GAME BOY ADVANCE WIRELESS ADAPTER FAQ

Version 1.8 September 2nd, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 INTRODUCTION

02 COMPATIBILITY

03 GAMES WITH WIRELESS ADAPTER SUPPORT

04 WIRELESS GAMES RUNDOWN

05 WIRELESS ADAPTER SEARCH MODE

06 POKEMON MYSTERY GIFT

07 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

08 CHANGES/CONTACT/LINKS

01 INTRODUCTION

---------------

The biggest problem with multiplayer on the DMG Game Boys used to be

cartridges. For me, the chances that my friends and I had the same

games (plus a link cable to hook them up) was very slim. Later in the

system's lifespan, Nintendo came out with a four-player hub, where

every player needed a link cable to connect their system.

When Nintendo introduced the Game Boy Advance, certain games had a

new "Single-Pak" mode that allowed up to four players to use only one

cartridge. Of course, the tired old cable system was still used here.

This time, four players only needed three link cables. Not much of an

improvement on that end, but at least multiplayer was more accessible

than before.

And here we are, with the Nintendo Wireless Adapter. Finally up to

five players can play a game simultaneously, or in the case of the

Pokemon games, up to 30 players can connect to a Union Room. With

each player equipped with a Wireless Adapter (which is less bulky

than cables), multiplayer matches can happen anywhere, anytime.

02 COMPATIBILITY

----------------

With the release of the Game Boy Micro coming up soon, several people

have asked me if it will be compatible with the Wireless Adapter.

Here's the low-down.

The Game Boy Micro will support all Game Boy Advance games, including

games that utilize the Wireless Adapter. However, unlike the Game Boy

Advance, SP, and Game Boy Player, the Micro does not have a standard

link cable. Therefore, Nintendo is releasing a new Wireless Adapter

specifically designed for the Game Boy Micro.

This Wireless Adapter will be 100% compatible with the previous Game

Boy Wireless Adapter, meaning that games won't be able to tell the

diffrence. Also, whether you're playing wirelessly against a Game Boy

Advance, SP, or Game Boy Player, they won't be able to tell the

diffrence, either.

To repeat for clarification, the Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter is

the same device as the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, except for

the way you plug it in the system. It can be assumed that the Game

Boy Micro EXT port design will be featured on the next Game Boy, and

that the Game Boy Micro is a transition device (much like how the SP

and the DS, with similar design, power and headphone adapters).

03 GAMES WITH WIRELESS ADAPTER SUPPORT

--------------------------------------

Here's the list of games that support the GBA Wireless Adapter. For

the time being, I'm only covering games released in US or Europe,

unless they are Nintendo-published titles.

1st Party (Nintendo):

Hamtaro: Ham Ham Games

Mario Golf: Advance Tour**

Mario Tennis: Power Tour

Pokemon Emerald**

Pokemon FireRed*

Pokemon LeafGreen*

Super Mario Bros. 20th Anniversary

NES Classic Series:

Donkey Kong

Dr. Mario

Ice Climber

Pac-Man

Super Mario Bros.

Xevious

Famicom Mini Series:

#01 Super Mario Bros.

#02 Donkey Kong

#03 Ice Climber

#06 Pac-Man

#07 Xevious

#08 Mappy

#11 Mario Bros.

#12 Clu Clu Land

#13 Balloon Fight

#14 Wrecking Crew

#15 Dr. Mario

#16 Dig Dug

#18 Makaimura

#19 Twin Bee

#30 SD Gundam World Scramble Wars

3rd Party:

Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django (Konami)

Digimon Racing (Bandai)

Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury (Atari)

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman (Capcom)

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel (Capcom)

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (EA Games)

* - Adapter bundled with game in Japan

** - Adapter bundled with game America and Japan

04 WIRELESS GAMES RUNDOWN

-------------------------

Here's a look at what the wireless adapter lets you do in games. Note

that "multi-pak" multiplayer involves two (or more) game cartridges,

while "single-pak" involves only one. Also, JoySpot support is noted,

however it's unlikely this service will show up in America (see the

Frequently Asked Questions section for more information).

Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django

JoySpot support (gets you a special item). All multiplayer

functions can use a Wireless Adapter in place of a link cable.

Originalcracker adds:

"...This game can link to Mega Man Battle Network 5 (Rockman exe 5

for the Japanese version). [There is a] mode is called Crossover

Battle. In this mode, you play as the game's respective character in

a race to see who can defeat Shademan the fastest, or you can last

the longest. This can only be played with the wireless adapter."

Digimon Racing

Multi-pak racing for two to four players.

Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury

Unknown at this time.

Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games

Wireless trading of player cards (multi-pak), but no

multiplayer mini games. Includes JoySpot support.

Mario Golf: Advance Tour

All multiplayer functions can use a Wireless Adapter in place

of a link cable. JoySpot support.

Mario Tennis: Power Tour

All multiplayer functions can use a Wireless Adapter in place

of a link cable. Joyspot support unconfirmed.

Famicom Mini Series/NES Classic Series

Single-pak multiplayer and clone mode. Clone mode is an

undocumented feature of the Nintendo Famicom Mini/NES Classic Series

games. Simply transmit the game data as you normally would during a

single-pak multiplayer game, then sever the connection. Now the Game

Boy that you connected to has a copy of the full game you just sent

it, which is completely playable in singleplayer. Also, if you don't

sever the connection, you can play the single-player mode on both

Game Boy screens simultaneously.

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman/Team Colonel

It looks like you can perform every action possible with the

link cable, via the wireless adapter.

The game can also connect to Boktai 2. Originalcracker adds:

"...[There is a] mode is called Crossover Battle. In this mode, you

play as the game's respective character in a race to see who can

defeat Shademan the fastest, or you can last the longest. This can

only be played with the wireless adapter."

Pokemon Emerald (Includes Wireless Adapter in Japanese release)

Multi-pak wireless battling, chatting, and trading. Connects

to FireRed and LeafGreen, and features JoySpot support.

Pokemon FireRed/Pokemon LeafGreen (Includes Wireless Adapter)

Multi-pak wireless battling, chatting, trading, and a mini-

game. Also includes "Mystery Gift" function for trading items. These

Pokemon games have a unique link mode called the "Union Room," which

can connect up to thirty Pokemon players in a general area. Two

players can connect in a "Direct Connect," just for two players.

FireRed and LeafGreen also includes JoySpot support.

Super Mario Bros. 20th Anniversary

Two-player multiplayer and clone mode.

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

Unknown at this time.

05 WIRELESS ADAPTER SEARCH MODE

-------------------------------

When you insert a Wireless Adapter into a GBA without a game pak (or

by holding the Start and Select buttons during the logo boot-up

sequence), you can go into "Search Mode." This mode allows you to

play those NES Classic games in single-pak multiplayer.

First, you have to pick your language. Note that this option is

strictly for the Wireless Adapter interface, and will have no bearing

on the game itself. For example, if you've imported a Japanese

Famicom Mini game, and try to play it, the game's menus will still be

in Japanese.

Next, you will see a list that's divided down the screen. It says

"Game List" and "User Name," as well as "Now Searching..." flashing

at towards the bottom of the screen. This list will basically act as

a list of the games available in the local area.

With the NES Classics Series (the only games that use this feature as

of this writing), the game name will pop up under the "Game Name"

header, and the developer will show up under the "User Name" header.

So, for instance, a game name of "Super Mario Bros." would have the

user name of "Nintendo," a game of "Pac-Man" would have the user name

"Namco," etc. There is no way to edit the username.

Please note that this does not indicate Wireless Adapter use in the

local area. If you, for example, are trading a player card in

Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games, it will not show up on this screen. This is

currently only for the NES Classic Series/Famicom Mini Series.

06 POKEMON MYSTERY GIFT

-----------------------

Pokemon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald have compatibility with

"WonderSpot" (or something similar; official name is coming). This is

similar to the "JoySpots" in Japan. These let you download new items

that can alter the game, or tickets that grant access to new areas.

Currently, the only real-world place that has a WonderSpot is the

Nintendo World in New York City. It's unknown if anymore WonderSpots

will pop up. If you have anymore information, please contact me.

Accessing the Mystery Gift is simple. The first step is to go into

any Pokemart, and fill out the "questionnaire" next to the register.

The words you should put in are as follows:

LINK TOGETHER

WITH ALL

Select "OK," and save the game. Now, the next time you restart the

game, the "Mystery Gift" option will be available. You can download

Wonder Cards and Wonder News. Even better, you can transfer these

items to up to 16 other trainers.

07 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

-----------------------------

Q: Who makes the Wireless Adapter?

A: It's a joint partnership between Nintendo and Motorola (similar to

the E-Reader was a partnership between Nintendo and Olympus).

Q: How do I use the Wireless Adapter?

A: The Wireless Adapter works just like a link cable, except it's

wireless.

Q: How big is the Wireless Adapter?

A: It's about the size of a game pak, but twice as thick.

Q: Can I use a Wireless Adapter on older games?

A: The only games that can use a Wireless Adapter are those which are

specially programmed for it. See the list of games programmed to use

the adapter further up in this document. Just a note: Pokemon FireRed

and LeafGreen cannot communicate with Ruby or Sapphire via the

adapter; communication between these two requires a link cable.

Q: Does the Wireless Adapter work with the Game Boy Player?

A: Yes, this is stated in the manual.

Q: Does the Wireless Adapter work with the Nintendo DS?

A: No. The Wireless Adapter is not compatible with WLAN or Wi-Fi.

Similarly, GBA software that supports the GBA Wireless Adapter will

not function from DS-to-DS, so it's best to hang on to that GBASP for

a little while longer.

Q: Does the wireless adapter connect to the internet?

A: No. The wireless adapter works on radio frequencies, and does not

connect to Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi networks.

Q: What's the difference between the Japanese and American Wireless

Adapters?

A: Nothing. Other than the stickers on the back, they're the exact

same.

Q: How can I change the language back to English?

A: The Wireless Adapter lets you choose between English and Japanese.

If you chose Japanese by accident, just perform a soft reset (press

A, B, Start, and Select simultaneously), and you can choose your

language option again.

Q: What's with the bars when I play a wireless game?

A: That's the signal strength, just like on any cell phone or Wi-Fi

device. The more bars you have, the better the signal is.

Q: Can you purchase a Wireless Adapter separately?

A: In Japan, you can. They've been out on the market for a few months

for about $18 USD. Nintendo of Japan also made a special colored

Wireless Adapter in Famicom red and white for their Club Nintendo

program. Nintendo has released the adapters in a stand-alone form in

the US, for about $20.

Q: What's a JoySpot?

A: In Japan, some stores have special hotspots for customers who use

the Wireless Adapter. These let you, for instance, connect to

download new clubs in Mario Golf, or tickets to get to a specific

island in Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen. In America, these are called

"WonderSpots." For more information, check out NCL's JoySpot page:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/joyspot/index.html

Q: Can I create (or simulate) my own WonderSpot?

A: No, or at least no one has done this yet. Though I believe that

Wonderspots are simply a GBA and Wireless Adapter, with a cart that's

programmed to allow downloading; it could even be a GameCube with a

GB Player and a special GameCube disc (GC discs are so cheap to

produce, and in Japan they seem to add new features to WonderSpots

every few weeks, so maybe that's how it works).

Q: How far apart can you be to use the adapter?

A: Getting down to a single bar on Super Mario Bros, I've tested them

at least 40 feet apart outside, and about 30 feet indoors without

going through walls.

Q: Will there be a cheaper 3rd-party adapter?

A: I don't think so.

Q: Is there a product to link GBA's together for older GBA games?

A: YES! Majesco had a wireless link shown during E3, and Triton Labs

used to sell an "AirLink" product. However, these products are not

compatible with each other, or the official Wireless Adapter. Scott

Vieth has this to add:

"I did want to let you know as an added thing that the Majesco

Wireless Link is now out. It is $9.99, and I've seen it in Best Buy

and Toys 'R Us stores in somewhat limited quantities, and each GBA

that wants to get in on the link action needs to have one (so it's

effectively $40 to create a 4-player wireless link-up)"

08 CONTACT/CHANGES/LINKS

------------------------

Version Changes:

1.0 09/08/2004 FAQ started

1.1 09/09/2004 Added new games, and some small updates.

1.2 09/14/2004 Added Wireless Adapter Search Mode section

1.3 09/16/2004 Added Boktai 2 to game list, small updates

1.4 10/25/2004 Added a few questions and answers

1.5 11/23/2004 Removed Zelda: Minsh Cap, cleaned up FAQ

1.6 12/29/2004 Added MegaMan EXE games to list

1.7 01/19/2005 Added info about the Majesco Wireless Link

1.8 09/02/2005 Game Boy Micro info and more games added

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