Last time I checked I couldn't get GBA and flash cart system + empty flash cart for $199
Sure I can. You can get a GBA for less then $50, and a Flash card for $70-$120.
You can't say from your heart that SMC cards are expensive
They're not. The official N-Gage ones are ludicrous though. Off brand ones though, cheap. You can get like a 64 meg for $30ish if you look around.
GP32 or N-Gage? You walk into a shop, mall, electronic boutique.. TA-DA you see an N-Gage. Reaction when you ask for GP32 from those same places: "What is that? Is it a new dish wash machine?" In other words YOU yourself(!) have to know a machine named GP32 even exist!
That's a bad comparison. An "average john" won't use emulators on the N-Gage, he'll be stuck with a gaming system that has horrible buttons, horrible games, and a horrible d-pad. The games designed for the GP32, while not really great, are better then the N-Gages nonetheless.
From retro players point of view N-Gage has better games (because of those emulators). So it's just what _you_ want. Original GBA's design wasn't good you have admit it.
I don't have enough experience with C64, but GBA at this point has more emulators for more systems then the N-Gage. NES, GameGear, SMS, Spectrum, and a few others. N-Gage will surpass this, undoubtedly (no denying it is more powerful), but this isn't as good as it should be for a couple reasons - the Screen is the wrong ratio for almost all classic games, and it is also too small for many of them. And, of course, it has a BAD d-pad, and bad buttons. It's like having a PocketPC - who wants to play games with buttons like those things have? Well, maybe RPGs...
Also, I think the original GBA has a good design. It is a flawed design, but still a good one. I prefer it to the SP, as the SP is too cramped, too thin, and the should buttons aren't any good. I just use a flood light, which lights it and protects the screen. I wish they had used the original GB's d-pad and buttons on the advance, then it would of had a GREAT design.
Many people have digital cameras which use very same cards, so they already have SMC cards.
Unfair comparison. While that is certainly possible, I wouldn't say all or even most people who buy the N-Gage also have SMC cards lying around.
Magazines and reviewers have whined about bad controls but again, C64 games doesn't care about that! C64 uses only 1 action button anyway so what's the beef of having 5 or 9 action buttons?
The button layout is BAD, it isn't about the extra buttons. The two MAIN BUTTONS are poorly positioned and have a bad feel, and the d-pad SUCKS.
GBA can't do it for example (which you do know)
Flash cards are just as much of a modification as SMC cards.
I'll conclude by saying this - I want a new good handheld. It looks like the Zodiac will deliver it. The Zodiac is much more powerful then the n-gage, has a much better screen, uses a better OS (Palm) and looks to have a MUCH better d-pad (well, d-stick thing) and button layout. If the Zodiac gets emus, I'll probably buy it.
