Hardware What would be the fair price for a gba at this moment?

[slaaw]

Hello,

I know that my question might sound awful, but I am recently in for retro consoles and stuff.
At the end I decided to buy one, but I'm really not sure about to price so I leave it here.

Thank you for taking a look at this noob question.

 

[Nikokaro]

Hello. In England I don't know, but in Italy, in the most famous second-hand site, GBA first model and AGS-001 (front-lit) costs about 40€/60€, while the rare AGS-101 (back-lit) costs from 100€ upwards. I only recommend the latter, which has bright colors and sharp graphics. The AGS-001 has watered-down and pale graphics, while the former unlit model, by today's quality standards, is practically unwatchable and intolerable. Personal opinion.

 

[SylverReZ]

A Nintendo DS or DS Lite is a lot cheaper for GBA games although you cannot use GB/GBC cartridges. Typically on eBay for a GBA, they sell for around 45-60 quid from what I've seen.

 

[tech3475]

I normally use CEX for a benchmark of what should be the maximum to pay.

One thing to consider though, do you plan on modding it or keeping it stock? Because stock OG GBA can be a pain to actually play on due to the lack of a light.

I‘d consider either modding or buy something else for actually playing games.

 

[ghjfdtg]

If you are considering modding then go with the GBA or SP 001. Will cost you less than the 101 and you get the technically superior screen (keyword ghosting).

 

[Marc_LFD]

If you don't mind, then go for a DS Lite and use the bottom screen to play GBA games. It's a lot cheaper than a GBA and better since the screens are backlit whereas the original GBA weren't and yet they cost more. Plus, you can mod a DS Lite to become a GBA Micro if you'd want (get rid of the top screen).

AliExpress might have shells to store the bottom DS Lite part so that could be fun for you, if you feel like trying it.

 

[DrunkenMonk]

Just don't pay over £40 for one. Straight up they're not worth it. It's such a common console, you can find them absolutely everywhere to the point where some people are basically giving them away. The big scalper rise pumped the price up from around £8-15 per GBA before covid to these absurd prices. Just straight up don't buy this overpriced garbage on ebay. Look for local sales instead.

Also people bumping prices for the holiday period, even CeX does the same thing. CeX will even lower the cash + voucher trade-in amount so you have to trade in more crap to get more money.

e.g even just around october:

 

[duwen]

I normally use CEX for a benchmark of what should be the maximum to pay.

^This... but I wouldn't say 'maximum', as CeX is often cheaper than ebay.
Depending on the model/colour, loose/boxed, they start from £50
https://uk.webuy.com/search?stext=gameboy advance&categoryFriendlyName=Gameboy Advance Consoles

 

[darkworldq8]

I got a glacier white 1st model in excellent condition without the backlit screen for around $75.

You could get a regular DS or DS Lite if you want a cheaper backlit option, and if you don't care about playing GB and GBC cartridges. If you really want to save money, you could get a DS or DS Lite with a broken hinge, and maybe turn it into a GBA Macro. You could get one with a broken hinge on ebay for around $20 and sometimes less.

Another option which takes more effort is to get a regular GBA, get an IPS replacement screen, and mod the case to fit it (or get a replacement shell that is compatible with the screen if you don't want to mod the case).

 

[StimedHydra]

I am from Mexico and they are around the 60USD in a good shape, would support the "dont pay more than 40USD" statement