The latest instalment in Nintendo's ever-popular Game Boy line comes in the form of the Game Boy Micro, a sleek, slim handheld that gives off a real retro vibe. Taking a page out of the mobile phone playbook, the Game Boy Micro has customisable faceplates that allow for the gamer to not only match his shirt and his shoes, but his Game Boy as well. However, the Micro is in an awkward position sales-wise, as for a little less money you can enjoy the luxury of a larger screen with a new SP, or for a little more expense you can pick up Nintendo's latest innovation, the DS.

The first thing that you notice when picking up the Game Boy Micro is its miniscule size. Measuring 4 inches across, 2 inches tall, 0.7 inches thick and weighing in at only 2.8 ounces, the Game Boy Micro is the smallest handheld system to date. The entire system is actually smaller than the PSP's screen! Unlike the GBA SP, the Micro features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a definite plus. However, none of your old GBA accessories are compatible with the Micro, as it features a single EXT Port on the top of the system. This will handle the charger, link cable, wireless link and any future accessories for the Micro. A GBA link cable can be used, but you will have to purchase an additional EXT to GBA adapter. The volume/backlight brightness adjustment buttons are on the right side of the system and the power switch is on the bottom left. The game pak is inserted in the bottom of the system off to the side, which looks a little awkward with larger cartridges like Yoshi's Topsy Turvy or Warioware.

When it comes to the button configuration, the Micro makes for much more comfortable gaming than the SP, as your hands are not positioned as close together. The faceplates are an interesting feature and I predict that they will be immensely popular among the older gamers. I was in a state of euphoria when I popped a camouflage faceplate onto my Micro and strutted around with a matching shirt and shoes! The only problem with the faceplates is dust; changing the faceplate must be done very carefully if you don't want to see those often irritating specks of dust on your screen.

I have heard many voice their concerns about the size of the screen and I can assure you that it is not a problem; I have racked up over thirty hours of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance on my Micro without having to strain my eyes once. The screen quality is far superior to that of the SP and even the DS; colours appear more vibrant and alive, giving many games a nice facelift. Nintendo was able to cram every tiny pixel into the screen, so the graphics look amazingly smooth. The backlight features four brightness settings, which can be toggled by holding down the L button and pressing the volume adjustment buttons. One complaint I have about the new LCD screen is that, like the PSP, when played outside in direct sunlight, the colours are very washed out and the screen appears very dull and dim.

The Game Boy Micro features one tiny speaker beneath the A and B buttons. It is not very loud when compared to that of the SP, but the Micro makes up for this by incorporating a headphone jack. This is fortunate, as on the lower volume settings the sound can't even be heard when you've got the system jammed up against your ear, while in high traffic areas like the mall or the park, the speaker is a lost cause even at maximum volume.

The Micro features the familiar Game Boy button configuration, so no surprises there. The buttons, however, feel very different from the SP. They are much softer, like the original GBA, unlike the very clicky buttons of the SP. The directional pad almost feels analog in its mushiness, while the L and R buttons click closer to the middle of the system, as opposed to the outer edges, which may require some getting used to, although it doesn't bother me at all.

The Game Boy Micro has improved over the SP in some areas, but in others it drops the ball. The LCD quality is far superior and the incorporation of a headphone jack is great. However, the speaker's weak sound and the size of the screen are not as pleasant as the SP. Nintendo is sneaking a new SP that features the same screen technology as the Micro onto store shelves soon, so if you're not too fond of the small size of the Micro, I recommend that you pick up the new SP instead. While the Game Boy Micro probably won't incite the next portable media craze, it will definitely satisfy any fashion conscious gamer's need to choose the right handheld to match their skin tones, while its tiny size makes it absolutely ideal for the gamer on the move.

Reviewed by Nick Reppert for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).