 | |
 A Silver Game Boy Micro with cartridge inserted | |
| Also known as | Oxy (code name)[1] |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Product family | Game Boy |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Sixth |
| Release date | |
| Introductory price | US$99.99 (equivalent to $160.98 in 2024) |
| Discontinued | 2008[2] |
| Units shipped | 2.42 million[3] |
| Media | Game Boy Advance Game Pak |
| System on a chip | Nintendo CPU AGB |
| CPU | ARM7TDMI @ 16.78 MHz |
| Memory | 288 KB RAM, 98 KB Video RAM |
| Predecessor | Game Boy Color Game Boy Pocket/Light |
| Successor | Nintendo DS Lite |
| Related | |
TheGame Boy Micro[a] is a 32-bithandheld game console made byNintendo. It was released in Japan on September 13, 2005, and in international markets later that year. A miniaturized version of theGame Boy Advance, it was the last in theGame Boy line. Unlike other Game Boy Advance models, the Micro lacksbackward compatibility for originalGame Boy andGame Boy Color games. It failed to meet Nintendo's sales expectations, having sold approximately 2.5 million units worldwide.
According to the Nintendo of America vice president, George Harrison, a smaller version of the Game Boy was first discussed in 2004.[4] Harrison explained that, unlike the traditional console development process, Nintendo was always thinking about new ideas for the Game Boy, describing it as a "continuous process of invention".[4] Developed under the code name "Oxy",[1] Nintendo tried many ways to see how small they could make the Game Boy. They opted for a metallic casing that the company president,Satoru Iwata, said was unusual for Nintendo.[5]
The Game Boy Micro was announced by Nintendo of America's vice president of sales and marketing,Reggie Fils-Aimé, at theElectronic Entertainment Expo press conference on May 17, 2005.[6][7] It was released in Japan on September 13, 2005, North America on September 19, 2005,[8] Australia on November 3, 2005,[9] and Europe on November 4, 2005. It was released in China as theiQue Game Boy Micro on October 1, 2005, and released in South Korea on November 9, 2005. The Game Boy Micro was discontinued in 2008, two years before theGame Boy Advance SP was discontinued."[2]
The Game Boy Micro retains some of the functionality of the Game Boy Advance SP but in a more compact form. Additionally, it has a backlit screen with the ability to adjust the brightness, and several internal metal plates to keep its shape.[10] The shape is oblong, similar to theNintendo Entertainment System controller. The Game Boy Micro features a removable, decorativehousing called a faceplate. Designs with special faceplates were sold as a customization feature. Faceplates for the Micro are made usingin-mould decoration.[11]
The Game Boy Micro cannot play originalGame Boy andGame Boy Color games due to design changes. While the 8-bit Sharp SM83 processor, necessary to run games from older Game Boy systems, is still present, it lacks other internal hardware necessary for backward compatibility. It is also incompatible with other peripherals due to its design.
The Game Boy Micro has a two-way switch on its right side for adjusting volume. By holding down the left shoulder button, the switch can also be used to adjust the backlight between five levels of brightness.
The Game Boy Micro is compatible only withGame Boy Advance Game Paks, includingGame Boy Advance Video Paks.[14]: 10 As with otherGame Boy Advance systems, there is noregional lockout on software.
While Game Boy or Game Boy Advance Game Link cables and the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter are not compatible with the Game Boy Micro system, adapters and a Game Boy Micro-compatible Wireless adapter have been released.[14]: 18 Nintendo also redesigned theirPlay-Yan music/video adapter to better fit the Game Boy Micro. This device is able to play MP3 and digital video files from SD cards.
In Japan, the Game Boy Micro was released in four different base colors:black,blue,purple, andsilver.[15] Also available at launch was a limited edition version, based on the controller of the Japanese version of theNintendo Entertainment System, the Family Computer.[16] In October 2005,Square Enix announced that they would be releasing a special faceplate, featuring artwork byYoshitaka Amano, to promote their re-release ofFinal Fantasy IV on the Game Boy Advance.[17][18] On November 17, 2005, Nintendo released aPokémon version in Japan, featuring a red Micro with a black faceplate containing the silhouette ofPikachu.[19][20] Another special edition of the Micro was released on April 20, 2006, which bundledMother 3 with a red Micro and a themed faceplate.[21][22]
In the United States and Canada, the Game Boy Micro launched with two regular color choices, each sold with three interchangeable faceplates included: silver with black, "Ammonite" and "Ladybug" faceplates; and black with silver, "Flame" and "Camouflage" faceplates.[8] The "20th Anniversary" edition was released on December 4, 2005, which was theFamicom controller-inspired version released in Japan.[23][24] In Europe, the Game Boy Micro was available in four different colors, with one matching faceplate: silver, green, blue and pink. Game Boy Micro sold in Australia have the same colors (except green which replaced by red color) as Europe.[25]
Aside from Nintendo of America's online store, additional faceplates were not sold in the US, and were entirely unavailable in the UK.[26][27] The feature was omitted from the product's marketing, packaging, and manual in Europe.
| Date | Japan | Americas | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-09-30[28] | 0.41 million | 0.29 million | 0 | 0.70 million |
| 2005-12-31[29] | 0.57 million | 0.47 million | 0.78 million | 1.82 million |
| 2006-03-31[30] | 0.58 million | 0.47 million | 0.79 million | 1.83 million |
| 2006-06-30[31] | 0.59 million | 0.47 million | 0.80 million | 1.86 million |
| 2006-09-30[32] | 0.59 million | 0.47 million | 0.80 million | 1.87 million |
| 2006-12-31[33] | 0.60 million | 0.96 million | 0.85 million | 2.40 million |
| 2007-03-31[34][35] | 0.61 million | 0.95 million | 0.87 million | 2.42 million |
Generally, the Game Boy Micro did not sell well, and failed to reach the company's target number of units sold. The Game Boy Micro sold over 170,000 units during its first days in Japan.[36] According to a Q1 2007Nintendo earnings release, 2.42 million Game Boy Micro units had been sold worldwide as of March 31, 2007, including 610,000 units in Japan, 950,000 units in the Americas, and 870,000 in other territories such as Europe and Oceania.[34] As of July 30, 2007, the Game Boy Micro had sold 2.5 million units, according toGamePro. It was ranked #8 in their "The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time".[37] Iwata stated that the marketing of theNintendo DS may have hurt the Micro, and said Game Boy Micro sales did not meet Nintendo's expectations.[38]
The system retailed forUS$99,[39] compared to US$79 for theGame Boy Advance SP. The system was originally available in black and silver, and a red 20th Anniversary Edition was later released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System.[40]
The Game Boy Micro'sbacklit screen, which is superior to the original frontlit Game Boy Advance SP model (a later backlit remodel added a similar high-quality screen to SP systems), has been praised for its visibility.[41] Due to a finerdot pitch, the screen is more evenly lit, and the brightness is adjustable. The smaller dot pitch has also improved the apparent sharpness of the display.[citation needed]
The removable faceplates have also been praised because they allow for personalization and protect the high-resolution backlit screen.[41]
The sales of Micro did not meet our expectations ... However, toward the end of 2005, Nintendo had to focus almost all of our energies on the marketing of DS, which must have deprived the Micro of its momentum.
