like users above me said, pal\ntsc only applies to TV (because signal standards)
portable consoles have their own screen.. they don't have to deal with tv standards...
the only country standard a portable console is required is the power adapter (but they are universal now... the only diference is the plug type..)
therefore gba consoles and DS and 3ds consoles are exactly the same, only difference is packaging, power adapter and firmware in the case of the 3ds (not sure about the DS)..
also 3ds is only special because it does have region block implemented in software...
am not sure if the DS has different languages depending on the region
but the devices themselves are the exact thing with a different information sticker on them..
The hardware is the same. The packaging nd manuals are different. Anyone know if the stickers on the back are different?
on gba sp the back sticker is diferent (on japanese gba sp the letters are japanese)
but its the only difference...
but now that i recall, gba could play movies (there were a few of movies released on carts).. maybe they had some kind of region lock to?