New GBA SP model (Not the Micro)

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

Well... shit.

I came across this on the Gaming-Age Forums and it appears to be legit. Nintendo has silently re-released the GBA SP with a micro style backlit screen. The screen was the only reason I was considering purchasing a GBAmicro since the super small form factor wasn't a selling point for me. This new SP is perfect in my opinion and now I'll stop using my DS as a GBA.

There are comparision shots of the screen on page two (linked) and you can see the box on page one:

http://forums.gaming-age.com/showthr...9&page=2&pp=50

[the_steadster]

Sneaky Nintendo...

[Baseley09]

^ ^ Indeed, good tho probably shouldve always been.

[Taemos]

This is just one more reason for me to buy an SP. I think it'll be my birthday present to myself ^_^.

[Evangelion-01]

so, this is just a new revision? or a new more expensive version?

[Taemos]

so, this is just a new revision? or a new more expensive version?

It appears to just be a new revision. I can't see them jacking up the price without an announcement of some sort.

[Johnny Vodka]

I haven't got one yet, but I thought they already were back lit?

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

They were Front-Lit previously. While better than the original GBA, still not ideal nor as vibrant as the one now.

[Mr. Casual]

They are backlit. Apparrantly, the gimmick of the new one is that it can illuminate a dark room fully. ^_^
Mine is friggin' bright enough. Oh well, here is my excuse to get an Onyx one this time!:D

[Greatsaintlouis]

Am I the ONLY one who really is taking this with the grain of salt internet rumors should be afforded?

Nintendo's website makes no mention of this 'new backlit SP.' Neither do IGN, or the Gamestop/EBGames websites - which would probably be a good place to look if the new SPs were supposedly already being sold, right?

Also, WHY would Nintendo modify the SP immediately before the GBA Micro's release? Why couldn't they have just put a backlight or frontlight in the original GBA and left it at that? This makes no sense, and I really doubt the accuracy of another forum post as legitimate news.

[cahaz]

if it's true, i'm going to buy a new sp, place the old one in the box and return it. :D

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

if it's true, i'm going to buy a new sp, place the old one in the box and return it. :D

Do they not scan the serial number when selling systems in Canada?

@ Mr. Casual, they are indeed Front Lit. That's why at angles the screen appears completely white. It's the plastic in front that's being lit. An example of back lighting is the PSP and DS where at angles you don't get the bright white glare. The original GBA SP's were just like normal GBAs with the Afterburner.

@ Great Saint Louis, I've seen talk about this on the Penny-Arcade Forums and Planet Gamecube, though they could have all spawned from the same post (PG links to PA). I guess we'll find out shortly, I really hope it's true. I want to play my GBC games in portable vibrant color!

[The VGM]

I guess the GBA Micro is going to be $80 now.

[cahaz]

Do they not scan the serial number when selling systems in Canada?

@ Mr. Casual, they are indeed Front Lit. That's why at angles the screen appears completely white. It's the plastic in front that's being lit. An example of back lighting is the PSP and DS where at angles you don't get the bright white glare. The original GBA SP's were just like normal GBAs with the Afterburner.

@ Great Saint Louis, I've seen talk about this on the Penny-Arcade Forums and Planet Gamecube, though they could have all spawned from the same post (PG links to PA). I guess we'll find out shortly, I really hope it's true. I want to play my GBC games in portable vibrant color!

well, that's just a sticker, right? :P

[Mr. Casual]

Do they not scan the serial number when selling systems in Canada?

@ Mr. Casual, they are indeed Front Lit. That's why at angles the screen appears completely white. It's the plastic in front that's being lit. An example of back lighting is the PSP and DS where at angles you don't get the bright white glare. The original GBA SP's were just like normal GBAs with the Afterburner.

@ Great Saint Louis, I've seen talk about this on the Penny-Arcade Forums and Planet Gamecube, though they could have all spawned from the same post (PG links to PA). I guess we'll find out shortly, I really hope it's true. I want to play my GBC games in portable vibrant color!

My post was made really quickly after yours since I didnt see it. Does this mean that the new GBA sp will be able to be tilted? Most of the handhelds out right now (or coming out soon) interest me. N-gage, PSP, DS, GP2X or GPX2 whatever, and the new Sp (if its real!). Gba Micro never got my attention fully. That was a pretty bad move, but the technology was cool.

[Paulo]

I find it amazing how nintendo make it look so easy to make people go out and buy the same console over and over again....

We all know sony do it another way...

[Mr. Casual]

If they continue to make their stuff better by remaking it, then perhaps the revolution controller will be redone.

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

@Cahaz, You have a point there. ;)

@Mr. Casual, Sorry, I didn't look at the time stamp on the post. My apologies. Anyway, yeah, assuming this is real, then you'll be able to look at it from wider angles than the current one.

[Johnny Vodka]

I find it amazing how nintendo make it look so easy to make people go out and buy the same console over and over again....

We all know sony do it another way...

well theres a difference between making it better at the same price and throwing a new color or pokemon scheme on it.

[Jagasian]

I think that this new GBASP2 is a better approach to Nintendo's handheld gaming line than the NDS and the GBM. Small improvements, as opposed to large changes. Just keep tweaking what works, and do not drop backwards compatibility, as was done in the NDS and GBM. It is funny how people piss and moan. Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. Nintendo has been doing this kind of thing with the Game Boy line since the 1980s.

I already have a GBASP1, and was planning on getting a GBM... but I think I will opt for a GBASP2 and wait on the GBM.