Nintendo Game Boy MicroFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 46 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%
PROS 50%
CONS 50%

Rank based on 46 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want the sharpest, most premium way to play GBA-only games
  • You value pocketability and swappable faceplate customization
  • You're chasing a nostalgic or collectible rare colorway edition

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need backward compatibility with older Game Boy or Color carts
  • You have larger hands or want a more comfortable long-session grip
  • You're not willing to pay inflated collector prices for a working unit

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Budget
Nintendo 2DS
Affordable priceExtremely durable buildComfortable ergonomicsNo 3D functionalityNon-foldable slab designSingle speaker only
Nintendo 2DS
Affordable price
Extremely durable build
Comfortable ergonomics
No 3D functionality
Non-foldable slab design
Single speaker only
2Mid
Nintendo 3DS
StreetPass and social featuresCustomization and personalityHuge legacy game libraryScarcity and rising pricesBattery aging and data riskConfusing naming and missing features
Nintendo 3DS
StreetPass and social features
Customization and personality
Huge legacy game library
Scarcity and rising prices
Battery aging and data risk
Confusing naming and missing features
3Mid
Sony PSP
Huge, beloved game libraryConsole-quality graphicsStrong homebrew and emulation scenePSP Go ergonomics and dock scarcityDead pixel issuesLater slim models had inferior build/finish
Sony PSP
Huge, beloved game library
Console-quality graphics
Strong homebrew and emulation scene
PSP Go ergonomics and dock scarcity
Dead pixel issues
Later slim models had inferior build/finish
4Budget
Nintendo Game Boy Color
Strong nostalgia and emotional attachmentClever hardware engineeringColorization of original Game Boy gamesMuted, dim screenInconsistent early third-party graphicsShort console lifespan
Nintendo Game Boy Color
Strong nostalgia and emotional attachment
Clever hardware engineering
Colorization of original Game Boy games
Muted, dim screen
Inconsistent early third-party graphics
Short console lifespan
5Mid
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Deep nostalgia factorStrong game library tie-inDesirable special editionsFragile under rough useHard to find and pricey nowAccessory and game scarcity for rare shells
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Deep nostalgia factor
Strong game library tie-in
Desirable special editions
Fragile under rough use
Hard to find and pricey now
Accessory and game scarcity for rare shells
6
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Exceptional game libraryStrong nostalgic valueImpressive pseudo-3D and graphics capabilityPoor screen visibilityDifficult sound chipPerceived shortage of good games at launch
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Exceptional game library
Strong nostalgic value
Impressive pseudo-3D and graphics capability
Poor screen visibility
Difficult sound chip
Perceived shortage of good games at launch
7Budget
Nintendo DSi
Flipnote Studio creative legacyEasy to mod/hackBeloved DSiWare libraryNo GBA slotGBA emulation still buggyDSiWare transfer data loss
Nintendo DSi
Flipnote Studio creative legacy
Easy to mod/hack
Beloved DSiWare library
No GBA slot
GBA emulation still buggy
DSiWare transfer data loss
8Budget
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket
Sharper, clearer screen
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket
Sharper, clearer screen
9Mid
Anbernic RG503
Vibrant OLED screen
Anbernic RG503
Vibrant OLED screen
10Mid
Lenovo Legion Go S
SteamOS Experience
Lenovo Legion Go S
SteamOS Experience
You are here
31Premium
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Strong nostalgic and collectible appealExcellent portabilityPremium build qualitySkyrocketing collector pricesBrittle plastic and yellowing framesHardware fragility and failures
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Strong nostalgic and collectible appeal
Excellent portability
Premium build quality
Skyrocketing collector prices
Brittle plastic and yellowing frames
Hardware fragility and failures

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A tiny, premium-feeling handheld built for pure GBA gaming. Commenters repeatedly praise the metal housing, LED-lit buttons, and chrome triggers as giving the Micro a classy, futuristic feel compared to other GBA models. Its small backlit screen is described as crisp and a genuine upgrade over the original SP's mid lighting. Many call it the best way to experience GBA games, saying titles like Donkey Kong Country look far better on real hardware than emulators. Its pocket-friendly size made it a favorite for commuting and quick sessions on breaks.

Comfort and compatibility are polarizing depending on the player. Some users find the Micro too cramped for extended play or big hands, preferring the SP's larger body, while others say it's their favorite for on-the-go and RPG-style games specifically. The lack of backward compatibility with original Game Boy and Color carts is a sticking point for some, though others already owned those systems and didn't miss it. Small screen size also put off at least one buyer with vision concerns, who preferred the SP's backlight and bigger display instead.

Fragility and skyrocketing prices are the biggest recurring frustrations. Multiple owners report brittle inner frames and faceplates, cracking painted plastic, and failing shoulder buttons, with one commenter explicitly warning others not to remove faceplates due to yellowed, crazy-brittle frames. Missing or broken chargers are a frequent complaint, leaving some unable to even use their unit. Meanwhile, prices have surged from $20-60 clearance deals years ago to $130-500+ today, with rare editions like Famicom and Mother 3 commanding steep premiums and frustrating collectors who waited too long.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?