Shock 'N' Rock
Score: 80% Developer: Nyko
Function: You've seen it for the Game Boy Color and Neo Geo Pocket, and now Nyko's done it again with their ultimate all-in-one product for the Game Boy Advance: yes, the mighty Shock 'N' Rock returns! Covering any portable gamer's possible needs and then some, this gem contains a 15-hour battery with included AC adaptor, ergonomic grips for easy handling, dual stereo speakers for those too-quiet games, and even a vibration function to add a little more feedback to your experience. Need a light? Well, Nyko makes those too, but that's a different review completely. Nevertheless, what a package!
Performance: Although it may look freakishly huge, the Shock 'N' Rock fits snugly into the GBA battery clip with no fuss, instantly transforming your rather plain system into a multi-talented powerhouse. Sure, the grips take some time to get used to, but after a while everything will feel like second nature (to those of us with big hands, anyway). Besides, isn't the GBA too tiny otherwise? Of course it is. And doesn't damn near every GBA game seem too quiet? Fortunately, these dual speakers will blast whatever you're playing to ridiculously loud levels if you wish. However, the rechargeable battery alone is enough reason to buy the Shock 'N' Rock, providing a whopping 15 hours of gameplay (if sound and vibration are turned off). That's way more than what the competition offers, and the complimentary AC adaptor's just the icing on the cake.
Features: 15-hour rechargeable battery Matching AC adaptor and charger Adjustable rumble/vibration feedback Amplified stereo speakers Ergonomically designed grips for enhanced control
Drawbacks & Problems:: Ah, the vibration function. Unlike previous incarnations on other systems, this version of the Shock 'N' Rock's rumble feature just doesn't cut it with most games, even on the highest sensitivity setting. Call me crazy, but if you can't feel vibration without cranking the volume way up, maybe some hardware adjustments are in order. But hey, just use the sound feature by itself and save some battery power instead . Also, as mentioned before, this baby makes the GBA look huge. So huge, in fact, that it may create some portability issues unless you've got pretty big pockets, or don't mind removing the accessory every time you bring your Game Boy somewhere. One enormous plus, however: with the Neo Geo Pocket version, there was no room on the system to plug in both the Shock 'N' Rock and Nyko's famous Worm Light simultaneously, which didn't go over too well on road trips and low-light situations -- but with the GBA, you've still got plenty of room to pop a light into the link port and play all night long! So, with the bad also comes the good. Considering the sheer volume of quality crammed into this one portable product, perhaps Nyko's Shock 'N' Rock belongs in every serious GBA owner's collection -- I know it'll stay in mine for a long, long time. [Editor's Note: (June 18, 2011) Now, Nyko is releasing a Shock 'N' Rock for the 3DS, and we're excited to try it out.]
-Ben Monkey, GameVortex Communications AKA Ben Lewis
Starter Kit Worm Light Plus