GBA SP -- "Now with a BRIGHTER backlit screen!"

I would figure its fake. Just because the box specifically stating "back-lit" screen. I don't know if they would actually print that on the box, because the avergae consumer probly doesnt realize the sp is front lit in the first place.

nintendogal's got the scoop

http://www.nintendogal.com/index.php?/archives/108-Backlit-GBA-SPs.html#extended

If you ask me, it's fake. The last picture, with the two Dr. Mario's side by side, they both have the exact same pill combination on screen at the same time. Two separate Dr. Mario carts for two separate systems happening to have the exact same pill combination? Don't think so...

Believe me, this system is out there. :)

4 iterations of the same system over the course of what, 3 years now?

Way-to-go. I suppose the first GBA had 900 versions too. But man, what a way to feel outdated.
1-"Yeah, I got a GBA on sale this week!"
2-"Oh, really? So l@m3. I got a GBA SP!"
3-"Sure, but is it backlit? Mine's brighter."
4-"I should have gotten that one, 3, my screen is so tiny it makes Kate Moss look fat"

Those colors are available on Amazon, and they are are also listed as "new items," though the descript. doesn't mention a new backlight.

The GameStops over here said they'll be getting the backlit ones in next week, but they also often have no clue what they're talking about - they may have thought I was talking about the Micro, even though I asked, "Advance SPs, right? The older ones? Not the Micro or DS?" a couple times.

I know the idea of a bright, backlit SP has killed my interest in getting either a DS or a Micro. That may be why Nintendo is being so quiet about it.

If you doubt its existence, try calling a store that carries GBA SPs and ask to buy one the AGT model from the newest or next shipment. Salespeople will find out for you if there's any hint at all that they'll get your money.

I work at a major game store, we're getting them pretty soon. I doubt it'll be promoted heavily, but it is coming.

I don't really have that many old GB games so I guess I'll stick with the DS though those pictures tell a pretty picture...

I stopped at Toys 'R Us last night to see if they had gotten any gameboy micros in and I did see this exact box in the display case behind the counter, but no micros - I didn't realize what I had seen until reading this post just now, but it stood out as it didn't match the other GBA SP boxes around it.

So, for the people above claiming it's a fake, it is not. It is in stores now (I guess in retrospect the box I saw may have been an empty display box, but usually those are not kept in the display case with the other hardware and games. I may have to go back and check it out tonight just to sate my curiosity.)

I'm not saying it's not possible, but I've done a bit if research (without going to the stores to see if it's available). I checked out Nintendo's Customer Support site and looked at the information they had on the GBA SP, and it specifically states that the system has a frontlit screen, so if this system is out, Nintendo hasn't updated their website. Also checked out all the major retailer sites (Best Buy, EB Games, etc) to find the same thing, "Light Source: Front lights have been integrated with the existing reflective LCD." This is even on the Pearl Blue and Graphite colors. I found one site ( http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4055162&JRSource=google.datafeed.NIN+GBA-AGTSPBA ) that says it's a backlit screen, but a lot of people think the frontlit GBA SP is backlit when it's not, so that may just be a misunderstanding on their part. I'll have to go check out the stores and see if I can find this box.

I'm not saying it's fake, but it COULD be

1. photoshop the case
2. install your own brigher backlight in a GBA SP
3. post picks of it online

Mo -

They just had a big error this morning about the Micro having an MSRP of $79.99. They don't always get on the ball right away with the website. :)

Gngh. I would probably have bought one of these instead of a Micro had I known.

If this is even true, what does it do to the battery life, huh? The only way Nintendo could say the GBA battery life was so long was because of the cheap sidelit screen. And the micro screen is even smaller.

Thanks Nintendo for releasing the same game system for the umpteenth time....

Get off Nintendo, it's not like they're hyping up and rereleasing a system to try to bilk people. This is merely an update/improvement to an existing product line. Did anybody crucify Apple for creating multiple generations of iPods? Despite the separate models, they improved and updated their existing models. Ugh.

Do you think after 3+ years they would ever add a headphone jack?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?

jeez

It's real, and it seems pretty badass. There's a comparison on the Penny-Arcade forums:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=198556&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=850

According to these shots, the new screen trounces the old SP's screen and even the DS' screen in terms of brightness, and looks about on par (if not a hair brighter) than the PSP.

I'm not sure why people are upset about this. If anything you people whining about "oh gawds the Micro is such a rip-off" should be glad the brighter screen is in the SP. It's not enough of a boost to really warrant a re-purchase (I always felt the SP's screen was fine enough), but if you didn't have an SP before it gives prospective buyers incentive to reconsider one.

Get off Nintendo, it's not like they're hyping up and rereleasing a system to try to bilk people. This is merely an update/improvement to an existing product line. Did anybody crucify Apple for creating multiple generations of iPods? Despite the separate models, they improved and updated their existing models. Ugh.

That'd be me.

Stopped buying GB's after color because of the dark GBA and washed-out SP screens.

Micro, I thought, was a step in the right direction (it's rectangular orientation is great) but eventually dismissed it because of the tiny screen.

I already have a DS but would like something smaller to carry around with a 'proper' screen.

Now, if they can only get these true back-lit SP's into UK shops...

ry - the last pic is a photochop of the same system with the two different settings, it's not two GBASPs side-by-side

If this is true... who wants to buy my slightly scratched up GBA SP? I'll even throw in a charger for the system!!!! :-) This is good news. I'd love to see one in person.

It's true. They're available here in Canada already. Damn I wish my NES SP was backlit, but I already have too many GBAs to buy a new one! Damn Nintendo and all their versions!

#16, I thought the SP's screen was bright enough, too, until I got a DS. Now the SP's screen seems way too dark.

I can only imagine how this new SP screen will make me feel about my DS. :-(

Just got mine, total sweetness. I can't bear to get rid of the NES GBASP, though, it will probably end up being a collector's item. I'm getting a micro too. Ah, the modern portables....GBC, GBA, GBASP, DS, PSP, GBASP+, GB Micro.....gotta catch 'em all!

People who complain need to remember that this is just a medium between a DS and a Micro. If it uses the same tech, as IGN says it will have the second best screen. It's smaller than a DS so it's sharper, just like the Micro will be sharper than it, due to it's size.

JJ, I couldn't have said it any better myself.
It's a great time for potables, I mean portables.

:D

Umm... yeah. I may be repeating what other people have said but IGN reported this and it is true. So, yeah. Waahh.. I guess. I will just be playing my DS and using that anyways... I dont have all this money that some of you seem to be tassing around... @_@

To those looking for one of these babies: They're in-store in Vancouver, BC, Canada (Future Shop at Robson & Granville, at the least).

It's real, I just picked one up at Walmart here in Southeast Arizona. The screen is awesome. I still want a micro, but I will probably now trade in my old frontlit-SP and some games towards that.

I work a a Best Buy in texas and got these yesterday. Did not get to play with one. will have to wait until the nentindo rep replaces the old sp with the new one.

I just got the Graphite one, and the screen is incredible. Side by side with the old SP is a joke. The frontlit one looks completely dim, washed out and colorless in comparison. There is a slight blur when things are moving, but most LCD's exhibit this. The frontlight was a band-aid, this is the real deal. No way I am getting the Micro now, screen is too small.

Oh, and the docs mention 13 hours of battery life with light on low setting. 3 hours more than the old one! The AC adapter is also new and smaller and only recommended for this model, cant use the old SP adapter.

Honestly, after comparing the two side by side, there is no going back to the fronlit model. You just see so much more of the colors and graphics, and there is no color banding or funky viewing angle.

I am very happy about this, finally a proper screen to play the Mario series on the go.

I've brought back my frontlit gba that I recently purchased, for one with a backlit lcd.


it's totally worth it. plus now i have a graphite version instead of a platinum version.


I've already skinned it with decalgirl.com's retroboy skin. looks totally rad!