Interact All in One FunPak

All right… you finally got your GameBoy Advance. The screen is bigger, graphics better, you've played with the little bumpers on the top; now it's time to accessorize. But which add-ons do you really need? You could easily blow more than the cost of the original unit on accessories and still not significantly improve the gaming experience. Luckily for you, those selfless heroes at InterAct have detected their lives to solving this very problem. With the All in one FunPak they've taken some of their most popular GBA accessories and bundled them together in one handy package.

"What's so great about these particular accessories?" you ask. Well, so did we; here's what we found…

The FaceMask is a colored plastic cover-plate that snaps on to the top of your GBA. It raises the A and B buttons and converts the D-pad controller into a joystick. It also protects the face of the Advance from scrapes and scratches. Bought separately it only costs about five bucks and comes in packages of two (one traditionally colored and one more "decorative"). For the money, it's the most significant improvement you can make to your game. You can find them at any store that sells game stuff or online at gamestop.com.

GlowGuard

The GlowGuard is a combination light source and screen protector. Flipped up, the white LED bulb provides superior angled light with minimal power drain; flipped down, its hard plastic shell covers and protects the GBA's LCD screen. It attaches to the top of the unit and draws energy from the power port (for which it provides a pass-through). Though it does both its jobs more than adequately, it does neither perfectly. As a light it is practically glare free and covers the action well, but peters out towards the bottom quarter of the screen. And when down, the guard rests on the bulb casing, leaving a space for dust to collect on the screen. The bulb casing also rests on the very bottom of the screen (in a non-viewable area), inviting scratches. The good news is that this screen area is protected by the FaceMask. Overall the GlowGuard is the best light source around and does keep your screen from getting banged up when you aren't using it. Like the FaceMask, these are everywhere and will set you back about ten dollars. Or you can pick one up online at gamestop.com.

Topping off the All in one FunPak are the PowerRumble FX and AC Adapter. The PowerRumble FX is a combination rechargeable battery pack, rumble pack and external sound source. The AC Adapter plugs into the Power Rumble FX, allowing the game to be run from a standard wall outlet while the batteries charge. Fully charged, the renewable batteries give you anywhere from eight to twelve hours of gameplay, depending on the active options (vibration and external speaker functions can be turned on and off independently to save power). The pair of dual speakers connect to the Advance's headphone jack and deliver pretty impressive stereo sound. Add to that the rumble effect and molded rubber grips and all new senses get in on the act, taking the gaming experience up a notch or two. For about twenty bucks you can get the PowerRumble FX (comes with AC Adapter) anywhere you find games, or gamestop.com will send one to your house.

The FaceMask, GlowGuard and PowerRumble FX with AC Adapter are must-haves for the GameBoy Advance. Bought separately all these pieces will run you about thirty-five dollars (and well worth it), but buying them together in the All in one FunPak will save you about five bucks and a lot of shopping around. It's a really good deal any way you play it.