e-Reader

Overview

The e-Reader was a peripheral created for the Game Boy Advance. Being a first-party peripheral, it was developed by Nintendo. The basic function of the e-Reader is to scan in cards with the LED scanner, for various effects depending on the data encoded on the card. The usual function of the cards were to unlock extras in the game they were meant for, such as items, levels, or mini-games. Used in conjunction with the GameCube to Game Boy Advance cable, extras could be unlocked in compatible GameCube games as well.

Classic NES Games

The following NES games were released as e-Reader cards, packaged as five cards. These cards differed from others, as they had the "dot code" barcode on both sides. Some of the NES games released as e-Reader cards were later released in the Classic NES Series as cartridges.

• Balloon Fight
• Baseball
• Clu Clu Land
• Donkey Kong
• Donkey Kong Jr.
• Donkey Kong 3
• Excitebike
• Golf
• Ice Climber
• Pinball
• Mario Bros.
• Tennis
• Urban Champion

Game Boy Advance Games

The following games had some sort of extras available.

• Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire - Ruby and Sapphire had a variety of cards released, adding many different things. There were several types of cards: Trainer Cards (which would spawn a special trainer for the player to battle), Enigma Berries (a special berry obtainable from Norman that changes depending on which card is scanned), and the Eon Ticket (a special item given away at Toys R Us in 2003 that could be used to get Latias or Latios).
• Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen and Pokémon Emerald - FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald had a set of battle cards released in Japan (although never released in North America).
• Super Mario Bros. 3: Super Mario Advance 4 - There were 36 different cards released for Super Mario Advance 4 over a span of two sets. These cards ranged from demo cards, new levels, new power-ups, and then a special card that only contained an advertisement for other cards.
• Rockman EXE - The Japanese release of Mega Man Battle Network games had cards available that added a variety of things, including abilities, blaster changes, items, slot modifications, and many more extras.
• Rockman Zero 3 - The Japanese release of Mega Man Zero 3 had several cards available that added things such as weapon upgrades, blaster changes, and even some graphical changes (changing the blaster shot to look like an actual bullet).
• Domokun no Fushigi Terebi - Different packs were released for this Japan-only game over the lifespan of the e-Reader, adding a variety of new mini-games and events.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong - One of the most little-known e-Reader card compatible games, Nintendo of Japan held a competition for several cards that held new levels for Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Only 1000 winners were selected, so the cards are some of the rarest.

GameCube Games

The following games require the usage of a GameCube to Game Boy Advance cable in order to gain their effects.

• Animal Crossing - Many cards were manufactured for use in Animal Crossing, adding a variety of things including new items, new villagers, "town tunes," new designs, and various promotional cards distributed at retailers such as GameStop and EB Games.
• Pokémon Colosseum - In Japan, cards were released that added additional trainers to battle and the ability to capture three extra Shadow Pokémon.
• Pokémon Channel - Six different cards were released in North America and Australia (three in each country). The North American pack had a Pikachu card, a Kyogre card, and a "6-pattern" card, while the Australian pack replaced the Kyogre card with a Jirachi.

Other Cards

Various other cards were released for the e-Reader, including promotional cards and even a few unique games.

• Mario Party-e - A unique game for the e-Reader that incorporated a card game, along with cards to scan in for mini-games. There was a total of 64 cards released for Mario Party-e.
• Kirby Slide Puzzle - A promotional mini-game card given away at select Toys R Us stores and given away in an issue of Nintendo Power and the Tips & Tricks magazine. It featured a simple puzzle mini-game.
• Air Hockey-e - The Air Hockey cards were released along with the e-Reader at select retailers, and then later sold as a standalone card in Australia.
• Manhole-e - An e-Reader version of the original Game & Watch Manhole game. It was part of a planned Game & Watch series for the e-Reader.
• E3 2002 Promo Pack - A promotional pack of cards given away at E3 2002, containing the Manhole-e card, two cards in the Pokémon trading game, and a Kirby card that is considered the rarest e-Reader card. When scanned it tells the player that they have won a prize.
• Pokémon Trading Card Game - Several trading cards were released and packaged with various Pokémon media (for example, a Suicune card was packaged with the Pokémon 4Ever DVD release).