Which GBA-SP versions had the bright screen?

[fishsandwich]

Pearl Pink
Pearl Blue
Graphite
Spongebob

I know these four versions came with the far superior enhanced screen (version AGS-101) versus the older version of the SP (version AGS-001) but I was recently thrown for a loop when I saw what I thought was a pearl blue system but with the older screen. I thought ALL the pearl blue systems had the newer AGS-101 screen. I did not know the Spongebob version had the brighter screen until I saw one on ebay.

Which versions of the SP came with the brighter AGS-101 screen exclusively and which versions could be had with both?

I was not aware of the vast superiority of the newer AGS-101 screen until I gave mine away and bought another one (the NES version). I was shocked by the differance. The old screen has two light settings (off and on) while the newer screen has two setting that are BRIGHT and BRIGHTER. There is no off option. The regular bright setting on the AGS-101 is better than the brightest screen on the AGS-001.... the differance really is remarkable.

Anyone know?

[Polygon]

I didn't know this. I'm actually shopping for one right now, but I'm looking for the classic NES style one specifically. From the sounds of it, it doesn't have the brighter screen. :-/

[jb143]

I think there are a few other special releases in addition to the Spongebob one that have the brighter screen, like a Pokemon version or something. I'm not aware of any other frontlit colors. I think some European versions have different colors for the older screen though.

As for the different brightness settings. The older models used a reflective screen with a frontlight...either by LED(ON) or the sun(off). A special reflective coating on the back of the screen reflects the light back though the LCD so you can see it. The newer models don't have that coating because there's a backlight there instead and just changes the brightness of the LEDs. The backlights are much brighter and more uniformly distributes the light. I pretty much always use the lower setting on mine. The brighter setting seems too bright to me and drains the battery slightly faster.

[fishsandwich]

I didn't know this. I'm actually shopping for one right now, but I'm looking for the classic NES style one specifically. From the sounds of it, it doesn't have the brighter screen. :-/


If you have never used a GBA-SP with the old screen you would most likely be happy but the change from the old screen to the new screen is really quite extreme and I have been spoiled. I, too, never use the brighter setting on the newer GBA... it's a bit TOO bright. I've already purchased an AGS-101 and my classic NES GBA AGS-001 just sits around looking lonely.

[drmay]

You can't go by the color, only the model number.

[Polygon]

If you have never used a GBA-SP with the old screen you would most likely be happy but the change from the old screen to the new screen is really quite extreme and I have been spoiled. I, too, never use the brighter setting on the newer GBA... it's a bit TOO bright. I've already purchased an AGS-101 and my classic NES GBA AGS-001 just sits around looking lonely.

I had one of the blue ones and I sold it. I don't know if it was a 101 or 001. I bought it when they first came out. It seemed bright enough for me. Hopefully the GBA classic I end up with doesn't seem dim.

[Shellshock!]

My question would be if it's possible to put a 101 screen in a first generation GBA. Now THAT would be the best GBA ever made.

[Cornelius]

I've read that some of the latest released 001 SPs actually got the new, brighter screen. Sounds crazy, and I can't verify that from personal experience, but I know I read about it, probably here on DP.

[Cornelius]

My question would be if it's possible to put a 101 screen in a first generation GBA. Now THAT would be the best GBA ever made.

Last post in this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1219526) indicates that it is possible!

[heybtbm]

Oh good. Another chance for me to post my "OG SP vs. SP2" comparison picture. It's about 5-6 years old now...


Yes, it comes in "graphite"...


I'll take my GBA SP any day over playing GBA games on a DS. The "brighter" screen isn't a bunch of hype...it's truly a huge improvement. I took this picture about 2 years ago...

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4845/spvssp2ix1.jpg
Older silver GBA SP vs. graphite "new" GBA SP

[theclaw]

It does sound like the brighter model never got released in Japan.

But what about other parts of Asia? Nintendo brought out all three GBA forms as iQue brand, despite only localizing a handful of games.

[Polygon]

Wow!

That's quite a difference.

[theclaw]

Indeed on image clarity. Except it lacks the original's backlight brightness. So it's harder for us with sensitive eyes to play at night...

[Greg2600]

You can't go by the color, only the model number.
Yes you can. The only Light Pink and Pearl Blue GBA-SP's made had the AGS-101 model. Graphite same thing, though it's often confused with the Dark Grey SP. Key is the buttons on the Graphite are black I believe. I feel the difference is pretty good.

[Jorpho]

This was discussed in brief at http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98204 . Appraently a Classic NES AGB-101 does exist.

[Thrillo]

I always preferred the older screen as it had a warm, CRTish look to it. It feels more appropriate for low-res 2D games like GBA games typically are.

[Polygon]

This was discussed in brief at http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98204 . Appraently a Classic NES AGB-101 does exist.

That's good news. It just may take me a while to find one. Thanks for the info.

[GarrettCRW]

omnedon is more than capable of modding a NES Classic GBA to have the improved screen, and I think that's what he was referring to in his post.

[Polygon]

Ah, I see. So, is there a source to buy these screens? I'm more than capable of of changing the screen myself.

[fishsandwich]

Yes you can. The only Light Pink and Pearl Blue GBA-SP's made had the AGS-101 model. Graphite same thing, though it's often confused with the Dark Grey SP. Key is the buttons on the Graphite are black I believe. I feel the difference is pretty good.


Is there a different light blue version of the old SP that looks a lot like the Pearl Blue version with the brighter screen? I have a nearly-new light blue SP AGS-001 with a somewhat more matte' finish but the color is most certainly the same as the Pearl Blue... I own both.

If it truly is a Pearl Blue version then it must be said that not all Pearl Blue versions came with the AGS-101 screen and by association that no AGS-101 version can be identified solely by color.

[fishsandwich]

Last post in this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1219526) indicates that it is possible!

I believe he was referring to the original horizontal GBA, not the clamshell GBA-SP.

An original 1st-generation GBA with the GBA-SP AGS-101 screen would indeed be awesome. Just have to be careful scratching the screen.

[Cornelius]

I believe he was referring to the original horizontal GBA, not the clamshell GBA-SP.

An original 1st-generation GBA with the GBA-SP AGS-101 screen would indeed be awesome. Just have to be careful scratching the screen.

No, he said it is the NES classic version of the GBA SP. Given that omnedon does all kinds of mods, it isn't surprising at all that he'd put a 101 screen in a 001 model SP.

Also, people did a lot of modding of the original GBA with new screens, though I don't know if it was with a 101 screen. I believe a popular one was called the afterburner mod.

[Flashback2012]

This was discussed in brief at http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98204 . Appraently a Classic NES AGB-101 does exist.

I've got one of these, got them when they first came out so it's safe to assume I have the non AGB-101 screen.

[SpaceHarrier]

Wow, judging by the pic heybtbm posted, I've really been missing out all-around. I've got that silver GBA SP AGS-001 and the silver fat DS, so either way I'm not getting the kind of color palette and pop that I could with the superior versions.

(Guess I never really looked at a side-by-side comparison of either GBA or DS..)

[fishsandwich]

No, he said it is the NES classic version of the GBA SP. Given that omnedon does all kinds of mods, it isn't surprising at all that he'd put a 101 screen in a 001 model SP.

Also, people did a lot of modding of the original GBA with new screens, though I don't know if it was with a 101 screen. I believe a popular one was called the afterburner mod.


Failure.

[Zing]

I actually didn't like how some of the games looked with the backlit screen. I noticed that certain games were produced with extreme contrast and brightness to compensate for the original dark GBA screen. With the bright backlight, these games look rather odd. The first game that comes to mind is Super Mario World (Mario Advance 2?).

The other huge benefit of the frontlit screen over the backlit, is that you can actually play them out in the direct sunlight. I frequently do this as I have a young child and am outside quite a bit. Systems like the DS and backlit GBASP are very hard to see. The original GBA and GBASP have the reflective layer which makes them appear perfectly in the sun.

However, I have to admit that the playability of most games goes way up. I tried playing Metroid Fusion on the front-lit screen and it was frustrating.

[jb143]

Also, people did a lot of modding of the original GBA with new screens, though I don't know if it was with a 101 screen. I believe a popular one was called the afterburner mod.

The afterburner wasn't adding a new screen. It was just adding a front light. Basically a thin wedge of plastic with white LED's in the egde which would reflect down onto the screen. I was installing them for a very short time for Portablemonopoly.net until Nintendo announced the SP. After that, all his orders dissapeared. The frontlit SP was basically the same thing as an afterburner.

[Jorpho]

PortableMonopoly had a huge problem trying to keep up with the influx of orders, as I recall.


No, he said it is the NES classic version of the GBA SP. Given that omnedon does all kinds of mods, it isn't surprising at all that he'd put a 101 screen in a 001 model SP.I suppose it's possible, but it seems to me the problem with doing such a mod would be fitting in the backlight's on-off button somewhere.

[jb143]

PortableMonopoly had a huge problem trying to keep up with the influx of orders, as I recall.

Yeah, that's why he (and I say "he" because it was just one guy) started asking for outside help. I think I saw the help wanted ad on the bulletin board at a local electronics store. What happened was that at first he was just running it as a little side business and didn't have any problem keeping up with orders. Then a magazine mentioned his website and all the sudden he was overtaken with orders. Didn't last too long though because as I mentioned before, the orders vanished after the SP was announced.

[Cornelius]

I suppose it's possible, but it seems to me the problem with doing such a mod would be fitting in the backlight's on-off button somewhere.

Not sure what you mean. The little light button in the top center of the the GBA SP? Both 001 and 101 have that button, they just do slightly different things.

[Jorpho]

Both 001 and 101 have that button, they just do slightly different things.Oh! Oops.

[kedawa]

I never use the light on my front-lit SP. It's just unbearably dim and washed out.
I keep it around for outdoor use and flashing carts, but mostly I use my micro or Gamecube to play GBA games.

[Gameboy415]

If anyone is looking for a used SP2, there's a really easy way to tell if it has the brighter screen without checking model numbers/turning it on.

On the original GBASP, the screen will be a dull gray color when the system is off.
On the GBASP2, the screen will be a dark, almost black color when the system is off.

I grabbed a (second) mint-condition SP2 @ a local used electronics store last summer for only $39.99! :D

[flnettles]

Ah, I see. So, is there a source to buy these screens? I'm more than capable of of changing the screen myself.


Here is a company in China selling the bright screen on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-GBA-SP-LCD-Disaply-Screen-Bright-Replacement-/330548825331?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item4cf63eccf3

[flnettles]

I sold my bright screen GBA SP several years ago and recently picked up the Classic NES Limited Edition. I was VERY disappointed with the dim screen. So, after a lot of
looking, I found a bright replacemente screen on Ebay from a company in China. Very nice people to work with, and I installed it in my NES retro GBA SP. It looks
GREAT! Here is the Ebay link to get this screen, the only place I found it, by the way. I wrote them first and verified that it is indeed the bright screen, and it should
work in any Gameboy Advance SP, and runs $31.99, well worth it!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-GBA-SP-LCD-Disaply-Screen-Bright-Replacement-/330548825331?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item4cf63eccf3

[theclaw]

Is there a different light blue version of the old SP that looks a lot like the Pearl Blue version with the brighter screen? I have a nearly-new light blue SP AGS-001 with a somewhat more matte' finish but the color is most certainly the same as the Pearl Blue... I own both.

If it truly is a Pearl Blue version then it must be said that not all Pearl Blue versions came with the AGS-101 screen and by association that no AGS-101 version can be identified solely by color.

Is your old SP Japanese (check its bottom sticker)? Our usually considered AGS-101 only Pearl Blue and Pearl Pink, are very similar to AGS-001 colors available in Japan.

[BlastProcessing402]

I actually didn't like how some of the games looked with the backlit screen. I noticed that certain games were produced with extreme contrast and brightness to compensate for the original dark GBA screen. With the bright backlight, these games look rather odd. The first game that comes to mind is Super Mario World (Mario Advance 2?).

I know this is an almost 2 year old post, but I still would like to say something. There are actually a few GBA games that take this into account and have a setting you can change to make the game look properly on differently lit screens.

[Leo_A]

Super Mario World looks fine on my backlit SP. The brightened colors aren't terribly noticeable.

The color changes are really noticeable on a Game Boy Player though even though it still looks good. Unless someone did a comparison or had played the SuperNes original recently, I think many wouldn't even realize that Nintendo did some color adjustments to try to compensate for the earlier GBA model's poor screen. It's just different from the original but they didn't really harm it by doing it.

[wiggyx]

I know this is an almost 2 year old post, but I still would like to say something. There are actually a few GBA games that take this into account and have a setting you can change to make the game look properly on differently lit screens.

Some games, like Final Fantasy Tactics, even have a setting for both the illuminated and non-illuminated GBA screens. The difference is substantial.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Oh I am glad to find this topic...

I have around 8 Gameboy SP systems (2 with dead batteries)

The Two Dark Grey Game Boy SPs are Identical...but one has a dull screen and one has a bright screen..

Like the below..

The other Dark Grey Game Boy SP I have has a dead battery but its screen is like shown on my silver SP..both Silver SPs I have,have this dull screen..

Sadly,this nice bright screen that I prefer on the system to the right,has an issue..if you notice there is a black straight line on the bottom of the screen that shows up in every game..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GBArepair009.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GBArepair008.jpg







The Two Dark Grey Game Boy SPs are Identical...but one has a dull screen and one has a bright screen..

The one to the Right has a dead battery now but it has a dull screen...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS004.jpg

Unfortunately it’s sticker spec info is missing..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS007.jpg

Here’s the Bright lit specs..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS009.jpg

[csgx1]

I'm a big fan of the SP and prefer the back lit screen even thought the green colors do seem too strong on certain games.

Here's a few of mine with upgrades screens. Only one out of the bunch is front lit.

5859

[theclaw]

Oh I am glad to find this topic...

I have around 8 Gameboy SP systems (2 with dead batteries)

The Two Dark Grey Game Boy SPs are Identical...but one has a dull screen and one has a bright screen..

Like the below..

The other Dark Grey Game Boy SP I have has a dead battery but its screen is like shown on my silver SP..both Silver SPs I have,have this dull screen..

Sadly,this nice bright screen that I prefer on the system to the right,has an issue..if you notice there is a black straight line on the bottom of the screen that shows up in every game..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GBArepair009.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GBArepair008.jpg







The Two Dark Grey Game Boy SPs are Identical...but one has a dull screen and one has a bright screen..

The one to the Right has a dead battery now but it has a dull screen...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS004.jpg

Unfortunately it’s sticker spec info is missing..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS007.jpg

Here’s the Bright lit specs..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/Chris1/2012%20PICTURE%20ALBUM/GAMEBOYS009.jpg

One on the right has been modified. I'm pretty sure front lit version of dark grey is supposed to have light buttons.
Is that really a Nintendo factory shell either? While hard to see in those pics, the molding looks off somehow. Compare their writing near the power and link ports.

[jperryss]

One on the right has been modified. I'm pretty sure front lit version of dark grey is supposed to have light buttons.
Is that really a Nintendo factory shell either? While hard to see in those pics, the molding looks off somehow. Compare their writing near the power and link ports.

It's stock, mine looks the same.

EDIT: Oops, mine is the backlit one. You might be right (http://pocketmedia.ign.com/pocket/image/article/652/652641/gba-sp-goes-brighter-20050921020337799.jpg), but with them side-by-side it looks like it's more of a black than a dark grey, and not really the same color as the backlit version.

[wiggyx]

I sold my bright screen GBA SP several years ago and recently picked up the Classic NES Limited Edition. I was VERY disappointed with the dim screen. So, after a lot of
looking, I found a bright replacemente screen on Ebay from a company in China. Very nice people to work with, and I installed it in my NES retro GBA SP. It looks
GREAT! Here is the Ebay link to get this screen, the only place I found it, by the way. I wrote them first and verified that it is indeed the bright screen, and it should
work in any Gameboy Advance SP, and runs $31.99, well worth it!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-GBA-SP-LCD-Disaply-Screen-Bright-Replacement-/330548825331?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item4cf63eccf3


Wait, you're saying that you put a 101 screen in an 001 unit? That doesn't work. Are the screens that you're talking about specifically made to work with the 001 SP?

[Greg2600]

You can take the innards from a 101 and put them in a 001 shell I believe.

[Tanooki]

101 & 001 shells are the same. I've seen the swap done. You just pop off both halves of the body and replace the guts. I've seen in person a modded NES model with the nicer screen of the 101 so I know it works. Some for some reason think it won't since the button is on off on one and not the other but the internal housing is the same fit just a differing function to the button is all.

As for the NES GBA Nintendo released only 250K of the unit and it was notably before the 101 popped up.

[jperryss]

As for the NES GBA Nintendo released only 250K of the unit and it was notably before the 101 popped up.

It's available in both versions, right? I had one years ago and I'd swear it was an AGS101.

[Polygon]

Wait, you're saying that you put a 101 screen in an 001 unit? That doesn't work. Are the screens that you're talking about specifically made to work with the 001 SP?


You can take the innards from a 101 and put them in a 001 shell I believe.

Yes, you can swap the guts. In fact, swapping only the screen is quite easy. I've been trying to get a 101 for a reasonable price to swap my NES GBA over.


It's available in both versions, right? I had one years ago and I'd swear it was an AGS101.

Nope. All the NES GBAs were 001s.

[jonjandran]

You can also put a backlit AGS-101 screen in a regular GBA now.

I put one in a Target Edition Red GBA. It's pretty sweet :)

Here's a pic of the mod done by a Modretro Member :


I finally got my cable and screen from that seller on taobao. I don't think the screen itself is an official GBA SP backlit screen, but rather a cheap reproduction. Why? It has a terribly low refresh rate (ghosting) and I can practically see the lines scanning. But, I've never seen an ags-101 before, so I have no reference anyway. Regardless, I may try to source an ags-101 anyway, and try that out.

Anyway, as far I can tell, the (40-pin) cable is just merely an extension for the LCD with an added wire to power the backlight. The reason for this, for those that don't know, is that the standard gba screen, the cable is on the top, and for the GBA SP screen the cable originates out of the bottom of the screen.

(I tried to get as clear of a picture as possible, but my only camera is my iphone)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7619311388_a8d7fdc016_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7619311942_7d6e01a54a_z.jpg

Installation was fairly straightforward after following the pdf install guide. I translated it via google translate, but to be honest, the pictures did a pretty good job anyway. This mod will require you to shave away some plastic from the inside of the front faceplate. I just used a dremel, but I'm sure a hobby knife would work just fine.

Me testing the screen:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7619312390_2aff544a6f_z.jpg

And all put together:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7619313102_97bb3a584e_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7619313572_c6be4822a3_z.jpg

I'm satisfied with how it looks and works, but as I said, perhaps I'll cannibalize an ags-101 in the future.

[theredlineboss]

Wow, that's awesome! Any idea if that adapter cable is available separately? I have a backlit GBA SP which was chewed on by a dog @_@ but the screen managed to survive.

-Rob



You can also put a backlit AGS-101 screen in a regular GBA now.

I put one in a Target Edition Red GBA. It's pretty sweet :)

Here's a pic of the mod done by a Modretro Member :

[jonjandran]

You can buy the cables separately. There are different cables depending on if you have a 32 or 40 pin version and depending on the screen you have in the SP.

You have to use a Buy from Taobao service and it takes a few weeks to get it in.

Here is the site:

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14045909056

[wiggyx]

You can take the innards from a 101 and put them in a 001 shell I believe.

It seemed like he meant that he bought a 101 screen and attached it to an 001 board. That's what I was questioning. The shells are 100% identical, and I knew that.



Nope. All the NES GBAs were 001s.

There were some 101s. I've seen at least one that I KNOW isn't a swap.


Wow, that's awesome! Any idea if that adapter cable is available separately? I have a backlit GBA SP which was chewed on by a dog @_@ but the screen managed to survive.

-Rob


You can buy the cables separately. There are different cables depending on if you have a 32 or 40 pin version and depending on the screen you have in the SP.

You have to use a Buy from Taobao service and it takes a few weeks to get it in.

Here is the site:

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14045909056

I'm actually acting as the sole US distributor for these kits at the moment. In fact, I'm packing them up right now and they'll be up for sale in the next few days. The benefits of buying from me are:

- Detailed, easy to read English instructions
- Domestic shipping prices
- Included 2-way brightness switch (just like the SP 101)
- Warranty on parts
- Nearly the same price and in a nice, retail package

The guy that makes the adapter harness is a great fellow and we've been working for the last couple of months to get this all sorted out. It's proving itself to be a win, win, win situation. Win for him, win for me, and win for you, the customer :)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/wiggyx/Wiggy%20Design/DSC03009.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/wiggyx/Wiggy%20Design/DSC03010.jpg

Keep an eye on my blog (link in sig) if you're interested or just shoot me a pm.


edit: as an FYI, neither the OEM or aftermarket screens work as well as they do I the SP when placed I to the old GBA. I've modded about 4 or 5 now and it's impossible to tell the difference between the different screens. The old GBA clearly wasn't meant for the backlit screen, so it's never going to be exactly like an SP. The modded units are also a tad dimmer than the SP. Still, I've been playing my GBA games on it exclusively. I prefer it over the Micro, SP, DS, or the DS lite for GBA gaming :D

[theclaw]

Pikachu GBA SP exists in 001 and 101 also.

Original Japan version was 001, available at Pokemon Center.
Later USA version was 101, available at Toys R Us.