New Game Boy Advance revealed
Published: 07 Jan 2003 10:41 GMT
Nintendo has confirmed plans to release a revised version of its highly successful handheld, called Game Boy Advance SP.
The Game Boy Advance SP will launch in Japan on 14 February, followed by Europe on 28 March. In the US the console is expected to retail for around $100 when it launches in March, while European gamers can expect to pay between 129 and 139 euros (£80-£90) to get their hands on one.
The Game Boy Advance SP is designed to address the three most common complaints heard from GBA users. Most importantly, there's a bright light built into the front edge of the new GBA's display. This should make it easier to see under a variety of lighting conditions. Partly to offset the demands of the internal light, Nintendo has added rechargeable batteries to the GBA SP. And to put it all together, the device has a new clamshell design, which folds to protect the screen and is only about half the size of the original handheld.
The rechargeable Lithium Ion battery that comes with the GBA SP offers 10 hours of continuous gameplay with the front light on, and approximately 18 hours if the light is turned off. The battery only requires around three hours to fully recharge. Further batteries will be made available to buy separately, although Nintendo was not willing to comment on the pricing or release date for these at this time.
The console measures just 84.6mm x 82mm, and is only 24.3mm thick -- roughly half the size of its predecessor, although it weighs in at a comparable 143 grams. When closed, the console could be compared to a Mini-Disc personal stereo in terms of both size and appearance.
GameSpot has also learned that, in addition to the silver version of the unit, a blue-coloured and black-coloured Game Boy Advance SP will be available upon the system's release in Japan on 14 February.
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