Game Boy Advance SP Sells 1.1 Million in U.S.

clu76 writes "An article at Business Wire indicates that Nintendo has sold 1.1 million Game Boy Advance SPs since hitting the shelves less than 10 weeks ago. The article goes on to say, 'The new model has sold at a rate of more than 10 per minute, non-stop, since launch.' Two new colors of the popular handheld have also been announced: Flame (red) and Onyx (black)." I'd attribute this to the SP being the first Game Boy to have a screen that's viewable in total darkness, as well as not requiring batteries. Anyone got ideas for what to do with an old GBA?

Comments

Great Machine, but...

[Rosyna]

When the Backlight is on the screen gets all hazy from too much reflection and glare from it's own internal light. Also, let's not forget you have to pay extra to get a headphone jack. That extra accessory makes the GBASP a little less portable than the previous incarnation.

Re:Great Machine, but...

[ubikkibu]

Agree about the $9.95 headphone jack--it should have been included, and is a bit awkward when plugged in.

Disagree about the backlit screen. I play inside, outside, everywhere, and the SP screen with backlight on or off is even clearer than the standard GBA screen. If it's really hazy for you, perhaps your unit has a problem? I have a silver and a gold SP and they are both crystal clear.

Also got a Japanese GameBoy Player for my GameCube. Sa-weet! I love playing Golden Sun: The Lost Age on my 40" Sony.

New users or upgraded users

[Almost_anonymous_cow]

I think it would be intresting to see how many of those purchases where new or old gameboy users simply upgrading.

I love my GBA SP

[SweetAndSourJesus]

My only real problem with it is that the hinge doesn't act as a switch. That seemed like a no-brainer to me. Close the GBA, it turns off. Instead we get a goofy little switch on the side.

Oh, and the headphone adapter. What the hell is up with that?

Re:I love my GBA SP

[FroBugg]

Well, sometimes I like to be able to close it while my game is paused, so I can drop it in my pocket for a minute or two to do something without having to worry about saving games or anything like that.

It would be nice, though, if the just the screen turned off when it closed to save a bit of power.

Old GBA use

[scot4875]

Anyone got ideas for what to do with an old GBA?

Save it for use as a controller for your Gamecube for when Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles comes out. It's rumored to *require* a GBA for every player.

--Jeremy

GBA SP Rocks

[Microlith]

I got mine back in March, shortly before I came to Japan.

To say the least, it's worth the money. Even more so if you (like I) owned zero consoles before it.

The thing lasts forever with the light on, and even longer with the light off. And it's very, very small. Only downside might be the attachment you have to buy for the headphone jack but the sound isn't really that important.

Nintendo did an awesome job with the SP. Now if only they had 4 buttons instead of just A and B...

Re:Too damn small!

[PainKilleR-CE]

I bought a pair of hand-grips that mount to the thing and make it roughly the same width as a PSX controller. It seems to help out quite a bit, at least for me (and I bought the old larger XBox controller because the S controller that came with my XBox just isn't comfortable to me).

Re:What to do with an old GBA

[levik]

There's more to the new GBA-SP than just the backlighting. That makes it usable, sure. But the small size, and the shape make it cool. While the old GBA was way too childish for my tastes, the SP model just looks sleeker and cooler. Also, the ability to fold away the screen makes it perfect for sticking into a pocket for use on the train.

Nintendo did a smart thing by releasing this one - it's suddenly cool to have a gameboy, even if you're not a kid. I hope this will bring the console to older audiences and Nintendo will follow up by releasing games to match the interests of that demographic (versus just releasing games aimed at younger children)