brynnfromtheblock Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 My nephew is 5 and loves video games, I want to get him a handheld to occupy him in the car...what is the difference betweed the Game Boy Advance SP at Target for 79.99 and the Game Boy Advance at Walmart for 39.99 (other than the included games obviously) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebirth Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 SP is the newer Gameboy and it's way better. I see hardly any kids playing Advance anymore and it's pretty old. I say get him the SP. He'll be one happy camper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imbuzymom2 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 The GBA is very hard to see. The screen is not lighted. The SP has a lighted screen making it so much easier on the eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynnfromtheblock Posted November 16, 2004 Author Share Posted November 16, 2004 Do they both have color screens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedeeda Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 yes. Both the SP and regular Gameboy advance have color screens. My 9 yr old had the Old Gameboy advance and decided he wanted the SP version. He LOVES IT!! I would highly recommend going with the Gameboy Advance SP. It is smaller, but with the light built in makes it worth it! Plus it has rechargeable batteries so there is never a need to buy batteries. HTH Kristie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossMAN Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Do they both have color screens?Yes. Bedeeda has pointed out the two biggest differences between the GameBoy Advance and GBA SP which are:GameBoy Advance SP has backlit lighting built in and can be played in dim or dark roomsGBA SP comes with a built-in rechargeable battery which will easily save you $30 over 1 yearJust in battery savings alone, the GBA SP is clearly the better long term value. I think it was Target which should have the GBA SP with Spiderman 2 game for $69 on Black Friday. Backlighting + built in rechargeable batteries = winner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg701 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 The SP is far and away better, for the reasons the others have posted. You can litterally play it in the dark. My sons do it all the time on road trips and it really helps to pass the time. The screen size is exactly the same, it just looks smaller. You and your nephew will be much happier with the SP. (I work in the "R-Zone" at TRU so this is kinda my job, to tell you how much better it is! LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedmomof2 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 ITA with everyone else. The SP is well worth the extra money, for the rechargeable batteries alone. Plus..you can play it while it's plugged in, so if you're in the middle of a level, and the low battery light comes on, you can just plug it in, and continue playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossMAN Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 ITA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynnfromtheblock Posted November 16, 2004 Author Share Posted November 16, 2004 Keg do you know what the Cartoon Network Bundle is at TRU with the GBASP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcasey Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 ITA?I think it's short for "In Total Agreement". BTW, can GBA SP be hooked to a TV if I want to play it at home? Do I need extra hardware to do that? Also, I don't want my kids to get too addicted to it. Any advice on how to control them? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shopgirl1 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 <<gameboy advance sp system with free spiderman 2 game-79.99>> The only real advantage to this system at Target is the free game. Otherwise, the price is 79.99 anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossMAN Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I think it's short for "In Total Agreement".Any advice on how to control them? Thanks!Is it really? You learn something new every day. Apparently you can teach this old dog (turning 30) new tricks. Regarding your kids I hear ritalin works wonders or duct tape j/k of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pliablemoose Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I would never recommend a GBA except for 1 situation, that being unable to recharge it easily. My daughters both have SP's, but we bought a GBA for our nephew in Afghanistan & sent along a multi pack of batteries... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg701 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Keg do you know what the Cartoon Network Bundle is at TRU with the GBASP? Sorry but I won't see the ad until next Wednesday when I help set it. I can only assume that it is either the videos or the racing game. As for plugging the GBA SP into the TV, no you can not do that. However, if you have a Gamecube, you can buy the GameBoy Player (it attaches to the GC) and then you can play all the GBA games on the GC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynnfromtheblock Posted November 16, 2004 Author Share Posted November 16, 2004 The games look kind of expensive, where's the cheapest place to buy them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedeeda Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Best Buy usually has a select group of games for the $9.99 price even when it is not BF. Not always but if you check every so often you'll find some for that price. Also, right now Best Buy has the green tag 1/2 off sale going on and I believe they did have a few games with the tags on them. I agree that the cost of the games can be outrageous. Sam's has some for $13 so I would check there also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynnfromtheblock Posted November 17, 2004 Author Share Posted November 17, 2004 Don't know if this is true but here is some detail on the GBA stuff at TRU GameBoy Advanced SP w/ Cartoon Network Bundle -- $79.95: This bundle is good until NOON only and contains headphones, GBA Video Cartoon Network, and GBA Cartoon Network Speedway. Select GameBoy Advance Games (Battlebots, Namco Museum, etc.) -- $9.97: These are select Majesco GBA games that also include: F-18, Monster Truck, Strawberry Shortcake, Texas Hold'em, the Golden Nugget, Pacman, Frogger Advance & Quad Desert Fury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebayordeath Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 You can find them previously rented and at really good prices from $5 to $20 at some video stores. Since they use a cartridge they don't get scratched or wear out. Carefully pull the rental label off and voila a great looking game at a good price. I got Mario Kart Double Dash for GameCube at Hastings today, previously rented for $20. I saved about $30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedeeda Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Oh wait I made a mistake it is not Best Buy that has the GBA games for $9.99 it is actually Toys R Us. they are also the ones with the green tag sale going on. Sorry about that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbieandersen Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 For those of you with questions about GBA or GBA SP, just want to clue you in that a new game system (Nintendo DS) will be coming out on Sunday. It will play all old GBA games and will have two screens. The downside is that it will cost about $150. But you might want to consider it if you want the newest system. By the way, you don't play the games on both screens at one time, one has the game and the other has a map with your position (Ex. if it were a racing game, where you are on the course). But the bottom screen will kind of be like a PDA - it has a touch screen that works with either a stylus or your finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappynik Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I just have to say that I was able to get a sneak peak at the Nintendo DS and wow pretty much sums it up! I'd like one for myself My son had the GBA which he liked but then got the GBA SP and enjoys that much more. We do alot of trading in old games and gaming equipment at our local Game Crazy (which is inside Hollywood Video stores) and have got some great deals on used games and systems and accessories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedmomof2 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 The SP is backwards compatible too, where it will play regular Gameboy, and Gameboy color games. I get a lot of DS's games at Gamestop used, or at pawn shops. My son is the outdoorsy active type, so he mostly plays video games during the winter, when it's just too cold to play outside. During the summer, they largely get ignored. Just set rules for it's use. Like, if they get their chores done and homework done, they can play it for 1/2 hour-hour. Use the Gameboy as a privilege. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikiH Posted November 18, 2004 Share Posted November 18, 2004 Is it the SP that will be in Walmart's BF sale? I want one for my son but not sure if even with the back lighting 39 bucks isn't a steal?? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebayordeath Posted November 18, 2004 Share Posted November 18, 2004 If the one at Wal-Mart is the SP, I will take as many as I can get my hands on...... I could make a killing on ebay with those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynnfromtheblock Posted November 18, 2004 Author Share Posted November 18, 2004 Definitely not the SP at Walmart, I think I'll go for the SP, but I think I'll grab it at Kmart on their day of Thanksgiving sale it comes with Namco Museum and another game for 79.99, plus they have some other games on sale for 7.99 (he doesn't need the just released games just yet!!) That way I can focus on some other big ticket item on BF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoXmom Posted November 18, 2004 Share Posted November 18, 2004 Is it really? You learn something new every day. Apparently you can teach this old dog (turning 30) new tricks. Regarding your kids I hear ritalin works wonders or duct tape j/k of course Rossman "Old Dog at 30 Bite me! LOL J/K I'm 37 and your elder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashStash Posted November 18, 2004 Share Posted November 18, 2004 Before you go buying any of the cheap games, I recommend checking out www.gamerankings.com, which summarizes reviews of the games...lots of these cheaper games are (pardon my French) crap! FS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asterisk Posted November 19, 2004 Share Posted November 19, 2004 It seems to me that the differences between the models have been established now. While the GBA SP is cool and all the rage right now, I'm sure there will be kids who at the last minute will change their minds and want the new Nintendo DS. That goes on sale on Nov. 21 for $150. Considerably more expensive than a GBA SP on BF , but it is also backwards compatable with all of GBA games. It would be wise to make sure you do a last minute check for any revisions to the Christmas lists this year. Plus it would help avoid the whole "I just bought you a nintendo last christmas" conversation with your kids, because most likely their reply would be " this one is the NEW, COOLER one!" Then you'll be hearing that all the way till your kid's next birthday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossMAN Posted November 19, 2004 Share Posted November 19, 2004 Rossman "Old Dog at 30 Bite me! LOL J/K I'm 37 and your elder! You don't need to ask twice, where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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