Playing my GBA on the TV

Shoegaze99

I've poked around a bit and searched but I can't seem to find a definite answer to this. Is there some sort of adapter that will allow me to jack my GameBoy Advance into the TV and play on the larger screen?

Defeats the "portable" purpose, I know, but once in a blue moon I think I might enjoy playing some Golden Sun or Final Fantasy on the couch, on the larger screen.

For the record, in case it requires another console, as far as Nintendo goes I have a glitchy N64 and a Wii.

Descendant X

Shoegaze99 wrote:

I've poked around a bit and searched but I can't seem to find a definite answer to this. Is there some sort of adapter that will allow me to jack my GameBoy Advance into the TV and play on the larger screen?

Defeats the "portable" purpose, I know, but once in a blue moon I think I might enjoy playing some Golden Sun or Final Fantasy on the couch, on the larger screen.

For the record, in case it requires another console, as far as Nintendo goes I have a glitchy N64 and a Wii.

The Gamecube had an attachment that allowed you to play the GBA on a TV, but you'd need to buy a GC and find a GBA player first...

deadonthestreet

Gameboy Player, an attachment for the Gamecube.

You can probably get a cheap Cube to use it with though.

No Great Name

The GBa player is going to run you the same, if not more than the GC itself.

Shoegaze99

SirToons wrote:

The GBa player is going to run you the same, if not more than the GC itself.

Ouch!

With the Wii I have no good reason to get a GameCube other that for jacking the GBA into the TV, since I can start playing the GC back catalog now, anyway. For that kind of money it's just not worthwhile.

Ahhh well. Thanks, guys.

Daisuke Spoon

Off topic: wasn't there some kind of glitch with the first gen DS that allowed its Wi-Fi signal to be picked up by certain TVs and thus displayed whatever was on the screen of the DS on the TV? I remember seeing something like that awhile back.

Shoegaze99

Not off-topic at all. I have a DS Lite as well. Obviously if I can get that on a TV in some reliable fashion, it would work just as well for me. I asked about the GBA only because it seemed more logical to use that system as a "controller" than the DS, since the DS is stylus-centric. Playing DS-specific games on the TV wouldn't quite work, I'd think. GBA games on the DS on the TV, though ... yeah.

YardGnome

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

Off topic: wasn't there some kind of glitch with the first gen DS that allowed its Wi-Fi signal to be picked up by certain TVs and thus displayed whatever was on the screen of the DS on the TV? I remember seeing something like that awhile back.

Someone, please prove this. If this is true, then awesome.

Marlor

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

Off topic: wasn't there some kind of glitch with the first gen DS that allowed its Wi-Fi signal to be picked up by certain TVs and thus displayed whatever was on the screen of the DS on the TV? I remember seeing something like that awhile back.

Many people claim to have reproduced this, others still claim it is bogus. I'd tend to believe it, since there have been plenty of images posted on the web showing the interference effect.

But either way, it's not much use unless you want an extremely grainy picture with something vaguely resembling a game hidden among the interference.


Here are some pictures showing the effect:

http://homepage.mac.com/jimyounkin/PhotoAlbum16.html

One interesting thing is that when both screens are active, they are both shown in the interference.

Spanky The Dolphin

Shoegaze99 wrote:

SirToons wrote:

The GBa player is going to run you the same, if not more than the GC itself.

Ouch!

With the Wii I have no good reason to get a GameCube other that for jacking the GBA into the TV, since I can start playing the GC back catalog now, anyway. For that kind of money it's just not worthwhile.

Ahhh well. Thanks, guys.

Unless you actually open up the GBA's case and rewire the video and audio output to a jerry-rigged AV cable adapter, I can't see how you can play GBA games on a TV without the Game Boy Player and a GameCube.

TheGreat2nd

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

Off topic: wasn't there some kind of glitch with the first gen DS that allowed its Wi-Fi signal to be picked up by certain TVs and thus displayed whatever was on the screen of the DS on the TV? I remember seeing something like that awhile back.

Whoooa, what's that you talk about?

Daisuke Spoon

Marlor wrote:

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

Off topic: wasn't there some kind of glitch with the first gen DS that allowed its Wi-Fi signal to be picked up by certain TVs and thus displayed whatever was on the screen of the DS on the TV? I remember seeing something like that awhile back.

Many people claim to have reproduced this, others still claim it is bogus. I'd tend to believe it, since there have been plenty of images posted on the web showing the interference effect.

But either way, it's not much use unless you want an extremely grainy picture with something vaguely resembling a game hidden among the interference.


Here are some pictures showing the effect:

http://homepage.mac.com/jimyounkin/PhotoAlbum16.html

One interesting thing is that when both screens are active, they are both shown in the interference.

Yeah thats it.

The picture it produces looks like crap, but it is cool nonetheless. If you could somehow increase the quality of the picture it would be pretty awesome.

Spanky The Dolphin

I think the only way that could work is if you made the wifi signal stronger, by modding the DS to give it a more powerful wifi antenna.

Marlor

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:

I think the only way that could work is if you made the wifi signal stronger, by modding the DS to give it a more powerful wifi antenna.

I don't think it's Wifi interference. I think it is some sort of RF interference from the wiring.

It wouldn't make any sense for the game screens to be broadcast via Wifi (and it would kill the battery if they were).

Spanky The Dolphin

You know, you're absolutely right: it couldn't be wifi-related, it's definately RF interference.

Man, I feel like a dope for not realising that...

Daisuke Spoon

Marlor wrote:

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:

I think the only way that could work is if you made the wifi signal stronger, by modding the DS to give it a more powerful wifi antenna.

I don't think it's Wifi interference. I think it is some sort of RF interference from the wiring.

It wouldn't make any sense for the game screens to be broadcast via Wifi (and it would kill the battery if they were).

So I guess being able to display your DS on your TV wirelessly through your Wii is a pipe dream then?

That would be all kinds of awesome. Kind of pointless, but awesome.

ikillkenny

There is another solution besides the Gamecube Player, but it only works for the regular (no back light) GBA. I think it's called GBA TV or something, and it cost something like $70 back in 2002. How it works is that you replace the back of your GBA with a customized back that plugs into the video cable that goes from the processor to the screen. The back has a port that plugs into a seperate adapter with AV Out (and required power plug in cable). It's pretty easy to install (it even comes with a tri-wing screwdriver). The whole thing is kind of bulky, but if you can find it (and for some reason you're using a regular GBA), it's probably cheaper and less bulky than dragging a Gamecube around with you.

Thandor

This is not a product of the wifi. This is due to the EMI radiating from the conductors in the wires leading from the video processor to the screen.

Ronen

Regarding GBA games on a big screen, lots of them look pretty good. One major exception happens to be Golden Sun 1 and 2, which, for some reason I've never been able to figure out, look like complete crap on a large screen (the battle screen specifically, the overworld looks fine). It's such a pretty game on the GBA (especially on the new GBASP or DSL screens), but it doesn't blow up very well.

Shame.

Artoria

About he DS. what do they use to show you the game being played (showing both screens) on websites and commercials/X-play? and where do I buy one?

yalborap

ikillkenny wrote:

There is another solution besides the Gamecube Player, but it only works for the regular (no back light) GBA. I think it's called GBA TV or something, and it cost something like $70 back in 2002. How it works is that you replace the back of your GBA with a customized back that plugs into the video cable that goes from the processor to the screen. The back has a port that plugs into a seperate adapter with AV Out (and required power plug in cable). It's pretty easy to install (it even comes with a tri-wing screwdriver). The whole thing is kind of bulky, but if you can find it (and for some reason you're using a regular GBA), it's probably cheaper and less bulky than dragging a Gamecube around with you.

Nice devices. Sadly, mine's broke. Doesn't display images very well at all anymore.

SirUltimos

dragonsama wrote:

About he DS. what do they use to show you the game being played (showing both screens) on websites and commercials/X-play? and where do I buy one?

I think they're devices Nintendo sends out specifically for the press.

jclast

Datel made a Gameboy player that plugged into a memory card slot. The only link I can find it through CAG (which I can't access from work) though.

Ah. Here's an old eBay auction.
Datel Game Boy Advance Player

xzzy

I imagine a sufficiently skilled eletrical engineer could hack up something to do this.. it's producing a video signal, with enough reverse engineering it can't be impossible to generate an RF and/or composite signal.

Of course, I am not that man. I would feel awesome if I were though, and do it just to show off.

Just Like That

You could set up your TV as a monitor for your computer and then, uh.... well... you know :winky:

Or... if you had a certain other console.... :winky:

Ah, nevermind. Just get a Gameboy Player:

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-VANIN-045496950309-Game-Player/dp/B000090W86/sr=8-1/qid=1170367136/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8576141-7805215?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

or you can get a bundle of Gamecube and Player I guess:

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Gamecube-Game-Player-Bundle/dp/B000GV49ZK/sr=8-2/qid=1170367136/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-8576141-7805215?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

I actually bought one of these when they were still in stores. They are very easy to use. Though, they do force you to put a border around the game screen, so you can't actually play fullscreen (though its close). I guess Nintendo thought it looked too blocky when played fullscreen.

Daedalus

SirToons wrote:

The GBa player is going to run you the same, if not more than the GC itself.

???

Used for $25 at EBstop, if you can find it. I never bothered, myself.

Bartholamue

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=Gamecube+Gameboy+Player

Ebay prices go for more than that now.

FaceballMcDougal

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

Marlor wrote:

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

Off topic: wasn't there some kind of glitch with the first gen DS that allowed its Wi-Fi signal to be picked up by certain TVs and thus displayed whatever was on the screen of the DS on the TV? I remember seeing something like that awhile back.

Many people claim to have reproduced this, others still claim it is bogus. I'd tend to believe it, since there have been plenty of images posted on the web showing the interference effect.

But either way, it's not much use unless you want an extremely grainy picture with something vaguely resembling a game hidden among the interference.


Here are some pictures showing the effect:

http://homepage.mac.com/jimyounkin/PhotoAlbum16.html

One interesting thing is that when both screens are active, they are both shown in the interference.

Yeah thats it.

The picture it produces looks like crap, but it is cool nonetheless. If you could somehow increase the quality of the picture it would be pretty awesome.

The TV is basically displaying interference... which is why you aren't allowed to play video games during take-offs and landings on airplanes even though all the wiring on the plane should be shielded.

It's not a wifi signal at all and the picture really couldn't be cleaned up ever

slash000

There were several original GBA mods that you could install yourself allowing it to display onto a television. Original GBA's are cheap now, too, I believe. You could try getting the TVout kit and an original GBA and attempt to install it.

Shoegaze99

Not a bad option, slash000. Someone mentioned one of those earlier, too. Depending on the combined cost, I'd consider that route.

TheSonicRetard

So wait, GBAP became rare?

I was DAMN excited when it was announced. I even preordered mine, because I wanted it so badly. I swear I think I was the only person who bought one.

I wish they'd make one for the DS somehow.

Daisuke Spoon

TheSonicRetard wrote:

So wait, GBAP became rare?

I was DAMN excited when it was announced. I even preordered mine, because I wanted it so badly. I swear I think I was the only person who bought one.

I wish they'd make one for the DS somehow.

A DS player? wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a DS...?

TheSonicRetard

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

TheSonicRetard wrote:

So wait, GBAP became rare?

I was DAMN excited when it was announced. I even preordered mine, because I wanted it so badly. I swear I think I was the only person who bought one.

I wish they'd make one for the DS somehow.

A DS player? wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a DS...?

Not really. I never play my DS on the road, because if I'm on the road, I'm driving.

But I like the games. I'd just rather be able to play them at leasure without having to hang my head over my hands.

It'd be cool if they made a DS player for the wii somehow. Or, maybe, you could use the DS as a controller via the wii, and choose which screen to project onto the tv.

Daisuke Spoon

TheSonicRetard wrote:

Daisuke Spoon wrote:

TheSonicRetard wrote:

So wait, GBAP became rare?

I was DAMN excited when it was announced. I even preordered mine, because I wanted it so badly. I swear I think I was the only person who bought one.

I wish they'd make one for the DS somehow.

A DS player? wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a DS...?

Not really. I never play my DS on the road, because if I'm on the road, I'm driving.

But I like the games. I'd just rather be able to play them at leasure without having to hang my head over my hands.

It'd be cool if they made a DS player for the wii somehow. Or, maybe, you could use the DS as a controller via the wii, and choose which screen to project onto the tv.

Thats what I want. In fact, I think I can safely say I would kill for that.