Japan's technological uniqueness was demonstrated amply today when AM3 revealed that they are to start selling GBA content through vending machines. AM3's Advance Movie system will allow players to download content from the machines on to Smart media diskettes, with everything from TV shows, maps, and comics being made available. Content will cost the equivalent of a few Euros, and AM3's tentative steps will see twenty machines distributed around Japan.

If the initial roll-out proves a hit with GBA owners, then AM3 have revealed ambitions to circulate some 10,000 of the machines around the country by the middle of next year. The initial launch will see the first four episodes of Pokemon made available for download, whilst forthcoming content will be supported by AM3-powered Advance Comic, Navi, Music and Picture peripherals later this year.

By Luke Guttridge