Poll: Your Game Boy Advance model of choice?

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Launching all the way back in 2001, the Game Boy Advance was the first radical redesign in the Game Boy line of systems with its move to a horizontal layout. Throughout its nearly 10 year lifespan we also saw multiple redesigns and revisions of the hardware.

It infamously launched with a non-backlit screen meaning it was notorious for being difficult to play in low light situations. This was remedied by third party add-ons, most famously the Afterburner and was later addressed by Nintendo with the launch of the Game Boy Advance SP which featured a front-lit display.

It was also of course the system that made GBAtemp possible and the reason we're here today thanks to a boom in piracy when an abundance of affordable and easy-to-use flash carts flooded the markets.

The GBA saw three major hardware revisions with the original, the SP and the Micro.

The Original Game Boy Advance

gba.png

The original GBA launched on March 21 2001 in Japan and has sold over 81 million units to date. It's radical redesign in form factor sported a horizontal layout, shoulder buttons and 240×160px TFT LCD.

Games shipped on game paks that were roughly half the height of the original Game Boy cartridges and could hold up to 32MB of data (with Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories shipping on this size cartridge).

Game Boy Advance SP

gba-sp-silver.png

The Game Boy Advance launched in 2003 and saw yet another change to the form factor of the handheld. It featured a clam shell design which enabled the screen to be protected when not in use, more importantly, the display featured a front-lit panel which enabled play in any lighting condition.

In terms of specs the system stayed the same but Nintendo added a rechargeable lithium ion battery and opted to remove the headphone jack (showing courage 13 years before Apple). They sold a separate adaptor for 3.5mm headphones that plugged into the multipurpose charging port. This also meant you couldn't charge the system and use headphones at the same time.

In late 2005 Nintendo released a revised version of the GBA SP (AGS-101) of which the major difference was the addition of a proper backlit and much brighter screen.

Game Boy Advance Micro

gba-micro.png

In 2005 Nintendo released the final GBA redesign in the form of the Game Boy Advance Micro. A miniature version of the system barely any bigger than the game paks themselves. Weighing in at just 80g the system sported a rechargeable battery and backlit display.

The screen was of course much smaller though it retained pixel resolution meaning games didn't look squashed or distorted. Interestingly enough for the size it also saw the return of the headphone jack and also featured removable, customisable face plates. Though it did lose backwards compatibility with legacy Game Boy cartridges.

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What was your preferred model of the Game Boy Advance?
 

MetoMeto

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You must be misremembering. You need to use a resistor to trick the console into thinking there is a top screen attached or it will simply shut off.
My top-screen-less 3DS shuts down immediately after its being turned on.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Perhaps... but I don't have resistors on my broken DS Lite to play GBA cartridges on them.
Than why are people doing resistor trick than? Emulators?
 

JuanMena

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My top-screen-less 3DS shuts down immediately after its being turned on.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------


Than why are people doing resistor trick than? Emulators?
No The resistor on the Ribbon Cable is to trick a TopScreen-less Nintendo DS to think there is a TopScreen attached. This will let you boot into DS Mode even when you don't have the topscreen.

maxresdefault.jpg
 
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MetoMeto

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No The resistor on the Ribbon Cable is to trick a TopScreen-less Nintendo DS to think there is a TopScreen attached. This will let you boot into DS Mode even when you don't have the topscreen.

maxresdefault.jpg
But still, you need a NDS menu settings to set up GBA to run on bottom screen. Perhaps you already set this up before the screen broke.

DCTmkDMXcAAaWRI
 
Last edited by MetoMeto,

ShadowOne333

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Sure the SP had a sleek design and had a backlit screen, but have you people actually PLAYED it for hours?
That shit is uncomfortable as fuck if you're not a toddler.
The squared form factor was just atrocious to hold in your hands for more than an hour, as it made your hands hurt.

Original AGB-001, anytime, any day.

The backlit was really the only thing it had in favour of the original, but thankfully, and tthanks to the awesome job by modders and hackers, the AGB-001 model can now have a proper backlit screen, and also a rechargeable battery.

So yeah, screw the SP, AGB-001 all the way, it's the most friendly, comfortable and ergonomic design out of all the GBAs in existence.
 
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JuanMena

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Sure the SP had a sleek design and had a backlit screen, but have you people actually PLAYED it for hours?
That shit is uncomfortable as fuck if you're not a toddler.
The squared form factor was just atrocious to hold in your hands for more than an hour, as it made your hands hurt.

Original AGB-001, anytime, any day.

The backlit was really the only thing it had in favour of the original, but thankfully, and tthanks to the awesome job by modders and hackers, the AGB-001 model can now have a proper backlit screen, and also a rechargeable battery.

So yeah, screw the SP, AGB-001 all the way, it's the most friendly, comfortable and ergonomic design out of all the GBAs in existence.
Probably this is why people replaces the original Gameboy Advance screen with the SP's?
I did had the chance to play with my cousin's SP and I do remember having hand cramps 4 minutes later.
 
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MetoMeto

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Sure the SP had a sleek design and had a backlit screen, but have you people actually PLAYED it for hours?
That shit is uncomfortable as fuck if you're not a toddler.
The squared form factor was just atrocious to hold in your hands for more than an hour, as it made your hands hurt.

Original AGB-001, anytime, any day.

The backlit was really the only thing it had in favour of the original, but thankfully, and tthanks to the awesome job by modders and hackers, the AGB-001 model can now have a proper backlit screen, and also a rechargeable battery.

So yeah, screw the SP, AGB-001 all the way, it's the most friendly, comfortable and ergonomic design out of all the GBAs in existence.
Depends how you hold it.
If you're cramping your fingers than yes, they will hurt as hell, but if you intertwine, make room for fingers, then than no, you can easily play for hours without a pain. I actually play Fusion these days that way, no pain in hands.

So the downside argument that people point about how small SP is, and how their hands get cramped from holding SP is not good imo.

To be honest, i have original GBA and its really slippery and rounded on the back, it basically slips from my hands.
Yes there is more room but its not as comfortable as people say it is.
 

ShadowOne333

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Probably this is why people replaces the original Gameboy Advance screen with the SP's?
I did had the chance to play with my cousin's SP and I do remember having hand cramps 4 minutes later.
Exactly.
Hand cramps were a given if you were to play in it. That's why I still hold unto my original indigo GBA.
It still works perfectly, i just wish I could get my hands on a cheap Everdrive and a screen kit lol

Depends how you hold it.
If you're cramping your fingers than yes, they will hurt as hell, but if you intertwine, make room for fingers, then than no, you can easily play for hours without a pain. I actually play Fusion these days that way, no pain in hands.

So the downside argument that people point about how small SP is, and how their hands get cramped from holding SP is not good imo.

To be honest, i have original GBA and its really slippery and rounded on the back, it basically slips from my hands.
Yes there is more room but its not as comfortable as people say it is.
Not all people have the same hand size as you do.
Some have big hands, some have large hands, and those people don't have much room to work with given the size of the thing and how the buttons are placed in it.
 
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JuanMena

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Depends how you hold it.
If you're cramping your fingers than yes, they will hurt as hell, but if you intertwine, make room for fingers, then than no, you can easily play for hours without a pain. I actually play Fusion these days that way, no pain in hands.

So the downside argument that people point about how small SP is, and how their hands get cramped from holding SP is not good imo.

To be honest, i have original GBA and its really slippery and rounded on the back, it basically slips from my hands.
Yes there is more room but its not as comfortable as people say it is.
Like, my hands are 8.5 inches wide... how the fuck am I going to hold a Gameboy SP when the whole thing fits in the palm of my hand?
 
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playstays_shun

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SP grips I'm sure will help

I didn't find my N3DSXL that comfortable until I added an easily slip on and off silicone grip.

dont use my XL much though, my N3DS with a plastic snap on case does the trick since its both small and wide enough for my hands

--

so surprised Nintendo didn't release backlit models until 2005, post DS release. It never got full justice until it was EOL
 
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MetoMeto

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how am I going to hold a Gameboy SP when the whole thing fits in the palm of my hand?

Like this:
OXLCQvP.png


Its more relaxing for fingers to just rest in that position than to bend them.
It's surprisingly comfortable holding it like this, and it doesn't slip like original model.

So my vote goes to SP model, once again!

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Actually the Vita is far better imo! :P

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Not all people have the same hand size as you do.
Some have big hands, some have large hands, and those people don't have much room to work with given the size of the thing and how the buttons are placed in it.
It's not dependent on hand size mostly (unless you have seriously big hands, which is not that common. I'm saying in general the best way to hold it), and my fingers are long, and i have fairly big hand.

As for button placement the holding technique that i posted above covers that also.
It's not cramped at holding it like this.

That being said, i get that some prefer original regardless, i'm only saying that SP being comfortable is just a myth. It's more about how you adapt and hold it and not it's form factor.
 
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HarveyHouston

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My personal ranking, in order: Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Micro.

Game Boy Advance SP is convenient because it folds down to a smaller form factor, plus it has that backlit screen, so no modding necessary. I have the "Now with Brighter Screen!" model, and it's absolutely fantastic. Drawbacks include the lack of headphone jack and somewhat awkward for long or large fingers, but these things are overlooked for the many benefits of the system.

However, the original Game Boy Advance is actually pretty good, too. It's major drawback is the lack of backlighting, but it's easier to hold. Plus, it makes a great controller for the GameCube's Game Boy Player! The fact that you can easily replace the batteries means that you won't have to worry about an internal battery (that's made only for that system) dying and being hard to replace.

I chose not to get a Game Boy Micro. While the initial concept is neat, there are many drawbacks to it. It only supports Game Boy Advance Game Paks, there are numerous accessories which do not work with it, and it is very small, meaning it would be uncomfortable for large hands and the screen would be a bit hard to see for some people. It's more of a novelty than a good gaming system; I guess you can get one just to say "I have the last official Game Boy model ever made".

Other systems you can play Game Boy Game Paks on? Nintendo DS and DS Lite are good choices, plus there is the aforementioned Game Boy Player, which is by far the best Game Boy experience for TV. There's also the Super Game Boy for the SNES, though this is before the GBA, so GBA cartridges don't fit the slot, and Game Paks dedicated for Game Boy Color don't work either. Game Boy games are also available on the 3DS and Wii U via the Virtual Console, though this requires a separate digital purchase and download, which if you already have the Game Pak for the game, then why bother? Also, these digital versions are severely limited.

That's all I can think of. :hrth:
 

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