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The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter[a] is a wireless adapteraccessory for the Game Boy Advance, released by Nintendo in 2004. It provides similar functionality to the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, but is only compatible with 46 games, all released between 2004 and 2006. The accessory was initially packaged with the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen games in 2004, before later being made available for separate sale. A separate model, the Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter, was released for the Game Boy Micro in 2006.
The Wireless Adapter allows for multiplayer gaming with the Game Boy Advance, and attaches via the External Extension Connector. The range of this adapter is short compared to the built-in wireless function of the Nintendo DS; Nintendo recommends players stay within 10 ft. (about 3m) of each other for best results.[8] Players can connect to games which support single-cartridge multiplayer by using the device's search function, activated by turning the system on with no game pak inserted or by holding Start and Select as the system boots up. While in search mode, the device will continually search for compatible games being played nearby, allowing players to select and join a host game.[9][10]
The Wireless Adapter is physically compatible with the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP, and the Game Boy Player accessory for the GameCube.[11] However, due to the Game Boy Micro's different style link cable port, the Wireless Adapter will not attach to it.[12] A separate model of Wireless Adapter was released for the Game Boy Micro, which differs only in form factor and is otherwise identical to and compatible with the original model.[13]
The Wireless Adapter is not backwards compatible with older model Game Boy games, and cannot be used as a general substitute for a Game Link Cable; it will only work with games that have been programmed to support the accessory.[14] Similarly, the adapter cannot connect with the Nintendo DS, since the DS does not support multiplayer mode in Game Boy Advance games.[15]
One of the Wireless Adapter's most publicized uses is in Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald. While all three still support the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable (and must use a link cable to link with Ruby and Sapphire), up to 30 Wireless Adapter-connected players can convene in a virtual in-game lobby called the "Union Room" for battles and trades.[16] The Wireless Adapter is also used in these games to download special data via the Mystery Gift option at various Pokémon-related events.[17] Outside of the Pokémon series, the Wireless Adapter supports up to five players in most games.[14] All games in the Classic NES Series line with multiplayer functionality offer support for single-cartridge wireless multiplayer.[9][18]
Only 46 Game Boy Advance games support the Wireless Adapter, including 15 entries in the Classic NES Series. Compatible games are identified by a "Wireless Adapter Compatible" label on the box.[19]Mario Golf: Advance Tour and the Classic NES Series games are missing this label, despite being compatible, due to releasing before the accessory.[19]
The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was announced during Nintendo's press conference at the 2003 Tokyo Game Show.[44] The device was developed in collaboration with Motorola, and features a 32-bit RISCbaseband processor and 2.4Ghz RF transceiver that operate using TDMA protocols.[2] Development on the Wireless Adapter was led by Nintendo hardware developer Masato Kuwahara, who was inspired to design the device after playing games of Diablo with other Nintendo employees over PC LAN.[45] Kuwahara initially created a crude prototype of the device by connecting a Game Link Cable to a mobile phone's wireless module.[45] Due to difficulties implementing Bluetooth into the device, the development team instead engineered their own method of wireless communication.[45] The team also explored having the device connect to games for the GameCube, such as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, but this was not implemented due to time constraints; a similar method of wireless handheld-to-console communication based on these experiments would later be implemented into the Nintendo DS.[45]
The Wireless Adapter was initially available only as a pack-in with copies of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, released worldwide in 2004.[2] In Japan, Nintendo began selling a standalone version of the Wireless Adapter the following July,[6] and once again packaged it with Pokemon Emerald the following September.[46] In 2006, Nintendo began selling the standalone version in the West through their website, along with a version formatted for use with the Game Boy Micro.[7]
In March of 2004, Nintendo launched JoySpot in Japan, a networking service operated through wireless hotspots placed in participating retailers.[47] Players could use the Wireless Adapter with compatible games to access JoySpot locations, through which they could receive news updates and compete with other local players in challenges.[47] The JoySpot service was later discontinued on April 30, 2005.[48] The concept would later be revisited with similar retailer hotspots for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS.[49]
Reviewers praised the Wireless Adapter's implementation in several games, most prominently the Pokémon series.[50][51] Ed Shih of Nintendo World Report appreciated the freedom offered by the adapter, as opposed to being tethered by the Game Link Cable's short length, but lamented its lack of backwards compatibility with older games.[52] Craig Harris of IGN felt that Pokémon Emerald not packaging the adapter detracted from the overall value of the game in comparison to FireRed and LeafGreen.[53] In contrast, John Ricciardi of Electronic Gaming Monthly felt Emerald was extremely similar to its predecessors, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and did not believe its added Wireless Adapter functionality justified a purchase for owners of the previous games.[54] Reviewers were disappointed by the lack of adapter support in games like Mario Party Advance and Racing Gears Advance.[55][56][57] David Rudden of CNET gave the Wireless Adapter a 5.7/10 review, believing that while the adapter worked well, the lack of support made it more difficult to justify a purchase.[7] Rudden also noted that it was sometimes not obvious how to make the systems connect with one other.[7] In a retrospective, Dom Peppiatt of Retro Gamer observed that outside of its use in FireRed and LeafGreen, the Wireless Adapter had been largely overlooked by developers.[58] James Plafke of The Mary Sue similarly criticized the adapter for its large size and lack of support.[59]
^佐伯憲司 (2004-04-14). "任天堂、ファミコンソフトを再現した GBA用「ファミコンミニ」第2弾発売決定" [Nintendo to release second edition of "Famicom Mini" for GBA, a reproduction of Famicom software]. Game Watch (in Japanese). インプレス. Archived from the original on 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
^Amaze Entertainment (2005). The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (video game) (instruction manual). Buena Vista Games. p. 15.
^Harris, Craig (September 7, 2004). "Digimon Racing". IGN. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
^"がんばれ!ドッジファイターズ" [Do Your Best! Dodge Fighters]. Nintendo. December 21, 2008. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
^"ケロロ軍曹 対決！ 激走ケロンプリ大作戦であります！！" [Sergeant Keroro Showdown! The Great KeronPrix Operation!!]. Nintendo Dream. No. 125. December 2004. p. 78.
^"Kiss×Kiss 星鈴学園" [Kiss x Kiss: Seirei Gakuen]. Nintendo. December 21, 2008. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
^"金色のガッシュベル！！THE CARD BATTLE for GBA" [Golden Gash Bell!! The Card Battle for GBA]. Nintendo Dream. No. 137. September 2005. p. 94.
^"桃太郎電鉄Ｇ～ゴールド・デッキを作れ！" [Momotaro Dentetsu G: Build a Gold Deck!]. Nintendo Dream. No. 134. June 2005. p. 71.
^"のののパズル ちゃいリアン" [Nonono Puzzle Chalien]. Nintendo Dream. No. 136. August 2005. p. 75.
^Harris, Craig (May 3, 2005). "Pokemon Emerald". IGN. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
^"千年家族" [Millennium Family]. Weekly Famitsu. No. 849. March 25, 2005. p. 50.
^Harris, Craig (June 29, 2005). "Shrek SuperSlam". IGN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
^Capcom (2005). Rockman.EXE 6: Cyberbeast Graga (instruction manual) (in Japanese). Capcom. p. 53.
^"わがまま☆フェアリー ミルモでポン! 謎のカギと真実のトビラ" [Wagamama Fairy Mirumo de Pon! The Mysterious Key and the Door to Truth]. Nintendo Dream. No. 125. December 2004. p. 79.
^"わがまま☆フェアリー ミルモでポン! どきどきメモリアルパニック" [Wagamama Fairy Mirmo de Pon! Dokidoki Memorial Panic]. Nintendo Dream. No. 138. October 2005. p. 97.
^ abcdefghijklmno"ファミコンミニ／Ｑ＆Ａ" [Famicom Mini/Q&A]. Nintendo (in Japanese). June 19, 2024. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
^"全国のポケモンセンターでジョイスポットを楽しもう！" [Enjoy Joy Spots at Pokémon Centers Nationwide!]. Nintendo. January 27, 2007. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
