So, who bought the new Game Boy SP?

Cafe Society
1

I have to admit it took a bit of rationalizing, but today I bought a Game Boy Advance SP. Target was giving a game with it for free (Driver 2), and I got my income tax refund on Friday, so I figured why not.

My little brother has the original GBA, and I wasn’t that impressed with it. I hated the way it fit in my hands (the shoulder buttons were pretty useless), and the screen sucked. I had to hold the damn thing under a lamp to be able to see it at all.

Well, I have to say, Nintendo finally got it right. The new screen looks GREAT, and the button layout is much better (although giant hands people, like whoever designed the X-Box controller) might not like it. It’s also a really cool shape, makes it a lot easier to actually take with you. Nintendo may be a niche player at best in the console wars, but their market share in the handheld market is damn near 100%. For a system that has had basically 2 upgrades in almost 15 years (to Color and to Advance), that’s pretty awesome. The Atari Lynx, Sega Game Gear and Nomad, Tiger’s something or other, and even the fairly popular (at least to the hardcore) Neo Geo Pocket have all launched and failed to seriously challenge the Game Boy in all its incarnations.

Would I have gotten one if I already had a GBA? Probably not, it’d probably easier to just buy one of those aftermarket light attachments. But if you even think you might enjoy portable gaming, I’d say this is a winner.
Side rant–I am never again preordering video games. I think after the fiasco of the PS2 launch, EB thinks people can be conned. I pre-ordered Vice City, and yes, I did get it at midnight on the day it came out. And yes, most dedicated game stores could not keep it on shelves that week. But my girlfriend got it one day after I did out of a stack of dozens at Best Buy, and for $10 less.

Same deal with this Game Boy thing. When I first saw this unveiled, I asked the EB guy when it was coming out. He goes off on this big thing about how they are only making so many and they’ll be hard to find just like PS2s and for only $30 down I could guarantee one right now! I passed. About 2 weeks ago at a different EB, they get an empty display unit in (same shape and all but no electronics inside). I pick it up and remark about how cool it was, and I get the same rarity speech.

Today, I walk into Target late in the afternoon and they have 10 of them. Meanwhile, the EB website today says if you order RIGHT NOW, you “might” get it in their next shipment on April 1.

2

It looks good, but I’m waiting for Final Fantasy Tactics Advance to come out. I’ve already got a GBA, and it’ll take a good bit for me to rationalize getting a whole new machine, but the light and the rechargeable battery are probably worth it.

By the way, the “after-market light attachments” for the GBA are either worthless (like the clip-on lights), or too expensive and hard to install (like the “afterburner”).

3

I’m so getting one tomorrow. It is very bad ass, kudos Nintendo.

4

I want one of those! How well do the internal lights work? Do they light the screen pretty effectively?

Yes! Portable Donkey Kong!

5

The lighting is very efficient from what I’ve seen/heard. It’s an internal front light and works brilliantly.

6

I shouldn’t want one. I shouldn’t want one. I shouldn’t.

I bought the Game Boy Color and played Pokemon Gold for two months, then forgot about it.

I shouldn’t want a Game Boy SP.

I bought the Game Boy Advance and played nothing but Monster Rancher for three months, then forgot about it.

I shouldn’t be lusting after a Game Boy SP.

I don’t have the money. Even if I did have the money, the games are too expensive. I don’t have the time; I should be off writing award winning papers and finishing all my various projects and organizing the closet.

So I really shouldn’t be lusting after a sexy, sleek, silver Game Boy SP with back lighting that can play games from any region and fits in the palm of my hand and features an internal lithium battery. I shouldn’t be perusing eBay as I type this…

BUT, SURE AS BOB MADE CHICKENS, I AM.

7

As much as I like video games, the first (and only) game system I have ever owned was a GBA that I just got last October. I only have one game for it, too. So, nobody in my position would buy the new system, even though it does sound pretty cool. However, I have to admit to being the only person in the universe who doesn’t have a problem seeing the GBA’s screen. I play it all the time with no lights on but my 15 Watt desk lamp.

8

scablet, that was beautiful. I’d never read a description of Gadgetlust as accurate as that one. The weird dream-logic that takes over when you walk into a Best Buy and start telling yourself “sure, I haven’t touched my GBA in six months, but with the new version I would play all the time, and think how much I would save on batteries!”

“Afterwards, I pick up my girlfriend Lois Lane and wander about Metropolis, peering through the walls of buildings in search of evildoers.”

9

Oh, don’t be ridiculous, SolGrundy. I would never take her with me when I’m patrolling.

10

I already have the original GBA, but I hate it. Like others said, you have to hold it under a light to play, which makes for some very uncomfortable sessions.

I’m definitely planning to get the SP version, even though I feel like I’m being scammed by Nintendo into buying the same machine twice. The built in afterburner-like light and rechargeable battery are well worth it. There’s plenty of games out and coming soon where I’ll get plenty of playtime while the fiancee watches Trading Spaces.

11

I just got the SP and love it, it’s so damn small, yet comfortable. And the lighting is awesome (though it washes out the colors a bit).

12

I’m keeping my original GBA. I installed the Afterburner light so I have no need for the GBA SP. Besides, this comic expresses how I feel about Nintendo and their strategy of making buy the same machine over and over again in different “upgrade” forms.

13

I can understand about this latest one, but “over and over”? You’re kidding, right? Do you really think that GBA was an unjustified upgrade over GBC, or that GBC was an unjustified upgrade over the original?

14

And no one is forcing you to purchase them either, Amp.

15

GBA over GBC, yes, a justifiable upgrade. GBC over Pocket GB & Original GB, not that much of an upgrade.

And I know no one is forcing me to buy it. What’s your point?

16

I’ll tell you what’s the real scam: You can’t plug in your freakin’ headphones without a freaking adapter! sigh Sucks that made a great system and then do something like that!

(Of course, most people don’t care about tinny GBA sounds; on the other hand, check this out: http://remix.overclocked.org

17

My Gameboy Color is on the fritz; the volume doesn’t work.

I’m glad I held off buying a GBA until now. :slight_smile:

18

I got mine Friday night (Toys Backwards ‘R’ Us was selling them early) and I like it a lot. When I asked about it, the lady said apologetically, “Sorry, but we only have the cobalt ones,” and I did a little double-take because that was the color I wanted. I think the silver one is kind of dull-looking (like a travel clock or something).

I have an old-style GBA but never used it because of the light problem. Even with an external light I could never deal with the uneven illumination and the bright spot on the screen, so I just gave up. This new one is great! The screen is lit nicely, it feels good in my hands, and it’s rechargable so I don’t have to worry about switching batteries. Didn’t realize you need an adapter for the headphones, but that’s easily remedied.

19

Yeah, I have to say that I don’t really mind the “big scam” with the headphone jack on the new GBA. It’s like $5 extra for the jack; it’s not like a huge purchase. Sure, it would’ve been nice for Nintendo to include it, but it’s not like they’re bastards for not including it. And they know exactly what price point they need to get the kind of sales they need from the machine; it has to be <$100.

I don’t agree with that Penny Arcade comic at all. Saying that Nintendo is screwing kids is ridiculous. It’s not like kids have to have one of these things in the first place; it’s a luxury. It’s no worse than releasing a GBA that required batteries or had no backlight, in fact I’d say it’s much better because at least now there’s a readily available fix.

20

Scablet Gadgetlust Update:

Pupils have dilated. ScabletSO showing visible concern. Scablet is now gearing up to sell the old GBA (which she says is indigo colour and in very very good condition :D) on eBay.

And just between you and me… the proceeds of this auction sure as hell ain’t going to charity.