Nintendo Game Boy Player Gamecube Accessory
Last updated: October 30, 2020
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We looked at the top Gamecube Accessories and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Gamecube Accessory you should buy.
Overall Take
In our analysis of 56 expert reviews, the Nintendo Game Boy Player placed 13th when we looked at the top 14 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
From The Manufacturer
See Game Boy Games like you’ve never seen them before! Play Game Boy games on a TV throught the Nintendo GameCube. Attaches to the bottom of the GameCube to the High Speed Port. Use the GameCube Controller or any Game Boy Advance system as a controller. Connects to other Game Boy systems for multiplayer games through the External Extension Connector. Compatibility with all regular Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance game paks (will not work with motion sensor or rumble feature game paks).
Expert Reviews
What experts liked
The Game Boy Player offers a filtering option, which definitely comes in handy with games that do that "flicker trick" to make sprites look transparent.
- IGN
Removing the game pack is as easy as sliding the eject lever found on the right side. The Player also has a standard GBA EXT port complete with GC-GBA cable latch holes on the front, offering all the multiplayer and linking capabilities of a normal Game Boy Advance.
Easy ejection and hot swapping.
Installation takes all of, ooh, five seconds, and once you've tightened two screws, popped in the supplied system disc, and switched on the Cube, you're able to plug in any Game Boy or Game Boy Advance title and have it displayed in full, big screen glory.
The Control menu is pretty self-explanatory, giving you the option to swap between two different controller presets for the X, Y, L & R buttons. In most cases the default setting is fine, but the alternative preset can be useful for fighters like Street Fighter Alpha 3.
The device functions near flawlessly, and it’s strange that it’s not a more well-known piece of hardware.
Player does most everything you would expect. You can configure your GameCube controllers so that different combinations of buttons correspond to the GBA buttons.
Now what makes this good is, first of all, the obvious reason, you play it on TV! Second, you use the NintendoGamecube Controller, which I sort of prefer. Third, it doesn't run on batteries, saving you money in the long run.
What experts didn't like
The trick comes out looking like crap on television.
- IGN
The GBP is little more than a GBA motherboard with some altered I/O ports and a new casing. GBA, GBC or original GB carts slide into the front-mounted slot. This sometimes requires lifting the system slightly—a minor inconvenience, but nothing worth fussing over.
Some games simply don't look good blown up.
Sadly, unlike the Super Game Boy, there are no game-specific or custom borders
Any and all Game Boy peripherals are also fully compatible, but some connections can lead to awkward configurations where it may be necessary to prop the GameCube up or hang it slightly off an edge.
One of the downside is if you are playing a multiplayer mode that you don't want your friend to see what you're doing (like Pokemon battles) then this isn't good.
View our Gamecube Accessory buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.