GBA SP": Worth upgrading? (1 Viewer)

[DeathStar1]

Just curious. I don't play games much during the night, but when I do, it'll be nice not to have to worry about bringing my worm light with me. What are the pro's and cons of the SP compared to the regular GBA?

Also, is the Trade in Deal still going on? $49.99 if you trade in your old GBA?

 

[CameronS]

Im getting a Game Boy SP because

-It folds
-It has a light
-It looks cool as hell
-EB will buy my original GBA for $40
-It has a light

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

I have a GBA with an Afterburner kit installed, and even I am thinking of replacing it with an SP model. I cite the reasons Cameron listed above as well.

 

[Mark Evans]

Yeah, I have to say that I'm getting one for the above reasons as well, except I don't own one at all yet. Well, provided I can do it and not bottom out of my courses with game playing .

I've played with the GBA's at Future Shop, nice system, crap lighting. And then I was doubly sold when I saw the size comparisons they did at PocketIGN comparing the GBA SP to various items. The fact that that thing is an awesome machine at that size is just too sweet to resist.

I can think of a dozen places that'd be useful.

 

[Morgan Jolley]

The SP's light, AFAIK, is better than the Afterburner light, which is the best light for the GBA out there.

 

[Scott_W]

Its worth it for the light, at least for me. I stopped using my GBA over a year ago because it was to much of a pain to use. The screen sucked. With the light, I should be able to sit anywhere in the house and play. The form factor looks great as well, and the $40 trade in didn't hurt .

 

[Kenneth Cummings]

Oh yeah, I getting rid of my old purple GBA to get one next week (probably pick up a few new games too) Same reasons as above on getting rid of it.

 

[Jason Quillen]

I spent 1/2 of this past summer in London with my University, and the guy I roomed with brought a GBA with him, along with Pitfall and another game or two. I hadn't actually used one yet, so I tried it out - I couldn't stand to play the thing, it was too damn dark. Half the time I was trying to move it around to see better and half the time I was adjusting the contrast. Then I decided it must be the lighting so I took it outside on a sunny day (probably the only day that I was in London that was sunny AND no rain) - again, the thing was a pain to see. I was determined to never buy one.

Then the SP came along and I broke down last week and bought one - the smaller size and especially the light sold it for me. I can't wait for it to get here...

JQ

 

[DeanWalsh]

Yeah my GBA has been gathering dust since I bought it on launch day. I played halfway thru Castlevania then couldn't bear the headaches anymore... The SP doesn't launch here till the end of the month but I now have half the $ for it from selling my regular GBA to a friend.
Now I can finally buy Metroid and the newer Castlevanias

 

[DonRoeber]

I'm upgrading from a GBA with Afterburner to a GBA SP. I just don't like how the GBA looks with the Afterburner. Admitedly, I installed it myself, without the dimmer. I'm also looking forward to the new form factor. GameStop is giving me $40 credit for my old GBA, which is good enough for me.

 

[JamesH]

I'm not buying it since I don't play my GBA much to begin with, and I don't want to pay money to subsidize the mistakes Nintendo made in the design of the original.

I wonder if they had this planned from the start? They HAD to have known that the GBA desperately needed a light. It's not as if the GBA had ultra high end parts that have exponentially dropped in price since the launch, so I'm sure the originally GBA could have easily been made to the SP's specs. I actually feel a bit cheated. If Nintendo had been more up front, I definately would have waited and not bought the original.

 

[Andy Kramer]

I have had My GBA SP for about a month now and let me tell you it is an awesome peice of equipment.
1. The Light is King! You can see everything
2. It folds (kinda cool)
3. It has a rechargable battery
4. Battery Lasts easily 10 hours WITH the light on

My overall enjoyment of MY SP is wonderful. I think it is worth it no matter what. Anyone thinking about getting it but i scared to foot the extra 50$$$.. DO IT. I think it is worth it.
Way to go Nintendo!!!!

 

[Joe Szott]

Folks,

What is this trade in deal? I have 2 GBAs sitting around: one with an afterburner, one without. I would totally think about trading the non-AB one in for an SP if it was $50 off.

Can anyone provide some background on how I could do this? Thanks...

 

[MikeAlletto]

I wonder if they had this planned from the start? They HAD to have known that the GBA desperately needed a light. It's not as if the GBA had ultra high end parts that have exponentially dropped in price since the launch, so I'm sure the originally GBA could have easily been made to the SP's specs. I actually feel a bit cheated. If Nintendo had been more up front, I definately would have waited and not bought the original.

You didn't have to buy the GBA when it came out. I didn't just because I couldn't stand the screen without a light. I knew all the snap on and flex lights were crap cause they've always been junk. I made a decision since the gameboy color to never buy another gameboy unless it came with a built in light of some type.

I'm definitely getting one, but I might have to wait a month or 2.

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

I visited my local GameStop today, and to my surprise, they had a few mock up versions of the GBA SP available. Now, this wasn't the real thing; it was merely a plastic casing that gave you a feel for how the system feels while holding it in your hands. This thing even had pushable buttons. It was as close to the real thing as I've seen so far.

Anyway, I must say that I am very impressed with the way this unit feels. You wouldn't know it looking at the pictures, but this thing is so damn comfortable to hold. Most notably, the L and R buttons can now be reached much more easily, which makes me very happy. If the lit screen looks as good, if not better, than my Afterburner endowded GBA, then I'm sold on this thing. This is the way GameBoy should be. Nintendo has finally done their little system justice.

 

[Chris Bardon]

I really don't know about this one. On one hand, I spent a bunch of money on a GBA already, plus the afterburner kit, but on the other hand the dust creep problem is starting to get to me, and the SP looks like a much more portable unit. I guess for me the decision will come down to how the SP feels hands on (since it looks like it'd be WAY too cramped for my hands), and how the screen looks. I guess I'll have to wait until there's a demo unit available somewhere to try...

 

[MikeAlletto]

I guess I'll have to wait until there's a demo unit available somewhere to try...

I felt the same way. When I was in my local electronic boutique I asked them about a demo unit and they let me play with one that they imported. It really is a slick little machine. When the demo units come in they'll be stuck to those anti-theft steel beams. You don't get a good feel for how little the thing weighs unless you can actually hold it.

 

[Jason Quillen]

Wow.

I'm going to Vegas next week, and I wanted a GBA SP to help keep me out of the casino's when I was bored. So with all the 1st shipments sold out I decided last sunday to import one. It got here today, and man, this thing kicks so much ass...

I havent owned a GB since I stopped using my original sometime in the early 90s. When I got this thing home today and threw in Mega Man II I was blown away. The light works perfectly - you can see every detail. And theres even some color added to black and white games (Mega Man is peach colored for some reason, though).

I have big hands and have never run into a problem with controllers - the Xbox controller fits my hands pretty perfectly. That said, the GBA doesn't cramp my hands at all - I don't know why. It looks so tiny, but once you have it in your hands it just fits...its that simple. The L and R also feel natural - which is surprising, cause by looking at the thing you'd think something would be a problem.

Then theres its size and weight - I swear, my watch weighs more than the GBA SP! It fits in the palm of my hand, and easily in my pocket - and it doesnt feel bulky or anything like a cell phone.

And with all the titles avaible for GB, GBC, and GBA, i'm in heaven. Classics like Mario 1 and 2, Mega Man games I've never played, Super Ghouls and Ghosts, on and on.

All in all, I couldn't be happier. It shipped from China fast, and the unit is amazing. I havent been so thrilled with a purchase like this in a while. If your thinking about upgrading your GBA or just buying the SP, go for it.

Now back to super ghouls and ghosts...
JQ

 

[Dave Smith]

Seems like most places in Austin have broken the street date, and are selling them now. Just got my silver one!

 

[Tino D'Voe]

I'm probably one of the few that thinks nintendo may have made a mistake with that battery system. I bought the GBA for trips on the plane/train etc. How am I going to charge the damn thing when it dies half way on a 12 hour flight? I'd upgrade for sure if they used normal batteries but I'm keeping the my GBA/afterburner for now.