A Nintendo Switch sequel includes a virtual representation of my Cobalt Blue Game Boy Advance SP, and I’m absolutely here for it. The Nintendo Switch Pikmin 4 companion is one of my favorite games on the platform, and this little detail adds an extra layer of enjoyment for me.
It’s not just seeing my handheld rendered perfectly in the game that evokes all those old, good memories – it’s that I know that other players, who might have owned the same model, will have the same feeling. Nostalgic elements like this can elevate a game from a good experience to a great one.
Astro’s Playroom
Astro’s Playroom, the PS5 launch title from the makers of Tetris Effect, serves as a primer for Sony’s future and a tribute to PlayStation’s past. Each level has collectibles that memorialize various consoles and peripherals from Sony’s gaming history.
There are major milestones like the PlayStation One and the DualShock 2, but also lesser-known devices like the PSP-3000 and the EyeToy. Astro’s Playroom also pays tribute to the smaller consoles we might have forgotten, like the PlayStation 3 Slim or the gray chunky DS.
Personally, I get a sense of joy and delight when I see these objects in video games. It’s a special, personal feeling when I encounter a console I owned or a device I spent hours staring at as a child. My personal connections to these consoles add to my nostalgia, like owning an original PS3, or a DS I received as a gift.
Other players may look at objects like the original Xbox or the Virtual Boy and wonder what all the fuss is about. But it’s not about the object itself, it’s about our collective memories and experiences with it. And that’s what makes a difference.
The Game Boy Advance SP is one of my treasures. I know, it was a pain to play on, and many would consider it trash. But I don’t care. It’s mine, and I love it. So I was delighted to see my exact model in Pikmin 4, even if it was just a small detail.
Of course, the GBA SP isn’t something I would expect people to search for in the game. It’s a treasure to me, but maybe others would consider it trash. The point, I think, is that we all have treasures, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem to others.
For all its imperfections, that Cobalt Blue Game Boy Advance SP was a part of me. It was a part of my childhood. It was there with me when I played some of my favorite games. And I’m glad I can appreciate it, and other consoles, in virtual form.
The fact that it was in Pikmin 4 was a delightful surprise, and that’s exactly what makes details like this special – it’s not something we expect, but it adds to the overall experience and enjoyment of the game. And that’s what we’re here for.
If you haven’t played Astro’s Playroom yet, you can check out our Astro’s Playroom review to find out why it’s one of the best PS5 games to date. You can also get the best Game Boy Advance games if you’re still rocking that brick.
Original guide by Ford James.
