Post by: NintendoKiD on June 14, 2003, 02:16:48 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on June 14, 2003, 02:26:39 PM
The GBA doesn't have a light on it, but unless you are playing in the dark, that shouldn't be a problem. I have rarely had the occurance that I couldn't see what was going on on the screen. Some people just whine too much methinks.
The GBA takes plain AA batteries, and they last a long time. That greatly adds to the portability over a battery that requires connection to an outlet every 10 hours. That's just my opinion though.
The GBA SP is quite a bit smaller, and the clamshell design can take more abuse than the GBA without scratching the screen. That would be my own biggest reason for wanting an SP. My GBA screen features a few more scratches every day.
Post by: nitsu niflheim on June 14, 2003, 02:45:19 PM
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The GBA takes plain AA batteries, and they last a long time. That greatly adds to the portability over a battery that requires connection to an outlet every 10 hours. That's just my opinion though.
Only 10 hours if you use the light all the time. I think it's like 18 hours without the light and the GBA I think gets 20 hours or maybe 22 hours off two AA batteries so you aren't really losing anything. Plus Nintendo is going to release (if they haven't already in Japan at least) a larger battery for GBA:SP that I think last longer than the GBA can get off AA batteries. I can't remember exactly but I think it was going to be like 17 hours with the light and something in the 20's without the light.
Post by: Bloodworth on June 14, 2003, 03:47:11 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on June 14, 2003, 03:53:32 PM
Post by: NintendoKiD on June 14, 2003, 05:40:35 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on June 14, 2003, 07:20:23 PM
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Originally posted by: nitsujdark
So Ninja, from your post I can take it that you got your GBA fixed or what?
Yep.
I posted in the same thread when I fixed it. Total cost was $3.50 in Canadian Tire money, and I got to keep the tools. The problem was that the video cable had come undone, and I hadn't secured the clips properly when putting it back together the first time.Quote
Only 10 hours if you use the light all the time. I think it's like 18 hours without the light and the GBA I think gets 20 hours or maybe 22 hours off two AA batteries so you aren't really losing anything.
I know. The problem is that if you aren't close to a power outlet, then you are screwed if you want to keep playing. I like to be able to run to the store and buy another battery whenever I run out of power.
That being said, I do have a crappy rechargable battery pack for my GBA. It dies in under an hour, so it really serves as an AC adaptor more than anything, but when I am playing at home, I will usually use it instead of the batteries. It's also useful for connectivity games, where I am using my GBA for an extended period of time without really "using" it.
Post by: KDR_11k on June 14, 2003, 08:36:31 PM
I think it's better for the environment to have one large rechargable battery instead of multiple throw-away ones. Of course, you can use rechargable ones in the GBA, but that voids the advantage of popping into a shop and picking up a new pack of batteries instead of recharging the old ones. And rechargable batteries take longer to charge than the Li Ion.
Post by: ActorJ on June 14, 2003, 10:48:40 PM
Post by: Don'tHate742 on June 15, 2003, 01:01:21 AM
For me it was the GBA SP, becuase I don't have to buy additional batteries or sit next to a bright lamp, and if the lamp is too bright and theres major glare. The SP is just all around more comfortable.
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I know. The problem is that if you aren't close to a power outlet, then you are screwed if you want to keep playing. I like to be able to run to the store and buy another battery whenever I run out of power.
Well i'm assuming you got the GBA right when it came out right? I'm also assuming you play 10+ hours a week. What is that 4 years ago since it first hit stores? How much money have you spent on batteries? Probably more then the GBA you use the for. For me batteries are a hassle.
Poll?
Post by: KnowsNothing on June 15, 2003, 05:00:43 AM
Post by: ActorJ on June 15, 2003, 08:28:24 AM
Not only does the GBA SP have nicer buttons, but they are in a much more natural location. The greater depth of the unit does wonder to reduce the cramped feeling the original GBA had, no longer to I have to use the shoulder buttons with my index fingers bent as 45 degree angles, they now fit perfectly naturally under my knukcles. no longer are ,my thumbs artificilally vertical, the d-pad and a and b buttons are in just the right place now.
And the screen is at a better angles, so neck strain is much reduced. I recently went back to my old GBA just for the heck of it, and I couldn't stand it. That d-pad is so spongy and un-responsive, same for the shoulder buttons.
The SP is a godsend.
Post by: mouse_clicker on June 15, 2003, 10:48:20 AM
And seriously, if you've been moving your HEAD to get a better view on your GBA, you've got more problems than meets the surface.
Post by: Fish on June 15, 2003, 10:57:03 AM
Other that that, i dont see mutch difference. Its too bad they didint put 4 buttons in SP like in SNES contoller, ports would work mutch better.
Post by: Smadte on June 15, 2003, 11:37:30 AM
Post by: Grey Ninja on June 15, 2003, 12:55:39 PM
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Originally posted by: Don'tHate742
Well i'm assuming you got the GBA right when it came out right? I'm also assuming you play 10+ hours a week. What is that 4 years ago since it first hit stores? How much money have you spent on batteries? Probably more then the GBA you use the for. For me batteries are a hassle.
Poll?
Actually, I bought a GBA on the day that I heard that Square was coming back.
I wanted my Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, and my Chrono Trigger Advance. I must say that Pokemon, Advance Wars, and Golden Sun were big incentives as well though.As for gameplay, I don't play my GBA often, but when I do, I usually like to play for extended periods of time. I think I have probably gone through about 10-15 packages of $1.50 batteries though. (4 packs)
Post by: Blackfire on June 15, 2003, 04:20:02 PM
Post by: PIAC on June 15, 2003, 05:49:07 PM
Post by: ActorJ on June 15, 2003, 10:17:11 PM
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Originally posted by: mouse_clicker
I don't know what you're smoking, Actor (at least you explained yourself after your first post), but the SP's buttons are identical to the GBA's in terms of position- I've never had a problem with the positioning of either the GBA or the SP's face buttons. You must have some abnormal hands or something. The buttons themselves completely throw me off when I press them- a friend of mine was stuck in Venus Lighthouse in Golden Sun and asked me to help him. After playing some 10 minutes I gave up- I couldn't stand the face buttons at *all*- they depress so strangely it breaks my concentration. And if ANYTHING is crampd, it's the damned square design of the SP- the GBA contours to my hands perfectly, as it does all my friends. The SP feels like holding an NES controller- since when has straight sides and right angles been ergonomic? The shoulder buttons are the worst- when I was playing Golden Sun for my friend, I didn't even touch the should buttons because I had no idea where they where. Later on, when I was playing Metroid Fusion on my friend's GBA, did I finally flip over the unit to discover where exactly Nintendo had hidden them. Since then I've had to consciously put my fingers on the shoulder buttons, and they constantly slip off. On the GBA, they're exactly where my index fingers naturally rest. And I love the click of the shoulder buttons on the GBA- how do they feel spongy? At least I know when I hit them.
I guess you're just goofy. 99% of the population disagrees with your bizzarre assesmsent.
Post by: aoi tsuki on June 16, 2003, 12:16:09 AM
The SP's overall better in all other respects, save the stupid lack of a headphone jack. i could easily say the backlight, rechargeable battery, and clamshell design make the SP a much better buy, but not everyone has a problem with lighting, you can buy recharargeable batteries, and again some people like the design of the GBA over the SP, some not. It's all up to you.
Post by: AdvancedGamer on June 16, 2003, 02:42:49 AM
Post by: StRaNgE on June 16, 2003, 07:38:12 AM
the light alone makes all the difference in the world. plus it is so much easier to shove in with your cell or wallet and bring to work or a friends or whereever, persoanlly laying in bed at night in the dark rocks.
Post by: Nintega on June 16, 2003, 02:32:48 PM
Post by: mouse_clicker on June 17, 2003, 12:37:13 PM
Is that your rebuttal? A pointless figure you just made up? I thought we were going to be debating the finer and lesser points of both machines, but if you don't want to that's fine with me.
Post by: ssj4_android on June 17, 2003, 02:06:39 PM
Post by: ActorJ on June 17, 2003, 08:20:17 PM
Post by: Bartman3010 on June 18, 2003, 07:09:54 PM
Either that or people at my school are that dumb.
Post by: Smadte on June 19, 2003, 04:38:20 PM
Post by: WhoDey on June 22, 2003, 12:39:42 PM
Anyway, I traded the GBA for the SP and it's a world of difference. I can play on the couch, outside, on the back porch, in the kitchen, at the PC, laying in bed...it doesn't matter, I get the clean, crisp, bright screen every time. I've had it a couple months now and have no scratches on the screen because of the flip-down lid, another advantage. Personally, I don't play every day but I'll usually play 5 or 6 times a week. About every 2 weeks I'll have to recharge it.
As for the comfort, the face buttons are about the same to me as the GBA. The shoulder buttons are better though. With the GBA I had a hard time keeping my fingers on the buttons at all times when playing. Actually, I didn't because my hand would cramp up. Playing games like F-Zero was somewhat awkward. With the SP, my fingers naturally lay on them. Much easier. To the guy that said he couldn't find them....I have no idea how that is even possible.
Post by: ActorJ on June 24, 2003, 09:26:31 PM
If the only place you have seen an SP is under the bright flourescant lights at slob-mart then you certainly where not getting a clear picture of what the light is capable of, since you wouldnt need it under bright flourescant lights anyway.
Post by: CHEN on June 25, 2003, 01:42:48 PM
Post by: Odeix on June 27, 2003, 08:40:13 AM
Post by: Odeix on June 27, 2003, 08:41:50 AM
Post by: popkorn1 on July 07, 2003, 01:46:38 PM
SP ALL THE WAY! *hugs his SP*
Post by: thepoga on July 07, 2003, 03:56:29 PM
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Originally posted by: ssj4_android
I haven't actually used the SP much, but it seems like it wouldn't be very comfortable. I like the shape of the origional GBA. So you people are saying the GBASP is like the GCN controller? Really strange and uncomfortable at first, but you get used to it eventually? Also, I don't want to "waste" my money buying "something that I already have."
yeah i agree that it looks not very comfortable, but as i own one i think that it is more comfortable than the regular gba. u do get used to it and another reason why its much more comfortable is because u dont have to crane ur neck for a good lighting angle. yeah. i traded in my regualr gba so i didnt waste too much money.
Post by: GoldShadow1 on August 25, 2003, 01:01:21 PM
But anyway..
Personally, I prefer the SP because of the battery pack and the light. The light is amazing, try using it in pitch black sometime, the glow is surprisingly bright. Because of the battery, I never have to turn the light off (the difference is quite jarring). The clamshell design is nice as well, protecting the screen.
Yet I think I prefer the design of the original better as far as fitting my hands. I liked the wider controls and the curved design. Still, the SP wins overall.
I don't really like the shoulder buttons on either. In fact, I've never liked shoulder buttons, from the first time I saw them on SNES. They're just distracting to me. I would've much preferred Nintendo to use four face buttons SNES-style instead. Especially considering how little shoulder buttons are usually used compared to face buttons on other systems.
Post by: Johnny on August 25, 2003, 04:54:07 PM
Post by: PIAC on August 25, 2003, 04:57:55 PM
Post by: darknight06 on September 03, 2003, 11:39:31 AM
Post by: Griffin on September 03, 2003, 01:50:21 PM
