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 Nintendo
Co. Ltd. today unveiled the Game Boy Advance SP. The enhanced Game
Boy Advance features a front-lit flip top screen and an ultra-sleek
square design measuring eight centimeters along its sides. GBA SP
will be compatible with the 1,400 existing titles in the Game Boy
software library.
"Both Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP reflect the best
the video game market has ever seen in hand-held gaming," says
Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing,
Nintendo of America. "For those who must have the latest in
technology and edgy design, Game Boy Advance SP delivers the
ultimate in portable gaming."
Beyond the sleek design, the defining aspect of the Game Boy Advance
SP from the user's perspective will be the handheld's front-lit screen
- a first in Game Boy hardware. Game Boy Advance's hard-to-see
screen has been the number one complaint of GBA owners since the
handheld's release in 2001. The light can be turned on or off by a
small button located at the top center of the handheld's base.
The unique dimensions of the Game Boy Advance SP required some
notable hardware modifications. The L and R shoulder pads, located
in the lower left and right corners of the GBA SP, are smaller than
those found on the current GBA. The the face buttons and d-pad have
been depressed so that they do not interfere with the collapsed
screen. Early hands-on impressions note that neither modification is
much of an ergonomic concern. The limits of hardware size did
however eliminate the headphone jack. An adapter is now necessary to
listen to your GBA beats with headphones.
The Game Boy Advance SP is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable
battery. The battery lasts for 10 hours with the light turned on
and 18 hours if the light is not used. An AC adapter is provided
with the GBA SP for recharging. Nintendo was quick to note that the
battery retained 75% efficiency after hundreds of recharges.
Game Boy Advance SP is set to release in North America on March 23rd
in metallic cobalt and platinum. The handheld will carry a retail
price of $99.95. Michael
Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research told AP, "The
$99 price point is really a magic number. They've kept it in reach
of the masses." However,
the GBA SP will be significantly
more expensive than the current Game Boy Advance, which retails for
$69.95. Full worldwide release
details follow...
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| Game Boy Advance SP
Release Details |
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 Japan |
February
14 | ¥12,500 ($105)
Available in: Blue, Silver, Black |
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| North
America |
March
23 | $99.95
Available in: Cobolt Blue, Platinum Silver |
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| Europe |
March
28 | €129 - €139 ($135-145)
Available in: Blue, Silver, Black |
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| Australia |
March
28 | $199 AUD ($115)
Available in: Cobolt Blue, Platinum Silver |
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For those of you wondering, SP stands for special. Nintendo anticipates worldwide GBA
SP sales of 2,000,000 units by the end of March. More than 150
million Game Boys have been sold since the handheld was introduced
in 1989.
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| Game Boy Advance SP
Specs |
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| Measurements |
84.6
x 82 x 24.3 millimeters |
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| Screen
Size |
73 millimeters |
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| Weight |
143
grams |
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| Battery |
10
hours (w/ light) 18 hours (w/o light) |
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| Recharge
Time |
3
hours |
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The Game Boy Advance SP marks a significant departure from the
status-quo for Nintendo. The SP looks more suited for the business
professional than the twelve-and-under demographic that Nintendo has
traditionally held first and foremost in product development. The
system's high retail price, lithium-ion battery, and mature color
scheme all seem to further this notion.
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Image sources randomly
altered. Do not direct link.
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January
7, 2003 |
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Rick - Editor in
Chief, GameCubicle |
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