View source for Game Boy Advance SP

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{short description|Handheld game console by Nintendo}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| title = Game Boy Advance SP
| logo = Game Boy Advance SP logo.svg
| image = Game-Boy-Advance-SP-Mk1-Blue.png
| caption = An early front-lit version of the Game Boy Advance SP in Cobalt Blue
| aka = Frontlit: AGS-001<br />Backlit: AGS-101
| manufacturer = [[Nintendo]]
| family = [[Game Boy family|Game Boy]]<ref name="HG asks">{{cite interview|last=Ishihara|last2=Morimoto|interviewer=Satoru Iwata|title=Pokémon HeartGold Version & Pokémon SoulSilver Version|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon/0/0/|type=Interview: Transcript|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=September 25, 2022|archive-date=November 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124004538/https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon/0/0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| type = [[Handheld game console]]
| generation = [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|Sixth]]
| media = [[Game Boy Game Pak]]<br />[[Game Boy Color Game Pak]]<br />[[Game Boy Advance Game Pak]]
| release date = {{vgrelease
  | JP | February 14, 2003<ref name=IGNGBASP>{{cite web|title=Game Boy Advance SP|url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/01/06/game-boy-advance-sp-2|publisher=IGN|access-date=January 22, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618012830/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/06/game-boy-advance-sp-2|archive-date=June 18, 2013|author-last1=Harris|author-first1=Craig|date=January 6, 2003}}</ref>
  | NA | March 23, 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-advance/4505-10109_7-21059766.html |title=Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review |publisher=[[CNET]] |access-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102033901/http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-advance/4505-10109_7-21059766.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012  }}</ref>
  | PAL | March 28, 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://n-europe.com/news.php?nid=3836 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100206051613/http://n-europe.com/news.php?nid=3836 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2010 |title=N-Europe News: GBA SP Press Release |publisher=Ashley Jones |date=March 7, 2003 |access-date=March 26, 2012 }}</ref>
  }}
| price = {{Unbulleted list
  | {{US$|99.99|2003|round=0|link=yes}}
  | {{JPY|12,500|2003|link=yes}}
  | {{Euro|129.99|2003|link=yes}}
  | {{CA$|149.95|2003|round=0|link=yes}}
  | {{A$|199.99|2003|round=0|link=yes}}
  | {{GBP|89|2003|round=0|link=yes}}
  }}
| soc = Nintendo CPU&nbsp;AGB
| cpu = [[ARM7TDMI]] @ 16.78&nbsp;MHz<br />Sharp&nbsp;SM83 @ 4&nbsp;/&nbsp;8&nbsp;MHz
| memory = 288&nbsp;KB&nbsp;[[Random-access memory|RAM]], 98&nbsp;KB&nbsp;[[Video&nbsp;RAM]]
| display = [[Frontlight|Frontlit]] or [[backlit]] [[TFT LCD]], 240&nbsp;×&nbsp;160&nbsp;[[pixels|px]], {{cvt|40.8|xx|61.2|mm}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Advance-SP/Product-information/Technical-data/Technical-data-619375.html|title=Technical data|website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH}}</ref>
| onlineservice = 
| unitsshipped = 43.57 million<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf |title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207005602/http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2016  }}</ref>
| compatibility = [[Game Boy]]<br />[[Game Boy Color]]
| predecessor = Game Boy Color<ref name="3ds asks">{{cite interview|last=Umezu|last2=Sugino|last3=Konno|interviewer=Satoru Iwata|title=Nintendo 3DS (Volume 2 – Nintendo 3DS Hardware Concept)|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/1/0|type=Interview: Transcript|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=March 7, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329190132/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/1/0|archivedate=March 29, 2012}}</ref>
| successor = [[Nintendo DS]]
| discontinued = {{vgrelease | WW | 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf |title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207005602/http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2016  }}</ref>}}
| related = {{Unbulleted list
   | [[Game Boy Advance]]
   | [[Game Boy Micro]]
   }}
}}

The '''Game Boy Advance SP'''{{efn|{{nihongo|ゲームボーイアドバンスSP|Gēmu Bōi Adobansu SP|lead=yes}}}} (SP stands for "Special")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboyadvance_sp/faq.jsp#sp|title=- Nintendo – Customer Service – Game Boy Advance SP – Frequently Asked Questions|website=nintendo.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731172806/http://nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboyadvance_sp/faq.jsp#sp|archive-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> is a 32-bit [[handheld game console]] made by [[Nintendo]]. It was released in Japan on February 14, 2003, and in international markets in March. The SP is an upgraded version of the [[Game Boy Advance]] with a more compact [[clamshell design]]. 

The SP was the first [[Game Boy family|Game Boy]] device with a [[rechargeable battery]], and the first widely released{{efn|The [[Game Boy Light]], released in 1998 had an [[electroluminescent]] screen, but was only sold in Japan.}} model with an integrated screen light, starting with [[frontlight|front lighting]] and later transitioning to [[backlight|backlighting]]. The light made it easier to play in low-light conditions than its predecessors, which relied on reflective screens. It was followed by the [[Game Boy Micro]] in 2005.

== History ==
The Game Boy Advance SP was championed by [[Satoru Okada]], who led the development of the original Game Boy Advance. When Okada first pitched to Nintendo leadership the idea of a small and thin Game Boy Advance that used a rechargeable battery, the feedback was almost entirely negative. Not deterred, Okada told one of his hardware engineers to build a conceptual model as small and thin as possible without regard to the feasibility of manufacturing the device. What resulted was the [[clamshell design]] of the Game Boy Advance SP. When Okada took this conceptual model to the same leadership group that rejected his initial pitch, they were quickly won over.<ref name="Kurokawa 2022">{{Cite web |last=Kurokawa |first=Fumio |date=2022 |title=Satoru Okada – 2022 Retrospective Interview |url=https://shmuplations.com/okada2022/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |publisher=[[4gamer.net]]}}</ref>

In addition to being smaller and using a rechargeable battery, the Game Boy Advance SP also addressed a key shortcoming of the original Game Boy Advance: the reflective color display that was hard to see in dark conditions.

The first Game Boy Advance SP had a [[frontlight]] that illuminated the front of the display and a reflective surface behind the screen that sent light back through the liquid crystal pixel elements to the viewer. A later revision replaced the frontlight and reflective surface with a [[backlight]] that also illuminated the liquid crystal pixel elements.

All Game Boy Advance SP models were discontinued globally by the end of 2010, outlasting the Game Boy Micro by two years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf |title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207005602/http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1512.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2016  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vega |first=Nick |title=A look back at the Game Boy Micro, the Nintendo console that time forgot |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/game-boy-micro-nintendo-console-time-forgot-photos-2017-3#what-happened-to-it-5 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-11 |title=7 Things Everyone Should Know About the Game Boy Advance |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/gaming-systems/82144/7-things-everyone-should-know-about-the-game-boy-advance |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=PCMag UK |language=en-gb}}</ref>

== Hardware ==

=== Technical specifications ===
{| class="wikitable"
!
! Game Boy Advance SP<br>(AGS-001)
! Game Boy Advance SP<br>(AGS-101)
|-
! Height
| colspan="2" | {{cvt|84|mm}} (closed), {{cvt|155|mm}} (open)
|-
! Width
| colspan="2" | {{cvt|82|mm}}
|-
! Depth
| colspan="2" | {{cvt|24.4|mm}}
|-
! Weight
| colspan="2" | {{cvt|142|g}}
|-
! Display
| 2.9-inch (diagonal) reflective [[thin-film transistor]] (TFT) color [[liquid-crystal display]] (LCD), {{convert|40.8|x|61.2|mm|abbr=on}} with [[frontlight]]
|2.9-inch (diagonal) backlit TFT color LCD, {{convert|40.8|x|61.2|mm|abbr=on}}
|-
! [[Display resolution|Resolution]]
| colspan="2" | 240 (w) × 160 (h) [[pixel]]s (3:2 [[aspect ratio (image)|aspect ratio]])
|-
! [[Frame rate]]
| colspan="2" | 59.737&nbsp;[[Hertz|Hz]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Korth |first1=Martin |title=GBATEK LCD Dimensions and Timings |url=http://problemkaputt.de/gbatek-lcd-dimensions-and-timings.htm |website=problemkaputt.de |access-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829221557/https://problemkaputt.de/gbatek-lcd-dimensions-and-timings.htm |archive-date=August 29, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! Color&nbsp;support
| colspan="2" | 32,768 colors, up to 511 simultaneously in character mode, all may displayed simultaneously in Bitmap mode
|-
! [[System on a chip]] (SoC)
| colspan="2" | Nintendo CPU&nbsp;AGB
|-
! Processors
| colspan="2" | {{Unbulleted list
  | 16.78&nbsp;MHz [[ARM7TDMI]] ([[32-bit computing|32-bit]])
  | 4.194304&nbsp;MHz / 8.388608&nbsp;MHz Sharp SM83 (custom [[Intel 8080]]/[[Zilog Z80]] hybrid, [[8-bit computing|8-bit]]){{efn|4.194304&nbsp;MHz for Game Boy backward compatibility, 8.388608&nbsp;MHz for Game Boy Color backward compatibility.}}
  }}
|-
! Memory
| colspan="2" | {{Unbulleted list
  | '''On SoC:''' 32&nbsp;KB&nbsp;[[Random-access memory|RAM]], 98&nbsp;KB&nbsp;[[Video Random Access Memory|Video&nbsp;RAM]] (includes 1&nbsp;KB of object attribute memory and 1&nbsp;KB of palette RAM)
  | '''Internal:''' 256&nbsp;KB&nbsp;RAM
  }}
|-
! Battery
| colspan="2" | Rechargeable lithium-ion pack provides 10 hours of use with light on and 18 hours with light off, 3-hour recharge time
|-
! Sound
| colspan="2" | {{Unbulleted list
   | '''Channels:''' Dual 8-bit [[digital-to-analog converter|DAC]] for stereo sound (called Direct Sound), plus all legacy channels from Game Boy. The DACs can be used to play back streams of wave data, or used to output multiple wave samples processed or mixed in software by the CPU.
   | '''Outputs:''' Built-in [[Monaural|mono]] speaker
   }}
|-
![[Input/output|I/O]]
| colspan="2" |{{Unbulleted list
   | [[Game Link Cable]] (512&nbsp;[[kbit/s]] between up to 4 devices)
   | Game Pak slot
   }}
|-
!Controls
|{{Unbulleted list
   | Eight-way [[D-pad|control pad]]
   | Six action buttons (A, B, L, R, Start, Select)
   | Volume slider
   | Frontlight power button
   | Power switch
   }}
|{{Unbulleted list
   | Eight-way [[D-pad|control pad]]
   | Six action buttons (A, B, L, R, Start, Select)
   | Volume slider
   | Backlight brightness button
   | Power switch
   }}
|-
| colspan="3" | References: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://problemkaputt.de/gbatek.htm#gbatechnicaldata|title=GBATEK – GBA/NDS Technical Info|access-date=July 26, 2016|archive-date=July 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727034359/http://problemkaputt.de/gbatek.htm#gbatechnicaldata|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cs.rit.edu/~tjh8300/CowBite/CowBiteSpec.htm#Text |title=CowBite Virtual Hardware Specifications |website=cs.rit.edu |access-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918070039/https://www.cs.rit.edu/~tjh8300/CowBite/CowBiteSpec.htm#Text |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://patater.com/gbaguy/gbaasm.htm|title=GBA ASM Tutorial|access-date=July 26, 2016|archive-date=August 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805121744/http://patater.com/gbaguy/gbaasm.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.com/techspecgba|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051003203011/http://www.nintendo.com/techspecgba|archive-date=October 3, 2005|title=GBA Technical Specifications|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Copetti 2019">{{Cite web |last=Copetti |first=Rodrigo |date=August 18, 2019 |title=Game Boy Advance Architecture - A Practical Analysis |url=https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/game-boy-advance/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

=== Headphone jack ===
[[File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Advance-Headphone-Adapter.jpg|thumb|Nintendo-official headphone adapter for Game Boy Advance SP]]
Nintendo removed the [[Phone connector (audio)|3.5 mm headphone jack]] from the SP, which had been included on all previous Game Boy models. Headphones designed specifically for the GBA SP can be purchased, or standard headphones can be attached with an optional adapter that plugs into the same port as the [[alternating current|AC]] adapter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game Boy Advance SP {{pipe}} Corporate {{pipe}} Nintendo|url=http://nintendo.co.uk/Corporate/Nintendo-History/Game-Boy-Advance-SP/Game-Boy-Advance-SP-627141.html|access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref>  As both the AC adapter and headphones use the same port, it is not possible to charge the SP and listen to headphones at the same time with the Nintendo-brand adapter. There are, however, third-party adapters that "split" into two different cords: the power jack on one side and a headphone jack on the other.

== Backlit model (AGS-101) ==
[[File:Gameboy-Advance-SP-Mk2.jpg|thumb|The pearl blue AGS-101 GBA SP model that featured an improved backlit screen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-advance/4505-10109_7-31590939.html|title=Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Review – Consoles|publisher=[[CNET]]|access-date=July 27, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106001937/http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-advance/4505-10109_7-31590939.html|archive-date=January 6, 2012}}</ref>]]

On September 19, 2005 (around the same time as the [[Game Boy Micro]]'s release), Nintendo released an improved version of the Game Boy Advance SP in North America, featuring a brighter backlit screen instead of the previous version's frontlit screen. This GBA SP was Nintendo's first internationally-released handheld system to feature an integrated backlight. (However, there had already been a backlit system years earlier with the Japan-only [[Game Boy Light]], which was essentially a [[Game Boy Pocket]] with an [[electroluminescent]] backlit display.) The AGS-101 was never officially released in Japan, and the frontlit AGS-001 models were still available on the market until the end of production.

The new model can be distinguished by the following features:

* The box states "Now with a BRIGHTER backlit screen!" to distinguish the new model from the older, frontlit models.
* The model number of the backlit SP is AGS-101, whereas the model number of the original frontlit SP is AGS-001. This can be found on the label at the bottom of the unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maru-chang.com/hard/agb/english.htm|title=AGB/AGS/OXY: Game Boy Advance|last=MARU-CHANG|website=maru-chang.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228053943/http://maru-chang.com/hard/agb/english.htm|archive-date=February 28, 2007}}</ref>
* The mini button at the top center of the console's lower face is now referred to in the manual as the "Brightness Switch" and selects between two levels of brightness, "Normal" (Low) and "Bright" (High) with no off setting. On the frontlit models, this button turned the frontlight on or off only. With the backlight set to "Normal" (Low) the brightness still surpasses the original AGS-001 with the frontlight on.
* When powered off, the backlit model's screen is completely black, but the frontlit model's screen is noticeably lighter.

The North American backlit version comes in three standard colors: "Pearl Blue", "Pearl Pink" and "Graphite" (a greyer version of Onyx Black). There were also two [[Toys "R" Us]] exclusive backlit models; a "[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]" model<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/652/652641p1.html|title=GBA SP Gets Brighter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614220645/http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/652/652641p1.html|archive-date=June 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a "Limited Edition [[Pikachu]]" model.

In 2006, the AGS-101 backlit model also saw a very limited release in [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eurogamer.net/articles/news230905brightersp|title=Brighter SP coming to Europe|website=eurogamer.net|date=September 23, 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612135413/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news230905brightersp|archive-date=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Few models made it to market, likely due to the release of the [[Game Boy Advance]]-compatible [[Nintendo DS]] one year prior. The [[Europe]]an version was released in "Surf Blue"<ref>{{cite youtube|url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=QC1ldBUO-bw|title=Gameboy Advance SP – European AGS-101 Model (Backlit) Unboxing|work=F1RES0UL|date=August 22, 2009|via=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418073359/http://youtube.com/watch?v=QC1ldBUO-bw|archive-date=April 18, 2016}}</ref> as well as re-issued in "Pink" and "Tribal" editions.

Unlike the North American release, the European box does not feature any prominent text to distinguish the backlit models from the older frontlit models. In addition, only the "Surf Blue" color was unique to the AGS-101, the other two colors "Pink" and "Tribal" had already been released as frontlit models – for these reasons it can be very difficult to identify a European backlit SP. Apart from the AGS-101 model number on the base of the unit, the only other obvious distinguishing feature of the European backlit model is the large picture of the Game Boy Advance SP featured on the front of the box. (The European frontlit models of "Pink" and "Tribal" only feature small pictures of the Game Boy Advance SP on the sides of the box and Flower/Tattoo patterns on the front, respectively.)

The AGS-101 Game Boy Advance SP was the final Nintendo handheld to have backward compatibility with [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] games in North America and Europe.

== Unit colors ==
The GBA SP launched in Platinum Silver and Cobalt Blue, with the addition of Onyx in Europe and Japan.<ref name="IGNGBASP" /> Later colors include: Flame Red, Pearl Pink, Pearl Blue, Graphite, Midnight Blue, [[Pokémon|Charizard]] Fire Red, [[Pokémon|Torchic]] Orange, [[Pokémon|Venusaur]] Leaf Green, [[Pokémon|Groudon]] Red, [[Pokémon|Kyogre]] Blue, [[Pokémon|Rayquaza]] Green, [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] classic design, and [[Pikachu]] Yellow. A limited gold edition with a Triforce and the Hyrule Royal Family crest was available in Europe which included a copy of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=September 17, 2004 |title=Legend of Zelda GBA SP |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/548/548924p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005053300/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/548/548924p1.html |archive-date=October 5, 2009 |access-date=March 26, 2011}}</ref> In 2003, [[Toys "R" Us]] sold an exclusive gold edition (without any Zelda symbols) in the US starting on [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]] of that year, initially with a ''[[Super Mario Advance 4]]'' game.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRU Exclusive Gold GBA SP/Super Mario Advance 4 Bundle for Sale |url=http://ign.com/boards/threads/tru-exclusive-gold-gba-sp-super-mario-advance-4-bundle-for-sale.48495179/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085546/http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/tru-exclusive-gold-gba-sp-super-mario-advance-4-bundle-for-sale.48495179/ |archive-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref>

In Japan, it was released in a variety of standard colors and special packages. In most other regions it was released in Platinum Silver and Charcoal Black. Later, a Flame Red version was released. Six special editions have also been released: an NES Classics model with the same color scheme as a classic NES controller (and designed to resemble an [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] deck when closed), a [[SpongeBob SquarePants]] model, a [[Pikachu]] model, and a silver model with a tattoo design printed on it, known as the 'Tribal Edition'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tribal Edition GBA SP for Europe – News |url=http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=9501 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117085332/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/9501/tribal-edition-gba-sp-for-europe |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref> In other regions, such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, additional colors have been released, such as Pearl Green and Starlight Gold.<ref>[http://gameforfun.com/es/product.asp?product_id=3663 Gameboy Advance SP Star Light Gold Toys R Us Limited Edition (GFF-3663)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711070758/http://gameforfun.com/es/product.asp?product_id=3663|date=July 11, 2011}}</ref>

== Reception ==
M. Wiley of ''[[IGN]]'' called the Game Boy Advance SP "a step in the right direction for Nintendo", praising the system's new redesign over the original GBA and highlighting its inclusion of a backlit screen and rechargeable battery, although minor criticism went towards the system's omission of a headphone jack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2003/03/20/game-boy-advance-sp|title=Game Boy Advance SP|author=M. Wiley|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=March 20, 2003|access-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207021903/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/20/game-boy-advance-sp|archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Engadget]]'' gave it a global score of 84 out of 100, also praising the new features of the redesign while noting the system's lack of a headphone jack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://engadget.com/products/nintendo/game-boy/advance/sp|title=Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review|work=[[Engadget]]|access-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207013443/https://www.engadget.com/products/nintendo/game-boy/advance/sp|archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> Lawson Wong of ''[[Fresh Gear]]'' called it "darn close to perfection" aside from the missing headphone jack.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Lawson |title=Review: Game Boy Advance SP |url=http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/story/0,23008,3577762,00.html |website=TechTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040214130046/http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/products/story/0,23008,3577762,00.html |archive-date=February 14, 2004 |date=December 30, 2003}}</ref> Matthew D. Sarrel of ''[[PC Magazine]]'' suggested it to consumers as an improvement over the original model, praising the backlight and integration of a charger as well as improved visual quality, though he noted that players with larger hands may find difficulty with the system's design.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/archive/nintendo-new-game-boy-will-knock-your-lights-out-38716 |title=Nintendo New Game Boy Will Knock Your Lights Out! |website=PC Magazine |date=March 17, 2003 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602185401/https://www.pcmag.com/archive/nintendo-new-game-boy-will-knock-your-lights-out-38716 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Sales ==
As of June 30, 2009, the Game Boy Advance series has sold 81.48 million units worldwide, of which 43.52 million are Game Boy Advance SP units.<ref name="earnings release Q2 2009">{{Cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/hard_soft/index.html|title=IR Information : Sales Data – Dedicated Video Game Sales Units|website=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|language=en|access-date=2020-02-19|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223032611/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/hard_soft/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="clear:right; text-align:right"
|+ Life-to-date Number of units sold
|-
! Date
! Japan
! Americas
! Other
! Total
|-
! 2003-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2003">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2003/030522e.pdf#page=36|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=May 22, 2003|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304083953/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2003/030522e.pdf#page=36|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>
| 0.82 million || 0.83 million || 0.46 million
! 2.10 million
|-
! 2003-06-30
|?
|?
|?
! 4.84 million<ref name="earnings release Q2 2003">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2003/030805e.pdf#page=3|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=August 5, 2003|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304083949/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2003/030805e.pdf#page=3|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>
|-
! 2003-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2003">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2003/031113e.pdf#page=27|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=November 13, 2003|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304083947/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2003/031113e.pdf#page=27|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>
| 2.33 million || 4.32 million || 2.38 million
! 9.04 million
|-
! 2003-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2003">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/040129e.pdf#page=3|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=January 29, 2004|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304083944/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/040129e.pdf#page=3|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>
| 3.14 million || 7.82 million || 4.34 million
! 15.30 million
|-
! 2004-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2004">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/040527e.pdf#page=33|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=May 27, 2004|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=33|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304083955/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/040527e.pdf#page=33|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>
| 3.68 million || 8.78 million || 4.70 million
! 17.16 million
|-
! 2004-06-30
|?
|?
|?
! 19.33 million<ref name="earnings release Q2 2004">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/040728e.pdf#page=6|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=July 28, 2004|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304083951/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/040728e.pdf#page=6|archive-date=March 4, 2009}}</ref>
|-
! 2004-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2004">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/041125e.pdf#page=25|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=November 25, 2004|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|page=25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128113101/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/041125e.pdf#page=25|archive-date=November 28, 2007}}</ref>
| 5.02 million || 12.46 million || 6.21 million
! 23.68 million
|-
! 2004-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2004">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2005/050126e.pdf#page=6|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=January 26, 2005|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171129/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2005/050126e.pdf#page=6|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 5.94 million || 16.13 million || 8.67 million
! 30.73 million
|-
! 2005-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2005">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2005/050526e.pdf#page=39|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=May 26, 2005|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=39|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171132/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2005/050526e.pdf#page=39|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.00 million || 16.69 million || 9.10 million
! 31.79 million
|-
! 2005-06-30
|?
|?
|?
!
|-
! 2005-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2005">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2005/051124e.pdf#page=25|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=November 24, 2005|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|page=25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171120/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2005/051124e.pdf#page=25|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.16 million || 18.08 million || 10.08 million
! 34.32 million
|-
! 2005-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2005">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060126e.pdf#page=6|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=January 26, 2006|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171137/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060126e.pdf#page=6|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.35 million || 20.40 million || 10.64 million
! 37.40 million
|-
! 2006-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2006">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060525e.pdf#page=30|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=May 25, 2006|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=30|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171145/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060525e.pdf#page=30|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.42 million || 20.95 million || 10.86 million
! 38.23 million
|-
! 2006-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2006">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060724e.pdf#page=8|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=July 24, 2006|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171140/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060724e.pdf#page=8|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.46 million || 21.30 million || 11.08 million
! 38.84 million
|-
! 2006-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2006">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/061026e.pdf#page=28|title=Consolidated financial highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=October 26, 2006|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=28|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927171142/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/061026e.pdf#page=28|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.48 million || 21.95 million || 11.37 million
! 39.79 million
|-
! 2006-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2006">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070125e.pdf|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=January 25, 2007|publisher=Nintendo|page=8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616233817/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070125e.pdf|archive-date=June 16, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.50 million || 23.06 million || 11.78 million
! 41.33 million
|-
!2007-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2007">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070426e.pdf#page=21|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|access-date=April 26, 2007|date=April 26, 2007|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512022627/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070426e.pdf#page=21|archive-date=May 12, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.50 million || 23.47 million || 11.95 million
! 41.92 million
|-
! 2007-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2007">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070725e.pdf#page=8|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|access-date=July 25, 2007|date=July 25, 2007|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807193140/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070725e.pdf#page=8|archive-date=August 7, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.50 million || 23.78 million || 12.14 million
! 42.43 million
|-
!2007-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2007">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/071025e.pdf#page=22|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|access-date=October 25, 2007|date=October 25, 2007|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025183240/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/071025e.pdf#page=22|archive-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| 6.51 million || 24.01 million || 12.31 million
! 42.82 million
|-
!2007-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2007">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080124e.pdf#page=8|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|access-date=January 24, 2007|date=January 24, 2007|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216091256/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080124e.pdf#page=8|archive-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref>
| 6.51 million || 24.01 million || 12.51 million
! 43.02 million
|-
!2008-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2008">{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080424e.pdf#page=22 |format=PDF |access-date=April 24, 2008 |date=April 24, 2008 |title=Consolidated Financial Statements |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |page=22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528104907/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080424e.pdf#page=22 |archive-date=May 28, 2008  }}</ref>
| 6.51 million || 24.00 million || 12.71 million
! 43.23 million
|-
!2008-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2008">{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0806.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910032515/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0806.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 10, 2008 |title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |access-date=July 30, 2008 |date=July 30, 2008 |publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
| 6.51 million || 24.00 million || 12.89 million
! 43.41 million
|-
!2008-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2008">{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0809.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226201912/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0809.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |date=October 30, 2008 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=October 31, 2008}}</ref>
| 6.51 million || 24.00 million || 12.97 million
! 43.49 million
|-
!2008-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2008">{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0812.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226201858/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e0812.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |date=January 29, 2009 |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=October 31, 2008}}</ref>
| 6.51 million || 24.00 million || 13.00 million
! 43.52 million
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[List of Game Boy Advance games]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040615043201/http://www.gameboy.com:80/sp/home.jsp|title=Official website|date=June 15, 2004}}
*{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312035538/http://register.nintendo.com/systemsgba|title=Game Boy Advance section of Nintendo.com|date=March 12, 2008}}
*[http://bordersdown.net/threads/109460-GBA-SP-101-vs-001-comparison Comparison of GBA SP model 101 vs 001]

{{Game Boy Advance line}}
{{Nintendo hardware|Game Boy Advance}}
{{Sixth generation game consoles}}
{{Handheld game consoles}}

[[Category:Backward-compatible video game consoles]]
[[Category:Discontinued handheld game consoles]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance]]
[[Category:Game Boy consoles]]
[[Category:Golden Joystick Award winners]]
[[Category:Handheld game consoles]]
[[Category:IQue consoles]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2003]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2008]]
[[Category:Regionless game consoles]]
[[Category:Sixth-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Video game console revisions]]
[[Category:ARM-based video game consoles]]