GBA SP vs afterburner: how do they compare?

Force · Apr 1, 2003

I was about to head out to the mall and pick up a GBA SP when I heard <a href="http://www.yourhappyplace.com" target="_blank">www.yourhappyplace.com</a> was selling afterburner modded GBAs cheaper than the SP. Now, considering I prefer the orignal GBA over the GBA SP in terms of comfort and the cheaper price, I want to order one from this site. However, someone told me over irc that the afterburner modded GBAs light the screen unevenly and the picture seems more blurry because of the way the afterburner installs. Can anyone help shed some light on the subject? Thanks,

Matt

Zeekade Zarathos · Apr 1, 2003

I would agree that the lighting the Afterburner provides isn't as good as it sounds, and the SP's is far superior.

I would get the SP just because you don't need batteries (it recharges itself = best idea EVAR for a handheld), but if it's uncomfortable for you then I would think comfort would take precedent over relatively minor quibbles.

One more thing: If you use headphones while you play, you need to buy an adaptor to use them with SP. I don't, so it wasn't a big deal, but I know people that won't buy it because of that.

<small>[ April 01, 2003, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: Zeekade Zarathos ]</small>

aria · Apr 1, 2003

I bought the SP.

I am in love.

Forget about the consoles, 2-d is alive and well and on my GameBoy GBA SP.

Best System since the DC.

Rade K · Apr 1, 2003

I can finally enjoy those castlevania games.

Fuck the afterburner. SP has it all.

Force · Apr 1, 2003

Bah. Looks like I'm just going to get an SP then. BTW, you'd think nintendo would release some official headphones with adapter built on the end special for the SP. Not that it's really a good idea or anything, but it's another way to milk the fans for cash.

Matt

Rade K · Apr 1, 2003

Force:
Bah. Looks like I'm just going to get an SP then. BTW, you'd think nintendo would release some official headphones with adapter built on the end special for the SP. Not that it's really a good idea or anything, but it's another way to milk the fans for cash.

Matt

Yep, these are on the way. I think you can find them on the Nintendo website. They are the kinds that loop around each individual ear...for compactness, I guess. I see no need for headphones myself, so the lack of a jack does not bother me.

Thing is, how do you pronounce AdvanceSP? Advancessspeee?

KaedesBlade · Apr 1, 2003

I have both the afterburner and the SP. The Afterburner light is a bit brighter. I don't like the SP's buttons, its hard to play fighting games.

Here's a pic of my systems:

<img src="http://www.imgmag.net/images/kaedesblade/gameboy.jpg" alt=" - " />

<small>[ April 01, 2003, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: KaedesBlade ]</small>

snkneogeousaCTH · Apr 1, 2003

I've been reading ALOT of BAD reports w/ the SP collecting tons of dust on the screen...apparently it's design isn't dust tight annoyed

Force · Apr 1, 2003

KaedesBlade:
I have both the afterburner and the SP. The Afterburner light is a bit brighter. I don't like the SP's buttons, its hard to play fighting games.

Here's a pic of my systems:

<img src="http://www.imgmag.net/images/kaedesblade/gameboy.jpg" alt=" - " />

Wow. after this post I am again reconsidering buying an SP and going for a afterburner modded GBA. Thanks for the input.

Matt

BIG · Apr 1, 2003

The GBA SP is nice,but I'd have to go with the original GBA,because the SP is way too small for adult-sized hands,making it very hard to play.The GBA with Afterburner would be a better choice for gaming purposes.I do like the fact that you never need to buy batteries for the SP,though.

mog · Apr 1, 2003

The Afterburner is a piece of shit. The light is bright as hell, even with the anti glare bullshit. It mutes the fuck out of the colours between the anti glare screen and the shitty glaring bright light. It also has the trapezoid effect which makes it look even worse.

Remember: Platinum SP is far superior, because it isn't shitty.

EMAGDNIM · Apr 1, 2003

I have a friend who has the afterburner...I find it washes out a lot of the colour...but it's REALLY bright...

I would recomend getting the GBA SP...

dullbuoy · Apr 1, 2003

Force:

KaedesBlade:
I have both the afterburner and the SP. The Afterburner light is a bit brighter. I don't like the SP's buttons, its hard to play fighting games.

Here's a pic of my systems:

<img src="http://www.imgmag.net/images/kaedesblade/gameboy.jpg" alt=" - " />

Click to expand...

Wow. after this post I am again reconsidering buying an SP and going for a afterburner modded GBA. Thanks for the input.

Matt

i just got the SP over the weekend, and if those pics are any indication of brightness, the afterburner would be like a high beam spotlight while the SP is regular lighting.

Nesagwa · Apr 1, 2003

Just go for the better solution to the whole backlighted gameboy problem. Wait a few months and get the GBA Player.

Igniz · Apr 1, 2003

GBA SP has the most screwed up joypad ever , it's like , dented in. I couldn't even do a summoning in Castlevania with it.

IoriYagami n8 · Apr 2, 2003

My SP has me in love with GBA Games all over again. Now that I can actually see the game, I think Castlevania: CotM is better then HoD. It feels more like an older Castlevania game, where as HoD just feels like Symphony of the Night toned down a notch. The rechargable battery is like a dream, it charges right next to my PDA. And yes some dust has gotten on the screen from time to time, but it doesn't stick well, a soft cloth gentally bushing over the screen cleans it good as new easily, dust is about all you worry about as well. When playing fighting games your fingers won't slip from the dpad and get marks on the screen, and with the fold up design, its automatically scratch guarded for the road. The buttons are a bit more clicky, which is actually a good thing when you get use to it. At first I couldn't play Street Fighter Alpha 3 or Turbo 2 for crap, but after a little while I managed to get use to the Dpad easily. You can feel each direction click as you move the pad around. The buttons aren't really worse, but they are different,and take some getting use to. If you have the money, get the SP.

Wolf · Apr 2, 2003

mog:
The Afterburner is a piece of shit. The light is bright as hell, even with the anti glare bullshit. It mutes the fuck out of the colours between the anti glare screen and the shitty glaring bright light. It also has the trapezoid effect which makes it look even worse.

Remember: Platinum SP is far superior, because it isn't shitty.

Hey now, I'm quite happy with my afterburner. The light is not too bright if you simply use the potentiometer that comes with the kit.

KaedesBlade · Apr 2, 2003

dullbuoy:
i just got the SP over the weekend, and if those pics are any indication of brightness, the afterburner would be like a high beam spotlight while the SP is regular lighting.

My afterburner has the Digital Dimmer. By holding down the select button and using the L+R shoulder buttons, you can switch between 8 levels of brightness, include light "off".

aria · Apr 2, 2003

I am 6 feet 1 inch tall, with relatively large hands and I am able to use the GBA SP controls with no problem.

It reminds my of the good old original GB.

My screen is perfect, I bought it from Target last Saturday. No problems whatsoever.

mog · Apr 2, 2003

Wolf:

mog:
The Afterburner is a piece of shit. The light is bright as hell, even with the anti glare bullshit. It mutes the fuck out of the colours between the anti glare screen and the shitty glaring bright light. It also has the trapezoid effect which makes it look even worse.

Remember: Platinum SP is far superior, because it isn't shitty.

Click to expand...

Hey now, I'm quite happy with my afterburner. The light is not too bright if you simply use the potentiometer that comes with the kit.

One of the coolest things about the GBA is the great colour. *thumbs down*

Hinge · Apr 2, 2003

Bobak:
I am 6 feet 1 inch tall, with relatively large hands and I am able to use the GBA SP controls with no problem.

It reminds my of the good old original GB.

My screen is perfect, I bought it from Target last Saturday. No problems whatsoever.

Mine's perfect as well, got it from WalMart. No dust or dead pixels.

I never liked shoulder buttons on the GBA, it'd be much better off with 4 face buttons. It's easier for me to hit the ones on the SP though.

Plus, platinum SPs are damn sharp looking.

Neo Man · Apr 3, 2003

Igniz:
GBA SP has the most screwed up joypad ever , it's like , dented in. I couldn't even do a summoning in Castlevania with it.

IGNIZ please don't use my Avatar,

This is my custom Avatar I personally gone through the trouble to make.

MilkManX · Apr 3, 2003

At first I didnt like the SP pad but as i got use to it I find it far superior to the original Advance. Plus the lighting may not be as bright but the games look better due to the color not being so washed out.

GBA SP vs afterburner: how do they compare?

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