Game Boy Micro coming September 19

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With the other big console makers busy showing off their next-gen consoles, and its own Revolution has remained shrouded in secrecy, Nintendo's big hardware-related announcement at this year's E3 was the Game Boy Micro, a teeny, tiny version of the Game Boy Advance. The company has announced that the Micro will cost $99.99 and ship to stores September 19.

Nintendo will release two version of the Micro, one black and one silver. Each will come with three faceplates that double as aesthetic placards and screen protectors. Gamers who pick up the black GB Micro will get three faceplates with the following designs: a "flame" pattern, a green camouflage design, and a simple silver color. The silver Micro will come packaged with faceplates with an "Ammonite" design (a black background with translucent blue swirls), a "ladybug" scheme, and a simple black color.

The new handheld weighs in at a featherweight 2.8 ounces and measures 4 inches by 2 inches by 0.7 inches, which is only slightly larger than an iPod mini. The Game Boy Micro can play Game Boy Advance titles, but it isn't compatible with classic Game Boy cartridges. The Micro will also feature an interchangeable faceplate, much like the Xbox 360 and Nokia cell phones. This feature is part of Nintendo's attempt to market the Game Boy Advance to a broader, hipper audience.

Nintendo also announced that it is cutting the price of the Nintendo DS from $150 to $130 effective August 21, Reuters reported. The price drop will coincide with the August 22 release of Nintendogs and Advance Wars: Dual Strike.

For more on the Game Boy Micro, read GameSpot Hardware's hands-on with the device at E3 2005.