Conference rusure::nintendo

    
    Sounds like something for the REAL Nintendo finatic!
    
    
    I'll take two!
    
    Ron.

My son has been a real NEC fan, but he wanted to get one of the 16bit machines
(Genesis by Sega). So I had to be the one that bought Game Boy. 

First, background, I have played very little on the regular Nintendo, usually to
be with my sone, which meant a lot of time watching him and a very little time
doing something myself before i would "get killed".  

Why did I buy it?  partly because Tetris is more my kind of game, no violence.
Mostly because the portability appealed to me.

Who has used it? everybody but Mom. I have gotten pretty good at Tetris, In 
fact I am a lot better than any one else in the family. I find that it has
replaced reading in the bathroom for me.

13 year old son: His comments that "Game Boy Rots" lasted about a milisecond
when he heard that there was one in the family.  The very next day he bought
the SuperMario Land cartridge. He seems to enjoy both games just fine.

7 year old daughter, who rarely played nintendo before, She has gotten quite
proficient at SML. 

Where: Lying on one's bed, in the car (the earphones are wonderful for the
peace of mind of those not playing), While watching some other TV show, and 
of course lounging most anywhere.


I am looking for another Game Boy so I can experience the INTERACTIVE multi-
player.

Happy playing.

Len

    I too purchased one of those little marvels, and have not been
    disappointed yet! I especially like Tetris, and Super Mario Land
    The graphics are good, and the game play is the same as the standard
    NES. Unfortunately, my family has also discovered this device and
    I now have to take turns. Usage has been so heavy that I have to
    keep an extra set of Ni-Cads on charge just to keep up with it.
    Like Len (in .2) am also looking forward to getting a second Game
    Boy as I have already purchased baseball, and tennis.
    
    Frank

    I saw this in Lechmere's the other night and was a little put off by
    the $90 price tag.  I'm intrigued by it but is it really worth that
    much (conisidering that I bought the NES Action Set for only ten
    dollars more)??
    
    - Skip

    I guess the worth of the Game Boy is all in your own point of view.
    While I think the NES system is by far the best, the Game Boy offers
    portability that NES cannot. This is great when your in places that
    require you do practically nothing (like waiting rooms!)
    I don't foresee the Game Boy as ever becoming a threat to the NES
    by I do see it becoming a valuable asset to the Nintendo family.
    
    Another way I looked at it was to purchase handheld games that would
    offer the same type game (but no where near as good as the Game
    Boy) would cost you near the expense of the Game Boy itself. Thats
    saying that these individual games would go for 20-25 dollars a
    piece. I personally do not care for LCD graphics that jump around
    the screen, as is usually the case with these cheaper handhelds.
    The Game Boy on the other hand offer the most fluid graphics. I
    thought I was looking at a miniature NES system.. 
    
    Now if I can only get the wife to give it back to me!! She's hooked
    on Tetris with well over 200 lines completed.
    
    Frank
    

    Does TETRIS come with the unit or is it an optional add-on?
    
    Could someone compare it to the TENGEN NES version? (besides it being
    monochrome!)
    
    -Brian

    re: .6
    
    Tetris comes with Gameboy.  What a wonderful game!  The only problem 
    is the 24 hr. day.
    
    -Virginia
    

    Can someone give me some indication as to how visable the screen is? 
    Does it have a light?  SPecifically, I am wondering how visable the
    screen will be on an airplane.  We are going on a vacation to Florida
    soon and am thinking about purchasing one for my son to keep him
    occupied on the flight.  Or at least this is the excuse I will use :-)

    
    > Screen-Background-Light-Game Boy?
    
    >> The LCD-screen have no light in the background.
       But I have test it in the airplane and the visibleness is good.
       Better is it of course when you sit on a window place! 
    
    Wolfgang_who_play_Game_Boy_too.

    It has a constrast adjustment knob on the side so that can help too.
    
    				-- Paula
    

    RE: Last few on screen visibility
    
    I use mine on the train when I go between NYC and Boston. I'd say the
    light in a train is comparable to that on an airplane and I've had no
    trouble seeing the screen.
    
    RE: General comments
    
    I had the regular NES for a year and a half and sold it (the reasons
    had nothing to do with dissatisfaction over the unit). The Game Boy
    provides comparable enjoyment, I think, and the portability is a major
    plus. It's terrific for commutes and for entertainment in hotel rooms,
    etc.  I think it was well worth the money. I'm even impressed with
    the care with which the games are packaged. And the tiny stereo
    headphones are fun!
    
    -Rich
    

  BIG FAN !!!

    For Christmas I gave my wife the NES Power Set along with Tetris.  She
  surprised me and gave me a Game Boy.  Her mother got me Baseball and
  Super Mario Land.  SML is great !!

    My wife also got me the carrying case...very very handy.  Well on
  Christmas the family gets together for a big feast and of course I drag
  along my new toy.  Well for the rest of the day, I think I only *got* to
  play with it for one round of Tetris.

    My wife's sister and her husband went out the next day and bought one
  and now my mother-n-law is also considering a purchase (she's hooked on
  Tetris).

    I have ni-cad AA batteries, but after reading the owners manual where
  it said "DO NOT USE NICKEL CADMIUM BATTERIES IN THE GAME BOY", I went out
  the next day and bought the AC Adapter/Rechargable Battery Pack.  Do you
  realize how long 10 hours of playing time really is ??  Now I have four
  alkaline AA's in the Game Boy and only use them when not using the battery
  pack.

    If (ha ha ha) this toy should ever go on sale I'm considering the purchase
  of a second.

    (Nintendo should give us dividends for this kind of testimony...)

					-=> Game_Boy_Jim <=-

    
    	I second that opinion I picked up my second Game Boy the othe
    day, now I'm just looking for opponents......
    
    
    
    
    							Tim

    How is BASEBALL on the Game Boy?  
    Monte

    Well I finally found an excuse to buy a second game boy.
    We are moving (I now work in the sunny land of Arizona, it is
    wonderful)  and unfortunately the packers packed my game boy. It
    certainly was not planned that way, and I did resist for a couple of
    weeks, but....
    
    Now when we get into our house and the stuff comes out of storage I can
    play Tetris against my son. My chance to actually beat him at Nintendo.
    
    Enjoy,
    
    Len
    

	I just bought the Game Boy right before I went on vacation
	this past weekend.  I really enjoy the portability of it and
	the fact that Tetris came with it.  I have been a Tetris fan
	for over a year now.

	When I got back from my vacation last night, I went out and
	bought the Recharger battery pack, the Tennis cartridge, and
	the Motocross Mania cartridge.  Amazing graphics.

						John (Game Boy) T.

    
    
    	My 14 year old son asked for Gameboy at Christmas.  I balked
    at the $90 price.  But, it was the only thing he asked for, and
    have you tried to buy a gift for a teenager ?   I swore this would
    be the last video game I buy. (the end of an era)
    
    	First, my wife got hooked on Tetras, and I began to feel kind
    of isolated.  I noticed the point totals going up each day though.
    Naturally, I shunned this kind of addiction to a video game, until
    I just happen to pick and play it one night.  Now we all fight over
    it, and have house competitions.  
    
    	My wife got 117,000 points last weekend.  My son has a high
    of 96,000 points and my tops is 85,000.  Where will it end ?
    
    	I agree that the Gameboys' portability is a great feature.  You
    can play it almost anywhere.
    
    	So if you want a good game, enjoyed by adults and children alike,
    I recomend it.
    
    Bruce (who likes the classical music) Woodruff
    

    If a base note for this exists, please relocate, but I couldn't find
    one-
    
    Now that the Game Boy has been out for a while, and new games are
    appearing, I am considering getting one. I tried one at Target the
    other day with a game called Qwirk - it was fun, but seemed awfully
    easy on a quick first impression. For those of you who own Game Boys
    how do you like them (this isn;t for a child - I don't have any kids),
    but thought about getting one for whiling away airplane rides and
    travel time in general. I just wasn't sure if the games would hold an
    adult's interest enough to make it worthwile --
    
    All opinions greatfully accepted
    
    Thaks,
    Rich

  I LOVE MINE !!!

  I've have Super Mario Land, Revenge of the Gator, Hyper Load Runner, Baseball,
Alleyway, Tetris, and CastleVania the Adventure.

  To date (Since Christmas) I've completed SML and Baseball (If you count the
fact that I can win 2 out of 5 games :^) ).

  All in all I've found 22 games for the Game Boy...so there doesn't seem to
be a problem with game selection.

  I've only found one problem with the Game Boy...I start playing and the next
thing I know it's 3 am and I'm supposed to be at work in 3 hours...sigh...

		-=> Jim_who_is_not_sure_if_he_likes_the_Game_Boy <=-  :^)
								  hee hee hee

    
    I just tried the game boy for the first time last night, the game was 
    tetris and SML....Tetris was fine, but SML was very blurry when it 
    was scrolling...Also, I don't like the fact that it isn't a lit screen,
    that makes it hard to see unless you have it in bright light.  
    
    Mario was just too small for me.....I didn't really enjoy it.
    
    Ron.

    Has anybody finished level 9 on TYPE B of Tetris?  There is a special
    ending for that level only that is not shown on any of the other levels
    when you beat them.  I finished it last night and was surprised to see
    it.
    
    GP

I've beaten level 9-0 thru 9-4 in the Gameboy version of Tetris.  Have almost
beaten 9-5, but not quite.  Keep plugging away, the ending gets more 
"musical" as you go on.

Also, Nintendo's version brings back old familiar faces at the end of level 
9 in game b.  I've made it thru only 9-2 on that one, but it's fun also.

tom

Finally managed to get thru level 9-5 of game b on the game boy Tetris last 
night.  Only scored 11k points, but was happy to waste that level after many, 
many tries.  If you think the ending is neat for levels 9-0 thru 9-4, then 
you'll really like the level 9-5 ending, it is much better.  A description is
hidden behind the form feed 






The first part of the ending is like level 9-1 thru 9-4 except all of the
shelves are filled with musicians, and some dancers are dancing.  Then for 
a little plug for glastnost/detante, there's a second ending.  After the
musicians, which lasts longer than the other levels, a space shuttle appears
on the launch pad.  It then launches and writes congratulations across the 
screen.  All done with great graphics.  I was impressed, and might actually
suffer thru it all again to see the ending!

tom

    I have a question about Castlevania the Adventure.  How do you get by
    the bosses at the end of round 2?  This is the one where all these
    things come hopping out of the holes in the wall at you.  I am stuck on
    this one.  Any help will be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    GP

    Yesterday at Childs World I saw a plastic crrying case for the Gameboy
    that holds the Gameboy,accessories and 6 cartridges for $9.95 . The
    store is on route 9 in Shrewsbury,Ma.

    
    
     I am thinking of purchasing a Gameboy. What is the price range
    of games here in the states. If they are cheap(20 bucks or less)
    I will probably get one soon.
    
                     Thanks in advance...   
     
                                             --Bill--
    
    

RE: .26

  And there is yet another new case.  I just bought it last weekend.  It is
vinyl with hard insert and a zippered top.  It holds the Game Boy, eight game
cartridges, the rechargable battery pack, extra batteries, and the cables.  It
goes for $12.95 at Childrens Palace.  It even has a shoulder strap.  Pretty
nice case.  It has definitely replaced my original soft case.
    

RE: .27

  Here in Colorado Springs the game prices range from $19.95 to $27.95 depending
on what game, who makes it, and where the game is sold.  So far Childrens Palace
seems to have the best prices.

						-=> Jim <=-

    Have anybody of you game boy people seen the Lynx? If any of you are
    considering getting a game boy then take a look at the lynx.
     
    
    It has:
     
    LCD screen with 16 out of 4096 colors
    4 voice sound chip (same sound chip as amiga's)
    16Mhz 65c02
    8 direction joystick pad with 2 buttons and 2 function buttons
    For left handers and right handers
    up to 16 people can link up!!
     
    I have one and have seen the gameboy. The gameboy is a JOKE compared to
    the Lynx!!
    

>  I have one and have seen the gameboy. The gameboy is a JOKE compared to
>    the Lynx!!

      Technically it might be superior, however, how many good quality games
    can be played on it?  That is why Gameboy is so popular.  It has more
    games and it is also half the cost!

-rick_who_has_neither

    Rick,
    
    I was able to try the game boy for a few nights with the SMB land, and 
    Castlevania, and Tetris...I hated it.  It was hard to see when the
    screen scrolled, hurt my eyes, lights reflect off the screen...etc.
    
    I think that it is the titles that are selling the Game Boy games, and not
    the actual games.  People know SMB and Castlevania...from the popular
    NES versions.
    
    I've never tried the Lynx, but just the fact that it is color, sounds
    better than the Monochrome Game Boy.
    
    Ron (who will stick to a 19 inch color screen).

re: .12
    
>>    I have ni-cad AA batteries, but after reading the owners manual where
>>  it said "DO NOT USE NICKEL CADMIUM BATTERIES IN THE GAME BOY", I went out
>>  the next day and bought the AC Adapter/Rechargable Battery Pack.  Do you
    
    I just bought a Game Boy last night and wonder why you shouldn't use
    Ni-cads?  I didn't see the above warning in the manual but I didn't
    read it very thoroughly.  Maybe they just want to sell more Battery
    Packs?  Any ideas?

    It's probably because of the way that a nicad works, as opposed to a
    regular battery.  The current isn't usually as strong as a regular
    battery, and as opposed to slowly losing life, they just DIE all of a 
    sudden.  I've heard of lots of electronics that can get REALLY messed
    up by using nicads where none belong .... if they say not to, then
    don't!
    
    Patty

    re last two
    
    Unles I'm mistaken, aren't all of the non-esoteric rechargeables a type
    of ni-cad?  They do show the 'quick voltage dropoff' behavior, fer
    shur.

    
    	My daughter has had a game boy for the last 6 months and
    	we use nothing but Radio Shack rechargeables in. To date
    	we have not experienced any problems and with the amount
    	of use that it gets both within the family and loaning to
    	friends, I would say that we change the batteries approximately
    	every two weeks. My 4 year old son is espeially fond of turning
    	it on playing for a few minutes and then leaving it laying
    	around. Based upon my experience I would say that if you want
    	to use the recharageables go ahead and do it.
    
    	Ken
    

    Naturally, the Nicads always die just as your having the best run
    of the week.  The can go from OK to dead in 20 or 30 lines of Tetris.
    

>>    Castlevania, and Tetris...I hated it.  It was hard to see when the
>>    screen scrolled, hurt my eyes, lights reflect off the screen...etc.
    
    Me too, when I used a Game Boy last spring, I found it to be too hard
    (for me, anyway) to see the screen.  Has anyone tried any of the add-on 
    lights or magnifiers?
	
	Monte

    Yes, I have a 'Light Boy' - it helps a good bit, both in lighting the
    screen and magnifying the image. The viewing angle is a little bit
    critical with it, and sometimes keeping the entire screen in focus at
    once is tricky. I would recommend it, but some of it depends on your
    eyesight - I have to wear my reading glasses to play, and that may be
    influencing the focus of the light boy.
    In some games it's still hard to identify small objects, but that's
    because they are SO small. I've used mine with about six different
    games, and it helps all of them.
    Regards,
    Rich

    Re. .24
    
    I finished Tetris 9.5 the other night, too....luv that ending!
    
    Re. Gameboy vs. Lynx
    In one of the recent gaming mags, the issue was devoted solely to
    the Gameboy and had lots of useful hints and game previews.  Oddly
    enough, there was also a full-page ad for the Lynx which heavily
    lambasted the "primitive" Gameboy.
    
    I have seen the Lynx in action at stores, but I honestly wonder
    just *how* well they're doing.  With its larger size, higher price,
    and small software catalog, I don't exactly see them flying off
    the shelf.  Anyone have a list of games available for the Lynx?
    (For that matter, does anyone have a listing of the Gameboy games
    they could post here?)
    
    I got my Gameboy as a Christmas present, and I like it tremendously!
    With my current roster of games - Tetris, Qix, Quarth, Nemesis and
    Cosmo-Tank - I'll be busy for quite some time...that is, when I
    can get it back from my wife and daughter....;^)
    
    			  			--Eric--

    re: .33
    
    The current in a rechargeable battery is STRONGER than in a regular
    battery!  It's the voltage that's a little lower.  Rechargeables have a
    lower internal resistance and a higher current output.  ...Of course
    they don't last as long however.
    
    Ken

    re .34
    
    The other common type of rechargable for use with electronics is the
    sealed lead-acid (not to be confused with car batteries -- same
    chemistry, but no liquid acid).  Some of the portable tape and CD units
    use them.  Each cell is 2 volts (as opposed to 1.2 volts for nicads);
    the voltage drops more slowly during discharge, and they should not be
    left in a discharged state for long periods (just like a car battery). 
    They also do not exhibit the "memory" effect of nicads.
    
    Tony

    Just bought a Game Boy over here in Britain and it cost me 70 pounds.
    
    The games cost around 20 pounds which must seem a lot to you people
    quoting $20 etc etc......god I wish I lived over there.
    
    Just been to town and bought Super Mario Land and can't wait to get
    home and try it out especially after hearing what people have said
    about it. My sister and my girlfriend poo-poo'ed me buying the GB but
    then 2 hours later where making me cups of tea so that I would let them
    have a go...............if a game like tetris can grab there attention
    like that then what the hell will happen when I bet home tonight.
    
    I like the way you can buy all the accesories ie. screen magnifier,
    light, battery pack, carrying case, barrying bag, loads-a-games etc
    etc.
    
    Just one question.......does the battery pack fit exactly into the
    battery area or does it stick out the bottom or something ??
    
    Barry "newly-converted" Howard
    

    
    	I noticed that my son's Game Boy seems to be ailing a bit.
    	We've had it for nearly three years.  The problem is several
    	black vertical lines on the right hand side of the screen.
    	This is while the unit is on, with any game inserted.  The
    	lines are not there when the unit is turned off.
    
    	I tried cleaning the contacts on both the cartridges and in
    	the game itself.  Bit the problem persists.  Anyone ever
    	seen this before?  Is it repairable?  Any idea where to
    	have it repaired or how much it might cost?  Thanks.
    
    							Paul
    
    	
    

Somewhere else in here is a note about that symptom. If you call nintendo they
will verify that the serial number is in the range of those that had the bad
LCD display and refer you to a local service center. My son had one with this
problem that he had purchased used. we took it to the place here on El Paso blvd
and recieved a new game boy 2 days later.

    Brian

    
    I remember the LCD problem you referred to, and our unit was not in
    that serial number range.  I think that problem was quite a bit more
    serious as I recall.  I think large areas of the screen got blotches
    or whatever.
    
    I did a DIR/TITLE for repair, service, and game boy but didn't find a
    note that spoke about the problem I'm experiencing.  Unless it has a
    title like "broken unit" or something abstract.  I'll see if I can
    find a Nintendo repair center listed in the Yellow Pages.  Or I can
    call Nintendo directly and ask for the closest repair place in
    southern New Hampshire.
    
    							Paul