Console Corner: Let's Go Back in Time

by Pablo Acosta

Memories of classic game consoles dance in our heads

Let's take a trip back in time of video game history and talk about a piece of hardware for the Nintendo Gamecube called the Game Boy Player, and "Chrono Trigger," a game from the Super Nintendo days that is a must-have in any gamer's collection.

Not too long ago, the Game Boy Advanced and the Game Boy Advanced SP came out, bringing many delightful games with them. Presently, the older model of the Game Boy Advanced should be around $60, and the new model usually runs to $98. Many are reluctant to buy both because they do not want to learn another hand-held system.

Many games were tempting to purchase, especially when the Game Boy Player was released on the scene. This great unit attaches to the bottom of your Gamecube, and it allows you to play Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced games on your television set. So go ahead and for $50, let your Gamecube grow one manly inch in height, while enjoying the many games of the Game Boy universe.

Additional features that come with this installment include an option to zoom into the screen, and it gives you a choice of an assortment of frames for your enjoyment. In addition, some games are compatible with the Game Boy Player, like "Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga" (reviewed in the last issue), which gives you an option to use the rumble feature on the Gamecube controller. This helps in finding small details that would be more difficult to accomplish on the Game Boy Advanced.

But wait, there's more! Two controllers in the Gamecube replace the need for a link cable in order to play two-player modes on a handheld. The downside of this unit is that you can't share information with another game pack.

Now remember "Chrono Trigger?" It's the greatest game in history that was originally released for Super Nintendo, but was later re-released in a "Final Fantasy" bundle pack for Playstation. This journey takes place throughout many eras in time as it starts in the middle ages where we meet the hero, Chrono.

As the game progresses, the story gets deeper and deeper, and you find many new friends to help you out along the way. Towards the end of the game, you find out who the major threat of Earth is, and everyone joins forces in order to defeat this evil foe. It's difficult to explain the emotions that are felt in this game on paper, but you do not want to put the controller down for the average 70 to 80 hours it takes to beat this game in its entirety.

The battle engine is something else that makes this a revolutionary game. Players can attack on a turn-based style doing solo hits, or they can team up with one or two of the players in the team. This provides the viewer with a cinematic form of attack that leaves you speechless, especially when the players are up to full experience capacity.

On the journey, there are many quests and side-quests that will keep you entertained from start to finish. This masterpiece of a game can still be purchased as a game cartridge, but it will cost you a good amount of money. On top of that, it is extremely hard to find; however, the refurbished version for the Playstation can still be found easily, and it is cheaper than the cartridge. Although, if you're a hardcore collector - go after the original game.