GBA SP Gets Brighter

[Derwin]

Nintendo is making a slight revision to their SP line of Game Boy Advance units by switching from frontlit screens to backlit for a sharper image and a more even lighting coverage to look more like the screens on devices such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/652/652641p1.html

The classic Game Boy Advance SP system was a godsend to GBA owners because it was the first time in the US where Nintendo released a Game Boy system with a built-in light. Unlike the Game Gear and Atari Lynx's use of a backlit LCD screen, the Nintendo solution was a front light to cast illumination over the existing TFT screen. The front light used less battery power, but it didn't offer nearly as vibrant an image as existing systems using backlit LCDs could.

The article says that one drawback to the new screen is that the refresh rate is lower, thus creating a "blur" effect on gameplay. That would piss me off.

[Savok]

At this point, why are you buying a GBA anyway? Get yourself a DS and be done with it.

And for those with GB/C games, the SP was never great for them to begin with.

[Chimpbot]

Personally, I think these revisions of the GBA are rather useless at this point. Granted, the SP was a fantastic update and worth every penny...but the GBA Micro and this newfangled SP are utterly pointless with the existence of the DS, especially when you factor in that this backlit SP potentially has a worse screen. Personally, I'd rather have an image that isn't quite as sharp as other screens than a weird motion blur on everything.

Rather than attempt to milk a few extra dollars out of what is obviously outmoded hardware, they should focus on their current handheld; the DS. Hell, if they're going to focus on a handheld other than the DS it should be the next Game Boy.

[A-Team]

At this point, why are you buying a GBA anyway? Get yourself a DS and be done with it.

And for those with GB/C games, the SP was never great for them to begin with.
Because it's $50 cheaper and not everyone wants to play DS games like you and I do.

[FunkyPoopMonkey]

The GBASP is the best handheld on the market, period. Now it's been improved. I'd need to see this motion blur myself before I judge, because GBA and GBASP already had a motion blur. I think IGN got used to the Micro and DS, and forgot about the motion blur entirely. Now they go back to this "new" GBASP, and think this motion blur is a new flaw.

[bobbler]

It's a feature!

Hardware assisted motion blur!

It's what we've been waiting for. :cool:

Seriously though, I have a feeling it'll be only a very minor difference (probably not really noticeable unless you look for it).

[ElectricMonk]

i bet it's the same screen that the ds has (they probably did the revision to make things simpler and cheaper for all of their products)

[Bushido]

Nintendo4tehwin

[Heretic Machine]

Bleh... I agree with posters above, go buy a damn DS. It's only $130 now, compared to an $80 GBA SP. I mean, unless you're going to be playing lots of GBA multiplayer, in which case the GBA SP is your only option.

[FunkyPoopMonkey]

Bleh... I agree with posters above, go buy a damn DS. It's only $130 now, compared to an $80 GBA SP. I mean, unless you're going to be playing lots of GBA multiplayer, in which case the GBA SP is your only option.
I don't like the DS's size or design. I want something small. And it has nothing to do with the fact that GBA piracy is more mature, I swear....

[card930]

One reason people might still want a GBA SP, is that the DS can NOT use a link cable, nor play regular Game Boy games.

[FunkyPoopMonkey]

One reason people might still want a GBA SP, is that the DS can NOT use a link cable, nor play regular Game Boy games.
Funny how Nintendo has said dozens of times that the DS is NOT a replacement for the GBA, but no one will listen.

And yes, there's a lot of old Gameboy titles still worth playing. Metroid 2, Mario Land 2, Zelda DX, the 2 newer Zelda oracle games, Shantae, etc.

[Savok]

Because it's $50 cheaper and not everyone wants to play DS games like you and I do.
Then those people are idiots. DS games are GBA games on crack, because of that you'll get a DS eventually anyway, making that saving of $50 worth nothing.

One reason people might still want a GBA SP, is that the DS can NOT use a link cable
Now that's a fair point.

[MrMeatshake]

I don't like the DS's size or design. I want something small. And it has nothing to do with the fact that GBA piracy is more mature, I swear....

i just don't know if i like the idea of the DS, still. i'll keep my GBA, please. if ONLY they'd release 100 more turn-based tactical RPGs on it! (the reason for it's existence, surely!?) at this point, i'm gonna end up going PSP before i get a DS. i just think it's too odd.

[Savok]

Think about a TB tactical RPG with unit stats on the top screen, battle area on the bottom, all controlled by touch.

EDIT: Oh, and major attacks can take up both screens, like a summon appearing on the top screen blowing the hell out of the bottom.

[LilEvilFish]

If you like blur, buy a sega gamegear!

[MrMeatshake]

Think about a TB tactical RPG with unit stats on the top screen, battle area on the bottom, all controlled by touch.

okay.
/me thinks about it.
meh, i'd rather have less graphics and a smaller package ;) i can totally see how it'd be cool to play loads of games on a touchscreen, but not when i'm on the move. with my portable device.

[Chimpbot]

Funny how Nintendo has said dozens of times that the DS is NOT a replacement for the GBA, but no one will listen.

And yes, there's a lot of old Gameboy titles still worth playing. Metroid 2, Mario Land 2, Zelda DX, the 2 newer Zelda oracle games, Shantae, etc.

Nothing is preventing you from *gasp* using older hardware! Just because you own a DS doesn't mean you are forbidden from ever touching an SP or the GBA player on the 'Cube(if you have it) again. I know the tendency is to shove the old hardware into a drawer or closet and forget about it, which is something I've all but done with my SP, but I'm keeping it around on the off-chance I want to play one of the small handful of games my DS can't handle.

While I do believe that the DS isn't a replacement for the Game Boy, it's most obviously a replacement for the line's current iteration, the GBA. There are few things the GBA can handle that the DS can't...on top of that, where is virtually all of the focus right now? I can tell you it's definitely not on the GBA; from the consumer, developer and Nintendo's viewpoint, the GBA has stepped aside for it's successor.
I think that the, "The DS isn't replacing the GBA" statement means this:
They'll continue to make software for the GBA for the time being, since anybody with a modern Nintendo handheld can still play it. At the same time, they'll continue to pointlessly update the GBA hardware...for some reason or another.
The DS is not a replacement for the Game Boy line, but merely an offshoot. They're not trying to replace the Game Boy, but it's rather obvious that they're trying to replace the GBA.
At this point, it doesn't really matter what Nintendo says about the subject. Actions speak louder than words.

[homunculus]

I know it's a little off-thread, but if the micro is great (does anyone know where or if I can hold one in my hands at a demo unit or something?) then I may just get it solely for Gunstar Super Heroes. I got a Genesis just for Gunstar Heroes, and for the last couple years the system has stood around with just Gunstar Heroes in it. I was a little worried that Gunstar Super Heroes would be sub-par due to being on the GBA, but Astro Boy: Omega Factor alleviated all concerns. However, while I LOVE my DS (with it's GBA capabilities), I can't help but think about how well Gunstar Super Heroes would work on a PSP. Just with the buttons, widescreen (which is really ideal for sidescrollers, wake up, developers!), processing power to put a ton of baddies on-screen, and wireless multiplayer, I kinda start freaking out because it COULD be so amazing on the PSP. I do have faith, though.

Something about playing GBA games on the DS just makes me feel odd. It's not using the entire screen, so I think about how it could be nicer if it did use the whole screen. Then I think about how it would be better if I could use the two extra buttons. Then I think about ways that the touch screen could be integrated. Then I realize that by only using one screen, half the bulk of the DS is useless. Basically, I want the GBA game to be a DS game instead.

At any rate, if somebody can please see how one of these new SPs look in action with the motion blur and backlight and post it, I'd love to hear it. If it turns out to be pretty sweet and the micro turns out to be pretty underwhelming, then I'd rather get another SP.

[Stormwatcher]

The Micro is a GREAT idea. I really, really LOVE my blue DS, but I can see several instances when the micro or the SP are usefull. Both can play GBA games in multiplayer (Advance Wars 1 and 2 and WING COMMANDER PROPHECY!!!!), and both can link to the Cube (FF CC, LoZWW, LoZ:FS). The micro has a really good screen and is tiny and sexy enough to seduce people who wouldn't buy a portable otherwise.

And the damn thing is selling REALLY well. Nintendo has once again struck gold where the crabby, annoying "hardcore gamer community" (i.e. us) saw nothing of good.

[mister_slim]

I have a GB Player and a DS, and the Micro tempts me. It's just so portable and tiny.

[Chimpbot]

I have a GB Player and a DS, and the Micro tempts me. It's just so portable and tiny.

For those of us who wear pants of a rather loose cut(which I know you do, slim), the DS is extremely portable. There isn't a pair of pants I own that it doesn't fit comfortably into; it's hardly noticeable in one of the front pockets and if it has a cargo pocket on the side, forgettaboutit!
On top of that, I typically carry a messenger bag with me...if I really want my DS, I'll just toss it in there. The DS is larger than we're used to with Nintendo's more modern handhelds(i.e. post original Game Boy), but it's far from unportable.
I don't need a painfully smaller version of old technology simply for it's false sense of portability; sure, it's tiny...but in reality, it's no more portable than either the DS or the GBA SP. It'll simply take up less pocket space or get lost in my bag.

At least you have a somewhat understandable reason for getting a Micro, slim. Your SP was stolen, so you'd be mostly justified in picking up a new version of it.
Overall, I think it's a waste...but that's just me. I, for one, don't want to even make the attempt to push my opinion as fact. If some, most or even all of you think the Micro is a good idea and want to pick one up, more power to you.
I just know I'm not going to plunk down a bunch of money on a smaller version of hardware I already own.

[Stormwatcher]

I think that the point is:
Just because the product is not atractive to you, it doesn't mean that it sucks or that it won't sell.

[Nephilim]

I bought the Graphite model and compared it side by side with my Onyx SP. The difference is incredible. Even on the low brightness on the new model, the old SP frontlit screen looks washed out, colorless, and dim.

I thought I would want to keep an old model, but honestly after seeing the new screen, there is no going back. For instance I booted up 2 copies of Metroid Fusion simultaneously on both systems in the dark. The new screen reveals colors and detail that you cannot even see on the old screen. The opening cinema of the sky on the old model shows a slight blue cloud and some stars, but the new screen shows a multi-blue hue of colors all over the screen, incredible difference.

Then I tried 2 copies of Pinball of the Dead. The old screen does not even reveal the correct colors represented on the new screen. For instance on the table with the clock on the bottom, the old screen had everything brown. The new screen revealed a vibrant green color as well. The red table was a whole new experience on the screen as well. The vibrant colors of the new screen are really night and day to the old one.

Now for the Motion Blur issue. There is definately some motion blur going on, but not alot. It seems that you only notice on certain images depending on the background. For instance there is an area in Super Mario World where it was very noticeable. I have finished the game so the Dragon coins have an image of Princess Peach on them. These coins are especially noticeable on the new screen as they seem to shimmer as you move past them. this is as they move in and out of the pixels. These Dragon Coins have fine lines in them so the shift is quite noticeable. So, I booted up the old SP, went to same spot and tried to notice the difference. It was not as obvious but it was difficult to tell because the old screen is so dim and washed out in camparison.

I remember reading that the old SP did have some motion blur but never noticed it. I think this is because it is so dim, and the colors so washed out that it is hard to see. The old SP screen in my opinion hides the motion blur.

Now for the slowdown issue. YES, there is some slowdown that I noticed on Super Mario World that is not there in the old screen. The screen kind of jerks as the pixels fill in the vertical lines on some of the images. It is mildly annoying, but not a big deal.

So, I played Mario World for a while on the new screen. Then I played the same level on the old screen. The now noticeable motion blur and slight slowdown are totally worth the trade off for a proper LCD screen. You are just seeing so much more of the colors and images. I am seeing stuff on every game that I never knew was there, and I always play in low light. I bounced back and forth between the systems, and the old one just plain sucks in comparison.

The new screen lets you see the colors and graphics as they were meant to be seen. There is so much more detail and the colors just jump at you.

I now feel that the frontlight was a band-aid and this is the screen that should have been released all along.

Now the Battery Life issue. The AC adapter for the new model is smaller and specific to this model. You cannot use the old SP adapter, but you can use the DS one. Battery life on the new model is stated in the manual at 13 hours on the low setting. I can't see ever using the brighter setting except in sunlight, so this is 3 hours longer than the old model. I havent looked at the battery, but it may be the 1000mha one that Japan had as an add on a while back, but they may have found a way to get the same 700mha battery to work for 13 hours with this screen.

In conclusion, yes there is motion blur and a tad bit of slowdown, but the trade-off for correct and vibrant color, brightness, and image clarity make it totally worth it. I can't go back to frontlit model.

[Xerxes]

I can't just see spending so much on ANOTHER one... I mean this is how nintendo sells so many of these. I bet so many people have double nintendo handhelds. First the mini, then they almost got me to get a DS with that damn nintendogs game, now a better sp. I'm still trying to stay on the side of the line i've drawn. The one that says sp is enough. However a new pokemon game on ds, golden age, or maybe say a new tactics ogre.

[Stormwatcher]

xerxes..... heed to the call of the nintendogs... do not resist... They will have you heart in their puppy paws...

[mister_slim]

For those of us who wear pants of a rather loose cut(which I know you do, slim), the DS is extremely portable. There isn't a pair of pants I own that it doesn't fit comfortably into; it's hardly noticeable in one of the front pockets and if it has a cargo pocket on the side, forgettaboutit!
I walk absolutely everywhere now. So I really value a few ounces of lighter. If I'm going to walk 30+ blocks, I'd rather not carry around any more than I have to. That said, the DS doesn't fit into my laptop case pretty well.

I'm just a whore for elegant design, really.

[Xerxes]

xerxes..... heed to the call of the nintendogs... do not resist... They will have you heart in their puppy paws...

I know i'll get it but I might wait a little longer until pokemon diamond comes out... Where the hell the next Golden Sun. I mean it's like the next shenmue of unfinished series.

[31 Flavas]

I can't just see spending so much on ANOTHER one... I mean this is how nintendo sells so many of these. I bet so many people have double nintendo handhelds.And what about people who've had to buy 2 - 3 PS2 systems because they self-destruct? At this point SP's are $80, not that hard to swallow compaired to $150 (or $180-200 earlier) for another PS2. And hey... your old GBA/SP still works just fine as a backup.

[Xerxes]

lol... I know my friend is on his fourth ps2 i think, I'm on my second xbox, but a dead hard drive made me mod it for my bro (happy day) and it's still working somewhere... The thing is with another SP, my other one works just fine. I can't imagine brighter screens making a world of difference. I will get a DS though sooner or later. Guess i'll keep my sp though so i don't have to play them on the big ds. ~_~

[Stormwatcher]

It is surely impressive how the cute nintendo hardware is fucking indestructible. My SNES is really old, and has survived a short circuit. It still rocks on, just got me Super Metroid.

Beats the snot out of the eXXtreme, "mature" machines the other guys make.

I do wish I had a PS2, though. one day I'll get it.