If you could only have one GBA variant...

[c0ldb33r]

I know there was a thread not that long ago about the best handheld, but it dealt mostly with the DS/PSP

I'm wondering if you could only have one GBA variant, which would it be?

The only thing is that I'm excluding the DS, or any pre advance GBs. I'm excluding the DS / DS Lite because I'm under the impression everyone would choose it.

So, which is it?

The original gameboy advance? She's horizontal, is backwards compatible, and is oh so dark.
http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/3992/000336893vt.th.jpg (http://img272.imageshack.us/my.php?image=000336893vt.jpg)

How about the SP? Vertical, backwards compatible and has a front-lit screen. It's a bit wishy washy looking today, but at the time I was hella impressed!
http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/9169/gbaspusopencvart1ot.th.jpg (http://img272.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gbaspusopencvart1ot.jpg)

How about the SP2? Same as the SP but with a backlit screen.

Or are you a micro gamer? The micro is not backwards compatible, she's horinzontal, got a tiny screen, but is OH SO SEXY! She's also got exchangeable faceplates and can literally fit in your pocket.
http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/4900/gameboymicromemarcadetcomparai.th.jpg (http://img272.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gameboymicromemarcadetcomparai.jpg)

So, if you could only have one GBA. Which one would it be?

[dbiersdorf]

How the hell did that person get an all black micro?

I'd probably go with the SP2, it has backwards compatability as well as a sexy as hell screen.

Although the micro is a close second.

[McBacon]

How the hell did that person get an all black micro?



Japanese GBMs were all black/silver/blue/pink
http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?page_id=297

[mydjsobad]

I <3 my import Famicom micro to death, so I'd probably say that.

Second would be the new backlit GBA SPs.

[joshnickerson]

Though I know I'll get a micro eventually, I had to go with the SP2. The screen is bigger and just as bright, plus I can play Mario Picross on it.

[Iron Draggon]

SP2. It literally fits in my pocket too, it has a super sexy backlit screen, and it's backward compatible. What more could I want? The only thing missing is DS compatibility.

(Yes I know if I had a DS, I would have DS compatibility!)

[neuropolitique]

If i could chose only one, it would not have been the DS.

I chose the SP2. I think it's the best handheld made to date.

[c0ldb33r]

How the hell did that person get an all black micro?
I didn't even notice it was all black when I posted the image.

I prefer it with the silver border around the black faceplate.

Voted SP2 by the way. Which is hilarious because I don't even own one :D Ive got th original, SP, micro but no sp2 - I'll pick one up for completeness sake when I find it cheap.

edit: Shit! I forgot to include the Gameboy player in the poll. OH well if you want the GB player just say so :D

I just never thought of it until now. I rarely use mine.

[DigitalSpace]

I'd like a GBA SP 2, but I'm alright with my SP 1. Sure, I could just buy an SP 2, but I'm probably going to be getting a DS soon and I'd rather put the money towards that.

[Damaramu]

SP2, all the way. One of the best handhelds I've ever owned. :rocker:

[MrRoboto19XX]

I would say the SP2 if not for that amazingly awesome NESP Ive got. Ive got to give that the award for best system color variant ever.

[GrandAmChandler]

If i could chose only one, it would not have been the DS.

I chose the SP2. I think it's the best handheld made to date.

I agree whole-heartedly with this post.

[Vectorman0]

I'm going with an afterburnered GBA, if it's allowed. I still have yet to try an SP2 hands on, but I doubt it would make me change my mind.

[c0ldb33r]

Do any SP2 fans have concerns about their hands being too close together? I never found it to be a problem until I went from micro back to SP2.

It's not a big deal at all, and I got used to it again after about 2 minutes. But those were some uncomfortable 2 minutes :)


I'm going with an afterburnered GBA, if it's allowed. I still have yet to try an SP2 hands on, but I doubt it would make me change my mind.
I've only seen afterburner GBAs on the internet, but the SP2 screen is SO much better. Seriously. Much better. The SP1 looks about the same, but the SP2 is fantastic.

[jdc]

Well...to be different, I recently picked up a near mint complete boxed original GBA because I always loved the shape and fit of it. I'll just have to put up with sitting in the "right" light. No biggy.

[handheldchick]

i wouldnt have picked the ds either. it totally aggrivates me that it cannot play gbc and gb games..so i bought an sp again. i would choose the reg sp..the sp2 is too bright.

[jajaja]

I dont know. Ive only tried the first GBA actually. Eventho it doesnt have any background light i really like it :) I've been meaning to pick up a SP2 or a Micro, but i'll wait for pricedrop. I've also tried GBA on DS and the first impression sucked. The game didnt look that good as it does on the first GBA imo.

[c0ldb33r]

...i would choose the reg sp..the sp2 is too bright.
you can adjust the brightness eh?

[handheldchick]

about adjusting the brightness-i dont think so. but i am not sure.

as far the gba games played on the ds..i fell ya on that. i dont like how one screen stays off. its too distracting. lol i sound all ocd about them but i am really picky because handhelds are all i play 95% of the time.

[donkeykong1]

I'm going with the SP2

[Nature Boy]

about adjusting the brightness-i dont think so. but i am not sure.

You can absolutely change the brightness on an SP2 - there's a little button for it and everything!

I'm with the masses and voted SP2, although I've never actually tried a micro (it's the only one of the four I don't currently own).

The screen is just *killer* good, I find it very comfortable to hold, and it's weight and size when folded up is absoluately the *best* of any handheld I own. Add to that the largest games library of any machine (since it's backwards compatible with GB and GBC) and it's probably still my favourite console of all time. (Before the PSP this wasn't even a question - however with the emulation, mp3 playback, movie playback, and games like GTA, Syphon Filter, and Burnout Legends all at my fingertips, I have to *think* about that some more before taking a stance :) )

[Iron Draggon]

Has anyone tried to install an SP2 screen in an original GBA yet? Is that possible? Seems like it wouldn't be hard to do.

[Leo_A]

Is there a way to make the SP2 start up at the brightest setting without pressing that button everytime you power the system up?

[jajaja]

Has anyone tried to install an SP2 screen in an original GBA yet? Is that possible? Seems like it wouldn't be hard to do.

That would be so great atleast :)

[sirhansirhan]

I voted SP1, because the extra brightness is of the SP2 is overrated and unnecessary (as well it is on the DS vs. DS Lite issue), and, more importantly, because the SP1 has the sweet-ass Classic NES design available. My Classic NES GBA SP1 is my favorite portable gaming system of all time, and I seriously doubt I will ever like anything better.

The backwards compatibility is nice, too, because there's still tons of black and white Gameboy and Gameboy Color games I like.

[Leo_A]

Have you ever used one? Only possible problem I could think of with the SP2 screen is the slight blurring, and the fact that GB and GBC titles only use a small section of the screen. I can't imagine someone not liking it.