New Gameboy Advance SP

[Cedric Greene]

Too bad they didn't originally come out with this version. Anyway I'm kind of wary because it looks to have sharp corners plus I haven't seen pictures of the shoulder buttons. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techreviews/games/2003-01-06-game-boy_x.htm

 

[cgannon64]

Maybe I read it wrong, but it seems to be a remake of the original Game Boy. So no shoulder button problems there...although the sharp corners would annoy me...

CG

 

[Silverflame]

I just got a GBA for christmas! Talk about bad timing!

 

[WillJ]

I know this is an old thread, but I'm thinking of getting a hand-held gaming system, and I can't decide whether I should get the GameBoy Advance or GameBoy Advance SP. Any suggestions? Money isn't a HUGE deal, but I wouldn't want to spend an extra $30 for something that isn't all that much better. And as for what game to first get, I'm thinking of getting Sonic Advance, since I loved the classic Sonic games. I've heard that it isn't as good as those, but I still think it will be a wise purchase for me. Do any of you agree/disagree?

BTW, I want to know by tomorrow. Quick, quick, people!

 

[MajorGeneral2]

Definately get SP if you want the light and space. Seems pretty slick to me. If you're not worried about glare, though, then you may as well get the basic GBA.
BTW, the edges are not that sharp, and it DOES have shoulder buttons. They're beneath the screen when it is up. Thus, it is just like the regular GBA in every facet besides the light and folding ability.

 

[Silverflame]

Originally posted by WillJ
I know this is an old thread, but I'm thinking of getting a hand-held gaming system, and I can't decide whether I should get the GameBoy Advance or GameBoy Advance SP. Any suggestions? Money isn't a HUGE deal, but I wouldn't want to spend an extra $30 for something that isn't all that much better. And as for what game to first get, I'm thinking of getting Sonic Advance, since I loved the classic Sonic games. I've heard that it isn't as good as those, but I still think it will be a wise purchase for me. Do any of you agree/disagree?

BTW, I want to know by tomorrow. Quick, quick, people!

Depends, since both can play the same games (the only game that the GBA SP cant play is Kirby's tilt-n-rumble). If you use portable gaming systems a lot and have trouble with the lighting, get the SP. Really, theres no real reason to get the GBA if money isnt a problem, unless you like how the buttons and D-pad is spread out. The SP looks a lot cooler, and that is the general opinion.

If you want to know what I did, I got a GBA for Christmas, and just imported the new Gameboy player from Japan that lets you play Gameboy games on the TV through the Gamecube. And it isnt coming out until June in the US

 

[WillJ]

Thanks Major and Silverflame for the quick replies. I think the only reason I'd want the SP is for the better lighting (I've used the GBA before, and its darkness got kind of annoying). So here's the specific question: Is the better lighting with the SP worth 30 bucks?

Also, I won't use it all that much; pretty much just whenever I go on trips (and maybe whenever I'm bored, and the computer isn't available), so it's not like this new gaming system is going to be very important to me. I think I'll get the regular GBA, since the lighting isn't all that annoying, IMO, unless ya'll convince me otherwise.

 

[Cedric Greene]

I love my SP, I traded in my GBA for $40 off the price and it is well worth the $60 for the light and the rechargable lithium battery. The lighting is fantastic no worries about glare or sitting in the right position to get the best lighting. Also it folding in half to protect the screen while it's in my pocket is awesome, no more marks on the screen from keeping my sp and keys in the same pocket!

 

[cgannon64]

SP has a lighted screen, rechargable battery, and it folds up. The only drawback is that it has no earphone plugs!

 

[WillJ]

Hmm, I think you two CGs have convinced me. I remember that the GBA can't be played in the dark, but I guess the SP can. That, along with the other stuff, makes me think it really is worth the extra 30 bucks, especially since I have some money to spare. (I haven't bought anything in a while.)

Thanks everyone for your help in my decision!

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Just out of curiosity, what good games are available for the GBA? Not really familiar with this handheld... though it's fairly well-known.

 

[WillJ]

I got the GBA SP yesterday, and I love it! The extra lighting is very useful.

Originally posted by Knight-Dragon
Just out of curiosity, what good games are available for the GBA? Not really familiar with this handheld... though it's fairly well-known.

I've played NHL Hitz 2003, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (I think that's the name), and Sonic Advance. I didn't like the first two all that much, but if you're a Sonic the Hedgehog fan, Sonic Advance is great.

 

[Silverflame]

Originally posted by Knight-Dragon
Just out of curiosity, what good games are available for the GBA? Not really familiar with this handheld... though it's fairly well-known.

Most of the good ones are first-party nintendo games such as Metroid Fusion (although it was really short, that was really fun), Zelda: Link to the Past w/Four Swords, and a bunch of ported mario games in the four Super Mario Advances and two Super Mario Worlds. And theres also pokemon, but whatever. Golden Sun is supposedly really good, and I think its an RPG, but I have no idea what its about. Tactics Ogre is a strategy of some sort that got Gamespots best of the year GBA award.
I dunno, the only three GBA games I have are Metroid Fusion, Zelda: Link to the Past w/Four swords (no where near beating that yet) and the first Super Mario Advance (which is definately not the best one)

 

[MajorGeneral2]

Tactics Ogre and Metroid Fusion are my favorites. Golden Sun (and its soon-to-be-released sequel) are/look very good. Zeld: A Link to the Past (port of the SNES game) is good if you don't have the original. The two Castlevania games look good. Just use your own judgement.
BTW, if you play a lot, the rechargeable batteries with the SP could actually save money in the long-run.