New backlit GBASP2 for $48 from Walmart!!!

[Jagasian]

This Black Friday, that is the day after Thansgiving (November 25, 2005), Walmart is going to be selling the new backlit GBASP2 for just $48. Note that Nintendo released two new GBA systems this year. One is the much hyped Micro, while the other is the under-hyped but really great GBASP2, which has a dramatically improved screen that is now backlit as opposed to frontlit. Here is my source:
http://www.bfads.net/stores.php?id=1

Talk about an inexpensive gift, and don't forget that multiplayer games require more than one GBA ;)

[poopnes]

If that site is reliable it also confirms that there will be no PS2 price drop. Its being shown for $149.

[Jagasian]

If that site is reliable it also confirms that there will be no PS2 price drop. Its being shown for $149.

It is reliable. If you check around the site, they have a zip file with a bunch of .JPG images that are scans of the actual multi-page sales advertisement. There is another interesting sale, a $398 laptop, but since this is mainly a console gaming forum, I thought I'd just mention the really great GBASP2 deal. $48 is the price of a game for one of the full-sized consoles.

[joshnickerson]

It just lists these colors,

"Gameboy Advance SP (Cobalt, Platinum, Flame, Onyx)"

And none of them have the backlit screen installed. Only the new colors (Pearl Blue and Graphite Black) have the backlit screens.

[Damion]

you know what? thats fine for me :) I planned on getting my kids new GBASP's for X-mas this year and buying four at that price really works out. they can live without the backlit screen. maybe with the extra money I'll buy them an Xbox and mod it.

[Muscelli]

I believe these are for the regular GBASPs, but it is still a great deal anyways

[Bratwurst]

Trying to get anything on Black Friday is like squeezing water out of a rock. Good luck to anyone who aims to snag one of these.

[joshnickerson]

Well, I suppose if your local Electronics manager is a complete idiot, there's a chance the backlit ones could be put out by mistake...

And yeah, Bratwurst, I worked at Wal-Mart for three years, so I know the "joy"(?) that is Black Friday. If you plan to go, I highly suggest starting physical training and the fine art of sucker punching now. I've actually seen people get into fistfights over cheap DVD players during my tenure there. Sad.

Actually, that was pretty damn funny to watch. Hell, I'll probably end up going myself, not buying anything but just watching the chaos unfold. Mass mayhem and sheer destruction is FUN!

[Whiskers the Wonder Cat]

$48? Wow, thx for saying so. I almost bought mine at Ebgames for $70 the other day. *Runs to nearest Wal-Mart*

[Flack]

I love Black Friday. My wife loves shopping and getting good deals so I always make my list and send her out into the world with it. Works great for both of us. That's how I got my $79 Gamecube from Wal-Mart! Go honey go!

[johno590]

Ah man, I got so excited when I saw this topic. I'm going to be getting the blacklit SP for christmas from my girlfriend, and I was going to tell her about this, but it's only for the older ones :( Oh well..

FYE music or whatever they are, is having a sale on game boy sp's. I saw in the mall yesterday that you get a 30 dollar mail-in rebate once you buy the SP and 2 19.99+ games, just in case anyone wanted to know of another deal.

[Jagasian]

It just lists these colors,

"Gameboy Advance SP (Cobalt, Platinum, Flame, Onyx)"

And none of them have the backlit screen installed. Only the new colors (Pearl Blue and Graphite Black) have the backlit screens.

Will the Walmart sales staff be able to tell the difference. I was betting that they would be selling all GBASP's for $48, as they most likely wouldn't be able to appreciate the difference, and I also figured that by Black Friday, most stores would only have the new backlit version in stock.

[EricRyan34]

Meh, I dont ever dare go shopping on Black Friday, way to much heavy shopping traffic for me, dont wanna get run over by people

[suckerpunch5]

If you plan to go, I highly suggest starting physical training and the fine art of sucker punching now.

Check, and CHECK!! Alright, I'm good to go!

[PrototypeFC3S]

I heard those new SP2's suck. The d-pad clicks in the center, and while its pressed down you cant push any of the other buttons on the d-pad. Really bad for some games.

The really bad thing is that Nintendo isnt doing anything about it. I've tested a pearl blue one at circuit city and man is that thing awful! :/

But since the sale is about the regular SP's then its all gravy!

More INFO here. http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69716

[Jagasian]

I heard those new SP2's suck. The d-pad clicks in the center, and while its pressed down you cant push any of the other buttons on the d-pad. Really bad for some games.

The really bad thing is that Nintendo isnt doing anything about it. I've tested a pearl blue one at circuit city and man is that thing awful! :/

But since the sale is about the regular SP's then its all gravy!

More INFO here. http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69716

I've heard of this problem too, and I expressed interest in other people confirming it, but from what I understand it is an assembly defect that seems to be more common for the new GBASP2, but it is not a defect in all GBASP2s. Very few people got such defective GBASP2s, and most people got systems that have the little plastic disk that goes under the D-pad and prevents pressing opposing directions at the same time. Of course, you can and should immediately return your GBASP2 if it has this defect.

On another forum, people claimed that this also happened with the original GBASP, but people are just more vocal about things these days. But from the looks of it, it is a good idea to immediately test the D-pad on your GBASP2, in the store, right after buying it. You can test it by trying to press the D-pad down in the very center. If it presses down or lets you press LEFT and RIGHT at the same time (or UP and DOWN) at the same time, exchange it for another one. Repeat until you get a properly assembled GBASP2.

[Jagasian]

Meh, I dont ever dare go shopping on Black Friday, way to much heavy shopping traffic for me, dont wanna get run over by people

Others have recommended buying the GBASP2 from Walmart, using a credit card if you can, the day before Thanksgiving, and then do a price match the day after Black Friday. That way you save yourself the long lines, but you also save your money. Since you bought it with a credit card, the additional $25 or so will never be missed.

[Dobie]

I kinda like Black Friday. Its fun to get up super early and go shopping. I say that Thanksgiving/Black Friday are the REAL patriotic American holidays--stuffing your face in preparation for mass consumerism. Its the American way.

I usually pick out one or two deals I like, and then go down about 5:00 AM or so to get in line for the item I want. Its never failed me yet. The GBASP sounds like it might be one of those deals.

[jajaja]

I wish they remade the first GBA with better background light.

[Jagasian]

I wish they remade the first GBA with better background light.

That is a good idea. It wouldn't be the most portable of the GBAs, but it would definitely have the best controls. It would also be more comfortable for playing classic Game Boy games. As it is now, there is a GBA to match whatever your priority is:

1. Portability = GB micro
2. Controls = GBA
3. Best Screen = GBASP2

It is difficult to have it all in one. Good controls and a good screen would have to be at least as large as the original GBA.

[GameSlaveGaz]

Wal-Mart thinks they're soo smug, they can price drop consoles and take the loss in profits. It makes me sick.

For any of you who have never had the pleasure of working in video game retail, the reason that (with the exception of Wal-Mart on Black Friday) ALWAYS sells consoles at the MSRP and never have sales on them, coupons never work on them, nor do employees get their employee discounts on them is because the store barely makes any profit off selling them. They break even with probably no more than a dollar profit because of how much they have to spend to purchase the product from the manufacturers. When I first started working the video game dept at TRU 3 years ago I thought there were regulations regarding the MSRP, but stores can drop the price if they want, but they'll lose money on the deal and therefore virtually no store will do it. But...Wal-Mart is a pyschotic and evil corporation - moreso than other corporations, and they're willing to take the chances of losing a profit to drop down the price of a GameCube or a GBA SP just to get droves of people flocking to their store. They hope that what they lose in individual sales will be made up and then some in the sheer units they'd sell in that one day. I'm actually shocked and amazed that Wal-Mart's been doing this the past couple of Black Fridays. With how greedy they are about money and the fact that they care less about people than other corporations (and that's saying a lot because NO corporation truly cares about people - at least most PRETEND to) I am shocked that they'd actually do something as amazing as dropping a console or handheld by $30. Of course, they get even more money by talking you into add-on sales like games, accessories and extended warranties (which I am forced to ask for on a daily basis)

The one thing I'm glad of: In corporate's ever-growing number of attempts to run our company into the ground, Toys R Us recently did away with price guarantees. Which means we won't have to honor Wal-Mart's price on the SPs (woot! cuz that was obnoxious last year w/the GameCubes) but then of course we have to listen to customers piss and moan (always a gas...NOT)

Gee, thanks a lot for mentioning Black Friday. I am truly NOT looking forward to that day. It is the worst day all year for retailers. I don't care how much money my company makes and how big my paycheck will be, it's too much. Crazy, pyschotic people camping outside the store since 5AM to be the first in there to get the Doorbuster deals. GET A LIFE!!!

God, November just started and it's already getting extremely busy in my store. It's gotten to the point where Someone has to come in at 7AM (2 hours before the store opens, 3 on Sundays) - I'm the lucky one who gets to do it Saturdays and Sundays - to get anything in the RZone done. And I work 9 hours straight - 7-4, and still don't get everything done. Because once we open it's just customer after customer. And of course we're just getting hoardes and hoardes of product in (which is good because it's usually 6 months before we're restocked on something and now they're cramming it down our throats) that we don't have time to put out, and when we do it won't fit out and there is no more room in the storerooms for anything. It's pandemonium. It'll be my 4th year at Toys R Us Jan 19, and every season has gotten progressively worse. I am shocked and amazed I wasn't fired last season for having at least 1 breakdown per shift cuz nothing could get done. I keep trying to remind myself it'll all be over in a month and a half, but no luck, it's still pissing me off!!!!!

Man, I rambled on. Shit, I'm sorry about that LMAO That's what you get for getting me started on retail. :)

[SegaAges]

Black Friday is the best day in the world.

I buy absolutely nothing, but will go to stores and just walk around.

My mom used to go to these things, and that is how I get into it, she would go off into the madness, and I would sit back and watch.

My mom would start shopping at like 4 in the morning or something stupid retarded like that.

Everybody, Black friday is america at our finest LOL

[Leo_A]

Black Friday isn't all that bad, I usually get everything I go for such as the 80 dollar GC deal with the Zelda Collectors edition a couple years back.

"Crazy, pyschotic people camping outside the store since 5AM to be the first in there to get the Doorbuster deals. GET A LIFE!!!"

Some of us do it for the entertainment value. :) Any deals I get are secondary to it.

Nothing stands out in that list. I wouldn't mind a laptop for school, but I bet that is a piece of junk and will be among the first things to sell out.

[aaron7]

I remember getting to Toys R Us one year for a Furby at 4AM! That sucked. When the doors opened people were cutting in line and getting knocked the fock out!

But ya, I feel for the people working that day. My FIRST day at Best Buy was Black Friday... ... ... I'd tell you about it, but I can only remember little spots of things. Like we had a $599 laptop that we had 10 of, and 1000000000000 people wanted it. And they were PISSED when it wasn't available still. Pissed at ME!!! What the hell do you want me to do? No, I will not check the stock room. No, I will not call other stores for you. You should have been here at 4am.

[maxlords]

Just FYI, most Wal-Marts seem to use a bar code scanner to ring things in, and as the new GBA SPs have *gasp* different bar codes, they'll ring up at the price they're supposed to, unless you can con a manager into thinking they're supposed to be on sale and adjusting the price manually. Good luck on that on Black Friday. lol

[aaron7]

Customer is always right! Just say, "Why are those cheaper? They are the same thing! I want the cheaper price!"

[maxlords]

Customer is always right! Just say, "Why are those cheaper? They are the same thing! I want the cheaper price!"

And the manager will patiently (or not so patiently) explain that they're not the same thing and that no you cannot have them for the same price. If you think you can scam em, more power to ya, but I'd bet you fail. Customer is always a moron, rarely right, but always spoken to politely.

[aaron7]

Yah, I've worked in retail/customer service all the time. But usually the manager will give the customer what they want; least in all the jobs I've worked.

[GameSlaveGaz]

Just FYI, most Wal-Marts seem to use a bar code scanner to ring things in, and as the new GBA SPs have *gasp* different bar codes, they'll ring up at the price they're supposed to, unless you can con a manager into thinking they're supposed to be on sale and adjusting the price manually. Good luck on that on Black Friday. lol

You are overestimating the intelligence of Wal-Mart employees. LOL

[liab1228]

Well, I suppose if your local Electronics manager is a complete idiot, there's a chance the backlit ones could be put out by mistake...

And yeah, Bratwurst, I worked at Wal-Mart for three years, so I know the "joy"(?) that is Black Friday. If you plan to go, I highly suggest starting physical training and the fine art of sucker punching now. I've actually seen people get into fistfights over cheap DVD players during my tenure there. Sad.

Actually, that was pretty damn funny to watch. Hell, I'll probably end up going myself, not buying anything but just watching the chaos unfold. Mass mayhem and sheer destruction is FUN!


I work there too and I actually think when the store first opens the door is fun to watch. It kind of looks like a stampede.

[eggwolio]

as lots of stores still have both the new and the old sp in stock, wouldn't it be feasible to take your $48 SP to another store(another company, not necessarily another wal-mart) later in the day/week and explain that it was a gift for your birthday but that the wrong one was purchased and you'd just like to swap it out? most places don't require receipts for exchanges, just say that you specifically mentioned that you wanted the brighter screen but somehow the gift-giver still got the wrong one. since they're both the same price right now, you should be fine.

[segagamer4life]

I believe these are for the regular GBASPs, but it is still a great deal anyways


I plan on going there, and asking for the Gba sp2, and seeing if they will give it to me for the other price, you know take advantage of ignorant staff :D :D :D

[GrandAmChandler]

Black Friday is the best day in the world.

I buy absolutely nothing, but will go to stores and just walk around.



Agreed! It makes me laugh watching people terrorize stores for certain deals.

After all is said and done, I usually go shopping around 5pm on Black Friday, everyone is pretty much worn out by then, and deals are still to be found! I got South Park Season 3 last year at Target for like $15 IIRC.

[Jagasian]

I believe these are for the regular GBASPs, but it is still a great deal anyways


I plan on going there, and asking for the Gba sp2, and seeing if they will give it to me for the other price, you know take advantage of ignorant staff :D :D :D

Everyone should come back and post here as to their success in getting a GBASP2 at the $48 price. If Walmart doesn't have it computerized such that the SP1 and the SP2 have different SKU numbers, then I could see them simply selling GBASP1 and 2s for the same price. Come on, to most people, a "Game Boy" is a "Game Boy".

[dojosky]

yea Good luck in many cities you will have to camp out by the stores you want to snag those black friday deals ! day after thanksgiving !!!! on those black fridays I've barely had few luck :( the stores will be packed even in early in the am ! one year I stayed up the whole night to be awake then headed to the stores at around 3 30 am its not worth it ! lol good luck !

[rpepper9]

Well, I suppose if your local Electronics manager is a complete idiot, there's a chance the backlit ones could be put out by mistake...

doesn't really matter which one is put out, the barcode at the checkout would still charge you the correct price.

[Promophile]

I donno where you guys live, but everytime I've had a conflict with a manager, even when I was 100 pct correct about a sale or whatever, they have NEVER given me the benefit of the doubt. Its almost like they think I'm trying to steal their paycheck by getting 5 dollars off a game.

[slip81]

If it wasn't on BF I might try to fenagle a new backlit SP, but I don't go near any retail places on that day. Though I may venture to the local mall this year to see how my friend is doing, he just got a job at Waldenbooks, just in time for the holidays :D

[Vigilante]

I'll be spending Black Friday at the grand opening of the Digital Press megavideogamesstore in Clifton. (If Joe's ready by then, keeping fingers crossed)

[Jorpho]

Does someone have more linkage about this SP2? Will it be universally cheaper? Is anything else chaged aside from the switch to backlighting from frontlighting? I am most curious.

[studvicious]

There are some comparison threads on the new/old sp's. The difference in the screen is truly night and day. I played one at Wal-Mart and couldn't believe how bright and clear it was. I MUST get one. :D

[Jorpho]

There are some comparison threads on the new/old sp's.

They seem to be buried...

[Jorpho]

EDIT: Ah, here we are.
http://gba.gamespy.com/articles/654/654407p1.html
http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/652/652641p1.html

A pity it's still currently selling for $100 CDN at Future Shop (which is actually the same price as the Micro). I don't much like the available colors anyway.