The Game Boy Advance SP is the smaller, sleeker version of Nintendo’s newest handheld technology, and it should be on the wish list of anyone seriously interested in portable gaming. The SP is an improvement over the original GBA in practically every way, and if you’ve ever had a gripe about the system, the latest model has probably addressed your concerns.

First, and most importantly, the new screen looks fantastic. It is the same size and resolution as before, but now a “front-light" system, not unlike Triton Labs’ Afterburner, illuminates the screen and makes it playable even in pitch-black darkness. Even better, the light can be turned off to save battery power or improve visibility in certain situations, such as playing in direct sunlight. (The screen still works with reflected light, just like the Game Boy Color and original GBA.) The light is very bright and an enormous improvement over the old GBA’s display. Having a lit screen not only lets you play in the dark, which probably will not happen very often, but also lets you see the screen clearly while holding it at any angle. The effect is subtle but liberating, like the first time you played GameCube with a WaveBird.

Similarly, having a rechargeable battery built into the system also makes playing GBA more carefree. A full charge lasts about a dozen hours with the light on and several more with the light off. But since an AC adapter is included and the battery takes only three or four hours to fully charge, there’s no reason to turn the light off unless it’s interfering with outside sources. Not having to think about changing the batteries or buying extras makes it easier to just sit back and enjoy your games.

The SP’s flip-top lid works flawlessly and looks quite slick. The hinge is stiff and sturdy, and the screen can be tilted more than 180 degrees back without causing any problems, although the natural resting position is at a very handy 150 degrees or so. The lid snaps shut firmly and tightly, protecting both the screen and the face buttons. When folded up, the system is barely thicker than the original GBA, fitting easily into all sorts of pockets as well as most cases designed for the original model.

The new D-pad is smoother, slightly larger, and more “clicky" than the old one. For all the games I’ve tested, it feels better than the original GBA’s D-pad. The buttons follow suit, being larger and generally easier to use. Despite being set deeper into the system, it’s actually easier to tell when you’ve hit one of the new face buttons, because they are stiffer and give better tactile feedback (just like a good keyboard). Though you wouldn’t expect it from their appearance, the tiny new L and R triggers are a marked improvement on their predecessors. They are still a bit too easy to depress, but the new triggers are much more “clicky", and they fit much better into the curve of the fingers. All of the face buttons, including the one that turns the screen light on and off, are made from smooth, hard plastic; there is no rubber at all on the SP.

Ergonomically, the SP itself is surprisingly comfortable to hold and play. When the original GBA was first announced, many of us large-handed gamers were glad to see the horizontal design. The Game Boy Color was the cause of many wrist-cramps, but as it turned out, the GBA was not much of an improvement. Yes, the hands could be placed farther apart, but the system was so short that it had to be held almost entirely by the fingers; the configuration placed an uncomfortable load too far out from the wrists. Although the part of the SP you hold is much smaller than both the GBC and original GBA, it’s much more comfortable for one very key reason: the whole thing fits (pun alert!) squarely into your hands. The load is once more focused into the palms, while the index fingers offer support at the top. Who knows if this effect was intentional or just a happy side-effect of the system’s design, but Nintendo has managed to create a unit that feels comfortable in big hands while being the smallest Game Boy yet. And of course, it works great for small hands too, though the L and R triggers may fit into a different finger joint.

Before wrapping up, I also have to mention the system’s few flaws. Most notably, it doesn’t include a headphone jack. You can buy an adapter, but at a measly $5, Nintendo could have and should have simply included one to begin with. The SP also seems to be prone to scratches, since its casing is painted rather than made of colored plastic. That’s the price we have to pay for such a smooth, sexy surface. And finally, it doesn’t look like the plastic screen cover can be replaced easily, as it could on the original GBA. The flip-top lid should cut down on potential hazards for the screen, but make sure you’re careful to close the system when it’s not being played.

If you haven’t yet purchased a Game Boy Advance, it’s time to stop making excuses. The GBA SP is easily the best Game Boy and the best portable gaming system ever designed. With technology this good, lower game prices than ever, and such an extensive software library, the SP is nothing less than a gaming powerhouse. Owners of the original GBA will be thrilled with the improvements in this new model, but whether upgrading is worth the money really depends on how much you play (or would like to play) portable games. If you have an original GBA with the Afterburner installed, you should probably hold off on the SP. Its main feature, the front-lit screen, is not a huge improvement over the Afterburner, and you’ve already spent at least $100 for your old system, the light, and possibly installation. Then again, if you’re willing to do all that just to play a well-lit GBA, you’re probably hardcore enough to justify getting the SP too.

There’s no doubt that the SP is what the original GBA should have been. But, it hardly does any good to protest Nintendo releasing an updated version, when so many people were dissatisfied with the original model. This is a case of Nintendo listening to feedback on the first GBA and correcting practically every issue with the second model. If you’ve ever wished the Game Boy Advance were easier to see, easier to hold, or easier to own, GBA SP is the answer.