Worm Light Plus
Score: 90% Developer: Nyko
Function: The best part about portable game systems has to be the portability, right? Right. You've got your new Game Boy Advance (hopefully) and vacation season's almost over, correct? Indeed. Time for a sweet road trip with your buddies before the new semester starts... but hey, you'll need a light when you're busting 900s in Tony Hawk 2 around midnight, won'tcha? Yessir. Enter the Worm Light Plus, Nyko's newest installment in the most beloved line of light accessories on the gaming market today. It's small, it's twistable, it's pretty darn cute -- and it'll light up your GBA like nobody's business.
Performance: For a convenient field test, I took this baby with me on a 5-day trip to Dallas last week and used it just about everywhere I could: in the car during a nasty thunderstorm, our pitch-black hotel room while everyone else was sleeping, and a darkened convention room at id Software's QuakeCon mere minutes before John Carmack took the stage. Each time, the Worm Light Plus provided the perfect amount of illumination with minimal hassle, and multiplayer games (namely Bomberman Tournament) were a breeze thanks to the pass-through connector, allowing for link cables to plug in at the top. Quick transportation couldn't be easier as the tiny device weighs next to nothing and pops right out of the GBA (a little too easily, actually). You won't see a battery pack getting in the way, since the Worm Light Plus runs off the Game Boy's main power with an almost unnoticeable drain on your batteries. Worried about potential glare? No problem! Nyko's cool little LED emits plenty of light without a sharp lens that'll blind you in its reflection. What more could you ask for?
Features: Patented 'Super White Light' LED for superior clarity Advanced LED requires no batteries Pass-Thru connector for multiplayer link cables Perfect for play in low light and travel conditions
Drawbacks & Problems:: In comparison with other light accessories out there, finding fault with Nyko's prize product can be a bit of a challenge. Only one problem springs to mind nearly every time I've put it to use -- accidentally pulling this thing out of the link port isn't exactly a rare occurrence. Many times (especially while bending the adjustable neck to the perfect angle), the plug has slipped out just far enough to turn the light off. Beware when playing multiplayer games with a particularly short link cable, as this may cause problems when a friend decides to tug on the cord and yank your Worm Light out, thus bringing the game session to an abrupt end and leaving you in darkness once again. So, uh, just be careful not too nudge it too hard and the Worm Light Plus shall soon earn its place in your Mystical Handheld Video Game Accessory Golden Hall of Fame. Assuming you're that big of a dork, of course.
-Ben Monkey, GameVortex Communications AKA Ben Lewis
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