New GameBoy Advance SP coming in March

[YoshiM]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techreviews/games/2003-01-06-game-boy_x.htm

That whole rumor thing we heard about months before. Looks like it's true.

I've been holding off on getting a GBA for some time due to lighting. I got headaches trying to play the sucker as I could never find the perfect lighting at home or at work. Metroid Fusion, here I come!

[MarkM2112]

Wow! that is one good looking machine! About time they thought of putting a light in there! Also, I like the flip-up design! My display always used to get scratched up!

[asharru]

That is exactally what I've been waiting for!!! YAY for backlighting!!!!!!

:D

[Raedon]

hmm.. not all the rumors were true then, there are not 4 buttons.

This is a much better design.. now you can actually put it in your pocket and not scratch it to hell. Wonder if Nintendo added some protection from Flash cards on it.

[portnoyd]

Wow, sweet design. I'm glad it's just a redesign instead of a system upgrade. Oh well, my afterburnered GBA served me well. ;)

dave

[MankeyMan]

hmm.. not all the rumors were true then, there are not 4 buttons.

This is a much better design.. now you can actually put it in your pocket and not scratch it to hell. Wonder if Nintendo added some protection from Flash cards on it.

If you look closely at the corner there is an R button, which means you can assume that there is an L button as well. R + L + A + B = 4 buttons. (Unless you meant 4 buttons and shoulder buttons)

[hydr0x]

ok guys i just saw a preview on tv, i think i only saw 2 buttons, not sure about that, design is cool, can be folded :)

does anyone know if march is worldwide release? i only know that it will be released in europe in march

[leonk]

Here's the best picture:

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20030107-00000980-reu-bus_all.view-000

[bargora]

The hinged screen is a cool feature to prevent scratches. I've only avoided scratches on my GBA screen because I use a light shield. The thing is, I've dropped my GBA a couple of times already, and I don't consider myself a total klutz. After a good drop, the light shield flies off, the battery cover comes off, and the batteries pop out. The GBA itself, however, keeps on chugging. I just worry that the new design might be less bulletproof when it comes time to accidentally drop it. Basically, I'm just not sure how solid those hinges are going to be.

Of course, I'll have to get one eventually!

[geelw]

i see ONE potentially bad design flaw: the ribbon cable connecting the screen to the power supply will probably wear out first from opening and closing the unit, and no doubt, the hinged area between the two halves will get clogged with dust and crap from careless kids and adults who throw it in a pocket or bag without a protective case of some sort. i also see a few thousand people sitting on their gba sp's and cracking the screen once it goes into a back pocket, lol...

other than that, it looks like a cross between a mini-laptop and the old double screen game & watches. cool... :D

[K3V]

There are 4 buttons, it's just the L and R buttons are tough to see. Check out this picture:

http://www.gbacentral.net/hardware/gbasp/gbasp4.jpg

(Cut and paste since they don't allow direct linking).

Looks cool, but I'm not sure if I can bring myself to buy yet another Game Boy. Maybe once the price drops.

-Kevin

[Six Switch]

Looks good to me,but geelw has a few good points.

And it is not backlit,it is frontlit.I know that the Afterburner kit was frontlit but I have no idea what eaither or them mean. :D :hmm: x_x

[Lady Jaye]

Well, considering that I've lost my GBA, I guess I'll have to wait a couple of months now. I know I could just get another regular GBA (which is still going to be sold, btw), but the idea of the light and of the flip case is interesting. It's funny: I've had my GBC for 2 1/2 years now, and the screen is still fine. However, I managed to scratch my GBA screen pretty fast. So I guess that a hinged version might be a good idea. Of course, it all boils down to my personal finances, tho.

[CrazyImpmon]

i see ONE potentially bad design flaw: the ribbon cable connecting the screen to the power supply will probably wear out first from opening and closing the unit, and no doubt, the hinged area between the two halves will get clogged with dust and crap from careless kids and adults who throw it in a pocket or bag without a protective case of some sort. i also see a few thousand people sitting on their gba sp's and cracking the screen once it goes into a back pocket, lol...


Laptops with LCD screen has been around for many years, probably close to 15 years or so and I'm sure there's plenety of technicial information on making reliable hinged design for Nintendo to check with in their R&D area. Also I'm sure the new GBA won't be that easily crushed or broken as many people have left GBA in pockets. The worse case scenario with abuse and rough handling while in pocket would be a huge permanet black spot on the screen.

Looking at the picture of the back side, I see 2 notches and a standard GBA port but what the heck is the extra port for? Cell phone connectivity???

[Dobie]

I'm guessing, but could it be the jack for the recharger? Some cell phones have that "locking" mechanism in the transformer connection. That's what it kind of looks like to me.

[chocobokick]

I have tried almost every light for my gba so I am happy about the new lighting stuff.

But my real question is what colors will it come in :)
I've seen the violet and silver so far. What about pink?!?

[Zaxxon]

They'll keep all the good colors in Japan and give North America three lame colors to choose from and that's it.

[CrazyImpmon]

They'll keep all the good colors in Japan and give North America three lame colors to choose from and that's it.

So? A can of paint is only about $3 in most stores. :D Unless Nintendo changed the security screws again and used non standard screw.

[Raedon]

4 face buttons.. the original design I was was more like an SNES controller. 4 face 2 sholder.

[WiseSalesman]

From the IGN article (http://pocket.ign.com/articles/381/381613p1.html):


The unit will not have a headphone jack; Nintendo has created a special adapter for the GBA SP that plugs into a brand-new multi-access port (also used for the AC adapter) which enables users to plug in standard headphones. Sold seperately, of course.


Something else to buy....just great....

Although, I have to admit, I'm really glad I waited on the GBA now....this little thing is just so damn cool! Originally, I was going to wait for the GC addon that allows you to play GBA games, but I have a feeling I'd rather have this. My only question? How comfortable is that thing going to be?

[WiseSalesman]

The Game Boy Advance SP system will feature a rechargeable, replaceable battery pack that gives the GBA SP system approximately 10 hours playtime with the light on, 18 hours with the light off. The unit will be sold in two colors: Platinum and Cobalt. The unit can fully charge its battery in three hours through the AC adaptor.

And I'm going to have to buy an extra battery pack too (so Ic an play while mine's recharging). There's something wrong here, I should not be slowly transforming into Nintendo's bitch.

[digitalpress]

Has anyone pre-oirdered this yet?

Best I've seen is $130 from ncsx.com. That's a lot of do-re-mi.

[WiseSalesman]

Really? IGN is saying that it should retail for $99.

[digitalpress]

See for yourself.

http://www.ncsx.org/2003/ncs010603/ncs0106tu.htm

PS if you've seen a pre-order site for $99 please post it here, thanks.

[Mayhem]

Really? IGN is saying that it should retail for $99.

Yes, but the pre orders are for the Japanese version next month no doubt...?!

Won't have long to wait anyhows, it's out end of March in the UK so the US version can't be that far away either...

[rolenta]

The local Fox news (New York) had these on last night. They were brought in directly from a Nintendo rep who had them under lock and key. The newscaster's son and newphew were playing with them and they loved it. The newscaster said the price would be $99 when it goes on sale on March 23

[kainemaxwell]

Heh, how many people here plan to buy them the day they're released?

[buttasuperb]

Not me, GBA with afterburner is fine by me, that thing looks a little uncomfortable especially with the L and R buttons.

Besides that, I bet the price goes down to 69.99 within 6 months.

[Achika]

http://www.gamestop.com/search.asp?keyword=game+boy+advance+sp&platform=7&lookin=title&genre=0&searchtype=adv&sortby=title

Gamestop has blue and silver in pre-order right now. Remember back when GBP came out, I think silver and blue were the first too colors. EB Games has the same ones.

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categories/products/product.asp?pf_id=232810