top of page
Please Sign InClose
Email or User Name:
Password:
Forgot your password?
Remember me on this computer
Please register with Shopping.com.
Share your opinions and help others make informed buying decisions.Close
Email Address:
User Name:(4-14 characters.)
Password:(At least 7 characters, different than username.)
Verify password:
Verification code:

By clicking on the button below, you agree to the Shopping.com User Agreement and Privacy Policy.


Sign me up to receive Shopping.com's great deals and promotions.

Thank You  for registering at Shopping.comClose
The confirmation message has been resent to your inbox.
 
Please check your email account below to activate your membership:


No email yet?
Forgot PasswordClose
Your temporary password has been resent to your inbox.
 
A temporary password has been sent to your email. Once you sign in, please visit your member profile page to change your password.

No email yet?

Please enter the email address you used to register your account. If you can't remember your email, please contact customer service at support@shopping.com.
Email Address:
Clicking on "Submit" will reset your password. A temporary password will be sent to the email you enter above.
 

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP White Console

from $150.00 12 offers
Key Features
  • Console Type: Handheld
  • Platform: Game Boy Advance SP
  • Processor: 16.78 MHz Sharp ARM7TDMI
  • Display: LCD TFT (Active Matrix)
  • Gaming Type: LAN Gaming
See More Features
 
 
 
 
 
Smart Buy! Lowest price from a Trusted Store
eBay
$173.99
Free Shipping!
 
Lowest Price!
Amazon Marketplace
 
Featured Offer
Amazon Marketplace
 

Product Review

Handheld Video Game Systems: Game Boy Advance SP. Yes sir, I like it!

by   Mr_D ,   Apr 12, 2004

Pros:  Backlit, rechargable battery, secure unit.

Cons:  Shoulder buttons, no headphone jack.

The Bottom Line:  If you love video games, and sometimes are away from a TV and a console, give it a shot.

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
 

Author's Review

Quick Facts:
Game Boy Advance SP Hand Held Video Game system, manufactured by Nintendo in 2003. 2.9 inch screen size, backwards compatible with all GBA and GB games. Rechargable lithium ion battery, system priced about $90 at the time of this review.

Full Review:

I didn't own an original game boy advance. As a proud owner of an Atari Lynx in the early 90's, I was convinced that any hand held system without a built in lighting feature was a waste of time and effort. I had an original Game Boy, but found the lighting of the Lynx to make it so much more enjoyable, that there was no reason for me to have any sort of hand held that did not contain a light. Also, I didn't have much call for a hand held system at the time of the GBA's release, so I didn't think much of it.

In May of last year, I went on vacation to Florida, and decided - what the heck, now's the time to buy Game Boy Advance SP. I was going to be on planes, waiting in lines, in hotel rooms at night... And my new job at the time had me travelling quite a bit as well, on buses, in hotel rooms... I found myself craving a video game system on several occasions.

Unfortunately, the GBA SP had just been released, and was of course, impossible to find. Luckily I had a connection at a regional Electronics Boutique, and I was able to get my paws on one shortly before my vacation. I purchased the GBA, 4 titles, and was set to go.

Like everything else I use, it took me a while to really start to make use of the GBA. I got sporadic use of it on my vacation, and really didn't touch it much until I started travelling for work again in the fall. It was then that I fell in love with my Game Boy Advance SP, and started finding excuses to play it. In the bathroom, before bed, short breaks at my computer while waiting for other things to happen - even commercial breaks during television viewing.

So while there was a 6 month lag time, the GBA is now a major part of my day to day life, and the thing really is incredible. The unit is very small, and it folds together, making it very portable and easy to store - as well as making worrying about damage to it/the screen a thing of the past. There are a variety of cool colors available (Mine is silver), so the thing looks and travels well - without necessarily LOOKING like a video game unit.

The screen is a large 2.9 inches - and backlit, making games easy to play and easy to see. The backlight can be turned off in direct light, though there is no actual brightness/contrast switch, which would have been a nice addition.

Buying hordes of batteries and changing them on the go is also a thing of the past. GPA SP comes with a rechargable Lithium Ion battery that lasts well over 10 hours with each charge, and it takes about 3 hours to charge the unit. The battery is said to be good for about 500 charges, though I am no where near that number at this point.

The SP is also backwards compatible - It not only plays all GBA titles, but all Game Boy and Game Boy Color games as well, on a backlit, larger screen - so you can get your monies worth out of some of your favorite games. My mother still plays her original Dr. Mario on her Game Boy Advance SP. You can use the trigger buttons to stretch out the screen if you want to fill it out, otherwise the games play at the original GB dimensions.

The controls are easy to use, with your standard D Pad, select, start, and A and B buttons. Perhaps the biggest flaw with the GBA SP is the shoulder (L and R) buttons. With the unit being so small, the buttons are uncomfortable located on the back of the thing, which can make manipulating them difficult especially for us so called "adults".

Another complaint about the GBA SP is the lack of a headphone adapter. There is an optional unit available, but otherwise you'll have to rely on the speaker, which is mono - and the volume control. While not a big deal to me, a headphone jack would have been a nice addition. Games always sound different (as does most music) with headphones as well.

It may just be the titles I have played, but for a handheld unit, I have found it very difficult to play several of the games while actually travelling - on buses, trains, planes, whathaveyou. The controls are precise on most titles, and moving and bumping can make it hard to control, and hard to see as things move across the screen. Similarly, fast paced games like Mario Kart Advance move so fast that the screen blurs at times, and it makes the graphics defition hard to make out sometimes. Minor complaints, but complaints nonetheless.

What I liked:

BACKLIT!

Portable, small - secure.

Rechargable built in batteries!

What I didn't like:

Shoulder buttons a tad awkward.

No headphone jack.

Sometimes its tough to play games on the road.

Overall:

I know that Sony has a handheld unit coming out soon, and there are rumors of others on the horizon. But the little handheld that could, Nintendo's Game Boy, has survived and surpassed all challengers thus far. And with an incredible and deep library, picking up an SP is a no lose proposition. If you love games, but sometimes find it hard to find time in front of the Television - or if you find yourself on the road, pick one of these up.

Mr_D
 

Compare stores & prices  |  See All Reviews »

 

Back to top

Stores and Prices

 
Game Boy Advance SP Graphite

Game Boy Advance SP Graphite

Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com! ( In stock )
This incredible redesign features a fantastic flip-screen; Unopened, the unit fits easily in your pocket When it's opened, gamers are in for a tr...
Amazon Marketplace
3.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
See only offers from Amazon Marketplace (3)
Nintendo AGSSZRA GBA SP System Flame

Nintendo AGSSZRA GBA SP System Flame

Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com! ( In stock )
This incredible redesign features a fantastic flip-screen; unopened, the unit fits easily in your pocket When it's opened, gamers are in for a tr...
Amazon Marketplace
3.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
See only offers from Amazon Marketplace (3)
Game Boy Advance GBA SP System Pearl Pink Gameboy

Game Boy Advance GBA SP System Pearl Pink Gameboy

Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com! ( Stock info not available )
GBA SP System Pearl Pink
Amazon Marketplace
Featured Store 3.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
See only offers from Amazon Marketplace (3)
Platinum Game Boy Advance Sp Factory Sealed

Platinum Game Boy Advance Sp Factory Sealed

( In stock )
You are Looking at a BRAND NEW, FACTORY SEALED, PLATINUM GAME BOY ADVANCE SP . It has seals on both ends of the box, is fresh out of a case, and the b...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
Smart Buy
FREE SHIPPING
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Nintendo Gameboy Advance Sp System Gba Game Console

Nintendo Gameboy Advance Sp System Gba Game Console

( In stock )
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) System/Console (Color: Platinum) 100% BRAND NEW/FACTORY SEALED Condition! Features: Muscular 32-bit processor. B...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Nintendo Gameboy Advance Sp Platinum

Nintendo Gameboy Advance Sp Platinum

( In stock )
AUCTION IS FOR ONE BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED FACTORY SEALED BOTH ENDS - NEVER OPENED PLATINUM Gameboy Advance SP SYSTEM POWER ADAPTER/ CHARGER INCLUDED...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Game Boy Advance Sp Rare Pearl White Factory Sealed

Game Boy Advance Sp Rare Pearl White Factory Sealed

( In stock )
You are Looking at a Very RARE, BRAND NEW, FACTORY SEALED, LIMITED EDITION PEARL WHITE GAME BOY ADVANCE SP . There is a sticker on the box. It has sea...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
FREE SHIPPING
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP White Console

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP White Console

New ( In stock )
A completely redesigned version of the popular Game Boy Advance, this system has a new illumination feature and a sleek, flip-screen design making it ...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
FREE SHIPPING
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Tattoo Verison Nintendo Game Boy Advance Sp System

Tattoo Verison Nintendo Game Boy Advance Sp System

( In stock )
BRAND NEW / FACTORY SEALED (still has plastic seal on it )GAMEBOY ADVANCE SP SYSTEM LIMITED EDITION TATTOO VERSION - RARE See Picture For More Details...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Game Boy Advance Sp Cobalt Factory Sealed Set Look

Game Boy Advance Sp Cobalt Factory Sealed Set Look

( In stock )
You are Looking at a Very RARE SET! IT INCLUDES A BRAND NEW, FACTORY SEALED, COBALT GAME BOY ADVANCE SP . ALSO INCLUDED IS A BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED ...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
FREE SHIPPING
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Game Boy Advance Sp Gba Classic Nes

Game Boy Advance Sp Gba Classic Nes

( In stock )
Game Boy Advance SP You are bidding on a Game Boy Advance SP game console. Everything is 100% complete and brand new, never used. If you have any ques...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
Gameboy Advance Sp System Flame Red Incredibly New&rare

Gameboy Advance Sp System Flame Red Incredibly New&rare

( In stock )
AUCTION IS FOR ONE BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED FACTORY SEALED BOTH ENDS - NEVER OPENED INCREDIBLY RARE FLAME RED Gameboy Advance SP SYSTEM NINTENDO GAMEB...
eBay
4.0/5.0 store rating Trusted Store
 
at eBay
See only offers from eBay (9)
 

Compare all 12 store offers

 
 
 
advertisement
 
 

Copyright © 2000-2009 Shopping.com