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[Baron]

I picked up the pearl blue version with the new screen on Sunday, and holy cow, this has hands-down become the portable game system to own. The screen is unbelievable. This is reason to hold on to all the GBA carts I've bought over the last few years.

I was disappointed in the screen on the first GBA SP, and even was chagrined at the glitchy display of the GBA Player...this, however, makes up for it a thousand times over. Wow, is this screen awesome.

 

[radios shipping overview]

I've heard that they changed the buttons and D-pad to be a bit easier to press, and that the D-pad has less of a floating center to it. Any truth to that?

 

[tedtropy]

I picked up the pearl blue version with the new screen on Sunday, and holy cow, this has hands-down become the portable game system to own. The screen is unbelievable. This is reason to hold on to all the GBA carts I've bought over the last few years.

I was disappointed in the screen on the first GBA SP, and even was chagrined at the glitchy display of the GBA Player...this, however, makes up for it a thousand times over. Wow, is this screen awesome.

Absolutely, it's like a high quality miniature laptop screen.

 

[Vlad]

Hell, I've never even owned any variation of the Gameboy and this topic has me considering buying one of these things!

Ditto here, though I'm still waiting for that magical price drop to $49.99. I figure it should be happening soon, hopefully.

 

[tedtropy]

I've heard that they changed the buttons and D-pad to be a bit easier to press, and that the D-pad has less of a floating center to it. Any truth to that?

It feels like it has the same 'clicky' response of the previous SP, but I can't say I've played it long enough to see any difference in games. Physically, the only difference I've noticed apart from the obvious (LCD) is the screw holding in the battery is a little different and the model number is now AGS-101 as opposed to AGS-001.

 

[Chrono]

WTF!!! This was a week ago and I just found out today! :lol

Stealth upgrade and NO HEADPHONE JACK. Nintendo just being Nintendo.

 

[japtor]

It feels like it has the same 'clicky' response of the previous SP, but I can't say I've played it long enough to see any difference in games.

it was in the other micro thread, the center of the dpad no longer has something keeping it from depressing. so in the new ones you should be able to press opposite directions at the same time. is this the case with yours as well, or just the ones in that thread (which were only like 2-3)?

 

[cvxfreak]

it was in the other micro thread, the center of the dpad no longer has something keeping it from depressing. so in the new ones you should be able to press opposite directions at the same time. is this the case with yours as well, or just the ones in that thread (which were only like 2-3)?

I can confirm this. As a result, the older SPs feel clickier than the new ones.

 

[Dagon]

Got mine last night. The screen is friggen amazing.

Whoah! This is the shot that broke the camel's back. I just bought a Micro, but I must have one of these. Damn you Nintendo, release it in Europe already so that I can give you more of my money.

 

[john tv]

So has anyone heard any official word from Nintendo on these yet? Will the other colors start showing up with backlit screens anytime soon?

If not, which of the two available colors looks nicer? Pearl Blue or Graphite?

 

[tedtropy]

WTF!!! This was a week ago and I just found out today! :lol

Stealth upgrade and NO HEADPHONE JACK. Nintendo just being Nintendo.

Once you see the screen in person, you really won't care, believe me.

 

[vitaflo]

So has anyone heard any official word from Nintendo on these yet? Will the other colors start showing up with backlit screens anytime soon?

If not, which of the two available colors looks nicer? Pearl Blue or Graphite?

Probably a matter of preference. Pearl Blue looks just like platinum, it's just tinted blue. Graphite is just like black, but a bit lighter. I don't like the primary color looking GBA's (red, blue, black) so I stuck /w Pearl Blue, since it was the closest to my old platinum version.

Wouldn't mind different colors though.

 

[Drinky Crow]

The new screen is utterly stellar. It even shames the DS screen. GORGEOUS TOTAL.

 

[SantaC]

The new screen is utterly stellar. It even shames the DS screen. GORGEOUS TOTAL.

DS revision coming soon, DS now with DXADVANCE Backlight 2.01!

 

[Musashi Wins!]

so what are you guys liking more, this or the micro?

 

[radios shipping overview]

DS revision coming soon, DS now with DXADVANCE Backlight 2.01!

It can't come soon enough!

 

[Ruzbeh]

so what are you guys liking more, this or the micro?

Both equally as much. First I'm getting the Micro, but I want this very badly as well. I just need something as small as Micro, must fit in jeans, y'see...

 

[tedtropy]

The new screen is utterly stellar. It even shames the DS screen. GORGEOUS TOTAL.

Yep. I thought playing GBA games on the DS was a step up, but the revised SP is sex on a clamshell.

 

[tedtropy]

Both equally as much. First I'm getting the Micro, but I want this very badly as well. I just need something as small as Micro, must fit in jeans, y'see...

The consumer whore in me (with Nintendo stuff especially) wants the Micro, but I just can't figure why I'd want it. The screen is too small, it can't protect itself like the SP, and it's too expensive for what it is. Perhaps it's like looking at a puppy or kitten - you can't help but love them because of their size and helplessness. You just want to give the lil' guy a home.

 

[Ruzbeh]

the revised SP is sex on a clamshell.

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Mac the KNife]

Yep. I thought playing GBA games on the DS was a step up, but the revised SP is sex on a clamshell.

:lol :lol :lol

 

[zmet]

I picked up one (Graphite) this past friday from Target. I love the screen but the "red push" is a bit overwhelming. The ghosting/blurring posted by ign is over exaggerated. But I am having a problem with one game out of my collection freezing during game play -- that game is Metal Slug Advance. The game runs perfect on my launch DS, original GBA, original GBA SP and GBA Player, so I know it's not the game. A member on the Neo-Geo.com forum mentioned he was having the same problem, and that the problem is caused by the different d-pad used in the new SP and DS. If the d-pad is pressed down in the center and the B button is pressed it freezes. So I tried the game on my buddies new Blue DS and sure enough it freezes. Oh well...

 

[tedtropy]

I picked up one (Graphite) this past friday from Target. I love the screen but the "red push" is a bit overwhelming. The ghosting/blurring posted by ign is over exaggerated. But I am having a problem with one game out of my collection freezing during game play -- that game is Metal Slug Advance. The game runs perfect on my launch DS, original GBA, original GBA SP and GBA Player, so I know it's not the game. A member on the Neo-Geo.com forum mentioned he was having the same problem, and that the problem is caused by the different d-pad used in the new SP and DS. If the d-pad is pressed down in the center and the B button is pressed it freezes. So I tried the game on my buddies new Blue DS and sure enough it freezes. Oh well...

I suspect part of the color over-saturation you sometimes see is that alot of GBA titles were designed with the piss-poor quality of the original GBA's LCD in mind. Some games appear to have their gamma cranked to high because of this when playing on the revised SP especially. Still, alot of titles look amazing on the screen. Metroid Zero Mission, in particular.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

Well at lunch I finally saw the Micro. I still think it's priced excessively but GODDAMN IT IS HAWT. It must be admitted. I think someone who already had another gba would be nuts not to buy this over a new SP (again, if they have the old one). Strangely, things were a lot more readable and not bad to see even though it's so goddamn small. I didn't expect that. What a pocket system, though.

 

[yggdrasil]

But I am having a problem with ... Metal Slug Advance. The game runs perfect on my launch DS, original GBA, original GBA SP and GBA Player, so I know it's not the game. A member on the Neo-Geo.com forum mentioned he was having the same problem, and that the problem is caused by the different d-pad used in the new SP and DS. If the d-pad is pressed down in the center and the B button is pressed it freezes. So I tried the game on my buddies new Blue DS and sure enough it freezes. Oh well...

Hasn't this 180-pushing been a cheating strategy for other games? (LoZ:ALttP comes to mind) There, IIRC, the issue was with physically breaking your GBA. Did not know that some games would crash on a 180-push.

Oh well, as with any other GB reissue, you gain something, and you lose something...

 

[Mejilan]

It's not just me, then? I tried two different models of this revised SP, and both have D-Pads without the center-buffer that prevents you from hitting opposing directions at once. Very annoying, and it makes SFA3 unplayable, practically. SFA3 is perfect on the older SP, DS, and Micro, however.

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

It's not just me, then? I tried two different models of this revised SP, and both have D-Pads without the center-buffer that prevents you from hitting opposing directions at once. Very annoying, and it makes SFA3 unplayable, practically. SFA3 is perfect on the older SP, DS, and Micro, however.

I don't know anything about a center buffer, but I've had to return two Graphite GBA SPs because the D-pads are wonky. They just wouldn't register button presses. I tried a Pearl Blue one in the store, and its' d-pad was fine.

 

[Mejilan]

My first graphite was bad. Second one seems better. But the d-pad is undeniably worse than the GBA, GBA SP v1, DS, or Micro.

 

[Beer Monkey]

I don't ever play fighters on handhelds, so I'm guessing I won't have a problem? I can't think of other games that are so dependent on circular mashing.

I've played a few things on my new Graphite, including platformers, and all seems well.

 

[mosaic]

Was just at Toys R Us... they have an 'exclusive' Sponge Bob Squarepants V2 GBA SP model ... I had to resist the urge to buy it. Looks just like him...

Has the "Brighter" screen note on the box too.

 

[Ruzbeh]

I wonder if Nintendo will let people try out the Micro. It seems that most people here are convinced when they actually see it and play it.

About the price, one day... GB Micro will be ~$60. And when it's that much... holy shit, GBA am revived.

 

[Eel O'Brian]

When do you guys think the DS will hit $99? That's when I'll pick one up.

 

[Ruzbeh]

When do you guys think the DS will hit $99? That's when I'll pick one up.

6 Months at least.

 

[ninge]

Your control code not malfunctioning when you press opposite directions at the same time has been a TRC requirement since forever - dpads are notorious for wearing out over time allowing you to input ilegal combinations...

I can't believe there are actaully games that don't have their code structured to prevent it screwing up! it's not like it's complicated to do..

i suspect if the dpad really has been changed on the new SP that there will be a few red faced developers when they find out their game doesnt work!

Edit:

actually i just checked the TRC requirements and its not a required (or even recomended) for the GBA - in which case a change to the dpad that allows such behaviour makes even less sense!

 

[sc0la]

well I know what I am getting with my paycheck next friday

 

[Synbios459]

Heh, it's funny how many people have gotten Micros despite a thread awhile back saying no one would. I even said that the majority of the people who said they wouldn't would.

 

[Jacobi]

Heh, it's funny how many people have gotten Micros despite a thread awhile back saying no one would. I even said that the majority of the people who said they wouldn't would.

I also thought a GB Micro was totally redundant, but I'm beginning too to give in...I've got some more time to decide though (I live in Europe).

 

[Mejilan]

All Nintendo World Store employees have their own Micro dangling from a cord aroung their necks. You're free to walk in, ask one to use theirs, and just chill and play it. That's what convinced me to get mine.

Well, it didn't really take much convincing.

 

[Johnas]

OK, I just got one of these new SPs tonight, and I have some problems/questions.

I'm playing Metroid: Zero Mission, and am having the D-pad problems that everyone has been mentioning. Specifically, using the Speed Booster is really problematic now. On my old SP, you could basically "rock" your thumb from right or left to down to activate the shinespark, and while running you had a little "freedom" with your thumb when running left or right, that is you didn't absolutely have to have the far right only or the far left only pressed to avoid aiming diagonally up or down while running.

On the new SP, shinesparking is really different. I basically have to completely remove my thumb from the arrows for a split second when going from right or left to down, and then when I choose which direction to fly off in, I often register a diagonal direction without even realizing it until it's too late. I know some people (Mej?) returned SP2s for new ones, does it sound like my Dpad is bad enough that I need to swap, or is this just something I'll have to get used to? Has anyone else played Zero Mission with it and noticed this?

BTW, the screen truly is amazing. Even after looking at comparison pics, I was blown away.

Not too crazy about the color, I really like Platinum. This Graphite looks like it's been through a fire. :lol I'm sure I'd get used to it though.

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice/suggestions.

 

[bummyhead]

OK, I just got one of these new SPs tonight, and I have some problems/questions.

I'm playing Metroid: Zero Mission, and am having the D-pad problems that everyone has been mentioning. Specifically, using the Speed Booster is really problematic now. On my old SP, you could basically "rock" your thumb from right or left to down to activate the shinespark, and while running you had a little "freedom" with your thumb when running left or right, that is you didn't absolutely have to have the far right only or the far left only pressed to avoid aiming diagonally up or down while running.

On the new SP, shinesparking is really different. I basically have to completely remove my thumb from the arrows for a split second when going from right or left to down, and then when I choose which direction to fly off in, I often register a diagonal direction without even realizing it until it's too late. I know some people (Mej?) returned SP2s for new ones, does it sound like my Dpad is bad enough that I need to swap, or is this just something I'll have to get used to? Has anyone else played Zero Mission with it and noticed this?

BTW, the screen truly is amazing. Even after looking at comparison pics, I was blown away.

Not too crazy about the color, I really like Platinum. This Graphite looks like it's been through a fire. :lol I'm sure I'd get used to it though.

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice/suggestions.

It sounds like the d-pad on the new Sps is more like the dpad on the original GBA, which I always thought was kind of "spongey" and inprecise, kind of like a playstation Dpad.

It's odd that nintendo would use a different dpad on the new SPs, I don't understand that at all. One more factor to consider if deciding between a micro and a SP2, I guess.

I am sure that the games dont look any better on the SP2 than they do on the DS, and yet I still feel compelled to get one of them. I'll probably get a micro, since I do have a regular SP after all.

But damn, my frontlit SP is unplayable after playing the DS. What used to look bright and clear to me now looks like a complete mess. I literally can barely see it, and it now looks to me as dark as the original GBA once did, which in turn is so dark I can see it at all. I'm truly amazed that I was able to play games at all on either at this point.

argghh. TOO MANY CHOICES. I have a collectors personality. I want to own every gameboy model for some reason.

 

[john2kx]

I bought one of these today..

It's like looking INTO THE FACE OF GOD.

:O

 

[Johnas]

I am sure that the games dont look any better on the SP2 than they do on the DS, and yet I still feel compelled to get one of them. I'll probably get a micro, since I do have a regular SP after all.

But damn, my frontlit SP is unplayable after playing the DS. What used to look bright and clear to me now looks like a complete mess. I literally can barely see it, and it now looks to me as dark as the original GBA once did, which in turn is so dark I can see it at all. I'm truly amazed that I was able to play games at all on either at this point.

argghh. TOO MANY CHOICES. I have a collectors personality. I want to own every gameboy model for some reason.

I can honestly tell you that this new SP bests the DS for brightness and color. You know that "haze" that the old SP looks like it has after playing a GBA game on the DS? The DS looks, to me anyway, like it has a similar "haze" after playing games on this new SP. That may not make sense since the DS screens are backlit, but that's exactly what I thought of. I've been trying different games in all three machines, making comparisons, and I'm starting to get used to the Dpad, I just have to change the way I play a little.

The new SP has a bright and a brighter setting (pressing the button just alternates between the two) and seriously the first one is bright enough for me. The second just feels like overkill, and it really makes things too colorful for my tastes, especially on Zero Mission. It really depends on the game you're playing I guess.

I have never extensively played an original GBA, I'm sure it would look/feel like a dinosaur at this point though.

 

[bummyhead]

I can honestly tell you that this new SP bests the DS for brightness and color. You know that "haze" that the old SP looks like it has after playing a GBA game on the DS? The DS looks, to me anyway, like it has a similar "haze" after playing games on this new SP. That may not make sense since the DS screens are backlit, but that's exactly what I thought of. I've been trying different games in all three machines, making comparisons, and I'm starting to get used to the Dpad, I just have to change the way I play a little.

I dont know where the haze is on the DS, lol. Maybe on the bottom touch screen, but not on the top one, that's for sure.

 

[Johnas]

I dont know where the haze is on the DS, lol. Maybe on the bottom touch screen, but not on the top one, that's for sure.

Yeah, I knew that wouldn't quite make sense. I guess the best way to say it is that the colors are much more vibrant on the new SP, and it brings them out even more than the DS does. It's almost a little too much on some games, it's just uber bright to me (on the higher setting). But that's only IMO.

 

[bummyhead]

Yeah, I knew that wouldn't quite make sense. I guess the best way to say it is that the colors are much more vibrant on the new SP, and it brings them out even more than the DS does. It's almost a little too much on some games, it's just uber bright to me (on the higher setting). But that's only IMO.

Why do I get the feeling this is just like how most people have their TV set way to bright with the colours way to saturated and think it looks good?

I'm just saying because though I have not had the opportunity to test the new SP, IGN reports that the colours are oversaturated, and the comparison pics I have seen seem to confirm this. Also, the DS to my eyes has about perfect brightness and contrast. As a home theater guy I am all about accuracy, and spent hours digging through the service menu of my tv to make it less bright, and warmer, and less saturated, and in the end more accurate.

Also holding my DS up to my computer monitor, which I have also calibrated for photo editing, it seems to have comprable brightness.

Also with an LCD if you make it too bright the blacks wash out.

I will reserve final judgement until i see one, but I have a feeling that what looks "better" to other peoples eyes will just look over bright and over saturated to my eyes which are used to viewing properly calibrated screens.


one other question, how is the SP2 in sunlight? Considering that you cannot turn the light off entirely as you can with the DS, I have a suspicion is is not a transflective screen (hyrbid backlit and reflective LCD) as the DS is. A non transflective LCD would wash out in the sun completely without a very bright backlight, which may explain that "superbright" setting.

 

[Johnas]

Why do I get the feeling this is just like how most people have their TV set way to bright with the colours way to saturated and think it looks good?

I'm just saying because though I have not had the opportunity to test the new SP, IGN reports that the colours are oversaturated, and the comparison pics I have seen seem to confirm this. Also, the DS to my eyes has about perfect brightness and contrast. As a home theater guy I am all about accuracy, and spent hours digging through the service menu of my tv to make it less bright, and warmer, and less saturated, and in the end more accurate.

Also holding my DS up to my computer monitor, which I have also calibrated for photo editing, it seems to have comprable brightness.

Also with an LCD if you make it too bright the blacks wash out.

I will reserve final judgement until i see one, but I have a feeling that what looks "better" to other peoples eyes will just look over bright and over saturated to my eyes which are used to viewing properly calibrated screens.


one other question, how is the SP2 in sunlight? Considering that you cannot turn the light off entirely as you can with the DS, I have a suspicion is is not a transflective screen (hyrbid backlit and reflective LCD) as the DS is. A non transflective LCD would wash out in the sun completely without a very bright backlight, which may explain that "superbright" setting.

I think I agree with everything you said here. Although it would seem like black would wash out, it really doesn't for some reason (to me anyway), even on the higher setting. I've been playing Zero Mission with the higher and lower settings on, and sometimes I like the higher, sometimes the lower. I really can't make my mind up, but if I start with the lower setting on, it's OK and I forget after awhile. However, if you try to go from brightest to brighter mid-game, you immediately notice the difference. What bugs me is the sheer amount of purple that really shows up under the brighter setting in ZM (in the last area anyway). It just seems like too much. Playing Dawn of Sorrow after this really does make it (DoS) look like it has a film or a haze over it, but after a while I adjust.

On the Dpad issue, I have discovered even more problems, and they're almost enough to make me take this thing back. Playing Minish Cap, when walking around, Link will often just stop, and I have to let off the pad altogether to unfreeze him. The reason seems to be that the pad seems to click almost like a button when you press the center of the pad, and if you keep holding it down and try to go right or left, it doesn't register. I just have to totally let off the pad when I change directions. It's rather annoying, but I guess I could get used to it if I played enough.

I'll have to check out that IGN review, thanks for the heads-up. One thing's for sure, it does render the old SP obsolete, after playing both units.

 

[Days like these...]

I bought one of these today..

It's like looking INTO THE FACE OF GOD.

:O

I agree! I don't why some people still doubt (bummyhead) the awesomeness of the new screen. Someone post some more comparison screens please.

 

[bummyhead]

I agree! I don't why some people still doubt (bummyhead) the awesomeness of the new screen. Someone post some more comparison screens please.

well ancestor of erdrick just said he agreed with everything i said, so i cant be that far off, can i?

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

On the Dpad issue, I have discovered even more problems, and they're almost enough to make me take this thing back. Playing Minish Cap, when walking around, Link will often just stop, and I have to let off the pad altogether to unfreeze him. The reason seems to be that the pad seems to click almost like a button when you press the center of the pad, and if you keep holding it down and try to go right or left, it doesn't register. I just have to totally let off the pad when I change directions. It's rather annoying, but I guess I could get used to it if I played enough.

That sounds like the same thing that happened to my Graphite. I did take it back, and I'm going to wait until Nintendo fixes is to get another SP+. You shouldn't have to get used to a defective d-pad.

Why do I get the feeling this is just like how most people have their TV set way to bright with the colours way to saturated and think it looks good?

I'm just saying because though I have not had the opportunity to test the new SP, IGN reports that the colours are oversaturated, and the comparison pics I have seen seem to confirm this. Also, the DS to my eyes has about perfect brightness and contrast. As a home theater guy I am all about accuracy, and spent hours digging through the service menu of my tv to make it less bright, and warmer, and less saturated, and in the end more accurate.

Also holding my DS up to my computer monitor, which I have also calibrated for photo editing, it seems to have comprable brightness.

Also with an LCD if you make it too bright the blacks wash out.

IMO, you really can't compare video games to watching movies or photo editing. Video games, especially games with simple graphics like GBA games, are supposed to have bright, vivid colors. You don't have to worry about things like flesh tones and accuarate black levels to make the best image. Believe me, the SP+ screen kicks the living shit out of the DS screen for playing GBA games. Also, the bright screen doesn't wash the blacks (or as in most GBA games just "black") out. The screen is crystal sharp and perfect. It reminds me of how sharp the PSP screen is, obviuosly it's playing at a lower resolution, though.

 

[bummyhead]

IMO, you really can't compare video games to watching movies or photo editing. Video games, especially games with simple graphics like GBA games, are supposed to have bright, vivid colors. You don't have to worry about things like flesh tones and accuarate black levels to make the best image. Believe me, the SP+ screen kicks the living shit out of the DS screen for playing GBA games.

Well that's a matter of opinion. I like my video games to be displayed on properly calibarated screens just like my movies.