Game Boy Advance SP Classic NES Limited Edition

I had been putting off getting an SP. I'd bought a GBA when it came out, and by golly it was good enough for me until the DS. But a chance meeting with a preview article of the Classic Series melted any reservations I had about re-buying a Gameboy.

As I write this, the beautiful, sensual GBA is sitting on my desk. I will not lie about my fervent Nintendo fangirlism, so the rest of this review will probably sound kinda weird to any of you new-generation Sony worshippers.

The sleek lines of this handheld blow me away every time I look at it. Surely it is superior to every previous iteration of the SP. The slightly shiny silver outside - complete with a row of lines representing the top of the NES console. A classic red and black Nintendo oval logo complete the top half. The bottom as you may expect remains true to its roots as well. But the real prize is inside the flip-top screen.

Open up this GBA SP and prepare to remember why Nintendo is your god. The original Nintendo controller represented in new, squareish glory. The D-pad and buttons are a bit different, sure, but everything else makes me want to dig up my old controllers and stare at them, then switch to the SP, then switch again. It's really beautiful.

The SP, even with the new improved backlight, does kinda sit a bit uncomfortably in your hands compared with the first GBA. Plus the headphones thing (where you need a special adapter, etc). BUT! For anyone who has even ever ~looked at an NES, this GBA SP will make you want one. It has a tantalizing, hypnotic song that it will sing to you.

So, if you're debating whether or not you really need a GBA SP, the answer is now a resounding YES!


Nostalgia + SP Hardware = A MUST Buy!   June 19, 2004
Christopher S. Kirby (Macon, GA USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

Every Game Boy I've owned (and I've owned them all - original, pocket, color and the original GBA) has left me disillusioned and disappointed. I was particularly crushed when the original GBA was almost impossible to play due to its unbearable lack of a backlight.

Now my hope in Nintendo and pocket gaming has been restored with the GBA sp. A movable screen to avoid those nasty reflections, a rechargeable battery pack and (praise the almighty Miyamoto) a backlight make this the most enjoyable piece of portable gaming hardware I've ever owned.

Even with all of these improvements I was still hesistant to buy in once again. That is, until the release of the classic NES edition. The new look is both sleek and retro - perfect for playing those 2D 8-bit and 16-bit games I loved in college.

Call me a sucker for a gimmick, but for once I'm not experiencing buyer's remorse. :)


The best GBA yet!   August 22, 2004
M. Alterio (Massachusetts)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I've played my friends GBA's and had fun playing them. The only thing stopping me from buying one was how kiddish the system seemed. Once Nintendo released the NES Edition GBA, I went out and bought one. It's a modern console where us retro-gamers can show our retroness. The system is designed to look like the NES - It has the red-and-black logo on the top, the stripes, and the textured feel of the classic controller, which I love. Amazon.com needs more detailed pictures - the pics here do it no justice. If you played and loved the NES, get this system now.


Incredible nostalgia!   June 16, 2004
S. Rhodes
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

The Limited Edition Gameboy Advance SP is a great way to rekindle the good 'ol days with your NES. The game pad of this GBA SP is similar to your original NES controller. If you were a gamer in the NES days this is the perfect nostalgia gift. The most grand of all the nostalgia.

This also makes for the perfect console for the "Classic NES Series". The buttons even feel like that of the original NES controller. The LCD fold down screen also has a reminder. Look at the LCD screen and it looks like the top of the original NES.

It also still contains all the GBA essentials. Those include an LCD screen fold down screen with a back light, an adaptor and the rechargable battery. As far as I know nothing has changed with how it all works.

Of course there is the one simple problem of already having a GBA SP and not wanting to pay 100 bucks for another one. The simple solution... if you don't want to pay another 100 dollars don't pay another 100 dollars! The only difference is the look of the SP. It still has all the same pros and cons of the original SP.

If you remember the original NES then yes, this is worth the buy to any old school gamer. If you don't want to shell out another 100 bucks just don't do it. The system is still great no matter which version you get. A great Classic look to play the 8 classic games.


2 in 2 weeks   July 15, 2004
Derek Borgen (Delray Beach, FL United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I bought my girlfriend a SP in cobalt, and we had a truly ridiculous amount of fun playing it. I stopped by a store to get some more games, and saw this beautiful SP on the shelf. Suffering from too much money and not enough brains, I bought this one for myself! I still occasionally hook-up the old 8-bit nintendo, and this just makes me happy to remember the good old late 80s. Add in all the classic games (super mario, zelda, excitebike, etc.) and you have the greatest gift ever for those of us approaching 30 years old...