GBA Day: June 22nd
Europe finally learns when it will get its hands on Nintendo's next GameBoy
As reported by industry forums last week, the GameBoy Advance handheld console - the successor to the 100 million-selling GameBoy format - will be released in Europe on June 22nd. The demand for the console is already such that people are importing units from Japan for more than £250. The actual price of the machine (120-130 Euros, or £76-82) is less than a third of that. The console will be released on June 22nd and is expected to break all known first-day sales records. It will be available in three colours; purple, clear blue and white. Software-wise, gamers will be able to purchase Super Mario Advance, Kuru Kuru Kururin and F-Zero: Maximum Velocity from Nintendo, Castlevania and Konami Krazy Racers from Konami, Rayman Advance from Ubi Soft, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 from Activision, Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2 Boxing from Midway, as well as GT Championship and Tweety and The Magic Jewels, both from Kemco. Before Christmas Nintendo hopes to take the total to 50 titles on store shelves. Unfortunately the price of the games could be as high as £30 per title (between 45 and 50 Euros is the figure Nintendo have released), which would certainly prove prohibitive for many of Nintendo's younger potential customers. £30 is more than most people expect to pay for a PlayStation or Dreamcast game these days. As mentioned earlier, the machine goes on sale today, March 21st in Japan, where 2.7 million pre-orders are expected to be fulfilled. The traditionally enthusiastic Japanese crowds are expected to turn out, fighting for units in familiar style. Related Feature - Nintendo Ramp up for GBA Release