GameBoy Advance Powergrip
System/accessory by Game Ltd.
Reviewed by Mew Barrymore 
01946020@mmu.ac.uk
Released: 2001
Use with: GameBoy Advance

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Opening Snide Remarks: The GBA power grip is a
strange beast indeed, according to the box it's
designed to make the "Game Boy Advance easier to
hold" and to offer "improved play control."
Sounds interesting... 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Impressions:

What this amounts to though is a plastic
GBA-shaped shell which slips over your portable
chummy and makes it more chunky and therefore
"easier to hold" it also has a plastic d-pad stick
which presses down on the GBA d-pad to provide
joystick-like movement.

After a few minutes play testing it became clear
that this plastic contraption is absolutely
worthless trash. It doesn't clip onto the GBA
securely enough so that the sides of it slip all
over the place. The d-pad joystick thing is
hopeless as it interferes with the free movement
of the d-pad and makes every game you play
sluggish and unresponsive. I tested it with
Mario Kart: SS and my old pal DK was trudging
around corners even worse than usual!! The
bulkiness of the thing also makes the GBA L and
R buttons almost impossible to reach!!

Liked: Makes a passable bath time toy

Hated: Being too old to legitimately play with
bath time toys

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Improve: Make it attach securely. Get rid of the
joystick d-pad thing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Final Words: The GBA power grip is an example of
a very shoddy GB accessory. It adds absolutely
nothing to the gaming experience and is poorly
designed, over priced and flimsily constructed.
Avoid...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Score: 20 %

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Secrets: Put it in water (remove from GBA first!)
and it floats like a good 'un.