Now let's get to the point of the thread, people going back to the GBA would probably want to, at least when they are first getting it or returning to it, would want to know which GBA model a person should get that works with games the best, has the durability, the battery life, the sexy looks roarr like a tiger, or other things in other sections. So let's start with the first GBA model simple known as the Gameboy Advance. First off, you can pretty much say the GBA is as long as a Gameboy color would be sideways more or less. It is probably the most improved jump in the Gaemboy line going for a 32-bit processor (although not as clear as 32-bit consoles, and a lot of games seem a tad fuzzy or blurry.) Like the Gameboy Pocket and Gameboy Color the GBA only uses 2 AA batteries, which can be around 18 hours of gameplay depending mostly on the volume or if you are playing a Video GBA cart. These carts have not been seen before or since, when they shove TV shows on a cart (which often has lower than average quality) which can take up some juice. The GBA looks a bit bland, which usually is associated with long lasting machines, however after a lot of testing I have found that the GBA cart slot where you input your games is the only real problem other than the battery pack, you will have if you were to damage the unit. the unit can take it pretty well though. With the Cart slot, some games may not run or some games may run but holding the unit a certain game might freeze the game often resulting in a buzzing sound. The screen is well protected, i would even go far as too say the most protected of all 3-4 GBA units. The shoulder buttons seem a bit, like they aren't really made to last, and may become a slight problem, but not as frequent as say the GBA models successor the DS. The start and Select buttons, which Select is still not a very frequently used feature, are on the left side. this part is mostly opinion with me actually disliking this. not because of of right handed or left handed issues, it's because they could have easily put it somewhere so it would be easier to reach with your thumbs. A slight problem with games were you want or have to use those buttons quickly. There's a nice change when the battery is low around the 30 minute mark. The green light powering the unit will change red, indicating low power. it will also dim the red light slightly as well as the end is near. Of the battery not your gameboy hahaha. THE GAMEBOY ADVANCE SP: This is the system which i believe is really the FINISHED Gameboy so to say. I also believe it sold more then the original, but i will hold that information until it is looked up. The first thing to compare is the screen and how it runs games and Videos. First off the SP can clock at a higher MHZ than the original GBA. While the SP displays less colors in character mode, the colors are more in depth. The screen also helps with the fuzz and blur problems enough that games would look more appealing. The GBA SP has a Front Light. There's a button that turns the light on or off. Which means you have more gameplay options than the original gameboy and the SP takes the lead of a previous couple consoles that had back lit screens. With the Back light on you still get around 12 hours of gameplay and maybe a few hours less with videos. However, with the light off, you have more battery life than the original GBA. On the subject of battery life, the SP does not use AA batteries, in fact, it uses a rechargeable battery. Around an hour and a half, and in some cases more, are needed for a full charge. This can be taken either way. The SP design is like a Laptop, you can close it shut for better portability, and can open it for gameplay. The buttons and shoulders are designed well although they are a bit crammed together.. Other facts include the fact that they moved the Star and Select buttons to the bottom of the of the unit, as well as the cart slot. Problems compared to the original GBA include that the model is more scratch enabled. The black color model is the only real recourse from this. The screen itself is actually very easy to crack from the inside. The outside screen is fine, but the area where they actually show the game or video? That can break pretty easy. There is an adapter for the headphones. There is not a direct slot to place you earphones. This can be a tad annoying, especially since you will need to recharge your unit, and the unit uses that slot for the headphone adaptor as well. The SP is still able to play the full BC of older Gameboy titles like the original GBA, however, it does play them better. The sound seems to sound louder when plugged into the charger as wel. GAMEBOY ADVANCE SP BACK: There is another model of the SP that has a BACK LIGHT. With the power button changing. Instead of turning the light off or on, it only turns it on "low" or "High". Offering a brighter screen for gameplay. However regardless of the setting the battery does indeed last LESS than both settings on the original SP model. otherwise, they are virtually identical However, back-lite screens do have the advantage for seeing in bright areas. GAMEBOY ADVANCE MICRO: The Micro is the smallest and sexiest, roarrr, GBA model. The first thing to note is that the MICRO DOES NOT HAVE BC. You cannot play Gameboy color or Gameboy games on it unlike the other 3 models. A lot of add-ons, such as the E-reader, and some Action replay units, and much more, are not able to be used on the unit either. But let's get more toward the good. The unit had a back-lite screen, however you can adjust the settings under certain conditions making this the most light flexible model available. It is a very compact design, and everything is spaced out fine. The Start and Select are tucked toward the bottom of the unit. Which is also where the Card slot is. You can customize the skin on your GBA Micro since it can be removed and replaced with new ones. Even your own! Although there are skins to put over your SP, and some on the SP actually do help prevent damage after dropping, or throwing, or any other action. The MICRO also has the same resolution as the other GBA units. The Micro unlike the SP comes with a Headphone slot. So it does not have that issue. But i do have a few problems with this unit. This may not be the complete list but here are the things that I noticed that may irritate users and don't work with the GBA MICRO: -You cannot play GB or GBC games. -You cannot use any link cables. So I am assuming MP gaming is completely out of the question. This would mean for PKMN, a popular GBA game, would be useless if you actually enjoy the game for the trading features or if you want all pokemon. Single player will remain in tact. But not just PKMN, MP gaming in general in ANY GAME IS USELESS. Their might be a third-party add-on, but naturally, no MP. -You cannot use it with your Gamecube. This actually cuts down some GBA/Gamecube support as well. Although that is actually not as bad as it seems since the features involving the 2 were few and not really supported. -Ereader is useless. -There is something I forgot to mention before, the GBA units have this device that many people do not know about called the NINTENDO WIRELESS Cart. This device, which I only used a few times, I never found a full working model, i might start looking again, allows you to connect with other GBAs without Link cables. So you may be thinking MP is possible. Sadly, this is not true as this unit does not support it, which is why I keep making sure you know MP IS USELESS OUT THE BOX. There may be a third-party, but good luck finding it. However, later on they did release limited quantities of GBA MICRO exclusive link cables. But those are not easy to find. Just as hard to find as the third party. -The shoulder button are abysmal. -One particularly important, at least to me, about the MICRO unit is the fact it has around a 6 hour battery life yet they cut soo much out of it. it reminds me of the PSP GO in this respect. What where they thinking? If they were then why? WHY? NOW SOME GOOD THINGS ABOUT ALL MODELS FOR THE CONCLUSION: -All models have no region lock. -The face buttons on all models are very responsive with some SLIGHT differences that do not really affect gameplay. -They have all sold over a million units (MICRO DID NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS HOWEVER IF NOT MISTAKEN BUT STILL.) -Responsive Multiplayer cables. -Have some nice features to allow some semi-3D games. -Produce much better sound when compared to the GB and GBC which where just so badly inferior in sound to the other portables technically it wasn't even fair. -All are designed well enough to sustain damage. CONCLUSION: Well i thank you for stopping buy, but now it's time to reveal the winner, and the winner that legacy gamers should go for if they want a GBA, want to collect GBA's, or want to give or suggest someone to try the system, goes to the: FRONT-LITE GBA SP 
It's the best option and best GBA available. It has the best input speeds. A clear screen and color advantage toward the GBA and MICRO. A rechargeable battery unlike the GBA. A option to turn the Light off or on as opposed to always on with the MICRO and SP-BACK. Better shoulder buttons than MICRO and GBA. Better sound when charging then GBA AND MICRO. Face buttons are capital letters as opposed to the ones on the MICRO. MORE PORTABLE than GBA. More battery life then GBA and MICRO (with Micro, this still makes no sense to me. Sony where you looking at this when making the GO?) Has more gaming options then MICRO. Much more. It's the clear winner from what I have gathered. I hope this helped you choose the right GBA. Happy gaming! (C) Shockwave-DASH Notice: You can be sued in theory.
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