Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    Nintendo New Game Boy Will Knock Your Lights Out!

    By
    Matthew Sarrel
    -
    March 17, 2003
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      The Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP ($99.95 list), a sleek innovative update to the wildly successful GBA, is due to hit North America on March 23. Over 11.7 million units of the original have sold in the US and more than 23.9 million worldwide, accounting for almost 30 percent of Nintendos hardware sales. From the attention we received using the GBA SP in public, we think the new design might be even more successful.

      The flashy clamshell case, which comes in metallic cobalt blue or platinum, is only 3.3 by 3.2 by 1.0 inches (HWD) and weighs just 3.8 ounces (4.1 with the cartridge). When closed, the new case can protect the screen. This new system, at about one-third the size of the original GBA, is sleeker and more convenient. The most innovative aspect of the design is a screen that remains as big as on the previous model (1.6 by 2.4 inches), but in a smaller package.

      The GBA SP has all the necessary buttons—Power, D-pad, A/B, Start, Select, Light On/Off, and Left/Right shoulder—as well as a volume slider. For the most part, the button layout is comfortable and logical. Gamers with larger hands, however, may find that playing on the narrower device for extended periods hurts their wrists. The speaker now resides in the center of the device rather than off to the side, so your hand no longer covers it when you play.

      The most welcome addition is the screen-illumination feature. The reflective TFT color LCD includes an integrated front light that you can disable to extend battery life. Although the 240-by-160 resolution remains the same, as does the support for 32,000 colors, the visual quality is noticeably improved. Friends can stand off to the side and still follow the action. The front-lit screen breathes life into old games by providing increased detail and richer colors.

      The GBA SP comes with a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery that Nintendo rates for about 10 hours of game play with the light in use (18 hours without), which our tests confirmed, giving us from 9 to 11 hours of normal game play. Estimated battery life is three years (roughly 500 charges). The charger is well-designed, weighs only 0.2 pounds, and folds into itself to minimize its footprint. Unfortunately, the charger plugs into the GBA SP via a proprietary connector, which may make replacement of a lost charger expensive.

      The GBA SP has a smaller circuit board than its older brother, but is essentially the same inside and runs the same OS on the same 32-bit RISC CPU, so all GBA games should work fine. We found no incompatibilities during testing. An included cable lets you connect the unit to a GBA, GBA SP, or GameCube. The only negative with the new GBA is that Nintendo eliminated a headphone port to conserve space. The company instead provides a dongle/adapter for connecting headphones. Nintendo hasnt clearly said how this adapter will be sold. We hope it will be bundled with the unit.

      The original GBA will continue to sell for $69.95. Although the new unit is more expensive, you no longer have to buy an external light, rechargeable double-A batteries, or a carrying case. What you save on those accessories comes pretty close to the 30 extra dollars youll spend on the newer unit and makes this purchase a wise investment for gamers.

      Matthew Sarrel
      Matthew D. Sarrel, CISSP, is a network security,product development, and technical marketingconsultant based in New York City. He is also a gamereviewer and technical writer. To read his opinions on games please browse http://games.mattsarrel.com and for more general information on Matt, please see http://www.mattsarrel.com.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×