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Well it is if you're a GameBoy in the Gaming World.
Think about it. Ever since the very first original 'brick-like' portableand hand-held Nintendo console, GameBoys have always been ontop in the hand-held console wars. The only real competition to have emerged seems to be the Sega GameGear and the NeoGeo. But for one reason or another, these 2 consoles sunk like the Titanic and ended up at the knees of the GameBoys, begging for mercy.
Competition can make even the most dull and boring of activities or other interests start to become interesting and suddenly worth paying attention to. This is true in football and other sports. Without 2 teams of XI men going head-to-head with each other for one or more pieces of silverware we wouldn't see all the bone-crunching tackles and bursts of excitement that can be found in the average cup final or Saturday match. And it's not just at the highest level that this happens, it's even more competitive lower down into the amateur, rookie and youth leagues.
The same also applies to gaming. Look at the current Console War set to kick-off shortly between the PS2, X-box and GameCube. Each of the 3 consoles has a strong list of titles ready to launch this year, aswell as an interesting selection lined-up for the not-too-distant future!
This causes a lot of rivalry between gamers as they vent their feelings and views over which console they believe will come out ontop. And it's mainly the games and all the hype that leads them to believe this.
But without all this, gamers would have less to talk about and wouldn't therefore be as desperate to get their intended console as we are today with out GameCube's. This would also lead to a low amount of rivalry and competitiveness between each gamer, and therefore the Console War wouldn't be much more than you're average playground scuffle.
The situation's even worse when there's no competition WHATSOEVER for a new console! And this is the GameBoy Advance's current situation.
Sure, the PS2 was released earlier than the X-box and GameCube, but at the time, the Dreamcast and N64 were still on the market. So they weren't exactly 'on their own' in the race for success.
But the GBA has things differently. The Neo Geo faded away quite a while ago, and to be honest, who actually brought one! It was more likely that people were going for the GameBoy Colour or awaiting the GameBoy Advance.
The GameGear also sunk to a surprise failure. It was quite a chunky console, but there were just some games that even Nintendo coudln't top!
But once again, it was used like a giant spunge by Ninty to wipe-up the mess it left behind.
Now the GameBoy Advance stands alone. And so far, nothing has emerged that could challenge it for the no.1 hand-held spot. And to make matters worse, there are currently no definite plans for anything to pop-up in the future - well, not from Sony or Sega anyway.
So without the required competition to make things interesting, the GameBoy Advence will surely double it's sales in the near future, and break the 2 million units mark.
The GameGear and the NeoGeo may not have put-up much of a fight against Shigsy's ideas, but it was all so much more exciting back then. Even if the GameBoy did just 'walk it', with a bit of rivalry surrounding it you weren't quite sure what was going to/could have happened!
But now though, it sadly looks like the top-console will lead the way and top the lonley charts against no other competitors.
Sony have always been quick to release their new consoles, and now would be a great time to suddenly chuck a 'SonyBoy' or something in our faces! And the more interesting the better. Mini Discs could be the answer to get even bigger games for hand-helds, and the high-capacity media are also a high-selling Sony product for home-recording music.
And what about Microsoft?? The X-box is the first of what could be many consoles to come from Bill Gates and co. Apart from it's size and original launch price, it's got the potential to be no.1! And surely they'd have a good chance at knocking the GBA down from it's throne with all their machine-making know-how.
Someone somewhere needs to release something NOW that can shake-up the Advanced Nintendo hand-held before we see it lead a suit that could see Nintendo as the only firm keeping hand-held gaming alive.
It's an 'entertainment console', lets keep it entertaining!
Think about it. Ever since the very first original 'brick-like' portableand hand-held Nintendo console, GameBoys have always been ontop in the hand-held console wars. The only real competition to have emerged seems to be the Sega GameGear and the NeoGeo. But for one reason or another, these 2 consoles sunk like the Titanic and ended up at the knees of the GameBoys, begging for mercy.
Competition can make even the most dull and boring of activities or other interests start to become interesting and suddenly worth paying attention to. This is true in football and other sports. Without 2 teams of XI men going head-to-head with each other for one or more pieces of silverware we wouldn't see all the bone-crunching tackles and bursts of excitement that can be found in the average cup final or Saturday match. And it's not just at the highest level that this happens, it's even more competitive lower down into the amateur, rookie and youth leagues.
The same also applies to gaming. Look at the current Console War set to kick-off shortly between the PS2, X-box and GameCube. Each of the 3 consoles has a strong list of titles ready to launch this year, aswell as an interesting selection lined-up for the not-too-distant future!
This causes a lot of rivalry between gamers as they vent their feelings and views over which console they believe will come out ontop. And it's mainly the games and all the hype that leads them to believe this.
But without all this, gamers would have less to talk about and wouldn't therefore be as desperate to get their intended console as we are today with out GameCube's. This would also lead to a low amount of rivalry and competitiveness between each gamer, and therefore the Console War wouldn't be much more than you're average playground scuffle.
The situation's even worse when there's no competition WHATSOEVER for a new console! And this is the GameBoy Advance's current situation.
Sure, the PS2 was released earlier than the X-box and GameCube, but at the time, the Dreamcast and N64 were still on the market. So they weren't exactly 'on their own' in the race for success.
But the GBA has things differently. The Neo Geo faded away quite a while ago, and to be honest, who actually brought one! It was more likely that people were going for the GameBoy Colour or awaiting the GameBoy Advance.
The GameGear also sunk to a surprise failure. It was quite a chunky console, but there were just some games that even Nintendo coudln't top!
But once again, it was used like a giant spunge by Ninty to wipe-up the mess it left behind.
Now the GameBoy Advance stands alone. And so far, nothing has emerged that could challenge it for the no.1 hand-held spot. And to make matters worse, there are currently no definite plans for anything to pop-up in the future - well, not from Sony or Sega anyway.
So without the required competition to make things interesting, the GameBoy Advence will surely double it's sales in the near future, and break the 2 million units mark.
The GameGear and the NeoGeo may not have put-up much of a fight against Shigsy's ideas, but it was all so much more exciting back then. Even if the GameBoy did just 'walk it', with a bit of rivalry surrounding it you weren't quite sure what was going to/could have happened!
But now though, it sadly looks like the top-console will lead the way and top the lonley charts against no other competitors.
Sony have always been quick to release their new consoles, and now would be a great time to suddenly chuck a 'SonyBoy' or something in our faces! And the more interesting the better. Mini Discs could be the answer to get even bigger games for hand-helds, and the high-capacity media are also a high-selling Sony product for home-recording music.
And what about Microsoft?? The X-box is the first of what could be many consoles to come from Bill Gates and co. Apart from it's size and original launch price, it's got the potential to be no.1! And surely they'd have a good chance at knocking the GBA down from it's throne with all their machine-making know-how.
Someone somewhere needs to release something NOW that can shake-up the Advanced Nintendo hand-held before we see it lead a suit that could see Nintendo as the only firm keeping hand-held gaming alive.
It's an 'entertainment console', lets keep it entertaining!
GameBoy Advence will surely double it's sales in the near future, and
> break the 2 million units mark.
gba has sold over 5 million in the usa alone.
> break the 2 million units mark.
gba has sold over 5 million in the usa alone.
thats true about the games being of poor quality , without competition , games have no need to be better , to be honest i havent seen one game that i must must have for the gba since i bought pacman a while back , apart from sonic , nothing really interests me ;-(
you two are absoulutely right! but becaus ethere is no competetion for the GBA they have no need to churn out loads and loads of games let alone good games! there are about 6 or 7 good games out for the whole console and with no compettion they have no need to either!!
I agree, the handheld market is definitely one area that could be exploited further. My theory is this - if Gamecube/GBA connectivity works really well and all developers start useing the feature as an integral part of their games, then Xbox and/or PS2 will be forced to invent some sort of handheld console to keep up with Nintendo.
Thanks Russ, and I agree with you there.
People say Nintendo are scared of the X-box now, but if Microsoft and co. aren't threatened by Nintendo, then why don't they come up with something to challenge the GameBoys! I also think that some companies just gave up after one idea and decided not to continie with more handhelds.
I never thought the GameGear was that bad, surely Sega could've done something more with it instead of just 'giving up'. They should be there now pushing the GameBoy Advance for the top-spot!
After all, they've got nothing else to do expcept develop games.
And I think we will one-day, maybe quite soon, see a Sony handheld. There were rumours about it a while back, and if Sony REALLY want to be ontop in the Gaming World then they'll have to compete in the handheld market too!
So things could start to get interesting again in the future! ;D
People say Nintendo are scared of the X-box now, but if Microsoft and co. aren't threatened by Nintendo, then why don't they come up with something to challenge the GameBoys! I also think that some companies just gave up after one idea and decided not to continie with more handhelds.
I never thought the GameGear was that bad, surely Sega could've done something more with it instead of just 'giving up'. They should be there now pushing the GameBoy Advance for the top-spot!
After all, they've got nothing else to do expcept develop games.
And I think we will one-day, maybe quite soon, see a Sony handheld. There were rumours about it a while back, and if Sony REALLY want to be ontop in the Gaming World then they'll have to compete in the handheld market too!
So things could start to get interesting again in the future! ;D
Very good post Solskjaer.
I think the lack of competitors in the handheld market is due to the fact that people are scared. Newcomers have tried and failed to mount a challenge against Game Boys dominance and got nowhere. Prospective entrants simply want now because they're sure to lose out. Unless one day we see the fabled Playstation handheld...
I think the lack of competitors in the handheld market is due to the fact that people are scared. Newcomers have tried and failed to mount a challenge against Game Boys dominance and got nowhere. Prospective entrants simply want now because they're sure to lose out. Unless one day we see the fabled Playstation handheld...
Well it is if you're a GameBoy in the Gaming World.
Think about it. Ever since the very first original 'brick-like' portableand hand-held Nintendo console, GameBoys have always been ontop in the hand-held console wars. The only real competition to have emerged seems to be the Sega GameGear and the NeoGeo. But for one reason or another, these 2 consoles sunk like the Titanic and ended up at the knees of the GameBoys, begging for mercy.
Competition can make even the most dull and boring of activities or other interests start to become interesting and suddenly worth paying attention to. This is true in football and other sports. Without 2 teams of XI men going head-to-head with each other for one or more pieces of silverware we wouldn't see all the bone-crunching tackles and bursts of excitement that can be found in the average cup final or Saturday match. And it's not just at the highest level that this happens, it's even more competitive lower down into the amateur, rookie and youth leagues.
The same also applies to gaming. Look at the current Console War set to kick-off shortly between the PS2, X-box and GameCube. Each of the 3 consoles has a strong list of titles ready to launch this year, aswell as an interesting selection lined-up for the not-too-distant future!
This causes a lot of rivalry between gamers as they vent their feelings and views over which console they believe will come out ontop. And it's mainly the games and all the hype that leads them to believe this.
But without all this, gamers would have less to talk about and wouldn't therefore be as desperate to get their intended console as we are today with out GameCube's. This would also lead to a low amount of rivalry and competitiveness between each gamer, and therefore the Console War wouldn't be much more than you're average playground scuffle.
The situation's even worse when there's no competition WHATSOEVER for a new console! And this is the GameBoy Advance's current situation.
Sure, the PS2 was released earlier than the X-box and GameCube, but at the time, the Dreamcast and N64 were still on the market. So they weren't exactly 'on their own' in the race for success.
But the GBA has things differently. The Neo Geo faded away quite a while ago, and to be honest, who actually brought one! It was more likely that people were going for the GameBoy Colour or awaiting the GameBoy Advance.
The GameGear also sunk to a surprise failure. It was quite a chunky console, but there were just some games that even Nintendo coudln't top!
But once again, it was used like a giant spunge by Ninty to wipe-up the mess it left behind.
Now the GameBoy Advance stands alone. And so far, nothing has emerged that could challenge it for the no.1 hand-held spot. And to make matters worse, there are currently no definite plans for anything to pop-up in the future - well, not from Sony or Sega anyway.
So without the required competition to make things interesting, the GameBoy Advence will surely double it's sales in the near future, and break the 2 million units mark.
The GameGear and the NeoGeo may not have put-up much of a fight against Shigsy's ideas, but it was all so much more exciting back then. Even if the GameBoy did just 'walk it', with a bit of rivalry surrounding it you weren't quite sure what was going to/could have happened!
But now though, it sadly looks like the top-console will lead the way and top the lonley charts against no other competitors.
Sony have always been quick to release their new consoles, and now would be a great time to suddenly chuck a 'SonyBoy' or something in our faces! And the more interesting the better. Mini Discs could be the answer to get even bigger games for hand-helds, and the high-capacity media are also a high-selling Sony product for home-recording music.
And what about Microsoft?? The X-box is the first of what could be many consoles to come from Bill Gates and co. Apart from it's size and original launch price, it's got the potential to be no.1! And surely they'd have a good chance at knocking the GBA down from it's throne with all their machine-making know-how.
Someone somewhere needs to release something NOW that can shake-up the Advanced Nintendo hand-held before we see it lead a suit that could see Nintendo as the only firm keeping hand-held gaming alive.
It's an 'entertainment console', lets keep it entertaining!
Think about it. Ever since the very first original 'brick-like' portableand hand-held Nintendo console, GameBoys have always been ontop in the hand-held console wars. The only real competition to have emerged seems to be the Sega GameGear and the NeoGeo. But for one reason or another, these 2 consoles sunk like the Titanic and ended up at the knees of the GameBoys, begging for mercy.
Competition can make even the most dull and boring of activities or other interests start to become interesting and suddenly worth paying attention to. This is true in football and other sports. Without 2 teams of XI men going head-to-head with each other for one or more pieces of silverware we wouldn't see all the bone-crunching tackles and bursts of excitement that can be found in the average cup final or Saturday match. And it's not just at the highest level that this happens, it's even more competitive lower down into the amateur, rookie and youth leagues.
The same also applies to gaming. Look at the current Console War set to kick-off shortly between the PS2, X-box and GameCube. Each of the 3 consoles has a strong list of titles ready to launch this year, aswell as an interesting selection lined-up for the not-too-distant future!
This causes a lot of rivalry between gamers as they vent their feelings and views over which console they believe will come out ontop. And it's mainly the games and all the hype that leads them to believe this.
But without all this, gamers would have less to talk about and wouldn't therefore be as desperate to get their intended console as we are today with out GameCube's. This would also lead to a low amount of rivalry and competitiveness between each gamer, and therefore the Console War wouldn't be much more than you're average playground scuffle.
The situation's even worse when there's no competition WHATSOEVER for a new console! And this is the GameBoy Advance's current situation.
Sure, the PS2 was released earlier than the X-box and GameCube, but at the time, the Dreamcast and N64 were still on the market. So they weren't exactly 'on their own' in the race for success.
But the GBA has things differently. The Neo Geo faded away quite a while ago, and to be honest, who actually brought one! It was more likely that people were going for the GameBoy Colour or awaiting the GameBoy Advance.
The GameGear also sunk to a surprise failure. It was quite a chunky console, but there were just some games that even Nintendo coudln't top!
But once again, it was used like a giant spunge by Ninty to wipe-up the mess it left behind.
Now the GameBoy Advance stands alone. And so far, nothing has emerged that could challenge it for the no.1 hand-held spot. And to make matters worse, there are currently no definite plans for anything to pop-up in the future - well, not from Sony or Sega anyway.
So without the required competition to make things interesting, the GameBoy Advence will surely double it's sales in the near future, and break the 2 million units mark.
The GameGear and the NeoGeo may not have put-up much of a fight against Shigsy's ideas, but it was all so much more exciting back then. Even if the GameBoy did just 'walk it', with a bit of rivalry surrounding it you weren't quite sure what was going to/could have happened!
But now though, it sadly looks like the top-console will lead the way and top the lonley charts against no other competitors.
Sony have always been quick to release their new consoles, and now would be a great time to suddenly chuck a 'SonyBoy' or something in our faces! And the more interesting the better. Mini Discs could be the answer to get even bigger games for hand-helds, and the high-capacity media are also a high-selling Sony product for home-recording music.
And what about Microsoft?? The X-box is the first of what could be many consoles to come from Bill Gates and co. Apart from it's size and original launch price, it's got the potential to be no.1! And surely they'd have a good chance at knocking the GBA down from it's throne with all their machine-making know-how.
Someone somewhere needs to release something NOW that can shake-up the Advanced Nintendo hand-held before we see it lead a suit that could see Nintendo as the only firm keeping hand-held gaming alive.
It's an 'entertainment console', lets keep it entertaining!