Game Boy Advance SP
A Cobalt Blue front-lit version of the Game Boy Advance SP
ManufacturerNintendo
Product familyGame Boy[1]
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationSixth
Release date
Introductory priceUSD$99.99
¥12,500
€129.99
CA$149.95
A$199.99
£89
DiscontinuedYes; date undisclosed
Units shipped43.57 million
(as of December 31, 2015)[5]
MediaGame Boy Game Pak
Game Boy Color Game Pak
Game Boy Advance Game Pak
CPU32-bit 16.78 MHz ARM7TDMI
8 or 4 MHz Z80 coprocessor
DisplayTFT LCD, 240×160 pixels, 40.8×61.2 mm[6]
Backward
compatibility		Game Boy
Game Boy Color
PredecessorGame Boy Color[7]
SuccessorNintendo DS

The Game Boy Advance SP[lower-alpha 1] (GBA SP), released in Japan on February 14, 2003,[8] is a sixth-generation handheld game console developed, released, and marketed by Nintendo that served as an upgraded version of the original Game Boy Advance. The "SP" in the name stands for "Special".[9] It is the penultimate console in the Game Boy Advance product line before the Game Boy Micro, which was released in September 2005.

Technical specifications

Physical

  • Size (closed): Approximately 8.4 × 8.2 × 2.44 cm (3.3 × 3.23 × 0.96 inches).
  • Weight: 142 grams (approximately 5 ounces).
  • Color: 15-bit RGB (simultaneously display up to 32,768 colors)
  • Screen: 2.9 inch reflective TFT color LCD.
  • Framerate: 59.737 Hz[10]
  • Light source: Frontlight integrated LCD (AGS-001) / Backlight integrated LCD (AGS-101)
  • Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery.
  • Battery life: 10 hours continuous play with light on, 18 hours with light off; needs at most 3 hours recharging.
  • AGS-001: Frontlit screen, frontlight can be turned on or off
  • AGS-101: Backlit screen, with the ability to change the brightness of the backlight

Hardware colors

The GBA SP launched in Platinum Silver and Cobalt Blue, with the addition of Onyx in Europe and Japan.[2] Later colors include: Flame, Pearl Pink, Pearl Blue, Graphite, Midnight Blue, Charizard Fire Red, Torchic Orange, Venusaur Leaf Green, Groudon Red, Kyogre Blue, Rayquaza Green, NES classic design, and Pikachu Yellow. A limited gold edition with a Triforce and the Hyrule Royal Family crest was available in Europe which included a copy of The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.[11] In 2003, Toys "R" Us sold an exclusive gold edition (without any Zelda symbols) in the US starting on Black Friday of that year, initially with a Super Mario Advance 4 game.[12]

In Japan, it was released in a variety of standard colors and special packages. In most other regions it was released in Platinum Silver and Charcoal Black. Later, a Flame Red version was released. Six special editions have also been released: an NES Classics model with the same color scheme as a classic NES controller (and designed to resemble an NES deck when closed), a SpongeBob SquarePants model, a Pikachu model, and a silver model with a tattoo design printed on it, known as the 'Tribal Edition'.[13] In other regions, such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, additional colors have been released, such as Pearl Green and Starlight Gold.[14]

Nintendo was planning to have the SP be 3D-compatible, but the resolution of the LCD was too low, resulting in Nintendo scrapping it.[15]

Internal

  • CPU (for GBA games): 32-bit ARM7TDMI with embedded memory.
  • CPU (for GB and GBC games): 8-bit Sharp LR35902 (8080-derived)
  • Memory: 32 kilobyte+96 kilobyte VRAM (internal CPU), 256 kilobyte DRAM (external CPU).
  • Resolution: 240 × 160 pixels.
  • Color: 15-bit RGB (15-bit color space using 5 bits depth per channel), capable of displaying 512 (29) simultaneous colors in "character mode" and 32,768 (215) simultaneous colors in "bitmap mode".
  • Software: Compatible with most Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. Game Boy games can be played using the same selectable color palettes as on the Game Boy Color.

Headphone jack

Headphone adapter for Game Boy Advance SP

Nintendo removed the TRS headphone jack from the SP, which had been included on all previous Game Boy models. Headphones designed specifically for the GBA SP can be purchased, or standard headphones can be attached with an optional, stereophonic[16] adapter that plugs into the same port as the AC adapter. Since the Nintendo DS used the same charging port as the GBA SP, the headphone adapter works with said console.

As both AC adapter and headphones use the same port, it is not possible to charge the SP and listen to headphones at the same time with the Nintendo brand adapter. There are, however, third-party adapters that "split" into two different cords; the power jack on one side, and a TS headphone jack on the other.

Backlit model (AGS-101)

The pearl blue AGS-101 GBA SP model that featured an improved backlit screen[17]

In 2005, Nintendo released an improved version of the Game Boy Advance SP in North America, featuring a brighter backlit screen instead of the previous version's frontlit screen. This GBA SP was Nintendo's first internationally-released handheld system to feature an integrated backlight. (However, there had already been a backlit system years earlier with the Japan-only Game Boy Light, which was essentially a Game Boy Pocket with an electroluminescent backlit display.) The AGS-101 was never officially released in Japan, however, as the frontlit AGS-001 models were still available on the market until the end of production.

The new model can be distinguished by the following features:

  • The box states "Now with a BRIGHTER backlit screen!" to distinguish the new model from the older, frontlit models.
  • The model number of the backlit SP is AGS-101, whereas the model number of the original frontlit SP is AGS-001. This can be found on the label at the bottom of the unit.[18]
  • The mini button at the top center of the console's lower face is now referred to in the manual as the "Brightness Switch" and selects between two levels of brightness, "Normal" (Low) and "Bright" (High) with no off setting. On the frontlit models this button turned the frontlight on or off only. With the backlight set to "Normal" (Low) the brightness still surpasses the original AGS-001 with the frontlight on.
  • When powered off, the backlit model's screen is completely black, but the frontlit model's screen is noticeably lighter.

The North American backlit version comes in three standard colors: "Pearl Blue", "Pearl Pink" and "Graphite" (a greyer version of Onyx Black). There were also two Toys "R" Us exclusive backlit models; a "SpongeBob SquarePants" model[19] and a "Limited Edition Pikachu" model.

In 2006, the AGS-101 backlit model also saw a very limited release in Europe.[20] Few models made it to market, likely due to the release of the Game Boy Advance-compatible Nintendo DS one year prior. The European version was released in "Surf Blue"[21] as well as re-issued in "Pink" and "Tribal" editions.

Unlike the North American release, the European box does not feature any prominent text to distinguish the backlit models from the older frontlit models. In addition, only the "Surf Blue" color was unique to the AGS-101, the other two colors "Pink" and "Tribal" had already been released as frontlit models - for these reasons it can be very difficult to identify a European backlit SP. Apart from the AGS-101 model number on the base of the unit, the only other obvious distinguishing feature of the European backlit model is the large picture of the Game Boy Advance SP featured on the front of the box. (The European frontlit models of "Pink" and "Tribal" only feature small pictures of the Game Boy Advance SP on the sides of the box and Flower/Tattoo patterns on the front respectively.)

The AGS-101 Game Boy Advance SP was the final Nintendo handheld to have backwards compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games in North America and Europe.

Unit colors

The Game Boy Advance SP had numerous colors and limited editions.

  • All Blacks (New Zealand only)
  • Blue Kyogre
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Flame Red
  • Famicom 20th Anniversary Edition
  • Gold with Zelda Triforce
  • Graphite
  • Green & Orange (Limited Edition)
  • Green Rayquaza
  • Green Venusaur
  • Kingdom Silver (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Edition)
  • Mario
  • NES Black (UK and US only as a limited edition)
  • Onyx Black
  • Pearl Blue
  • Pearl Green
  • Pearl Pink
  • Pearl White (Limited Edition)
  • Pikachu Yellow
  • Platinum
  • Platinum & Onyx (Limited Edition)
  • Red Groudon
  • Snow White
  • Spice & Lime
  • Starlight Gold (Toys R Us exclusive)
  • SpongeBob
  • Surf Blue (UK only)
  • Torchic Orange
  • Tribal
  • White Rip Curl special edition (Australia only)
  • "Who Are You?" (Black with "Who Are You?" printed on the top)

Reception

M. Wiley of IGN called the Game Boy Advance SP "a step in the right direction for Nintendo", praising the system's new redesign over the original GBA and highlighting its inclusion of a backlit screen and rechargeable battery, although minor criticism went towards the system's omission of a headphone jack.[22] Engadget gave it a global score of 84 out of 100, also praising the new features of the redesign while noting the system's lack of a headphone jack.[23] Lawson Wong of Fresh Gear called it "darn close to perfection" aside from the missing headphone jack.[24] Matthew D. Sarrel of PC Magazine suggested it to consumers as an improvement over the original model, praising the backlight and integration of a charger as well as improved visual quality, though he noted that players with larger hands may find difficulty with the system's design.[25]

Sales

As of June 30, 2009, the Game Boy Advance series has sold 81.48 million units worldwide, of which 43.52 million are Game Boy Advance SP units.[26]

Life-to-date Number of units sold
Date Japan Americas Other Total
2003-03-31[27] 0.82 million0.83 million0.46 million 2.10 million
2003-06-30 ? ? ? 4.84 million[28]
2003-09-30[29] 2.33 million4.32 million2.38 million 9.04 million
2003-12-31[30] 3.14 million7.82 million4.34 million 15.30 million
2004-03-31[31] 3.68 million8.78 million4.70 million 17.16 million
2004-06-30 ? ? ? 19.33 million[32]
2004-09-30[33] 5.02 million12.46 million6.21 million 23.68 million
2004-12-31[34] 5.94 million16.13 million8.67 million 30.73 million
2005-03-31[35] 6.00 million16.69 million9.10 million 31.79 million
2005-06-30 ? ? ?
2005-09-30[36] 6.16 million18.08 million10.08 million 34.32 million
2005-12-31[37] 6.35 million20.40 million10.64 million 37.40 million
2006-03-31[38] 6.42 million20.95 million10.86 million 38.23 million
2006-06-30[39] 6.46 million21.30 million11.08 million 38.84 million
2006-09-30[40] 6.48 million21.95 million11.37 million 39.79 million
2006-12-31[41] 6.50 million23.06 million11.78 million 41.33 million
2007-03-31[42] 6.50 million23.47 million11.95 million 41.92 million
2007-06-30[43] 6.50 million23.78 million12.14 million 42.43 million
2007-09-30[44] 6.51 million24.01 million12.31 million 42.82 million
2007-12-31[45] 6.51 million24.01 million12.51 million 43.02 million
2008-03-31[46] 6.51 million24.00 million12.71 million 43.23 million
2008-06-30[47] 6.51 million24.00 million12.89 million 43.41 million
2008-09-30[48] 6.51 million24.00 million12.97 million 43.49 million
2008-12-31[49] 6.51 million24.00 million13.00 million 43.52 million

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ ゲームボーイアドバンスSP (Japanese: Gēmu Bōi Adobansu SP)

References

  1. ↑ Ishihara; Morimoto. "Pokémon HeartGold Version & Pokémon SoulSilver Version". Iwata Asks (Interview: Transcript). Interviewed by Satoru Iwata. Nintendo. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Wiley, M. (January 6, 2003). "Game Boy Advance SP". IGN. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review". CNET. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ "N-Europe News: GBA SP Press Release". Ashley Jones. March 7, 2003. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. February 3, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Technical data". Nintendo of Europe GmbH.
  7. ↑ Umezu; Sugino; Konno. "Nintendo 3DS (Volume 2 – Nintendo 3DS Hardware Concept)". Iwata Asks (Interview: Transcript). Interviewed by Satoru Iwata. Nintendo. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Nintendo Company History". Nintendo of America Inc. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  9. ↑ "- Nintendo - Customer Service - Game Boy Advance SP - Frequently Asked Questions". nintendo.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016.
  10. ↑ Korth, Martin. "GBATEK LCD Dimensions and Timings". problemkaputt.de. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  11. ↑ Harris, Craig (September 17, 2004). "Legend of Zelda GBA SP". Archived from the original on October 5, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  12. ↑ "TRU Exclusive Gold GBA SP/Super Mario Advance 4 Bundle for Sale". Archived from the original on August 19, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Tribal Edition GBA SP for Europe - News". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  14. ↑ Gameboy Advance SP Star Light Gold Toys R Us Limited Edition (GFF-3663) Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Iwata Asks Archived February 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Iwataasks.nintendo.com. Retrieved on February 21, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Game Boy Advance SP | Corporate | Nintendo". Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Review - Consoles". CNET. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  18. ↑ MARU-CHANG. "AGB/AGS/OXY: Game Boy Advance". maru-chang.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2007.
  19. ↑ GBA SP Gets Brighter Archived June 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ↑ "Brighter SP coming to Europe". eurogamer.net. September 23, 2005. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010.
  21. ↑ F1RES0UL (August 22, 2009). "Gameboy Advance SP - European AGS-101 Model (Backlit) Unboxing". Archived from the original on April 18, 2016 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ M. Wiley (March 20, 2003). "Game Boy Advance SP". IGN. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review". Engadget. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  24. ↑ Wong, Lawson (December 30, 2003). "Review: Game Boy Advance SP". TechTV. Archived from the original on February 14, 2004.
  25. ↑ "Nintendo New Game Boy Will Knock Your Lights Out!". PC Magazine. March 17, 2003. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  26. ↑ "IR Information : Sales Data - Dedicated Video Game Sales Units". Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. May 22, 2003. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  28. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. August 5, 2003. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  29. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. November 13, 2003. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  30. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. January 29, 2004. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  31. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. May 27, 2004. p. 33. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  32. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. July 28, 2004. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  33. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. November 25, 2004. p. 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 28, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  34. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. January 26, 2005. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  35. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. May 26, 2005. p. 39. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  36. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo Co., Ltd. November 24, 2005. p. 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  37. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. January 26, 2006. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  38. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. May 25, 2006. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  39. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. July 24, 2006. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  40. ↑ "Consolidated financial highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. October 26, 2006. p. 28. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  41. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. January 25, 2007. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  42. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. April 26, 2007. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  43. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. July 25, 2007. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
  44. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. October 25, 2007. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2007.
  45. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Highlights" (PDF). Nintendo. January 24, 2007. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2007.
  46. ↑ "Consolidated Financial Statements" (PDF). Nintendo. April 24, 2008. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  47. ↑ "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  48. ↑ "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. October 30, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
  49. ↑ "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. January 29, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
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