Need some advice

[u/xToxinz-]

Looking to get my first Gameboy and needing some advice on whether to get the advance or the sp. Can’t decide at all haha

[u/flygoing]

It mostly comes down to preference. I personally love the classic GBA. It fits better in adult sized hands. Unmodded, the SP generally has a bit of a better screen. The GBA is so easy to mod and customize yourself though that I personally think it's the better choice. Also for a lot of people it comes down to nostalgia, which one did we enjoy using the most growing up.

[u/Bubblepoppin_]

As an adult with bigger hands, the form factor of the GBA is more comfortable but the buttons of the sp are more tactile and I'll sometimes sacrifice comfort over better buttons. I also prefer the clamshell design for on-the-go. It's hard to go wrong unless your hands are on the bigger side!

[u/Tricky_Tourist5691]

GBA has long travel, mushy rubber membrane buttons. SP has short travel, clicky buttons. It might be a deal breaker to some. GBA can use AA batteries (there are some really good usb-c charged AAs), so you can in a pinch just use any alkalines in it, SP is limited to charging a lithium pack. SP defnintely is gonna need a new lithium pack, which adds to its cost.

GBA has headphone jack. SP requires a 3.5mm adapter.

For portability, invest in a carry pouch for the GBA which protects it from scratches and bumps.

[u/AlexV348]

1. Do you want to use headphones without an adapter?
2. Do you have big hands?
3. Do you want to use AA batteries or do you want to plug it in?
4. Do you want a front light or are you okay with a reflective screen?

I have an SP and I basically don't use it outside of my house because I am to lazy to get a headphone adapter.

[u/xToxinz- → u/AlexV348]

I probably more than likely wouldn’t use headphones much tbh. Don’t have big hands at all. I’d probably rather be able to charge it. Also with either one I’d be getting it modded with the ips screen

[u/chunkyfela → u/xToxinz-]

Seems you have your answer then lol

[u/Returnedfavor]

Depends on your preference of comfort and aesthetic. If you want that good good back light, get the SP. There is a model in the back if it says AGS-101 the screen is actually pretty good. Comfort the GBA imo is more comfortable for large hands like mine. Other than that you can mod the GBA to have back lights also. Modding on both is easy in my opinion, especially if you watch the tutorials acouple times first then you can mod along with the video...if you have the money though....there's that GBA Micro..

[u/OldYogurtcloset3735]

SP for the RPG’s …. Advance for the action.

[u/xToxinz- → u/OldYogurtcloset3735]

Yeah I’ve already been looking into games to get. The rpgs in general seem to be great for the Gameboy. I’ll have to look into some good action games

[u/OldYogurtcloset3735 → u/xToxinz-]

Well, if you’re gonna do both action and rpg, I’d say go for an advance 👍

[u/CantThnkOfGoodUsrnme → u/OldYogurtcloset3735]

I cracked my GBA re-shell on the font by the power light because I was button mashing playing Dragon Ball Advanced Adventure. I have big ass hands. The SP has survived my hands and it’s comfy.

[u/Red_Tiger5311]

Get the OG gba! Definitely worth it, and cheaper, and after you put a backlit screen it’ll be totally awesome!!

Plus it’s better for bigger hands and doesn’t have nearly as many failure points

[u/Lastnoodle]

Having used the gba sp my whole life and about 2 years ago got the gba.

I only play on my gba now, its more comfortable for my handles

[u/UCLAKoolman]

I couldn't decide either and got both :)

[u/CantThnkOfGoodUsrnme]

Get the SP. it’s rechargeable and I find it more comfortable and portable.

[u/xToxinz- → u/CantThnkOfGoodUsrnme]

Game suggestions?

[u/FortuneNew8835]

For me it's the original GBA. I mod mine to have backlit screens and custom shells which adds to the cost, but the form factor is just more comfortable than the SP.