Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (Onyx)

Other products by Nintendo

Product Features

• This incredible redesign features a fantastic flip-screen; unopened, the unit fits easily in your pocket
• When it's opened, gamers are in for a treat -- the screen can display up to 32,000 colors, and has a backlit screen for comfortable game viewing
• Redesigned button and D-pad placement make for hours of more comfortable playing
• Powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that provides 18 hours of play with the light off(up to 10 hours with the light on)
• Games are backwards-compatible -- your Game Boy Advance games will play just fine on the GBA SP

Product Details

• ASIN: B000087PM3
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches ; 5 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,469 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. As the world's smallest video-game platform, the Game Boy Advance SP is also the first to use a built-in rechargeable battery.

Many decried the original Game Boy Advance's reflective LCD screen and its reliance on external light sources. The Game Boy Advance SP's main feature--optional backlighting--fixes this complaint nicely, but it's the wealth of other features that makes this system so surprisingly good.

At first look, you might think the SP is a sleek travel alarm clock. When closed, it's just as tall and deep as the original GBA, but only half as wide. Due to its clamshell design, the screen is always protected from everyday scratches. A small button in the center of the console turns on the backlighting element for use in low-light situations, like in a moving car.

The SP comes with a well-designed power adapter that recharges a built-in battery; its prongs fold in for easier storage. Our informal tests found that it takes about four hours to fully charge (you can even play it while it's plugged in and charging), and the battery lasts about 11 hours with the backlighting constantly on--your results may vary. Using the backlighting less often will conserve battery power.

With separately sold cables , you can connect the Game Boy Advance SP to other GBAs for multiplayer gaming (above) or to the Nintendo GameCube (below) to access secret levels, exchange data, or use other special features that vary from game to game.

The quality of the backlighting is very good. It's bright and clear when looking directly at it, but degraded from other angles. This is only a problem for friends who are watching the screen from over your shoulder.

But size, power, and affordability do not come without trade offs. There's no headphone jack here, though Nintendo promises an adapter. The system isn't very loud at its highest volume, and the sound can be turned down to socially acceptable levels. The L and R shoulder buttons are a fraction of the size they were on the GBA, and thus are harder to hit. Also, the reduced size of the SP is slightly less comfortable for adult hands than the GBA, but perhaps more comfortable for smaller hands. The cartridge port placement on the lower part of the console is fine for GBA games, since they are flush with the console body, but older Game Boy Color carts will stick out in a way that takes some getting used to.

Open it up and the hinge will seek out a preferred, pre-set angle (about 150 degrees), though you can open it a bit wider or narrower for your own comfort. The hinge stands up well to lateral pressure, and over all, the SP seems just as rugged as its predecessor--which has proven to be very rugged, indeed. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• CPU: 32-Bit ARM with embedded memory
• Memory: 32 KB with 96 KB VRAM (in CPU), 256 KB WRAM (external of CPU)
• Screen: 2.9-inch reflective TFT color LCD
• Display Size: 1.6 by 2.4 inches (40.8 by 61.2 mm)
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels in a wide-screen aspect ratio
• Colors: 511 simultaneous colors from a palette of 32,768
• Software: Fully compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game paks
• Light Source: Front light integrated with LCD
• Size (closed): 3.3 by 3.23 by .96 inch
• Weight: Approximately 5 ounces
• Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery Life: 10 hours continuous play with light on; 18 hours with light off; 3 hours recharging

Product Description
The GBA SP is as small as a celphone and more portable than the original GBA. Take your portable gaming to the next dimension with this futuristic new game system! Color - Onyx

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The 100% Better Version of GBA, February 7, 2005

By	David Zampino Jr. (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

The SP is a small step for gamers but a giant leap for Nintendo. The convience, fun, and portability of the GBA just got better. The SP is smaller, easier on the hands, and has an illuminator behind the screen so you can actually see the game you're playing. Also the SP doesn't switch games so you can still get the GBA Games for it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great things do come in small packages, February 2, 2005

By	Gil (Md) - See all my reviews

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

I just purchased the GBASP, and while I have not played at great length, I must say that initially, I am blown away! I was attracted to it not only by the compact size and small screen, but the exceptional low price as well. It will be great to take my gaming habit wherever I want to go. In addition, it is not loaded with bells and whistles like it's newer brother, the DS, and is simple to use. I know of a few people whose only system is the Gameboy, so if you want something simple and portable, this is for you!
the SP is very easy and fun to operate. In addition, the endless list of games will keep you busy for a long, long time.
While everyone seems to be raving over the DS, I'm having a great time with the SP.

Tip. Be sure to get a carrying case, as if you put it in your pockets, lint, dust, etc. will get into the system.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great portable system, December 16, 2004

A Kid's Review

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

I just got my GBA SP Onyx from Toysrus, I totally recommend this to people, who haven't bought a GBA yet. But if you enjoy having a better system, Buy it.

PROS:
- Rechargable Battery Adapter
- More Portable than the last one. (Flip Screen)
- Built-in Light (has button to turn off)
- Charge Indicator (LED)

CONS:
- No headphone slot
- Must buy a new rechargable battery pack (after approx 500 recharges)
- This is for kid hands, it has a small body system, So I recommend adults buy GBA

It fits in my pocket greatly, better than the old GBA, too big. Get it now!