Gameboy Advance SP

[MusicJunkie]

I picked up a gba sp platinum yesterday. This thing is awesome! It has a whole different look and feel than the original gba. Its almost as if they were aiming for the adult market. When closed it looks more like a pda than a toy and is about the size of a one inch stack of 3.5" floppies. When open the unit is about the size of the gameboy color.

The fit and finish is excellent. I like how closing the unit protects the screen from scratches. The buttons are below the screen instead of on either side, and are a little smaller. The left and right buttons are on the corners kind of behind the screen when open but I have no problem hitting them. Even the hinge has a nice satisfying "clunk" when the unit closes.

But the main thing that makes this player special is the light. No more straining to get enough light to play. Just hit the light button and the screen is completely illuminated.

If anyone out there is as frustrated with their gba's lack of light as I was but likes to play portable this is the unit for you.

MJ

 

[Rizumu]

Pennyarcade's strip on the GBA SP was dead on though, you have to admit

I mean, come on, no headphone jack?! That should be blasphemy around here!

I'm definitely going to be picking one up though. I'd play my GBA at least three times more often if I could actually see the screen well.

 

[gloco]

Yeah, i saw it in action and thought it looked great. I have the original GBA, do you know if any stores are taking in the original GBA's for a trade-in with some cash, with the SP unit, i would definitely start playing again.

 

[MusicJunkie]

gloco - i haven't heard of anybody taking in the original gba as trade. At bestbuy they have some sort of rebate plan but i don't have the details. It involves buying a game along with the sp or something like that.

Rizumu - it sucks that you have to buy an adaptor in order to use headphones. But trust me, you won't care. The light makes up for everything. Ive been playing Namco Museum and its like having the old arcade machines in the palm of you hand.

 

[djgustashaw]

yea one of my friends got one and brought it to school... im not completly sold on it, not for $100 at least. maybe ill wait for the price to go down some like it did on the old gba and the gb color. i actually never had a problem with no backlight on my old gb color, so what are the old gba's going for now? $60 or so? i may go that route instead.

 

[MusicJunkie]

djgustashaw - if you don't mind the glare and lack of light on the gba then you probably have no need for this unit. I actually think the original is a little easier to hold and play.

 

[Rizumu]

Yeah I don't really care for the "Beam me up, Scotty" design...I rather like how the GBA is styled. But a backlight!

How can I resist?

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

The day I get a co-op job I will buy one of these hehe. Wait I better wait until after my finals lol.

Biggie.

 

[Sol_Zhen]

I’ve held the demo model of the SP in the local game shop. I’m not getting one.

1) It’s too small for my hands to use without cramping. Advantage: original GBA.
2) No headphone out without the adapter? What?!! Advantage: original GBA.
3) Can’t take regular batteries when I travel. Advantage: original GBA.
4) No dimmer for the light, only an on/off switch. Advantage: my AfterBurned GBA with dimmer dial.

The SP is cute and fixes the light issue. However, I’ll stick with my AfterBurned GBA.

thankyouverymuchnintendostopsoakingmeformoney

 

[JMedeiros]

Well..the lack of a headphone jack just nixed it for me. What was Nintendo thinking?

John

 

[djgustashaw]

Quote:

Well..the lack of a headphone jack just nixed it for me.

yea, it is pretty stupid not to have one, but at the same time, my game boy color is the ONLY source that my SR60's sound like crap through

 

[aeberbach]

I looked at the Lik Sang article when they were first available, they opened one up and looks to me like there is plenty of room to add a headphone jack. Look out for my SP modding article as soon as I get around to picking one up - I sure wish I could buy a black one locally.

 

[minya]

I've had one for a week or two. I LOVE it. I don't mind the lack of a headphone jack either; a $5 piece of plastic adds a jack, so I don't care.

The design is brilliant, and the light is perfect. God, it's like a portable Super Nintendo... I'm in love. Pokemon Sapphire is awesome, as well. God, that **** is addictive.

I just hope Final Fantasy Tactics Advance comes out SOON!

- Chris

 

[Sol_Zhen]

Quote:

Originally posted by aeberbach Look out for my SP modding article as soon as I get around to picking one up - I sure wish I could buy a black one locally.

Heh. Nintendo can't get it right.

Buy a GBA and you have to open it up and install an Afterburner.

Buy a SP and you have to open it up and install a headphone jack.

Bad Nintendo. Bad.

6/13/01

2/15/02

3/24/03

 

[tbdoah]

Nice Sol_Zhen