{darien} {at} {gmail.com}> on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:27AM (#9099474)
          Dude, do you know how GPS works? A GPS unit on the ground listens to the signals from a couple of different GPS satellites and uses the information in those signals to triangulate its own position relative to the satellites (that's a very simplified explanation, but that's basically how it works). The satellites don't "find" you or "tell you where you are." They just beam messages down to the surface. They have no idea where, or by whom, those messages are being received.
          • Time for an Echelon plugin maybe :)?
          • The satellites don't "find" you or "tell you where you are."

            Of course, once the GPS unit has computed your position, anything with RF transmission capability can phone home and relay that information.

            These radio's [rei.com] do just that.
            So does this Air Force SAR [fas.org] radio.
            Even this thing like LoJack called ThiefJack [gpsonsale.com]
            Even the Call For Help Watch [safetyands...center.com] to track your children can do it.

            I would pretty much assume that this technology will be in every GPS capable device within the next few years.
            • > Of course, once the GPS unit has computed your position, anything with RF transmission capability can phone home and relay that information.

              And that was pretty much what I meant. ;-)

              Thanks for bailing me out!!! hehe
          • It's the next morning, you know where your kids *were*.

        • Re:Applications (Score:5, Insightful)

          by toesate ( 652111 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:45AM (#9099528) Journal
          If the satellite can find them and tell them where they are, it can sure as hell tell *you* where they are!

          Maybe, maybe not. There are a huge set of assumptions if it can.

          One of the key challenge for the location based services (via mobile phone and/or gps) is the tedious management of access groups and permissions.

          It has to do with privacy issues essentially.

          A simple scenerio is - the owner of their location information have the full ownership on how they want their location information be shared, and with who.

          However, like many other services, location based services, for example, tracking, is usually done with a third party involved - acting like a proxy agent, and as such must have certain permission set from the owner of the location information.

          To make things more challenging, we can add another role, by having a guardian over the owner of the location information.

          And the quick question now is - who owns the location information? The owner of the location information or the guardian of the owner? There are no easy answers.

          Anyway - nowadays, knowing where the kids are is a _willing_ mobile phone call away.

    • Re:GPS for the Parent (Score:5, Informative)

      by Dun Malg ( 230075 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @09:41AM (#9099746) Homepage
      It's 11pm, do you know where your kids are? Well... now you do!

      Global Positioning, not Tracking. GPS units are entirely passive. The only person who knows where a given GPS is located is the person holding the GPS. Unless you're going to also fit the children with a cellular telemetry rig or something, only the kids will know where they are.

    • Unfortunately, that's not as far fetched as it might seem. In fact, it's one of the selling features for the GameTrac... er Gizmondo, whatever. Warning, annoying Flash site [gametrac.com].

      Don't underestimate the buying power of the "Paranoid Parent" market.
  • It's so you can track your kids! Or, umm, so your wife can track you?
    • Um... the GPS is in the GBA, which you would presumably be carrying with you. Unless your wife had her own GBA with the GPS module and you had a GBA with the GPS module and she could somehow pinpoint where you are through hers. Although, with some sort of logging capability I suppose your wife could make you pull out the GBA the next morning to find out it shows you were really working late the previous night or out boozing at strip clubs.

  • Ehe (Score:2, Funny)

    by tigress ( 48157 )
    Just wait for Nintendo Club Airlines to start offering cheap flights to exotic places, to find your rare Pokémons at. =)

  • you can't? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by garcia ( 6573 ) * on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:07AM (#9099397)
    I know plenty of people that use a handheld and a GPS. Consolidating the number of devices I have to hold when geocaching [geocaching.com] would be a great thing... I currently have the GPS, a digital camera, and a Sidekick. I sometimes have to bring along other things like a headlamp, etc.

    If I could have a reliable GPS unit that was attached to my PDA and it still functioned as well as a handheld one I would love it.

    • Re:you can't? (Score:3, Funny)

      by tigress ( 48157 )
      Geocaching - Gotta find'em all!

    • Re:you can't? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Seumas ( 6865 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:09AM (#9099404)
      Except that the GBA's GPS product is $250! It's a neat idea, but for that money I'll just go buy a dedicated GPS unit. It'll probably outlast my GBA and there will come a time when I won't care to tote my GBA around and play games on it anymore - whereas my GPS unit would probably have a constant place on my hip.

    • Re:you can't? (Score:4, Funny)

      by thirteenVA ( 759860 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:12AM (#9099419)
      Finally!!! Link can find his way out of the level 8 dungeon on legend of zelda!!!

    • Re:you can't? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by metamatic ( 202216 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @09:13AM (#9099628) Homepage Journal

      If I could have a reliable GPS unit that was attached to my PDA and it still functioned as well as a handheld one I would love it.

      So buy a Garmin iQue.

      • a Garmin iQue is a lot more money, is apparently not all that great at anything it does, and is PocketPC OS.
        • Actually, a friend of mine has one. Overall he loves it - it has a few quirks about it that tick him off, and the build quality of the units isn't spectacular (he's already had to have it replaced under warranty once, sync connector ruined itself, and it's very sensitive to static and pressure in a couple spots) but it does seem to have a very nice interface and be very usable. The battery life sucks if you enable the GPS, but as he drives around town all day and has it plugged into the car he doesn't care
    • Much like a GPS attachment for a PDA, the advantage of this over a standalone GPS that the GBA already has a powerful CPU and good screen. Both are much better than you'd find in a low end GPS unit. That means the GPS attachment can be cheap and simple- just a GPS receiver chip and memory for the maps. You can get a one piece package by putting a CF card GPS into a PDA, but it just seems too expensive and delicate for outdoors handheld use. My Etrex Legend is waterproof and rubber padded. I'd have no proble

  • Why is the GBA the center of portable gaming? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by brxndxn ( 461473 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:10AM (#9099407)
    Nintendo really does have a monopoly on portable gaming. The GBA is 1/10 as powerful as most handheld PDAs, the screen is hard to see (even on the newer SP), and yet they come out with a GPS attachment for it that will only work for the GBA. Plus, I can't see entering address information with five buttons being very viable.

    Though GPS on a GBA is somewhat nifty, I think that a normal compactflash (or other media style) of GPS unit for a PDA would be more useful.

    Perhaps Nintendo can turn global navigation into a 2d mario-style game. Then, I could break the road blocks in my way by jumping up at them.

    • Re:Why is the GBA the center of portable gaming? (Score:1, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward
      You can't see entering address information with five buttons being very viable, eh?

      Have you even looked at other GPS devices? Garmin eTrex, for example, has five buttons as well. Only one is used for entering address information. I would love to have a GPS with a colour screen. The only downside I see to this is backlighting and accurate maps. Nothing else.
      • I have a Garmin 60C. The screen and battery life is two of its most important features. The reflective screen is great whether the sun is shining on it or not. I only use the backlight at night... Batetry life is an amazing 30 hours of contineous use..

        As for maps, they are fairly expensive but the newest maps are pretty accurate, even for Canada. I'm amazed at what's actually in the database of points of interests.
    • Why? A few reasons...

      1) Technical and usability superiority over all direct competitors.
      Face it - no other portable game system has been able to go toe-to-toe with the game boy and win. The series has good design, a large library, and no 'major' design flaws (the screen on GBA was the closest, and it wasn't bad enough - compared with Game Gear (eat through 6 AA batteries in an hour or so) or Neo Geo Pocket (suprisingly poor screen, hooks up to a dead game system, no games available.)

      2) Marketing
      Nint

    • Why is Nintendo so entrenched in portable gaming? Long-term involvment. Just yesterday I was busy with all the home's computers, so my girlfriend dug out some old (1983!) Nintendo "game and watches" I have. They still work, they're still fun.

      I agree that GPS on the GBA seems odd, though, but I'd guess the target market is more youthful - the kind of market that (like my niece!) loves Barbie Walkie-Talkies, and can accept the imitations.

      Perhaps Nintendo can turn global navigation into a 2d mario-style

    • Perhaps Nintendo can turn global navigation into a 2d mario-style game. Then, I could break the road blocks in my way by jumping up at them.

      That will be cool.. imagine a gameplay scenerio build based on surrounding.

      However, where mobile gaming is concern, I think GBA is quite behind other players - assuming the purpose of the GPS module is for mobile gaming intention, like suggested.

      N-Gage, for example, although criticised, is actually a better platform for mobile gaming, with possibilities like blue

      • However, where mobile gaming is concern, I think GBA is quite behind other players -

        Not to try and actively bash you here, but as far as general market data and public opinion appears, you are in a microscopic minority.

        By way of an example [the-magicbox.com] or two [the-magicbox.com], the hardware sales for the GBA and GBA SP combined are outstripping even the PS2 in both the US and Japan.

        Contrary to what you may think by browsing some of the bigger gaming message boards, many people play the system/games they do because it's FUN, not becau
        • Um, you're being a bit of a defensive fanboy, because you aren't quite getting what mobile gaming is all about. It has nothing to do with the GBA or Nintedno.

          It's not portable gaming - the GBA is current undisputed heavyweight, and the next wave will be either the DS or the PSP, no question - but rather it's about pervasive, connected gaming. In that field, things like the GO Game [thegogame.com] in the US are a lot closer to what we're talking about. Mobile gaming is mostly much bigger in Japan [bbc.co.uk] and is entirely cell-phone
    • you should take your SP back to the store if the screen is hard to see. Mine is crisp and colorful, and great in the daylight, even better in the dark.
    • Two words --- Battery Life. The average gba will last 10-18 hours.

  • Errr... (Score:1, Redundant)

    by Wes Janson ( 606363 )
    To sum up a bunch of inevitable comments right now....


    Why?

    • Re:Why? (Score:3, Interesting)

      by ShieldW0lf ( 601553 )
      Where are we Dad?

      Dad, are we there yet?

      Is it much farther, Dad?

      Dad, how much farther is it?

      Where are we Dad?

      • And the power switch occurs, Dad asking the kids "Are we there yet?" and "Son, how much farther is it?" Of course, the early adopters are probably going to be recent college grads, folks still into gaming and new into money...Assuming they get hired, of course.
    • Um .... to make a Beowulf cluster?

  • Real life pacman... (Score:3, Interesting)

    by moxruby ( 152805 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:11AM (#9099412)
    I'm sure this could be incorporated into the real-life pacman played on the streets of new york...

    Yet another thing to lose when the tough guys come rolling...

    • Re:Real life pacman... (Score:1, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      I'm sure this could be incorporated into the real-life pacman played on the streets of new york...

      Yeah, but where are you possibly gonna find pills on the streets of New York that make you feel invincible???

  • Great (Score:3, Funny)

    by Eudial ( 590661 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:19AM (#9099441)
    Jay! Now i can know where i am without looking up from my games!

  • Handy for travellers... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Fex303 ( 557896 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:20AM (#9099449)
    I can't imagine very many useful applications for this, but it sure is nifty.

    I can think of market that this might really appeal to... Backpackers and other travellers. Lots of gamers buy a GBA when travelling for a long time (something to do on the plane, etc). If they could use it when they get to their destination to help find their way around then I guess a fair number of nerdy backpackers would pay for one.

    I know I would have killed for one of these when I was in London a little while ago. I kept getting lost at four in the morning in some maze of lanes near Soho, with my guidebook sitting on the couch where I was staying. A GBA is light and easy to carry/store, I'd rather haul that around than my Lonely Planet guide.

    It seems like there's some sort of internal memory in the unit, in which case it should be able to simply download new maps (via USB maybe?). This would rock if you were travelling through Europe and staying in lots of large towns, for example. Just grab the next map at an internet café and you're set.

    This is to say nothing of the possibilities with regards to GPS gaming. I can think of a bunch, especially if the games can be downloaded and localised. Among the more annoying/money making: Advertisers could have you unlock extra features of a game (secret Pokemon, etc) when you enter one of their stores...

    • I'd have loved to have a GPS that told me which train station was which. Travelling around Sydney by train as a tourist, half the time I'd never see the name of the train station. It would be nice to be able to program it to say, you are 200m from the station. You are in the station, get the *(^* off the train NOW. Beep. And the counter to that would be one that tells me to stop reading my book when the bus shows up at the bus stop. I hate how you can't just zone out on public transport. You have to p
    • Backpackers and other travellers

      Why would a backpacker want to deal with water damage and fragile connections? For about the same price, get a handheld map GPS that is waterproof and floats. I use a handheld GPS. If I want to connect it to a laptop or handheld, I can connect the cable, but a GPS that does not work when your gameboy dies doesn't seem very useful. The ability to interconnect is nice. Leaving some weight home and still having a useful tool is even better.
      • Why would a backpacker want to deal with water damage and fragile connections?

        Final Fantasy Tactics. 'Nuff said. But there's also Fire Emblem, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (worst game numbering ever!), Kirby, Advance Wars 1&2, I could go on...

        Just 'cause you're seeing the world doesn't mean you need to go without games. Travelling can be amazing, but there's long, boring periods where a waterproof GPS (that may or may not be able to have maps uploaded to it) really isn't as much fun

        • Just 'cause you're seeing the world doesn't mean you need to go without games. Travelling can be amazing, but there's long, boring periods where a waterproof GPS (that may or may not be able to have maps uploaded to it) really isn't as much fun as a GBA.
          I guess the point I was trying to make, is if I want to leave the Game Boy home and take just the GPS, I can still use a stand alone handheld GPS but not with the Game Boy dongle. Most stand alone handheld GPS units have an output so they can be tethered
      • Backpackers and other travellers

        Why would a backpacker want to deal with water damage and fragile connections? For about the same price, get a handheld map GPS that is waterproof and floats. I use a handheld GPS.

        LOL... the parent's use of the word "backpacker" is different from what we who actually get into the backcountry and away from civilization. We call those with backpacks "travelers" and those with suitcases "tourists". Well, whatever you call them, it's highly unlikey they will need something
        • Well, whatever you call them, it's highly unlikey they will need something waterproof; a ziplock baggie will keep the GBA dry if they have to wander the streets while it's raining.

          Those who are pedestrians on city streets rarely would have need of a GPS. I assumed backpacking meant no street signs and through streets. Oh well, that's what I get by posting on /. and assuming that someone here gets out of cell tower range now and then. ;-)
    • A GBA is light and easy to carry/store, I'd rather haul that around than my Lonely Planet guide.
      Good safety feature, you're a lot less vulnerable-looking if you have a little electronic thing which could be a mobile phone. Carrying a big guidebook around (especially at four in the morning) is pretty much like wearing a "mug me" T-shirt.

  • Translation: (Score:5, Insightful)

    by cperciva ( 102828 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:21AM (#9099454) Homepage
    Grey Ninja writes "
    I just came across a preview for a new gadget that's going to be demoed at E3, which is a GPS and map attachment for your GBA.
    Grey Ninja writes "I work for a company which is trying to find suckers willing to buy our latest toy.
    It should be mentioned that you can pre-order now and get $50 off."
    If you pre-order now, you'll get $50 off. If you wait until after the release, the price will drop by $100 when we realize that this is useless junk which nobody wants to buy."
    I can't imagine very many useful applications for this, but it sure is nifty.
    Sounds like junk to me, but they paid for the advertising spot.

  • as useful as... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by tverbeek ( 457094 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:23AM (#9099458) Homepage
    I can't imagine very many useful applications for this, but it sure is nifty.

    It's about as useful as... any basic handheld GPS unit. I don't have much use for one myself, but a fair number of people seem to.

    • WHY? (Score:1, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Just go to Target and pick up a Garmin.
      Less money and smaller total size.
      And it works.

  • no applications need apply (Score:3, Interesting)

    by moviepig.com ( 745183 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:30AM (#9099486)
    I can't imagine very many useful applications for this...

    For years, I've driven with a triple-A card and a statewide mapbook on hand. I've seldom actually used either, but having them affords me a certain (justified or not) peace of mind in plunging into new automotive adventures.

    GPS/maps increase that same sort of assurance, and this gizmo seems to significantly commoditize the technology. I suspect that lack of a specific application won't matter.

  • Thats why I brought my GameBoy wherever we went... on trips... to school... when we went camping... Because I KNEW there would be a practical purpose someday! (Aside from as a flashlight, if you've got the "I take 4 AA batteries yet my light only lasts a whole 2 hours" flashlight attachment.

    • Re:I knew it! (Score:3, Informative)

      by Technician ( 215283 )
      "I take 4 AA batteries yet my light only lasts a whole 2 hours" flashlight attachment.
      Dude! Trade that in. Eveready makes a nice folding LED reading/tent light. (it looks like a miniture folding flouresent lantern) It claims 200 hours on a set of batteries. I can't verify the claim as I'm still on my first set of batteries from last summer.
      • I swear by my Petzl LED headlamp. Put it on and there's no night in the woods. I burn a set of batteries in it every summer...but I use rechargable alkalines, which are good for about 100 rechargings, so I don't expect to buy batteries in my lifetime.
        • but I use rechargable alkalines, which are good for about 100 rechargings, so I don't expect to buy batteries in my lifetime.

          Don't bet on it. The battery is still a chemical reaction. It may get 100 cycles in daily operation, but I don't think the shelf life is anywhere near 100 years. I remember when Lithium cells came out many years ago. They were great because they had up to a 10 year shelf life. It was great for the flashlight next to the fuse box. All too often a regular flashlight on a shelf
  • Theres already alot of evidence that Pokemon regions are based on real places, with the wireless adapter you can goto see the 7th movie and it'll give you a special ticket toaccess the last pokemon in the pokedex not avaible any other way.

    It wouldn't surprize me for them to use the GPS (if they also do it with the DS) so you can wander from tokyo and each area will have different pokemon. It could even make the area around you and turn it into a map (think diablo 2 style but with real stuff). Hell they cou

  • It's about time (Score:5, Funny)

    by highwindarea ( 732127 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @08:52AM (#9099549)
    Every body I know has been saying "Gameboys are great, but I'm not buying one until it has a GPS"
  • Maybe we'll have games that offer bonuses based on locations that you visit.

  • Useful (Score:3, Insightful)

    by beaverfever ( 584714 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @09:11AM (#9099619) Homepage
    So far the majority of comments seem to be negative and describe the unit as junk, but despite my having no interest in owning any gameboy unit, this combo inrigues me - a hand-held GPS unit with (gasp!) a useful, legible map display - very nice, and a very smart way of accomplishing it. This is a product I'd consider.

    Perhaps those commenters deriding the effort haven't bothered to read the site - that's just my speculation, but it wouldn't surprise me - oops, now I'm getting into flaimbait territory.

    • Re:Useful (Score:3, Insightful)

      by theLOUDroom ( 556455 )
      So far the majority of comments seem to be negative and describe the unit as junk, but despite my having no interest in owning any gameboy unit, this combo inrigues me

      People aren't really saying that it's junk, as much as that it's pointless.
      A handheld GPS unit goes for $90. This thing goes for $200. Even if you want a color screen, etc, etc you can get that for about the same price AND you don't need a gameboy.

      If this thing was $50 it would be cool, but for $200, it's just not worth it. It's like

  • PRICE? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Cpt_Kirks ( 37296 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @09:11AM (#9099620)
    $200? I can get a *VERY* nice GPS unit for a lot less.

    It seems to me that add-on gadgets for PDA's or the GBA should be *CHEAPER* than stand alone versions. They don't have to include the screen, buttons or in some cases a CPU.

    Why do add-ons cost *MORE*?

    • It seems to me that add-on gadgets for PDA's or the GBA should be *CHEAPER* than stand alone versions. They don't have to include the screen, buttons or in some cases a CPU. Why do add-ons cost *MORE*?

      The cost of components is such a small part of the price. Most of the cost is in design and implementation. Also, it looks to me like they're trying to milk it for all they can. Their reasoning is probably "if a stand alone GPS goes for $300, we can sell OURS for $200 and get a profitable segment of the mar

      • Yes, but stand alone GPS units cost as little as $90. You can get one with a color screen for ~$180.

        Hell, the Garmin GPS watch can be had for as little as $99!

        • Yes, but stand alone GPS units cost as little as $90. You can get one with a color screen for ~$180. Hell, the Garmin GPS watch can be had for as little as $99!

          Heh. Damn. All the more proof that they really don't understand the market they're aiming at.

    • Because less is more.

  • Ummm... (Score:2, Insightful)

    by 8tim8 ( 623968 )
    Wow, that's really neat. I wonder what other products will be demo'd at E3 that we can pre-order on. It would be so helpful if Slashdot would provide links to all the other wonderful products (and links to the pre-order form), since I certainly don't want anything like, say, the sales of those products or grassroots word of mouth to determine which products are actually worthwhile (or not vaporware).

    It would be especially good if all the products would be featured in separate stories!

    /sarcasm

  • lets see, its 100 for a gameboy advance sp and 200 for the gps unit, thats 300 dollars for a handheld gps with a 10 hour lion battery and a relatively large beatiful backlit color screen. it even weighs next to nothing and takes up very little space. assuming that they equip this thing with good color maps and offer a way to update them, tyhis would be an incredible deal.
    • You can get a new Garmin system for under $90. Hook it up to your PDA, Laptop, or (with a little work) your GBA.

      Cool idea, but unless they cut the price in half and start making cool games for it (and, I think GPS games will have their day in the sun soon...) this isn't going to fly.

  • Complete your quest to save the world on your gameboy and in real life complete your GEOCACHING quest.

  • Way Too EXPENISIVE (Score:3, Insightful)

    by donnacha ( 161610 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @10:37AM (#9100062) Homepage


    This company have are betting that people will pay roughly TWICE the price of a standard GPS unit purely for the novelty of being able to use their Gameboy.

    Yet another company that just Doesn't Get It.

    Seriously, someone should set up a forum where clueless, middle-aged marketing men can float their pricing strategies before shooting themselves in the foot like this.

  • I dont know if anyone has sugested this, but what better way to get johnny burn some calories then to have an over head game, simular to zelda, where the game movemeny comes from the NEMA data from the gps? This could give you direction, speed, and even jumping if it had enough resolution ( very very doubtfull, less little johnny can jump more then 2 meters). Just an idea I had.
  • I saw a poratable game in japan that had a light sensor and the gameplay was effected by how much light you were playing in(it was a vampire type game).

    Imagine a game that was effected by where you were.
    You could have kids exploring libraries and museums to find a rare item or a level boss. This could be very cool.

    • That would indeed be very cool. However, as a 3rd party accessory, it's doubtful that many (any) games would use it.

      And the game you are talking about is Boktai. It's also out in North America now. =)

  • Lost with gameboy (Score:3, Funny)

    by st0rmshadow ( 643869 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @12:20PM (#9100769)
    I can't imagine very many useful applications for this, but it sure is nifty.

    Obviously, you've never been lost in the jungle with your Gameboy.

  • The incognito war-driver (Score:3, Interesting)

    by lullabud ( 679893 ) on Sunday May 09, 2004 @02:10PM (#9101327)
    All they need is to add 802.11g in there and we'd have the ultimate incognito war-walking/driving/biking device!
    • Methinks it would be cheaper to use a Zaurus with a GPS unit and wireless card to go network sniffing. Then again, I haven't really looked into it so the price point could be effective for a GBA.
  • A couple months ago I heard about a GPS system for the gameboy. It seemed more aimed at the Japanese market at the time. The one really cool idea I heard about the GPS was that Nintendo was going to be making games that relied on where you were in both time and space (the space they envisioned using was Tokyo). For instance, if the player is at the fish market at 4am instead of 7am with his gameboy, his character might be able to buy some really rare fish that he might not otherwise have been able to get

  • GPS w/GBA (Score:2, Interesting)

    by pghpirate ( 640456 )
    With wireless connectivity for GameBoys, I can imagine some pretty nifty peer-to-peer, realtime combat games....or some sort of detective-like game as a function of location (the mapping programs tell you where restaurants, motels, churches, schools, and other "points of interest" are and will give you directions for getting there, etc.) ...location-specific games, based on a generic game, informed by localized information. At minimum GPS+maps is a neat addon for a GBA, just like it is for a PDA.

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