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GBA SP Updated with Brighter Backlit Screen

Posted by samzenpus on from the brighter-than-ever dept.

PSXer writes "Nintendo has quietly included a much brighter backlit screen into the new Game Boy Advance SP Graphite and Pearl Blue colors. From the article: "Though all that's changed between the classic GBA SP system and the updated ones is the screen technology, the difference is night and day. The new system kicks on with incredible brightness and clarity in its display right from the start, and the improvement becomes even more obvious with each game you stick in the system.""

9 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. Similar to the new Game Boy Micro by meatflower · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The new Game Boy Micro (think GBA SP meets iPod Nano) has been noted for its much brighter display.
    http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000990043834/
    I suppose Nintendo has decided to move the technology to the standard size SP as well...all of this development on what is basically a GBA I find puzzling. With the DS having been out for some time now I would think most people looking to buy a Game Boy device would look to the DS, especially considering it can be had for as little as $129 now.

  2. True if all you play is GBA games by gasaraki · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But the DS doesn't support regular old GB and GBC games, whereas the GBA and GBA SP do.

  3. Much Better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I love the photos with the slightly adjusted 'previous version' gameboy that has just a tad bit more angle on it to increase the viewing angle and thus the increased light effect they are trying to show *cough*buybuysatan*cough*

  4. Yeah! by ShaolinTiger · · Score: 5, Insightful

    1. Change something minor on your product
    2. Get loads more free publicity
    3. PROFIT!

    --
    Share your Knowlege - Kung-Fu Geekery
    1. Re:Yeah! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Sounds very much like an Apple formula.

  5. Fixing problems that don't exist? by KeiserSoze · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Interestingly enough, the main gripe users had with the backlight was the discolouration it had on the screen, tinting everything slightly blue. If this fixes that problem I could see merit in it - but if it not only is just brighter, but uses x amount of battery life to power that, what is the benefit? Personally, what the SP needed was a brightness adjustment, as anybody who has used it late at night will no doubt agree.

  6. Missing the point? by Sockatume · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Those maligning the system as pointless because they already have a GBA SP or a Micro are perhaps missing the point. While I'm sure a few existing GBA or SP users will buy the thing, they're not the target market: like the quieter, DVD-R-able PS2, this is a refinement of the product line aimed at people who haven't got the system yet.

    --
    No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  7. GBA has 6/10 top selling titles by ibentmywookie · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Games for the GBA currently occupy 6 of the top 10 highest selling titles in Australia. I didn't realise GBA was so damn popular until I found that out. Pokemon seems like a license to print money.

    source

    --
    -- The doctor said I wouldn't get so many nose bleeds if I just kept my finger out of there!
  8. The ROM is a CPU hog by tepples · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I suspect the screen and perhaps the AEM7 are the big items in the power budget

    Actually, the big power hogs are the screen, the ARM7, and the Game Pak. The battery runs down more slowly when you play "multiboot" programs (that is, programs that run from internal RAM, such as GameCube connectivity extras, single-pak multiplayer, and small homebrew games) than when you play programs that continuously access ROM.