It wasn't totally without benefits, yeah. But something else now possible that (for the most part) couldn't be done then is just hit pause when you want a break. That way you don't have to worry about having to either set the gameboy back down to watch when the commercials end or miss some of the show because you're about to beat the level and can't just stop playing. Like, commercials were good for a piss break and grabbing some snacks too, but if you were too long in the other room and you came back you'd have no idea how that mini-cliff-hanger resolved.