hey that's cool TJF, no offense taken, just a little friendly conversation (and counterpoint)
I agree with you, it is kinda sucky that there are sooooo many "me-too" games flooding the market - and that's the way it's gonna be, as the games industry becomes more and more like the movie industry. And to wrap it up in a nutshell - 15 years ago, games didn't have nice graphics/fx to sell them, they couldn't compete with movies and other entertainment on such a level, gameplay was all they had! Things had to grab you on that level, otherwise the whole idea 'interactive entertainment' would have dried out long ago. Nowadays, it seems innovation and novelty take a backseat to flash and dazzle, competition for ultimate expression of an idea (best football game, best racing game, best RPG, best GTA type of game, etc etc etc). And enough companies have popped up and spent the money in it all (and sold enough numebrs) that that's hwo the field's gonna continue to play for awhile. Okay, who's getting off the topic!
the point is, a system like GP32 is great cause it's so rough - the 'native' gaming opportunities it offers (software designed for it) are as me too as anything else, but as a retro/homebrew device it definitely shines, and I guess I'll say it ALMOST gives the GBA a run for it's money in that department. If GP32 had the same backing and potential in the marketplace, it would certainly be the top dog but as it is now it's definitely got numbered days. Which is fine as it's plenty powerful and still available, and again I say there's enough going on with it for those of us willing to give it a chance and plunk down some dough. It's just a damn shame that it's base is so small, but I won't go down that alley again, I am sure I made my point above (wasted potential due to inexposure).
In the end, let me say I am happy with GP32 as it is, I couldn't ask for anything more and I think it's worth the money for those who know what to expect of it (like me - or so I think!) Meanwhile all we can do is try to spread the gospel and maybe more people can pick up on this little wonderful doohickey...