Customer Reviews

Radica Gamester Flood Light for Game Boy Advance

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

...I am in a great position to rate a Gameboy Advance light.

How does this one measure up? It is the best, at any price. ...It completely lights up the screen, and is very adjustable for whatever angle you like to play games. As someone else mentioned, the light is so bright, you actually CAN use it as a flashlight! One of the greatest strengths of this product is that you CAN play games at normal, comfortable angles without any glare. Wow!

The bad points are the size (does make the Gameboy bulky, and will no longer fit in my neat little Gameboy case), and it uses batteries (does not use internal Gameboy power supply). I've played mine a few hours on the batteries it came with, and the light looks the same as when I first cranked it up. I will be using rechargeable batteries in the future, so I don't think battery life will be a big issues. As for being bulky ... well, I'm thankful for the design. It is a very durable product. Once attached, you get the feeling that you put on a a rugged piece of hardware; there is nothing flimsy that I'm worried about breaking.

In summary, this product truly makes the Gameboy a fun, playable machine. You can experiment with other solutions, but trust me, this is the best.

This thing is amazing! The light is SUPER-BRIGHT! It not only illuminates the screen, but it illuminates everything in the area. Playing in complete darkness is no problem whatsoever with this light. As an extreme example, you could even use this light as a small flash light. You can adjust the position of the light in such a way so that there's no glare on the screen. Additionally, it runs off it's own batteries (3 AAAs, which are included), so it won't drain the GBA's batteries. And it also makes a great screen protector.

The only (minor) drawbacks are that it's pretty heavy, and also it doesn't detach from the GBA easily.

This is easily the best light currently available for the GBA.

Let's face it: if you have a Gameboy Advance, you simply have to invest in an external light, as the GBA's screen is simply too dark to see in even generous room lighting. There are a lot of products on the market that claim to bring your handheld screen into the light, but no one even comes close to touching the Flood Light. Even the reps at Nintendo (off the record, of course) will tell you that the Flood Light is the wisest investment.

Pros: The light conveniently and simply attaches to the GBA, and stays out of your line of sight. The light is extremely bright, so much so that you can play your GBA in an otherwise dark room and still see the screen with amazing clarity. The light is positioned so that there is no glare whatsoever from the screen, giving you the best possible clarity. Finally, the light has a slight blue sheen that makes the screen look extremely crisp, and makes the colors look very vibrant. In short, it enhances the image, making it look just as good as if it were on your TV.

Cons: The device is a bit heavier than most lights, and does alter the balance of the Gameboy Advance. This, however, is minor. The bright light comes at a price: 10 hours of solid light will cost you 3 AA batteries. However, the light is so good, that I'm sure you'll find it worth the investment in batteries. Perhaps the most curious design feature, and the biggest annoyance with the product is that it requires a screwdriver to change the batteries. The battery hatch has a screw that holds the cover in place, and the batteries are so wedged into the slots, that you'll likely need a screwdriver to pry them out. This is a problem, since most people use their GBA while traveling, and you cannot bring a screwdriver on airplanes. So, sometimes you might be stuck without your precious Flood Light.

The few minor complaints that anyone could have about the Flood Light are far outweighed by the stupendous performance it offers. This is an absolute must-have for any GBA owner. No other light even comes close.

I bought my floodlight per recommendations I've read here at Amazon.com and I've never looked back. Brilliant illumination. My games look so much richer now, even my flourescent lights in the bathroom can't compete. I previously had a worm light to hold me over until the Afterburner internal light was in stock, but after reading many disappointing reviews for it (Afterburner) I decided to find another solution. The worm light is a joke!!! You're constantly fighting glare.

The downside is that the light does eat up batteries rather quickly. I bought rechargables. The weight is significant when comparing the gameboy with the light and without, but it isn't an issue as I got use to it rather quickly. My 3yr old plays my gameboy and he has no trouble with the weight. Another drawback is of course that it loses some of its portability and I already had a carrying case in which it wouldn't fit until I did a modification.

The bottom line, if you already have a Gameboy Advance and need a light, get the Floodlight. If you are looking to get a Gameboy Advance and a lighting solution, wait til March for the Gameboy Advance SP which has a sleek no compact design, built in light, and built in rechargable batteries (10hrs with light, 18hrs without) for $... which is steal when considering I paid $... for the Gameboy, $... for the floodlight, $... for rechargable batteries + charger = $...and it is nowhere near as portable.

Yes, indeed, this is THE best lighting system you can get for your GameBoyAdvance, no question about it. I had two other lights, which worked fairly well, but once I read all these reviews saying this is the best lighting system, I had to try it. And the results? I'm happy, but not totally.

The first lighting system I got was the most popular one from GameBoyColor, however, it wasn't strong enough to cover horizontally wider screen of GBA. Second one was very good, which I was very satisfied with, using power from GBA itself and you didn't have to worry about batteries (Of course, once you have rechargeable batteries for your GBA, this doesn't become any issue). This, Flood Light, was the most satisfying lighting system out there WHEN IT COMES TO BRIGHTNESS IT PROVIDES. However, it is flawed with the facts that you have to put 3 AA batteries, which does add to its weight, and the maximum brightness it provides with new 3 AA batteries doesn't last long. I mean, it's bright enough even when it starts to get dimmer, but I think, I think that the rate the battery is being drained is just insane, which makes sense if you think about the kind of brightness it provides.
It does provide adjustable angle to avoid glaring, but it somehow prevents you from having the maximum brightness it's capable of.

My suggestion is that if you are happy with your lighting system, i mean if it does cover all of your screen, having no problem with battery supply, and it is bright enough for you, then I wouldn't recommend you to get this 'another' lighting system. If you have plenty of batteries, or rechargeable batteries (by the way, you will have to use tool to open to replace the batteries, yeah..) and don't mind relatively heavy weight by other lighting system standard, (and don't have a lighting system or not satisfied with current one you have), then I do recommend this product. It's solid other than those flaws i mentioned. I'm thinking about getting either another powerstation or rechargeable batteries.

Choose your lighting system wisely.

I bought this light because of the good reviews and because I had heard the Gameboy needed a light to see the screen well. The light works great. It casts plenty of light and can be setup to have no glare on the screen. I did have to exchange the first one I bought because it did not snap on tightly, but the second one has no problems. I can't comment yet on the battery use, but I have a bunch of NiMh rechargables, so it should not be a problem. The light is heavier than the other options out there.

Finally, they came out with a light that can be used without blocking or reflecting. Just pure illumination!! The new Flood Light angles out of the viewing area. The illumination cast on the playing area is also out of the viewing area, so no bulb reflection. Fantastic! I've read complaints about the added weight of the Flood Light, but it's not really that much. The light uses 3 AA batteries, and it seems to last for a bit more playing time than the other light systems. When not in use, the Flood Light folds down and serves a dual-purpose -- screen protector. In addition, the back of your GBA is no longer blocked by the bulky chasis of a light frame. The Flood Light just snaps into the mounting latches on the back edge of your GBA.

The only disadvantage that I can find about this light -- the battery cover has a securing screw. While this might seem like a good idea to keep the batteries in place, it can cause a significant problem when travelling, since the airports no longer allow you to bring small toolkits through security. So, be sure to change your batteries before heading to the airport. A very small deficit in my opinion that's easily remedied with a little foresight.

I like what I do in stores.. ..try out products for my GBA before buying. Me, I play games before buy, and do all kinds of stuff to make sure the $ is worth it. I tried many lights in my life, and this.... ...is a beauty. IT HAS NO GALRE BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS AT A ANGLE! Also, it has a super power packing light that lights uo th WHOLE screen!!!!! It is funny, because my friend has a different GBA light, and it is ...stupid, it lights up only a small circle, has a annoying glare, and the light always folds down over the .. screen! The flood light howerever, is a rare light you will run in to, buy it before it is too late!

This light is, admittedly, a rather fine one. On fresh as spring batteries, it gives off a smooth, even lighting of the notoriously dim GBA screen. Note, on FRESH batteries. It attaches onto your GBA, and has its own power source. 3 AA batteries. It weighs down the light, compact GBA somewhat, but it is a small price to pay for LIGHT on the GBA screen! GASP!
Now for the bad news. (Nothing is ever this good).
The thing guzzles batteries like a dog that hasn't seen water in months. You'll find yourself popping off to the store to power up this light. Soon, you might even get fed up, fling the money sucking light in a corner, an implement the highly successful manuever that all GBA users know of as the 'tilt n' see', where you tilt your GBA at insane angles, rather that shell out bucks for 3AA batteries almost fortnightly, if you are a serious gamer.
Wait for the new GBA with the built in light. If you can't wait, by all means, buy the light.
But keep your full wallet handy, and know the quickest route to the closest 24/7 near you.

My son and I have both tried many lights for the GBA, and after reading about it decided to give the Flood Light a try, This one is THE ONE!!!!!! It is really a flood light, lights up the ENTIRE SCREEN, with no hot spots, dead zones, or glare!!! We LOVE it! The only thing that you should know is that it is a little heavy and if you play the GBA for hours at a time ( like my son and I do with our RPGs ) it tends to start working our fingers and wrists. But it is MORE than worth the money, and I guaratee you will never buy any other light again for the GBA!!!