Gaming DS Lite vs GBA SP for playing GBA Games

[Qtis]

Well didn't see a topic about this so I decided to make one. So the main question to all you fellow gamers is this:

Is the GBA SP better for playing GBA games or should I just stick with the DS Lite? I have an EzFlash 3in1 for the DSLite already and figured that I might turn the console into a GBA device once my DSi compatible/enhanced flashcarts arrive. Basically I'd just play around 10-20 titles once I find and dump the games from amazon or some similar site..


-Qtis

 

[DigitalDeviant]

GBA SP is smaller but the DSLite has a crisper/brighter screen, and will last longer battery-wise, also the DSLite has a headphone jack, the SP does not. There are other minor cosmetic reasons, but yeah DSLite is superior to SP.

 

[Deleted-236924]

also the DSLite has a headphone jack, the SP does not

I have a converter.

 

[Laughing Stock]

You can't play multiplayer games on the DS.

But the DS is superior.

 

[Nathan Drake]

The SP is great for just GBA for a few reasons:

- More portable than any variation of the DS
- Better buttons imo (less squishy unlike the lite buttons)
- It can play GB and GBC games
- Can link with the Gamecube
- Can link with other SP's and use all GBA accessories

Only perk to using the DS is the better back light and the better sound when it comes to GBA games.

 

[Depravo]

I prefer my GBM to either my GBA SP or DSLite for GBA games.

 

[Deleted-236924]

Only perk to using the DS is the better back light

Unless you have AGS-101

 

[Pyrmon]

I would personally use my GBA SP v2 to play GBA games because of the form factor, but that's just me.
What would be sweet would be to get rid of the top half of a DS lite, put the speakers somewhere on the bottom half and use it as a GBA.

 

[Todderbert]

I prefer using my GBA SP II for GBA gaming over the DS lite. I like the form factor of the SP, and it's screen quality is amazing.

 

[Toki~]

The SP is great for just GBA for a few reasons:

- More portable than any variation of the DS
- Better buttons imo (less squishy unlike the lite buttons)
- It can play GB and GBC games
- Can link with the Gamecube
- Can link with other SP's and use all GBA accessories

Only perk to using the DS is the better back light and the better sound when it comes to GBA games.

This and also I do enjoy playing on my DS but I do prefer my SP for when i'm out and about and festivals (although still wanting a GBM).

 

[Deleted-236924]

What would be sweet would be to get rid of the top half of a DS lite, put the speakers somewhere on the bottom half and use it as a GBA.

You'd have to reprogram how the entire DS lite works, since if it doesn't recognize the top screen, it will shut down.

 

[Pyrmon]

What would be sweet would be to get rid of the top half of a DS lite, put the speakers somewhere on the bottom half and use it as a GBA.

You'd have to reprogram how the entire DS lite works, since if it doesn't recognize the top screen, it will shut down.

I know that. But wouldn't it be awesome?

 

[mocalacace]

I prefer my GBM to either my GBA SP or DSLite for GBA games.

Agreed, it looks great on the Micro. And to me it is different when you are actually playing on the GBA.

 

[DanTheManMS]

I prefer the GBA SP with the backlit screen, compared to playing on my DS Phat. Never owned a DS Lite or DSi for brightness comparison.

It might also be my imagination but I find the GBA SP tends to have better battery life as well.

 

[Splych]

GBA SP / Micro > DS Lite / Phat

reasons being :
- game won't stick out [only applies to DS Lite]
- smaller form factor
- feels nicer [my opinion]

 

[Rydian]

It might also be my imagination but I find the GBA SP tends to have better battery life as well.

Yeah, I can fall asleep with my SP on and it's still on (sometimes not even low battery) when I wake up, whereas my DS is dead.

 

[Arm73]

I also prefer the GBA SP2 ( the one with the back-lit display ) !
In fact, the DSlite screen is slightly bigger then the SP, however GBA games are letter boxed, making for an overall smaller image ( why waste the extra real estate ?).
Also, as already mentioned, the form factor ( smaller ) , the feel of the d-pad and buttons ( which varies with individual taste, that's why I didn't call it quality ), GBA cartridge not sticking out, compatible with GB and GBC games ( I have a GB bridge ad a F2A , and I'm able to use the native hardware to play older games , as opposed to emulation ), of course you can link it up with other GBAs and GCs.
So definitely, a no-brainer.
The only think that would beat the GBA SP2 ( theoretically ) would be a GBA slot in the DSiXL !!!!!!!!!
But unfortunately, that is not the case. I'm sure GBA games would look great ( and letter-boxed , not stretched ) on the XL.

 

[tbgtbg]

Ever since I got my DS, my SP only gets used for GB/GBC games.

I've got the frontlit SP, but even if I had the backlit model, the DS (original in my case, not lite) is just easier on my big hands, the SP is a little cramped.

 

[relminator]

It might also be my imagination but I find the GBA SP tends to have better battery life as well.

Yeah, I can fall asleep with my SP on and it's still on (sometimes not even low battery) when I wake up, whereas my DS is dead.

That's true for my SP too.

Though I would prefer playing gba games on my DS lite since I have an older SP version. The non-backlit one.