Hardware Pearl White AGS-101? Is it real?

[lagmonster]

I just managed to snag an auction on eBay for a Pearl White GBA SP, which certainly LOOKS like an AGS-101 model with good backlighting from the photos. However, after much research, I can't find that such a model ever officially existed.

Did I get duped and sent a refurb/case mod? ...Should I care?

http://imgur.com/a/g7oZQ

 

[Essometer]

I think it came with FF Tactics and it's looking real to me.

 

[lagmonster]

I think it came with FF Tactics and it's looking real to me.

I thought it might be the same one, but everything I'm reading says that was the AGS-001 model. Unless there was a different bundle? It's not adding up to me.

 

[Haymose]

It looks legit, if the backlight doesn't turn off at all then it's an AGS-101 afaik

 

[daifuku74]

I know these auctions, it's from an US seller. Basically I think this is a legit AGS-101 GBA, or a legit AGS-001 GBA with a mod to fit a legit AGS-101 screen, and the pearl white case is not original Nintendo at all. It's a cheap chinese knockoff of the real GBA housing (you can find them on ebay search for gba case or gba housing white). You can see it is not as good in the plastic finish like the real models, angles and details (probably letters engravings), but it's certainly preferable to a scuffed and dented housing. There was no AGS-101 white edition AFAIK, the only white if the Final Fantasy Tactics but it's a first generation screen with backlight not as good (AGS-001). Now that you know the full story, if it breaks your heart for it not being a 100% genuine Nintendo product from top to bottom just let me know I may be interested to get it!

UPDATE: After more research it appears you can't add an AGS-101 original screen to an AGS-001 motherboard. Some people take the screens away from the Gamebox branded GBA SP copy, and combine to AGS-001 motherboards. This is NOT equivalent to a legit AGS-101 OEM screen. Maybe the brightness is on the same level, but the resolution is wrong, it does not display the GBA output pixel perfect like one could suppose. So beware what you buy.
More input on this is welcome if you have more information or need to correct some info already here.

 

[adimifus]

I know these auctions, it's from an US seller. Basically I think this is a legit AGS-101 GBA, or a legit AGS-001 GBA with a mod to fit a legit AGS-101 screen, and the pearl white case is not original Nintendo at all. It's a cheap chinese knockoff of the real GBA housing (you can find them on ebay search for gba case or gba housing white). You can see it is not as good in the plastic finish like the real models, angles and details (probably letters engravings), but it's certainly preferable to a scuffed and dented housing. There was no AGS-101 white edition AFAIK, the only white if the Final Fantasy Tactics but it's a first generation screen with backlight not as good (AGS-001). Now that you know the full story, if it breaks your heart for it not being a 100% genuine Nintendo product from top to bottom just let me know I may be interested to get it!

While it is true you can't hook up a 101 screen to a 001 motherboard, you most certainly can move both the 101 screen AND board into a 001 shell. I did exactly that to make my NES edition SP back-lit. Although it is interesting, in this particular case, that the sticker says AGS-101 instead of AGS-001 if it was just a shell swap.