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20080730.144615
i added amazon context links... just because i can... if they're not too obtrusive... i'll leave them
20080114.231544
enabled mod_deflate on andromeda. the site is now seeing an estimated 80% reduction in overall size for clients to download
20080109.022443
added an rss 2.0 feed for the news at http://www.subnova.com/news/rss/. it will show the 14 most recent posts
20070823.031056
updated cq calculations so that if a member doesn't login to the website in the past 77 days, the contribution points start vanishing in a hurry... tanking the irank
20070823.024814
removed the referral ads from the bottom of the main content area
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Nintendo sent me one of their new Game Boy Advanced SP units to test out and I can say the result is fantastic.
The last Game Boy I had was the old huge clunker that came out in the early 90s. I had missed the Game Boy Color (and Virtual Boy) and I wasn't sure about the Game Boy Advance. I'm glad I held off, the SP is exactly what handhelds need to be.
The unit its self is very small. Here I've placed an Oreo beside it to show you the size. I've seen cell phones bigger than this.
Its also light, the lithium battery really makes it weigh hardly nothing (a mere 5 ounces). The battery gives the unit tremendous playtime. Using the light you can play for 10 hours on a 3-hour charge, 18 hours if the light is off.
Yes, that is the key word, "light". Much like the "After Burner" kit, the SP comes with a backlit light. And it works; in pitch darkness you can see just fine. And in the bright daylight, turn the light off and the unit is as clear as day. This makes it perfect for anytime.
The SP is completely compatible with all the regular GBA items. It will hook up to the Game Cube just like the original unit. In fact it's almost the same as the original unit except in one place.
To use headphones, you will need an adaptor cable (currently available in Japan) to hook up headphone since the SP has no headphone jack. There is one speaker in the center between the D-Pad and the A and B buttons. The sound is very loud and full. In fact, it is much louder than the old original Game Boy.
Fans of the original GBA will find the new control layout a bit odd. The ergonomics of the original GBA are gone for a sleek looking PDA/Cell phone look. If you have big hands like mine and are more accustomed to the original Xbox controller you will find it a bit cumbersome. Fortunately, it doesn't take too much precise aiming to hit the shoulder buttons. Any complaint about the shape will quickly be forgotten when you realize how small and light this is.
The games this small SP unit can play look absolutely fantastic, especially in the dark with the light on. I purchased the Zelda game (to gear up for the new Zelda game coming out) and even though I own this for the SNES, I had to get it (Metroid will be next so I can try out the Fusion attachment with Prime). I had not gotten to really observe a GBA game up close, I had only seen Mario remakes in stores, so when I looked at the intro for Four Swords, I was blown away. The GBA can push some major colors and the animation is crisp and clean.
I highly recommend the GBA SP to anyone who is a fan of old school gaming. You'll get the classic side-scroller games only with the now modern ability to tell a story and set up visual moments. And not having to buy another battery again, that is reason to buy this alone.
I'm not sure if Nintendo plans on selling backup batteries, as you need a screwdriver to replace it, but I hope it won't be needed. The only fear with the Lithium battery is the battery memory problem that plagued early cell phones. Hopefully all those problems are worked out, but I have had no problems with my SP (Sure I've only had it for a day now), but I'm jut amazed at the power that can come out of this little device.| Graphics | 8.0/10 |
| Sound | 7.0/10 |
| Story | NA/10 |
| Playability | 6.5/10 |
| Replay Value | 9.5/10 |
| Fun Factor | 10/10 |
| Overall | 8.2/10 |
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Slackers.
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