"An improvement on an already great handheld"

GameBoy Advance SP is essentially a GameBoy Advance with a light and a new look, as well as a rechargeable battery. Is it worth it? Read closely.

Graphics: 10
True, the GameBoy Advance SP offers graphics only as good(or slightly better) as the Super NES and Genesis systems, but they're as good as they get for handheld systems. A few years ago, the best we got we pixelized, NES-looking handheld games which look a bit detailed. Now, for the last two years, we've gotten fairly detailed 2D graphics, and sometimes even limited 3D games. The best examples of the graphics for the GBA-SP are Street Fighter Alpha 3, Yoshi's Island, Metroid Fusion, Golden Sun, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and in terms of world size, even Driver 2 Advance. The GameBoy Advance SP (moreso than the original) shows that it has graphics good enough to astonish people today, who are used to realistic games like Resident Evil Zero on the GC. Now, what makes the GameBoy Advance SP better than the original GameBoy Advance is that the graphics look more ''alive'' with a proper light. Gone are obvious glares, or screen tilting. The light makes the GameBoy Advance show the system's colors much more naturally; the original made the system look like it had extremely dark and vibrantless colors, but the SP makes the colors look plain better. This is all with the light ON. With the light off, you can score this an 8 now.

Game Availability: 10
When I first reviewed the original GameBoy Advance, I gave it a 10 for game selection, and nearly two years later, the library only becomes better. Back then, Super Mario Advance, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Street Fighter II: Turbo Revival were titles worth playing. Now, in addition to that, GameBoy Advance SP gamers can indulge in RPG titles like Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords, Lunar Legend, Golden Sun and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. In addition to the above, titles worth playing include Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World, Metroid Fusion and the entire previous GameBoy library.

Aesthetics: 10
The original GameBoy Advance was a cool looking system, and the same applies to GameBoy Advance SP. Totaling worldwide, the colors available are Pearl White (in
Japan as part of the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Bundle), Black (in Japan only), Cobalt Blue (U.S.) and Platinum Silver (Worldwide). With that in mind, any color available is a good, fitting color for the system. All have this metallic, shiny finish, which pictures of the system may not show. When folded in like a cell phone or a laptop, the system looks shiny, shelled and classy. When unfolded, it still looks shiny, and classy, but also sleek. It resembles the original GameBoy, GameBoy Pocket and GameBoy Color models. When unfolded, it's thin, but a little big, but still small overall, especially when compared to the Sega Game Gear. It's really a nice looking system, and people who love having nice looking systems ought to pick one up immediately.

Price: 8.75
Well, the price isn't exactly perfect. A Japanese system will (as of 3/23/03) will cost you $150, for those who want a Black color. A U.S. unit will cost you $100, and that's reasonable, however, the exact same library can be played on the original, and much cheaper GameBoy Advance. The only drawback is that it cannot be played in absolute darkness, a light is needed and the graphics won't look as flashy. However, a $30 price cut (as of 3/23/03, the original GBA is $70 at most retailers) might warrant a few people to prefer the original model overall. In addition, price takes a hit since gamers are required to buy a
headphone cord to listen on headphones. However, brownie points are earned because of the free rechargable battery and adapter included within the system. According to Nintendo, the battery should last ''several'' years, which can be from 3 to 7 years.

Sound: 9.5
The sound of the GameBoy Advance SP is improved over the original. The single speaker doesn't really have any technical improvements, but being in the center of the system gives greater balance to the system and the playing perspective. All previous GameBoy systems had the speaks off to one direction, giving it odd balance, but with the more centralized balance of the GameBoy Advance SP, the
sound is improved. Still, it doesn't sound good compared to many other electronics or the home systems (obviously) but it gets the job done.

Features: 10
One of the immediate features of the GameBoy Advance SP (as well as the original) is to hook as many as 4 GameBoy Advance and/or GameBoy Advance SP systems (and the GameCube GameBoy Player; see below) to have connective play, like in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire and the Four Swords game in Zelda: A Link to the Past FS. Gamers can compete against each other in the former games, while they work together in the latter. A GameBoy Advance Game Link Cable in required. The GameBoy Advance SP can also play older GameBoy Color and GameBoy game titles, with added limited color. However, Infra-Red compatible GBC games are not compatible for use with the GameBoy Advance SP, such as the Pocket Pikachu gadgets. Another cool feature is the ability to hook up to the GameCube. Using a GameCube GameBoy Advance Cable, connection between Nintendo GameCube and GameBoy Advance SP is indeed possible, opening up some innovations. In Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, gamers can use their Sonic Advance and Sonic Advance 2 cartridges to interlink and share Chao data. In Animal Crossing, use of the GameBoy Advance SP and E-Reader (E-Reader, see below) can unlock many features in the GameCube games, and NES games can be loaded onto a cartless GameBoy Advance SP in games like Animal Crossing and Puzzle Collection, allowing gamers to enjoy more out of their shared connections. Future game titles will use more of the connection, such as Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. Yet another interesting feature is the E-Reader peripheral. Using cards encoded with a special bar, gamers can scan their cards onto the scanner which connects to the GBASP. Old NES games can be played immediately, or Pokemon minigames can be played using Pokemon cards. The E-Reader, as said above, can load new data to GameCube games, and like-wise, can load data onto GBA games as well, such as Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire. Using two GBASPs (and 2 GBAs), linking them together, one with a Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire game and another with the E-Reader, gamers can use included E-Reader Pokemon cards (within the Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire packages) to insert new battle data, increasing usage of both games. A gimmicky feature, for sure, but interesting, and useful, as well. E-Reader cards, such as the NES and Animal Crossing sets can be found in inexpensive card packs everywhere.

Availability as of 3/23/03: 8
If you look around, you'll find one. The availability is limited, but not as badly as the original model, or the PlayStation 2 at launch.

Overall Holistic: 10
The GameBoy Advance SP is indeed a nice upgrade to the original. Essentially a GameBoy Advance in a bendable shell similar to the original GameBoy models, with a frontlight, and a rechargeable battery. If you own the original GameBoy Advance, then take caution with it. Also, the GameBoy Player is out in Japan for GameCube, and out soon in the U.S., which will enable gamers to play nearly all GB, GBC and GBA games on a TV, with on-spot resolution and borders. Gamers, you might also want that instead of an SP, and it is cheaper, too. Also, there's pricing. If you REALLY want a GameBoy Advance system, but are hurting on money, then go with the original model due to pricing. In a way, the SP is a pretty exclusive handheld. If you _REALLY_ want the system, then get it. However, there are several alternatives to it, and in the end, it's for people who hate buying batteries, collectors, or people who find lighting a necessity for whatever reason. And I repeat, get it only if you apply to the reasons above; otherwise, it's not a completely new console. It does not make games look THAT much better than what a light provides by default. Be forewarned. The GBASP system is great, but not for everyone.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/27/01, Updated 06/11/03