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We viewed yesterday's CNN
news article about an imminent upgrade to the GBA
dismissively. Nintendo wouldn't move that quickly on a new
version of the GBA would they? As reports streamed in
overnight along with the announcement of a Nintendo news
conference this morning, initially vaporous news eventually
solidified into today's preorder offer from NCS. Shipping in
Japan on February 14, the Gameboy Advance SP features a
compact new design which measures 3" square and 1" thick
(Well, actually its 3.33 x 3.23 x .95 if you want to be anal
about it.) Illuminated from within, a built-in front light
allows easy viewing of gaming sessions without eye strain or
contortion of the GBA at odd angles to catch light better.
Battery life stands at 10 hours on a full 3-hour charge of
the internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery or 18 hours if
a player decides to turn the light off. Although Nintendo
ships the Japanese version (Y12,500) of the GBASP on
February 14, the USA version is expected on March 23. A
spokesman for Nintendo targeted sales volume of 2 million SPs by the end of March. Three colors are expected at the
outset: Silver (pictured), Black and Indigo. Inevitable
limited edition Pokemon variants TBA.
Preorders are welcome
starting today. [Bigger
photos along with a comparison shot of the GBA and the new
SP; courtesy Famitsu Magazine] |
