I've owned my SP for nearly three years now. This console was released in Europe over three years ago, on 28th March 2003 and in America just a week before while in Japan it was released in February 2003. This console seems to have been overshadowed by the DS recently, but it's still well worth buying.
Its design is a big advantage over the original bulkier design of the Gameboy advance. The console features a flip-top design with the screen on the top half and controls on the lower half. Closed over, it measures 3.3" high, 3.23" wide and the depth is 0.96". Its compact, light design makes it easy to travel with so you can pass the time by playing it during long journeys. There are packs available with small pouches to carry the console around in, as well as to protect it from being scratched. When opened, the design is also similar to that of the original Gameboy, only much less bulky and with better graphics. The size also makes it easy to store. It features the original controls with the D-pad, use for moving around, on the left and the A and B buttons to the right. The Start and Select buttons are nearer the bottom of the control pad, below a small speaker. There are two buttons on either side of the top of the control pad: the L (left) and R (right) buttons. As well as all this there is a small button just below the
screen for changing the in screen light. The volume is controlled by a sliding button on the side of the console. The light is one of the best features of this console as by using it you can easily play in darker lit areas without having to buy an additional light to stick on. The screen is difficult to see without it, although it does wear down the battery more. Recently, a new model was released with a much brighter screen.
Although this is an upgrade of the original Gameboy Advance, there are no games which can only be played on this version. The SP has the ability to play Gameboy Advance games as well as Gameboy colour games and the original Gameboy games. When you play one of these colour or original games, you have the option of keeping the screen size the same as it would have been on older models, or expanding it to fill up the screen, the same as you can do with the original Gameboy Advance. The graphics do get a little stretched when you do this, but you at least have the option of trying it.
It has a lithium ion rechargeable battery and comes with a mains charger. The battery is estimated to last about 10 hours of continuous play with the screen light on or 18 hours without the screen light. It takes about 3 hours to re-charge. This, in my opinion, is the only disadvantage of this console as you really need to use the light if you want to see the screen clearly, unless you sit directly underneath a strong light. However, 10 hours is still a good time and you get indication when the battery is running out. The light on the side of the console will turn red, a sign that you should probably save your game progress in case you end up losing it. Also, unlike with Gameboy advance, you no longer need to keep buying new batteries which ends up costing a fortune.
Game progress is saved on game cartridges, which fit into the bottom of the console with the exception of earlier games, which do stick out from the bottom as they only fit half way in. Although this looks a little strange, it's still great to be able to play the older games. This way, there's no need to buy older consoles to play them, unless you're a collector like me! The console is available in various colours, like Arctic Blue, Pink, Red, Silver and even a limited edition gold with a Triforce (from Legend of Zelda) on the back, which was released in a pack with the Zelda game Minish Cap. There is also a classic NES edition, designed to look like the original Nintendo Entertainment System controller from the 80s.
The graphics are the same as Gameboy advance graphics, only brighter with the use of the light. As with all Nintendo consoles, there is a wide variety of games available. There are countless Super Mario games, such as Mario Kart and Mario Party which was the first game in the Mario Party series to be released for the Gameboy. Mario Kart is a racing game, which also has other versions available for the N64, Super Ninendo and Gamecube. Fans of the series will love Super Circuit, this version for the Gameboy advance and it's also great for first time gamers, as it isn't too difficult to start off with. You can also play games from the brilliant Legend of Zelda series, including Link's Awakening and the Oracle series. The Legend of Zelda series is often regarded as one of the best game series available, and there are plenty of them to choose from for this console. The SP offers not only every game since the original Gameboy was released, but also future releases for the console. Although the DS has a lot of new releases, many games are still being released for gameboy advance, some are different versions of DS games. Some of the first ever Ninendo games have been re-released for gameboy adavance, such as the first two Legend of Zelda games and the original Donkey Kong games. You can also play multiplayer games with up to four people at once, with the use of a link cable, and unlike the gameboy advance, only one game pack is needed. As well as all this, it can also be used as an extra controller for the Gamecube. There's enough games available to suit people of all ages and abilities.
Overall this console is a big improvement on the Gameboy Advance.
The SP is still available to buy in shops for around £50-£60. Second hand, you can probably get one for around £30. I recommend the Amazon marketplace, or ebay but either way make sure the seller has tested the console first, and also remember to check their feedback to be sure they are trusted sellers.
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(+) Plenty of storage space, for media. Good Games, Great for partys, with singstar. Very Reliable. (-) Sometimes the optical drive, breaks; but not very likely, my 60gb still working after 2 1/2 years.
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Advantages: Nintendo exclusive content, touch screen (dual screens), innovative software, superb sound, great graphics Disadvantages: size (could have been smaller).
MotoAthan 07.03.2005 (07.03.2005)
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Apr 16th, 2007
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