Pokémon Emerald GBA SP coming to Japan

TOKYO--To celebrate the upcoming Game Boy Advance game Pokémon Emerald, Nintendo will release a green limited-edition GBA SP in Japan. A silhouette of the Pokémon Rayquaza will be emblazoned on the flip-top cover and on the right bottom side of the controller panel. The device will match the game's packaging, which also features Rayquaza on its cover.

At 12,500 yen ($115), the limited-edition device will cost the same as any ordinary GBA SP, but it will be available only through Nintendo's online Pokémon store, Pokémon Center Online. The site will be taking preorders from August 16 until September 10 or earlier if supplies run out. The Pokémon Emerald GBA SP will be shipped in the middle of September.

Pokémon Emerald for the GBA will be hitting Japanese stores on September 16 at the retail price of 4,800 yen ($44). The game comes included with the wireless adapter for the GBA, which separately costs 2,000 yen ($18). In this latest installment in the Pokémon series, the heroes, now dressed in smart green outfits, are once again up against the diabolical plans of Team Aqua and Team Magma, the villains of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.

Nintendo has not announced any plans to release the game nor the special-edition device in the US.