E-Reader launch September for America :: News

Reported by Psythor on Wed 21 Aug 2002 21:20:31 UTC
Last updated by Psythor on Wed 21 Aug 2002 21:20:31 UTC
Section: Card-E Reader

American fans can get their hands on this Game Boy Advance add-on in September.
UPDATED: Exact date and price!

This news item is more than 45 days old. Updates are unlikely and newer information may already be available.

It has been confirmed that the Game Boy Advance add-on device the E-reader has been given a definite american launch date by Nintendo.

The device itself allows the user to scan specially made cards with barcode style strips down the left and bottom sides and view information or play small games from the data contained in the card. The cards can only hold a small amount of data (something like 120kb- that's about one tenth of a floppy disk) so whatever the card contains will not be much more than perhaps a game similar to the ancient Game and Watch handheld device that was the forerunner to the original weightlifters handheld, the Game Boy. With this data, it could act as stand alone information, such as a game, or link up to the Gamecube, to unlock information there. As far as Pokémon UK is aware, the latter function has not been utilized by any of the cards or Gamecube software as of yet.

Anyway, when you purchase an e-reader, not only will you get the bulky device itself, you will get a selection of free cards for all tastes. For the Pokémon fan, like you and me, you will get some TCG E-Cards, such as the Machamp pictured. Also included, will be a card for Nintendo's potential next mega-hit, Animal Crossing. It is not known how it will work yet. Finally, you will get an entire Game and Watch game, free! You're getting a game that someone would have paid good money for back in the post-disco, pre-post-USSR era absolutely free!

The e-reader will be released in America on September 16th, but the official Pokémoncenter shopping site wil be taking pre-orders from August 23rd. It will cost $39.99, which is about £26- it will probably still cost £40 or more in Britain, though.