E-Reader

The 'e-Reader is a device that allows the Gameboy Advance to read information encoded on e-Reader cards. These cards usually unlocked new content or letting you play a game on the GBA. The e-Reader sold very well in Japan and is still being produced there, but it has been discontinued in America and Europe due to lack of sales.

There are two different types of e-Reader. The first was only released in Japan as e-Reader. These version could only work with one Gameboy Advance. The e-Reader+, known simply as the e-Reader outside of Japan, could work with other Gameboy Advances and the Gamecube.

Game List

Air Hockey-e

This card let you play air hockey on your Gameboy Advance. It was given away as a promotion when the e-Reader was released. In Australia, it came with every e-Reader.

Animal Crossing-e

The Animal Crossing-e cards unlocked new content for Animal Crossing. Character cards would make a character give the player a present, design cards give the player a new design, town tune cards give the player's town a new town tune, and minigame cards let the player participate in a minigame. The cards were released in four series as well as several promotional cards.

Classic NES

These cards allow you to play classic NES games on your Gameboy Advance. Five cards are required to play a single game. For a list of Classic NES series games and more information about them, see Category: e-Reader Games.

E3 2002 Promo Pack

This rare set contains four cards. In addition to a variation of Manhole-e and two Pokémon cards, it also contained a Kirby card that determined whether you won or lose a raffle.

EON Ticket

This promotional card was given away at E3, Toys 'R' Us, and in an issue of Nintendo Power. The card allowed players to find Latias or Latios in Pokémon: Ruby & Sapphire Version.

FOXBOX Kirby Slide Puzzle

This card contained a Kirby-themed slide puzzle to promote the television show Kirby: Right Back at Ya! It was distributed with Nintendo Power and Tips & Tricks magazine.

Manhole-e

This game came with every e-Reader outside of Australia. It allowed you to play Manhole. It was made to promote a Game & Watch line of e-Reader games that ultimately never materialized.

Mario Party-e

Mario Party-e not only allows the player to play mini games, it's also a card game. There are 65 total cards. One of these is a promotional card that has no minigame, but can be used in the card game.

Pokémon Battle-e

These cards are usable in Pokémon: Ruby & Sapphire Version after becoming a member of the Mystery Event Club. Usually, the cards allow you to battle extra trainers, but you don't get any money or experience if you win. A few of the cards give you berries.

The cards came in packages of eighteen. There are three of these packages. In America, a different promotional card came with Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire. Three promotional cards came packaged with the Australian e-Reader.

Pokémon Channel

These are a set of cards shipped with Pokémon Channel. In America, the cards were a "6-Pattern" card, a Pikachu card, and a Kyogre card. In Australia, Jirachi was substituted for Kyogre.

Pokémon Colosseum

In Pokémon Colosseum, Togepi, Scizor, and Mareep were only available through the e-Reader.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

This set of cards started with the Pokémon-e Expedition expansion and were discontinued 2 years later with the Team Magma vs. Team Aqua expansion. Using the e-Reader technology, every card had a function. These functions included displaying information about the pokémon, playing music, running a minigame, or activating a special attack. Some players complained that the special attack feature gave players with an e-Reader a special advantage.

Rockman.EXE & Rockman Zero 3

Only available in Japan, these cards could be good or bad. Sometimes, the cards could give the player enhancements like a better attack or more health. Other times, the cards could cause a "bug", such as not being able to control your character or less health.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3-e

This series of cards works with Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. The cards give the players power-ups, let them play new levels, or can show the player how to beat a level.

There are 36 different cards divided into two series. Each series is made up of five demo cards, five level cards, eight power-up cards, and one card that's just for advertisement of the Pokémon Battle-e series of cards. In addition to these regular cards, two promotional cards came with every copy of Super Mario Advance 4. For a short time, five other promotional cards came packed with the game, but only at Wal-Mart.