# So, who bought the new Game Boy SP? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 24, 2003, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725 "2003-03-24T05:27:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725/41 "2003-05-02T20:35:14Z")
Well since this thread is back after a short vacation, I might as well post to say that I did indeed buy one and it was well worth it like I thought. I charge it about once a week, so in theory it’ll be 8-10 years before the battery loses power. I can actually play Castlevania now, and see what I’m doing! Playing in bed is the ultimate! ---
**Author:** ![Kivick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/65b543/32.png) [@Kivick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kivick)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725/42 "2003-05-02T21:09:48Z")
Ive been toying with the idea of purchasing an SP for weeks now… How does the processing power compare to other consoles out there? Is the SP supposed to be similiar to a Nintendo 64 / Super Nintendo / or just plain Nintendo? I mean why spend 100 bucks for a handheld console that would only play games that you wouldnt play at home? Ive seen the Tekken Advance port and am intrigued but the screen shots do not belay a sense of the quality of game play. Does the 2 button layout limit gameplay in games like Tekken or Street Fighter? ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725/43 "2003-05-02T21:37:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c\_goat \* > I can actually play Castlevania now, and see what I’m doing! Playing in bed is the ultimate! I sold my GBA after the frustration that was _Castlevania: Darkened Shadows in an Unlit Room_. I liked the game (and the GBA in general) but that lighting problem got to me. The worm light was terrrible- it either got in the way or gave you bad glare. I finally resorted to playing it with one of those camping/spelunking lights on my head. When I saw a reflection of me with a flashlight strapped to my head is when I realized the system had to go. Bought a Sega Nomad and have been playing that ever since ($5 games- woo hoo!). ---
**Author:** ![MarsDragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@MarsDragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarsDragon)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725/44 "2003-05-03T00:05:25Z")
I have a GBA, and while I can’t say I never had any problems with lighting, Castlevania was always nice and clear for me, assuming normal room lighting. I could play it in bed easially with my reading light. (Same with all my other games too, it’s just that even I will admit that Castlevania’s a dark game.) I don’t really see a reason to get an SP, I tried it out in the store and was unimpressed with the control layout. The regular is a little cramped for me, but the SP just hurts my hands after a few minutes. Maybe I’ll pick up an Afterburner sometime, just so I won’t have to find light all the time, but it’s not that big of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725/45 "2003-05-03T00:25:37Z")
Yes, the SP layout doesn’t look comfortable to me. I’d rather add an after-market lighting system to my GBA. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725/46 "2003-05-03T15:52:16Z")
"Not unless you play your games for a _long_ time every day. It gets 10 hours with the light on, 18 with the light off. " Yes, but I wouldn’t want to get caught with a low battery when facing a boss, so I like to keep the charged up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-bought-the-new-game-boy-sp/163725.md?page=2)