If theres a fortunate note about getting older, its that the goofy stuff you liked once you were a youngster is currently prime nostalgia material. A framed poster for the initial Power Rangers movie isnt a sad obsession with a kids Television show, its retro chic! But theres an improvement between simply nailing up a lot of old junk and decorating with intent. And the difference is, apparently, about 2 hundred bucks.
Thats cynical, specifically for a guy who actually has Star Trek paintings in his house. But I must admit, Grid Studios loving presentation of old tech as art is incredibly attractive to me, and I suppose, people like me. When offered an opportunity to review among their framed, dissected gadgets, I leaped on the chance for the original Game Boy Advance, that i think has yet to be topped for both ergonomics and overall look.
Nearly museum-grade memories
The package came in a sensational presentation, wrapped in high-quality paper with a ribbon sealed in actual wax. EASILY didnt know very well what was inside Id think I had been sent a box of chocolates that cost a lot more than my monthly car repayment. Upon opening it I came across a fairly more down-market shadowbox, flat black manufactured wood, and plexiglass with a plastic shipping protector.
Michael Crider/IDG
The machine they sent me looks identical to the presentation on the Grid Studio website, right down to the Indigo color of the GBA itself and the printing of the Pokemon Ruby start screen. The many items of the console are lovingly cleaned and meticulously placed, and so are clearly a genuine Game Boy Advance that at one point bounced around a genuine kids backpack. The plastic screen cover may be replaced, however the rest has some faint deterioration showing its the original article. Having said that, this GBA wasnt abused none of its imperfections detract from the piece all together.
The removed and stuck-on parts are aesthetically pleasing, especially the white PCB. Labels are hardly necessary, but theyre very cleanly presented within an appealing pixelated font to cause you to remember those hours you spent blowing through AAs.
Michael Crider/IDG
Though thats a strange omission here: While I appreciate that sticking actual zinc batteries onto something designed for long-term display isnt a good idea, theres no reference to them any place in the labeling or fakes found in a few of the phone designs. The LCD screen from the overall game Boy Advance can be missing. That glimpse through the plastic cover may be the only indication it had been ever there, even though were considering leading of the PCB. Other Grid Studio game presentations also omit the screen panel, and Im uncertain why.
Any color you need, so long as you want purple
These nitpicks aside, this is a excellent presentation, and the presentation is what youre spending money on. That being the case, I’d have liked the choice to select my color for the overall game Boy Advance body (matching the transparent Glacier Blue from my memory) and perhaps either game backgrounds or add-on cartridges (Dodgeball Advance is what I recall most). But as something that must definitely be made at the very least some volume in China, I appreciate they cant be custom for everybody.
Michael Crider/IDG
The shadowbox is really a little on the cheap side for the purchase price, especially taking into consideration the wrapping it came in, and the included hanging clips dont inspire much confidence. It will be easy enough to go the backing to something more deluxe if you would like the bits of the GBA remained impressively immobile during shipping.
An excellent splurge gift
Michael Crider/IDG
Overall Id say the GRID Studio presentation is incredibly slick, cheap shadowbox aside. If your decorating budget can accommodate it, it could look excellent displayed in a string. The business offers pretty much all of the classic Nintendo portables, plus various generations of iPhones along with other popular mobiles and some oddball gadgets just like the Apple Watch. Sadly, theres no option for the initial Zune.
