Game Boy Advance SP explained

Game Boy Advance SP
Aka:Frontlit: AGS-001
Backlit: AGS-101
Manufacturer:Nintendo
Family:Game Boy[1]
Type:Handheld game console
Generation:Sixth
Media:Game Boy Game Pak
Game Boy Color Game Pak
Game Boy Advance Game Pak
Soc:Nintendo CPU AGB
Cpu:ARM7TDMI @ 16.78 MHz
Sharp SM83 @ 4 / 8 MHz
Memory:288 KB RAM, 98 KB VRAM
Display:Frontlit or backlit TFT LCD, 240 × 160 px, [2]
Unitsshipped:43.57 million[3]
Compatibility:Game Boy
Game Boy Color
Predecessor:Game Boy Color[4]
Successor:Nintendo DS
Discontinued:Yes; date undisclosed

The Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP), released in Japan on February 14, 2003,[5] is a foldable 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".[6] It is the penultimate console in the Game Boy Advance product line before the Game Boy Micro, which was released in September 2005.

History

The Game Boy Advance SP was championed by Satoru Okada, who led the development of the original Game Boy Advance. When Okada first pitched to Nintendo leadership the idea of a small and thin Game Boy Advance that used a rechargeable battery, the feedback was almost entirely negative. Not deterred, Okada told one of his hardware engineers to build a conceptual model as small and thin as possible without regard to the feasibility of manufacturing the device. What resulted was the clamshell design of the Game Boy Advance SP. When Okada took this conceptual model to the same leadership group that rejected his initial pitch, they were quickly won over.[7]

In addition to being smaller and using a rechargeable battery, the Game Boy Advance SP also addressed a key shortcoming of the original Game Boy Advance: the reflective color display that was hard to see in dark conditions.

The first Game Boy Advance SP had a frontlight that illuminated the front of the display and a reflective surface behind the screen that sent light back through the liquid crystal pixel elements to the viewer. A later revision replaced the frontlight and reflective surface with a backlight that also illuminated the liquid crystal pixel elements.

Hardware

Technical specifications

Game Boy Advance SP
(AGS-001)		Game Boy Advance SP
(AGS-101)
Height (closed), (open)
Width
Depth
Weight
Display2.9-inch (diagonal) reflective thin-film transistor (TFT) color liquid-crystal display (LCD), 40.8mm61.2mm with frontlight2.9-inch (diagonal) backlit TFT color LCD, 40.8mm61.2mm
Resolution240 (w) × 160 (h) pixels (3:2 aspect ratio)
Frame rate59.737 Hz[8]
Color support32,768 colors, up to 511 simultaneously in character mode, all may displayed simultaneously in Bitmap mode
System on a chip (SoC)Nintendo CPU AGB
Processors
Memory
BatteryRechargeable lithium-ion pack provides 10 hours of use with light on and 18 hours with light off, 3-hour recharge time
Sound
I/O
Controls
References: [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Headphone jack

Nintendo removed the 3.5 mm 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 adapter that plugs into the same port as the AC adapter.[14] As both the 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 headphone jack on the other.

Backlit model (AGS-101)

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, and 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 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[16] and a "Limited Edition Pikachu" model.

In 2006, the AGS-101 backlit model also saw a very limited release in Europe.[17] 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"[18] 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 backward compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games in North America and Europe.

Unit colors

The GBA SP launched in Platinum Silver and Cobalt Blue, with the addition of Onyx in Europe and Japan. Later colors include: Flame Red, 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 .[19] 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.[20]

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'.[21] In other regions, such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, additional colors have been released, such as Pearl Green and Starlight Gold.[22]

The Game Boy Advance SP had other limited editions:

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.[23] 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.[24] Lawson Wong of Fresh Gear called it "darn close to perfection" aside from the missing headphone jack.[25] 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.[26]

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.[27]

Life-to-date Number of units sold
DateJapanAmericasOtherTotal
2003-03-31[28] 0.82 million 0.83 million 0.46 million2.10 million
2003-06-30???4.84 million[29]
2003-09-30[30] 2.33 million 4.32 million 2.38 million9.04 million
2003-12-31[31] 3.14 million 7.82 million 4.34 million15.30 million
2004-03-31[32] 3.68 million 8.78 million 4.70 million17.16 million
2004-06-30???19.33 million[33]
2004-09-30[34] 5.02 million 12.46 million 6.21 million23.68 million
2004-12-31[35] 5.94 million 16.13 million 8.67 million30.73 million
2005-03-31[36] 6.00 million 16.69 million 9.10 million31.79 million
2005-06-30???
2005-09-30[37] 6.16 million 18.08 million 10.08 million34.32 million
2005-12-31[38] 6.35 million 20.40 million 10.64 million37.40 million
2006-03-31[39] 6.42 million 20.95 million 10.86 million38.23 million
2006-06-30[40] 6.46 million 21.30 million 11.08 million38.84 million
2006-09-30[41] 6.48 million 21.95 million 11.37 million39.79 million
2006-12-31[42] 6.50 million 23.06 million 11.78 million41.33 million
2007-03-31[43] 6.50 million 23.47 million 11.95 million41.92 million
2007-06-30[44] 6.50 million 23.78 million 12.14 million42.43 million
2007-09-30[45] 6.51 million 24.01 million 12.31 million42.82 million
2007-12-31[46] 6.51 million 24.01 million 12.51 million43.02 million
2008-03-31[47] 6.51 million 24.00 million 12.71 million43.23 million
2008-06-30[48] 6.51 million 24.00 million 12.89 million43.41 million
2008-09-30[49] 6.51 million 24.00 million 12.97 million43.49 million
2008-12-31[50] 6.51 million 24.00 million 13.00 million43.52 million

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Ishihara. Morimoto. Satoru Iwata. Pokémon HeartGold Version & Pokémon SoulSilver Version. Interview: Transcript. Iwata Asks. Nintendo. September 25, 2022. November 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221124004538/https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon/0/0/. live.
  2. Web site: Technical data. Nintendo of Europe GmbH.
  3. Web site: Consolidated Sales Transition by Region . February 3, 2016 . April 12, 2016 . Nintendo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160207005602/http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf . February 7, 2016 .
  4. Umezu. Sugino. Konno. Satoru Iwata. Nintendo 3DS (Volume 2 – Nintendo 3DS Hardware Concept). Interview: Transcript. Iwata Asks. Nintendo. March 7, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120329190132/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/1/0. March 29, 2012.
  5. Web site: Nintendo Company History. Nintendo of America Inc. May 22, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120527211308/http://nintendo.com/corp/history.jsp. May 27, 2012.
  6. Web site: - Nintendo – Customer Service – Game Boy Advance SP – Frequently Asked Questions. nintendo.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160731172806/http://nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboyadvance_sp/faq.jsp#sp. July 31, 2016.
  7. Web site: Kurokawa . Fumio . 2022 . Satoru Okada – 2022 Retrospective Interview . April 8, 2024 . 4gamer.net.
  8. Web site: Korth . Martin . GBATEK LCD Dimensions and Timings . problemkaputt.de . January 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829221557/https://problemkaputt.de/gbatek-lcd-dimensions-and-timings.htm . August 29, 2022 . live.
  9. Web site: GBATEK – GBA/NDS Technical Info. July 26, 2016. July 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160727034359/http://problemkaputt.de/gbatek.htm#gbatechnicaldata. live.
  10. Web site: CowBite Virtual Hardware Specifications . cs.rit.edu . July 28, 2021 . September 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918070039/https://www.cs.rit.edu/~tjh8300/CowBite/CowBiteSpec.htm#Text . live .
  11. Web site: GBA ASM Tutorial. July 26, 2016. August 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805121744/http://patater.com/gbaguy/gbaasm.htm. live.
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  13. Web site: Copetti . Rodrigo . August 18, 2019 . Game Boy Advance Architecture - A Practical Analysis . May 2, 2024 . en.
  14. Web site: Game Boy Advance SP Corporate Nintendo. August 2, 2014.
  15. Web site: AGB/AGS/OXY: Game Boy Advance. MARU-CHANG. maru-chang.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20070228053943/http://maru-chang.com/hard/agb/english.htm. February 28, 2007.
  16. http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/652/652641p1.html GBA SP Gets Brighter
  17. Web site: Brighter SP coming to Europe. eurogamer.net. September 23, 2005. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100612135413/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news230905brightersp. June 12, 2010.
  18. Web site: Gameboy Advance SP – European AGS-101 Model (Backlit) Unboxing. F1RES0UL. August 22, 2009. YouTube. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160418073359/http://youtube.com/watch?v=QC1ldBUO-bw. April 18, 2016.
  19. Web site: Harris . Craig . September 17, 2004 . Legend of Zelda GBA SP . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20091005053300/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/548/548924p1.html . October 5, 2009 . March 26, 2011.
  20. Web site: TRU Exclusive Gold GBA SP/Super Mario Advance 4 Bundle for Sale . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085546/http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/tru-exclusive-gold-gba-sp-super-mario-advance-4-bundle-for-sale.48495179/ . August 19, 2014.
  21. Web site: Tribal Edition GBA SP for Europe – News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117085332/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/9501/tribal-edition-gba-sp-for-europe . January 17, 2023 . February 18, 2022 . Nintendo World Report.
  22. http://gameforfun.com/es/product.asp?product_id=3663 Gameboy Advance SP Star Light Gold Toys R Us Limited Edition (GFF-3663)
  23. Web site: Game Boy Advance SP. M. Wiley. IGN. March 20, 2003. December 6, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207021903/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/20/game-boy-advance-sp. December 7, 2017.
  24. Web site: Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review. Engadget. December 6, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207013443/https://www.engadget.com/products/nintendo/game-boy/advance/sp. December 7, 2017.
  25. Web site: Wong . Lawson . Review: Game Boy Advance SP . TechTV . https://web.archive.org/web/20040214130046/http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/story/0,23008,3577762,00.html . February 14, 2004 . December 30, 2003.
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