Having just gone through the difficult process of even finding a Game Boy Micro to buy, I began to wonder why it was this system was so hard to come by. What, exactly, had Nintendo done wrong that so few retailers were carrying this model, just two years after launch? After playing the Micro and reading up on its history, I can safely say it comes down to three key factors.

1. Marketing. Simply put, Nintendo failed at adequately marketing the Micro. It has iPod chic and Scion personality; what could have gone wrong? Not only did Nintendo not market the Micro aggressively enough (8 of 9 people I talked to didn't know what it was, and the 9th was a game store manager!), the demographic appeal just isn't there. Although there are tons of adult gamers like myself, when most people hear "Game Boy" they think of, well, a little gamer boy crunched in the corner of a room playing Pokemon. No matter how cool the Micro is (and trust me, it is quite attractive), the name brand does not have adult respect. And priced at $20 over the comparably equipped GBA SP, the Micro was not a quick pick for parents doing budget gaming shopping for Junior.

2. Form Factor. Yes, the Game Boy Micro is small. Is it too small? Well, the fact that this question even comes to mind to most who consider it show that its size was a risky move. I personally don't find it too small, but even those who like the size realize some sacrifices were made. It's tiny dimensions mean no classic Game Boy games, no standard GBA accessories, and awkwardly designed L, R, Start, and Select buttons. Although suitable for most gaming, there does come a point where the "wow" of the sleek button placement becomes "ow" when fingers cramp from reaching in weird ways for these suave keys. The small size also makes many consumers question the screen quality, even though the screen is much brighter and clearer than those of most GBA units! Unfortunately this isn't something that is readily obvious from reading the box.

3. Doomed SKU. Notice how this section's title can be shortened to DS? In a way, the Nintendo DS inadvertently killed off the GBA in terms of product importance. And of course, if the GBA is going to be a sinking ship, what consumer who decides he wants one is going to shell out more money for a smaller model with unproven gusto? The Nintendo DS has an awesome game library, great graphics, powerful utilities, and touch screen. Its success was not assumed, but quickly put the entire GBA line to shame and rendered it obsolete, especially since the DS plays GBA games (albeit poorly). Simply put, the Nintendo DS does everything the Micro does, plus more. Since it barely cost more at launch, this was a simple choice for most tech savvy shoppers.

Despite these reasons, I decided to buy a Micro. For me, the size meant I could take it anywhere without a telltale "nerd bulge" in my pocket, and without having to whip out a stylus just to play games. For the average consumer, the Micro didn't even exist, due to bad marketing and untimely release parallel to the Nintendo DS.