Tendo City

Thank God that I called Best Buy and asked someone to hold a unit for me for a half hour otherwise I wouldn't have gotten it. They sold all 40 or so systems within the first 20 minutes of the store opening. So... on to my impressions (if anyone cares).

It's so cute and sexy! I got the metallic blue one because I read reports about the paint being scratched off easily on the platinum SP and that games look better against a dark background than asilver one. The buttons are flatter and more clicky than the regular GBA ones, and the shoulder buttons do feel awkward for the first fifteen minutes or so of play. But overall it feels just fine, although I still like the feel of the regular one a tiny bit more because it's wider. Now the light... the light is fantastic. It's true that the colors do get a bit washed out when it's on, but it's a very small price to play for great illumination. The tint isn't as blue-ish as the Afterburner, but if you had no problems with the Afterburner then you'll fall in love with this. I really love the fact that I don't have to have a twenty pound (slight exaggeration) light attached to my GBA anymore (anyone want it? It's a flood light--great, but heavy light attachment), so now I can play the system while lying on my back! Oh the joys of laziness! I'm also really, really happy about the recharchable battery. Now I don't have to spend a hundred dollars on batteries every year!

So overall, this is a great system. It may take some time adjusting to the new layout, but there's no going back for me. Highly reccomended.

*kills you*

I'm not gonna get mine right away, I have a few things to pay off before I can start buying unnecessary things like games and the SP.

I will get on though, I'm gonna wait about a month though.

Lucky devil. :p

This thing is so cool! It looks so much cooler-looking than the old GBA. You guys should trade in your old GBAs for this new one. Unless of course you're strapped for cash and can only afford WW for now. And if that's the case, go for WW of course.

Quote:The tint isn't as blue-ish as the Afterburner

I still don't believe OB1 has ever seen the Afterburner in action, but he sees the blue tint in his nightmares! :)

Yeah that's right, I've never seen it in action just because LL hates that I "insulted" his precious afterburner. Guess what, buddy? There is a blue tint, and it's pretty obvious to many people. But if it doesn't bother you, then why complain whenever myself or others mention it?

Yeesh OB1, wear your heart on your sleeve why don't you... Stop getting so offended by what everyone says. We are ONLY saying all your visual analyzing abilities are in your head, no need to get so offended by it.

OB1's ... 'overly sensitive' ideas of what he sees in games strikes again? :)

Oh shut up. I'm not the only one that can see the very obvious blue glare from the Afterburner. What I am annoyed by is LL's constant suggesting that I've never even seen one. What an ass.

Do you see these pictures? There's a blue tint! It's pretty obvious.

I see no blue tint.

:shake: :shake: :shake:

Okay, I do, but it's still subtle. I'm not picky. If it'll save me some money, I'll do it.

That's subtle to you?

I guess I'm just more sensitive to this sort of thing then.

Ok let me ask you this: Do you notice the infamous red tint in these screen shots from the Japanese "Spirited Away" DVD? The red tint problem is very well known throughout the DVD-phile community, so this isn't in my head as DJ so patronizingly suggested.

There's a small blue tint in those pictures, but its hardly some big issue that should stop anyone from getting a Afterburner... I'd think that it would be very easy to get used to or ignore a small change like that...

Oh, and as for those other shots, the first two do look very slightly tinted red, but I can't see anything on the third one. But I guess that could be annoying if you REALLY care about that stuff... I don't, much...

Well I do, as do many other people.

But I never once said that the Afterburner wasn't worth getting because of the blue tint-- I just stated that it was there.

my friend installed an afterburner on his GBA amd i have to admit that i agree with OB1 about the very obvious blue glare. it isn't so extreme during gameplay, but very noticeable when you boot-up because the background is white. but it really isn't a huge deal, and the afterburner is still sweet.

Thank you!

As I've said two dozen times already, the blue tint is very obvious but not a huge deal!

So :shake: @ Laser Link

Laser Link is infallable you fool!

Anyway, those pics show a LOT more blue tint than my afterburner. You seem to have picked the worst install job you could, or maybe they just don't photograph well.

Then there's that movie, I suppose there's some red tint in there, though I don't notice it too much until you actually asked me to look for it.

Then there's the thing, you seem to lack a sense of humor and are taking this WAY too seriously for your own good.

Okay, back to the GBA SP. Is the light even all across the screen? Is it lighted from one side or more? I've also heard that some people have complained of a dust problem. That is dust getting under the screen over time. Do you notice any dust?

The light illuminates every inch of the screen; it's very even. Yes, more even than the afterburner. And the only dust problem I heard about was people getting a lot of dust in the system brand-new, so that must be a packaging problem. Make sure to buy the SP from Best Buy because they'll give you this great little case for the system and one game for free.

And DJ, yes I did get pictures with the most blue in it because it is difficult to tell from photos how the light looks like in person. The blue tint isn't quite as bad is it is in those pictures, but it's there. There's also a blue tint with the SP, but it's even more subtle.

Well, isn't it not exactly fair to say "look at these screenshots with the most blue I can find! Aren't they blue???"?

The real afterburner does look blue; they didn't make it up in those screenshots. But they just look a little bit more blue than normal because those are pictures taken in the dark.

EB has a deal going, for those of you not looking for a free game with the purchase of your GB SP...i mean, i know most people would want a free game...but lets say you don't need one. EB is offering to sell the GB SP for 59.99 when you trade in your old GBA.

Penny-Arcade didn't seem to like it all too much. And I have to agree. Although Nintendo did address the lighting issue, they continue to fail at making a decent portible device by not making it headphone-ready. I am pretty pissed because I always use headphones when playing gameboy. I really don't feel like paying for an adapter when it should've been built into the damn thing from the start. And one of the things Nintendo hyped about the GBA was its ability for STEREOPHONIC sound. You can't friggin' experience stereo sound with ONE speaker, now can you? Sometimes I just stop and ask "why" when Nintendo do such stupid things.

<img src="http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2003/20030324l.gif">

It's not that big of a deal. All you need is the little $5 adapter. Sure Nintendo should have bundled the adapter with the system, but it's not a huge fault.

If the lack of a headphone jack is the GBA SP's biggest fault, then that's pretty good.

One of my brother's friends got a GBA SP and I got to hold it for a minute. Just from the one minute I believe that it is one of the coolest gadgets in the known universe! It's just so cool!!

Yeah, they did kinda make a stupid mistake by doing this adapter stunt. Include the adapter with it? No OB1, they should have put the plugs for the headset and the power on there as seperate holes, and had them built in from the start. Adapter...pfft... As has been said, it's not a big deal at all, but it IS stupid. Well, the GBA SP EX will have it :D.

They didn't take out the headphone jack because they like to piss people off (or do they?), they did it to save space. But they should have included the adapter with the system.

"Save space" eh? I'm sure they could have fit a small hole in there if they worked at it. They just didn't see any reason to work hard at fitting it in I guess...

Anyway, I just now got mine (my GBA "AB" (for after burner) is going to my little sister as I said), and I gotta say it's a nice little thing. Since I wasn't the one who put the screen in, it doesn't have dust or smear problems at all :D. Looks loverly.

However, I will nitpick. I'm rather miffed at the placement of the power plug. The only real problem is using that adapter WHILE using the GBA/GCN link cable (which is likely to be needed should the battery die and you really want to use the link cable feature). However, this isn't so much a complaint on the design of the SP so much as a complaint on the design of the cable. There is no reason it had to take up so much room. Why would they be so worried the connector plug would be yanked? They didn't seem to have a problem with the GBA to GBA link cable being yanked, and that's FAR more likely to occur being out in the real world on the go during a link and all. Had they made the connector to the GBA on that cable the same shape as the normal GBA to GBA link cable, there would be no problem. Well, time to pull out an exacto knife and get to work on my gba to gcn link cable's shape :D (well, that WOULD solve it).

Next issue, the L and R buttons. Why couldn't these have been placed on the back instead of the top? I see NO reason at all why they couldn't be there. Comfort would be fine if they were placed like that. Why, they could even have just changed the buttons so you press "forward" from the back instead of "down" to press the buttons. The buttons do have a nice grooved surface already on the back. I'll get used to it, but I have to say that despite reviews to the contrary, those buttons really are as uncomfortable as I suspected.

I'll once again say it's kinda annoying they didn't put the headphone jack right on the system. I don't even know where to find the adapter (the store I just bought this from didn't have it), and more importantly, does the adapter allow me to use both the headphones AND the power adapter at once? If not, that's another annoyance. Now I can't sit at home with the power constantly plugged in and using stereo sound like I do at times.

Finally, those motion sensor game's control being flipped just annoys me only "because". Maybe if they flipped the hardware inside the system around (the volume and power switch would be on opposite sides, and the cartridge and link plugs would be on opposite sides as well, plus they would have to do some rewiring for the buttons) they would solve the problem. I really don't find the jutting of GB/GBC games from the bottom of the system annoying, so I know I wouldn't find the cable being plugged in on the bottom annoying.

However, to sum it all up, I still love this system if only for the two things it's most known for right now. Recharging battery from the start, and internal light built right in. It's still a great thing I'm glad to have, since 3rd party rechargeble batteries suck. The only thing I need to do now is buy a seperate rechargeble battery so I can have a fully charged battery ready to go should I happen to drain the one in the system and need to go on some trip.

Okay, ONE last complaint on design, and this is to ALL portable consumer electronics that use this.

I HATE screwdriver dependant battery covers! I HATE HATE HATE them! There is NO reason to have them in the ENTIRE UNIVERSE! I loved how Nintendo despite what other people were doing kept using clip based battery covers. However, now they went and screwed it up with a screw in the cover. I hate that! I managed to dig up a really tiny glasses repair kit screw driver so I could try opening the battery cover to take a look at the battery, and I find I CAN'T unscrew it. It's just screwed in there REALLY tight, and I can't seem to get the driver to get a good grip on it at all. It's very annoying indeed. I submit that ALL battery covers should use a clip, because it's just plain EASIER. Screws only prevent you from opening it when you need to. Sheesh, I'm on the go, and the battery dies, so I get my fresh one, and boom, I remember I need some ultra tiny screwdriver just to change it. VERY annoying indeed.

Oh well, eventually I'll get a more decent tiny screwdriver and put it on my keychain for this very purpose, but I wish I didn't have to do that.

They did that so little kids wouldn't take the batteries out and lose them.

And and I found that if you hold the shoulder buttons with the beginning of your index fingers (near your knuckles), it's very comfortable.

Clips break too easily.

I've never had a clip break on me. As for the screw thing, forget that reason. Sheesh, that doesn't stop them from releasing the system to start with. "Lost the battery?" Well that's their problem. They should just keep better track of it all. I say if that's the concern, they are just as likely to loose the SP itself.

Oh, and that's exactly how I use the shoulder buttons, but it's still rather uncomfortable. Like I said though, I'll get used to it.

The battery clip on my GBC broke several years ago... the cover has been held on by some tape ever since... but the clips on both of the original GB's I have are fine.

THIS DATABASE ERROR THING IS SO ANNOYING! I must have tried to post it 40 times now...

I give up. I'll be back later... AND FIX THE ERROR!!!

It seems the error is gone. Likely it may have been on the end of those providing the message board service.

Anyway, a note. I say the SP doesn't look quite like a cell phone so much as it looks like a mini-laptop.

Quote:Originally posted by Dark Jaguar
I've never had a clip break on me. As for the screw thing, forget that reason. Sheesh, that doesn't stop them from releasing the system to start with. "Lost the battery?" Well that's their problem. They should just keep better track of it all. I say if that's the concern, they are just as likely to loose the SP itself.

Oh, and that's exactly how I use the shoulder buttons, but it's still rather uncomfortable. Like I said though, I'll get used to it.

Right, I was just explaining Nintendo's mentality on this matter. They sell lots of Gameboys to little kids, and they want to make sure that the wee ones don't take out the rechargable battery and lose it. You can't exactly buy a replacement battery from Best Buy.

But like I said that's a stupid point when the entire system is just as likely to be lost as the battery. The kids should be responsible for it themselves.

Tell that to Nintendo.

I can't, because Nintendo is a company as opposed to a person.

So instead, I rant to people who can't do a thing about it. Sheesh, I was just listing off the problems I can see with the system. I never really intended for anyone to DO anything about it, or console me in any way.

Tell that to baby Mario.

I can't do that for two reasons. One: I don't have a time machine. Two: Mario isn't real.

Fffsssh! Wha-- pff! What are you talking about! Shut-- shut up!

Beautiful.

It's just beautiful.

I got the Cobalt because it's all they had, but now I like it better.

Enough words, time for more SP joy.

Since I completely forgot about this thread, I guess I should reply.

First, note the smily at the end of my post. Completely ignoring the fact that despite posting here and reading my comments for 4 years or so you still don't recognize that I always tease people and am usually not very serious, the smily still should have clued you in.

Second, I still want to know if you have EVER seen an after burner in person. That's all I was really saying. I was pretty certain that Nintendo had done it better, but I wanted to hear it from a person who actually could compare them side by side. Unless you have an Afterburnered GBA, you are not that person. Don't take offense to it, it's just a simple fact.

Third, a few nights ago I talked to someone who actually had an Afterburner installed in his GBA and now has an SP, our very own Lord Shockwave. Guess what? He said the SP is much, much better in terms of picture quality than the Afterburner. *gasp* Whodathunkit? How could one of the largest and best engineering comapnies outdo a hack made up by a college kid? Will wonders never cease?!?!

I was sure the SP would be better, but we all know you have had a bias against the Afterburner from the beginning! So forgive me when I wasn't convinced by your statement of fact that not-so-surprisingly agreed with your original opinion.

Wow...

Anyway, I too have both. It's not JUST the quality of the light guide, the screen itself, even with the light off, seems sharper and less reflective than the original's. The quality of the guide is better I'd say than the Afterburner, but maybe not WAY better. As I've said, the fact that there's no dust in the screen (with it being sealed now, as opposed to breaking the internal foam seal when installing an afterburner, thus allowing dust creepage) is a huge plus. Artifacts like that, as a glasses wearer, are AWAYS pure annoyance. The trapezoid effect is also much less noticable. You only notice it at extreme angles you shouldn't be looking at the screen in anyway. The light is mostly evenly spread across the screen. It's just a tad dim at the left and right sides, but nothing noticable. I was just paying WAY too much attention at the time. They are equally as bright and can both be used as a flash light at night. Oh, as far as blue tinting, I never really noticed it before, I mean like, at all. However, with all the insisting OB1 did I started comparing and contrasting and low and behold, there DOES seem to be a little blue tintage. However, at this level of paying attention I must add there is grey tinting when the light is off, everything all dull like that, so it doesn't really matter. If I don't pay attention, I don't see it. I guess the same is so for the SP's screen, though probably less of it. Wash out? Never saw any at all, on either screen. Anyway, yes LL, I'm shocked that a company with millions of dollars to spend on research and people who's entire job is to make this product actually managed to outdo a kid with some connections and a dream... Well, anyway, one could say that it was this kid who got Nintendo to actually put a light in their system. It's likely not just by chance that Nintendo used the exact same style of light solution. This was the afterburner kid's main intention anyway, for Nintendo to put a light in from the start, so it's been accomplished. Now I'll just give my afterburned GBA to my little sister and it'll all be fine.

Jesus Christ, I've stated several dozens of times already that I have played a GBA with an afterburner installed. It's a good light, but the SP one is better. It has less of a blue tint and the light covers the entire screen very evenly.

And what the hell are you talking about? You're the one who's biased. You paid a lot of money to get your GBA lighted so now you're pissed off that Nintendo released a superior one and hate it whenever someone puts down your precious light. Go cry me a river, why don't you.

What makes you think that I have a bias against the Afterburner? Just because I mentioned that the blue tint was a bit distracting and that I didn't think that it was worth buying? I think the guys at Triton labs are extremely talented and that they did an amazing job with the afterburner, but I didn't want to spend $60 on getting the light installed. And with the SP out I'm certainly glad that I didn't get it.

Um, Laser Link never got an afterburner. I did, but I never claimed you to be biased, he did.

You however, claim to be some sort of psychologist knowing exactly why I don't see a problem with the afterburner. Oh by the way, had you actually bothered to read my post, I pointed out quite clearly that the SP is superior to the afterburner in every way. I even dissed my afterburner (which by the way is a gift now, I'm fine with the money spent on it because I'm thinking of it as gift money). I never said it's something you HAVE to get (again, I'm not the one who claimed you were biased).

OB1, it would really be a service to you if you would bother reading our posts before flying off the handle.

Quote:*gasp* Whodathunkit? How could one of the largest and best engineering comapnies outdo a hack made up by a college kid? Will wonders never cease?!?!

Quote:Anyway, yes LL, I'm shocked that a company with millions of dollars to spend on research and people who's entire job is to make this product actually managed to outdo a kid with some connections and a dream...

What was that for? I never put down Triton Labs, and I never boasted that Nintendo is this great big giant that crushed this tiny little company. I simply stated that the SP light was better than the Afterburner, and then you very condescendingly started questioning if I have actually seen an afterburner up-close.

Quote:Originally posted by Dark Jaguar
Um, Laser Link never got an afterburner. I did, but I never claimed you to be biased, he did.

You however, claim to be some sort of psychologist knowing exactly why I don't see a problem with the afterburner. Oh by the way, had you actually bothered to read my post, I pointed out quite clearly that the SP is superior to the afterburner in every way. I even dissed my afterburner (which by the way is a gift now, I'm fine with the money spent on it because I'm thinking of it as gift money). I never said it's something you HAVE to get (again, I'm not the one who claimed you were biased).

OB1, it would really be a service to you if you would bother reading our posts before flying off the handle.

Did you ever consider for a moment that I started replying to LL's post before I saw yours? Hmm? Now you have egg all over your face.

And LL does have an afterburner. He even showed it to me (in daylight, so I never got to see his light).

The problem with the afterburner is there, but not everyone is sensitive enough to notice it. Same goes with the SP, to a lesser extent. So it doesn't matter if you notice it or not. Well, it does matter because then it's not a problem for you. You know what I mean.

How is that egg on my face? All that tells me is you are insensitive and lazy enough that you don't care what your post reads like so you don't edit it when you notice a mistake.

Nice to finally see you realize that an unnoticable problem isn't really a problem now.