12.09.03 - 4:02 PM
Its not very often we at RPGfan cover hardware releases, but with the holidays on our heels, we’ve found the perfect stocking stuffer for the RPG fan on-the-go. Ever had one of those long, boring drives out to random relatives for the routine holiday visits. You know the ones – repetitive holiday music and a tone-deaf parent trying to sing along. Surely you don’t want the hassle of rummaging around in your gaming tote bag for another GBA cartridge while your family rubbernecks at Christmas lights. Well, UK hardware developer Radica has made an addition to its Gamester line of accessories for the GBA SP called the Game Changer. This handy little accessory for the Game Boy Advance SP operates much in the way a CD-disc changer works. The ergonomic chassis of the Game Changer fits snuggly onto the Game Boy Advance SP via the cartridge port on the bottom and houses 3 discreet cartridge ports for GBA games. Gamers can then select the game they wish to play via the switch on the right side of the accessory. One of the pleasant aspects of the Game Changer, outside of its obvious convenience, is the fact that the appliance allows the GBA SP to fit more comfortably in larger hands. The accessory also has friction grips wrapped around each end which prevents slipping. The GBA fits so well into the Game Changer, you’d think they were designed as a singular unit. The fact that all of the external GBA SP ports such as the link and power cable are unobstructed by the Game Changer, a flaw that GBA accessories have had for years, is a real blessing. The only downside is that the games are not hot-swappable, and doing so would probably damage them. In the time I’ve spent with the Game Changer for the GBA SP, I really wonder how I previously did without it. The accessory allows me to carry around three of my favorite RPGs at the same time, allows the GBA SP to fit more comfortably in my large hands and doesn’t block off any important ports if I plan to link-up with a friend or recharge the unit. Also, the fact that the Game Changer retails for a paltry $9.99 USD means it’s a steal. I don’t think any avid Game Boy Advance SP owner should do without.
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| Stephen Harris |