Neo Geo Pocket Color vs Nintendo Game Boy Micro

When comparing the Neo Geo Pocket Color and the Nintendo Game Boy Micro, it’s important to consider the unique features and capabilities of each handheld console. The Neo Geo Pocket Color offers a wide range of classic games with a focus on arcade-style gameplay, while the Game Boy Micro is known for its sleek design and compatibility with a vast library of Nintendo titles.

General information

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Introduction :
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was released in 1999 by SNK Corporation as a handheld gaming console. Although it was not as popular as other handhelds of its time, it gained a cult following for its impressive library of games and high-quality graphics. The console was primarily marketed in Japan and North America. Today, the Neo Geo Pocket Color is considered a classic and collectible item among retro gaming enthusiasts.
Introduction :
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro was released in 2005 as a compact and stylish handheld gaming console. Despite its small size, it featured a bright backlit screen and interchangeable faceplates for customization. While not as popular as other Game Boy models, the Game Boy Micro has gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors for its unique design and portability.
Advantages :
  • Portable and compact design, perfect for gaming on-the-go
  • Bright and vibrant color screen for an immersive gaming experience
  • Impressive library of games, including popular titles and exclusives
  • Long battery life for extended gaming sessions
  • Durable build quality for longevity and reliability
Advantages :
  • Compact size makes it highly portable for gaming on-the-go
  • Bright and crisp screen display for an enjoyable gaming experience
  • Compatible with a wide range of Game Boy Advance games
  • Stylish design with customizable faceplates for personalization
  • Long battery life for extended gaming sessions
Disadvantages :
  • Limited game library compared to newer consoles.
  • Lack of online connectivity for multiplayer gaming.
  • Small screen size may strain eyes during long gaming sessions.
  • Short battery life compared to modern handheld consoles.
  • Limited availability of accessories and replacement parts.
Disadvantages :
  • Small screen size may strain eyes during long gaming sessions.
  • Limited library of games compared to newer consoles.
  • Lack of backlight makes it difficult to play in low light.
  • Fragile design prone to scratches and damage.
  • Short battery life requires frequent recharging.
Year launched : 1999
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was launched in 1999, offering gamers a portable gaming experience with a color screen and a strong lineup of games, competing with other handheld consoles of the time.
Year launched : 2005
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro was launched in 2005, offering a compact and stylish design for gaming on the go. It was a late addition to the Game Boy line, released after the Game Boy Advance SP.
Manufacturer : SNK Corporation
SNK Corporation, a Japanese video game hardware and software company, manufactured the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Known for their arcade games, SNK brought their expertise to this handheld console, offering a unique gaming experience.
Manufacturer : Nintendo
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro was manufactured by Nintendo, a renowned and long-standing player in the gaming industry known for their innovative and popular gaming consoles.
๐Ÿ”ด Popularity : Low.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color had limited sales compared to other consoles of its time, with a niche market of dedicated fans. Its popularity was overshadowed by competitors like the Game Boy Color.
๐Ÿ”ด Popularity : Low.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro had limited popularity compared to other Game Boy models due to its small size and lack of backwards compatibility. It did not sell as well as its predecessors.
Form factor : Handheld console.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is a portable console designed for gaming on the go, featuring a compact form factor that can easily be carried and played anywhere.
Form factor : Handheld console.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is designed as a portable handheld console, making it easy to take on the go for gaming on the move. Its compact size and lightweight form factor enhance its portability.
Official website : https://www.nintendo.com/


Market and availability

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Console markets :
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was primarily available in Japan and North America. It had limited availability in Europe and other regions, making it more popular in the Japanese and North American markets.
Console markets :
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro was available in various markets worldwide, including North America, Europe, and Japan. It was not region-specific and could be purchased in multiple countries.
๐ŸŸข Collectible : Yes.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is now considered retro and collectible, with a dedicated fan base driving up demand. Its unique library of games and nostalgic appeal make it a sought-after item for collectors.
๐ŸŸข Collectible : Yes.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is now considered retro and collectible due to its small size, unique design, and nostalgic appeal for fans of classic handheld gaming. It has become sought after by collectors.
๐ŸŸก Console availability : Average.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is moderately available on the secondhand market. While not as common as mainstream consoles, it can still be found through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores.
๐ŸŸก Console availability : Average.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is moderately available on the secondhand market. While not as common as other Game Boy models, it can still be found with some searching, especially through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores.
๐ŸŸก Console cost : Average.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is considered to have an average relative cost due to its availability on the second-hand market. Prices can vary depending on the condition and included games.
๐Ÿ”ด Console cost : High.
The relative cost of the Nintendo Game Boy Micro is high due to its collectible status, limited availability, and demand among retro gaming enthusiasts. Prices can vary but tend to be on the higher side.
๐ŸŸก Game availability : Average.
Games for the Neo Geo Pocket Color can be found through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores. Some titles may be harder to come by due to the console's limited popularity, but a decent selection is still available.
๐ŸŸก Game availability : Average.
Games for the Nintendo Game Boy Micro are still available through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores. However, some titles may be harder to find or more expensive due to the console's age.
๐ŸŸก Game costs : Average.
Games for the Neo Geo Pocket Color are relatively affordable on the second-hand market, making them an average cost option for collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts.
๐Ÿ”ด Game costs : High.
Games for the Nintendo Game Boy Micro can be relatively expensive due to their collectible nature and limited availability. However, there is a thriving second-hand market for these games.


Technology

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Architecture : 16-bit.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color uses a 16-bit architecture, providing a good balance of performance and graphics capabilities for its time. This allowed for a wide variety of colorful and engaging games.
Architecture : 32-bit.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro uses a 32-bit architecture, providing enhanced graphics and gameplay compared to earlier 8 and 16-bit consoles. This allows for more advanced games and features.
CPU : Toshiba TLCS900H core
The Neo Geo Pocket Color uses a Toshiba TLCS900H core for its CPU, providing efficient processing power for its games and applications.
CPU : 16.8 MHz ARM7TDMI
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro uses a 16.8 MHz ARM7TDMI CPU, providing sufficient processing power for its handheld gaming experience. Despite its low clock speed, it efficiently runs Game Boy Advance games.
Memory : 16 Kb
The Neo Geo Pocket Color has 16 Kb of memory, which was sufficient for storing game data and save files for the handheld console's library of games.
Memory : 2 MB
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro has 2 MB of internal memory, allowing for storage of game saves and downloadable content. While small by today's standards, it was sufficient for its time.
Video output : Composite
The Neo Geo Pocket Color has a composite video output connection, which may require an adapter to connect to modern TVs that typically use HDMI or other digital connections.
Video output : Composite
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro has composite video output connections, which may require an adapter to connect to modern TVs that typically use HDMI or other digital inputs.
๐ŸŸข Graphics Processing : Yes.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color does have a dedicated GPU, which contributes to its impressive graphics performance for a handheld console of its time, allowing for smooth gameplay and vibrant visuals.
๐ŸŸข Graphics Processing : Yes.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro does have a dedicated GPU, providing enhanced graphics performance for its compact size. This allows for smoother gameplay and better visual quality compared to earlier Game Boy models.
๐Ÿ”ด Internet connected : No.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is not internet connected. It does not have any notable features such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi for online connectivity.
๐Ÿ”ด Internet connected : No.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is not internet connected. It does not have any notable internet connectivity features such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi capabilities.
Game media format : Cartridge.
The primary game format for the Neo Geo Pocket Color is cartridge-based, with games being inserted into the console for gameplay. This format was common for handheld consoles of that era.
Game media format : Cartridge.
The primary game format for the Nintendo Game Boy Micro is cartridge-based. Players insert game cartridges into the console to play their favorite games on the go.


Gaming

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Controllers : 2 controllers / 2 players
The Neo Geo Pocket Color supports 2 controllers for 2 players, allowing for multiplayer gaming experiences. Players can enjoy competitive or cooperative gameplay on this handheld console.
Controllers : 1 controller / 1 player
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro is a handheld console designed for single-player gaming, allowing one player to use one controller at a time for an immersive gaming experience on the go.
๐Ÿ”ด Online multiplayer : No.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color does not have online multiplayer capabilities as it was released before online gaming became mainstream. Multiplayer functionality is limited to local play with link cables.
โšช Online multiplayer : Unknown.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro does not have built-in online multiplayer capabilities, and its compatibility with external multiplayer options is limited. Further research is needed to determine if online multiplayer is possible.
๐ŸŸก Number of titles : Average.
Game titles for the Neo Geo Pocket Color were released in a decent quantity, but due to the console's limited popularity, finding some titles may be a bit challenging in the secondhand market.
๐ŸŸข Number of titles : Good.
Game titles for the Nintendo Game Boy Micro were released in abundance during its time, with a wide variety of popular games available. The console is still sought after by collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts.
๐ŸŸข Featured games : Yes.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color has several exclusive and iconic games such as SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, Metal Slug: 1st Mission, and Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure.
๐ŸŸข Featured games : Yes.
The Nintendo Game Boy Micro has exclusive games such as 'Mother 3' and 'The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap', making it a must-have for fans of these iconic franchises.


Ultimately, the choice between the Neo Geo Pocket Color and the Nintendo Game Boy Micro comes down to personal preference. If you’re a fan of retro arcade games and want a unique gaming experience, the Neo Geo Pocket Color may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you value portability and a diverse selection of Nintendo games, the Game Boy Micro could be the perfect fit. Consider your gaming preferences and priorities to make the best decision for your gaming needs.