Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the cowboyneal's-pokémon-addiction dept.

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?

6 of 339 comments (clear)

  1. Great Machine, but... by Rosyna · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

    1. Re:Great Machine, but... by ubikkibu · · Score: 4, Interesting

      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.

  2. New users or upgraded users by Almost_anonymous_cow · · Score: 5, Interesting

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

  3. Old GBA use by scot4875 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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

    --
    Jesus was a liberal
  4. Re:I love my GBA SP by FroBugg · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  5. Re:What to do with an old GBA by levik · · Score: 4, Interesting
    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)

    --
    Ñ'