Game Boy Advance
- This article is about the handheld video game system. For other uses, seeGame Boy Advance (disambiguation).
| Game Boy Advance | |
|---|---|
 Official logo  The first model of the Game Boy Advance | |
| Generation | Sixth generation |
| Release dates | Game Boy Advance: March 21, 2001[1] June 2001[2] June 11, 2001[3] June 22, 2001[4] June 22, 2001[5] November 2002[6] June 8, 2004[?]Game Boy Advance SP: February 14, 2003[7] March 23, 2003[8] March 23, 2003[9] March 28, 2003[10] March 28, 2003[11] April 2, 2003[12] October 27, 2004[?]Game Boy Micro: September 13, 2005[13] September 17, 2005[14] November 3, 2005[15] November 4, 2005[14] December 20, 2005[16] March 23, 2006[?] |
| Discontinued | November 2008[?] October 16, 2009[?] December 9, 2009[?] 2009[?] |
| Predecessor | Game Boy Color |
| Successor | Nintendo DS |
- “Who are you?”
- —The Game Boy Advance slogan
TheGame Boy Advance (abbreviated asGBA and in internal names and serial codes asAGB) is a 32-bit handheld game system created byNintendo. It is the third and final system in the Game Boy series and is Nintendo's fifth handheld system. It has backwards compatibility withGame Boy andGame Boy Color games (making it the only Nintendo console to be backwards compatible with more than one system) and its accessories but no support for the GBC's IR Communication. The palette options are exactly the same as they are on the Game Boy Color. The Game Boy Advance line has sold 81.5 million units worldwide, according to Nintendo, and it was discontinued in 2008. The console's button configuration inherits the
,
,
, and
buttons as well as
from the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color, but it introduces two additional buttons: the
and
buttons. Unlikeits successor, the standard Game Boy Advance does not have a backlit screen, so the player cannot see the screen in the dark without the use of external devices. The standard Game Boy Advance is the last handheld to require two AAs. Conversely, it was Nintendo's first handheld and first system to be distributed in South Korea byDaewon Media rather thanHyundai Electronics (who previously released theNintendo Entertainment System,Super Nintendo Entertainment System,Nintendo 64, and Game Boy as the Comboy line of products). Daewon would also handle the South Korean releases of theNintendo GameCube (of which it was the handheld counterpart) andNintendo DS.[17]
Models[edit]
Game Boy Advance SP[edit]
TheGame Boy Advance SP (Game Boy Advance Special) is an upgraded model first released in 2003. The serial code was AGS-001. It featured a new design, with a clamshell style and frontlit screen. It also came with a rechargeable battery for the first time. Although it lacks a headphone jack, official or third-party adapters can be inserted into the charging port to use headphones. In 2005, Nintendo also released upgraded backlit versions colored Pearl Blue and Pearl Pink. This upgraded backlit model had the serial code AGS-101, unlike the former Game Boy Advance SP. The Game Boy Advance SP sold 43.55 million units worldwide. This system also had backwards compatibility with the Game Boy and the Game Boy Color while the palette options found on the Game Boy Color can be used on original Game Boy games. There is a special version of the SP that looked like a Nintendo Entertainment System. It was also the last handheld to have backwards compatibility with the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. The Game Boy Advance SP was discontinued in 2008.
Game Boy Player[edit]
- Main article:Game Boy Player
TheGame Boy Player was an add-on accessory for theNintendo GameCube which allowed players to play Game Boy Advance games on their televisions and thus functioned similarly to theSuper Game Boy. It also has backwards compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games and the palette options are still the same as they are on the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP. A few games had a rumble feature which took effect only when they were played with a standard GameCube controller.
Game Boy Micro[edit]
TheGame Boy Micro is the third design of the GBA that was first released in 2005. At a size of only 10 cm (4 inches) wide, two inches tall, less than an inch deep, and a weight of 79 grams (2.8 ounces), it is smaller than any other system in the Game Boy line, about the size of aNES controller. Its screen is slightly smaller than that of the GBA and SP, but it maintains the same resolution. Unlike its predecessors, it is not backwards-compatible with the Game Boy or the Game Boy Color. It came with an adjustable backlight for playing in the dark, and players could buy plastic "skins" in addition to those with which it was packaged in order to change the Game Boy Micro's appearance. A 20th anniversary edition was released to honor the anniversary of the NES. The Game Boy Micro did not sell well, having only sold 2.42 million units worldwide in contrast to the Game Boy Advance SP having sold 34.32 million units worldwide as of mid-2005.
The Game Boy Micro would be the last Nintendo handheld not to have a clamshell design until theNintendo 2DS, released eight years later, as well as the final single-screen handheld produced by Nintendo until theNintendo Switch, released twelve years later.
In 2008, the Game Boy Micro was discontinued.[18]
Visteon Dockable Entertainment System[edit]
TheVisteon Dockable Entertainment System is a portable DVD player capable of playing Game Boy Advance games from a specialized cartridge slot. The product was a result of when Visteon partnered withNintendo to announce the product at CES 2006. The Visteon Dockable Entertainment System was sold at car dealerships, andSuper Mario content appeared in many of its promotions.
Controller
Mario playing a Visteon Dockable Entertainment System
Accessories[edit]
AC Adapter[edit]
To use AC power, the first model had a special adapter that goes over the battery compartment. This was obsoleted with the release of the Game Boy Advance SP and its rechargeable battery and AC adapter.
Game Link Cable[edit]
The Game Link Cable was the primary way to connect two to four Game Boy Advances, allowing them to communicate with each other. The purple connector establishes which device is P1, the gray connector establishes which device is P2, while the purple box in the middle of the cable's length allows for P3 and P4 to connect using additional Game Link Cables where only the purple connector fits. ManySuper Mario games support Single-Pak and Multi-Pak link modes, such as games from theSuper Mario Advance series where players can play a competitive four-wayMario Bros. game, even withMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its copy ofMario Bros., although not all games required each player to have a Game Pak. The Game Link Cable can also be used with ane-Reader, such as a primitive form of DLC forSuper Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 with the use ofcompatible cards. Although a single Game Link Cable cannot be used to link Game Boy titles, chaining the purple ends of two link cables into the boxes of each other and connecting the gray ends into the Game Boy Advance systems allows for multiplayer with Game Boy titles.
The extension port used to link two Game Boy Advances together is physically missing in theNintendo DS.
Wireless Adapter[edit]
This allows wireless communication between multiple Game Boy Advance units, only between compatible games including theClassic NES Series,Mario Golf: Advance Tour, andMario Tennis: Power Tour. One came bundled with each copy ofPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, excludingPlayer's Choice re-releases. If no cartridge is inserted (or + are held) during the BIOS boot sequence, special software will boot. This software works similarly to local game lobbies by finding and listing all lobbies within range, similarly to the successorNintendo DS.
Nintendo GameCube–Game Boy Advance Link Cable[edit]
This cable connects a Game Boy Advance to theNintendo GameCube. The kind of set up is the successor to theTransfer Pak of theNintendo 64. TheGame Boy Player is compatible with it, making the attached Game Boy Advance serve as a controller for the GameCube running in Game Boy Advance mode. Some games utilize data transfer between a GameCube and Game Boy Advance games, such as connecting gamesMario Golf: Advance Tour,Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, andNintendo Puzzle Collection.
e-Reader[edit]
- Main article:e-Reader
The e-Reader is an add-on device for the Game Boy Advance released in 2002. It can scan cards to add new features to Game Boy Advance games and had some classic games as well. However, in 2004, it was discontinued outside Japan due to poor sales.
Appearances in theSuper Mario franchise[edit]
Luigi's Mansion[edit]
InLuigi's Mansion, there is aBoo called "Game Boo" and another that asks if Luigi wants to play "GameBoo Advance."
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga[edit]
TheGame Boy Horror SP appears inMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga as an item given to Mario and Luigi byProfessor E. Gadd. It is a parody of the Game Boy Advance SP, and a reference to theGame Boy Horror fromLuigi's Mansion, which was modeled after theGame Boy Color. In addition,Bowletta sends messages to Beanbean Castle on original Game Boy Advance systems capable of projecting her image (purple the first time and orange the second time); the game's3DS remake replaces these withNintendo 3DS systems, which have the same function.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]
InPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, a Game Boy Advance is used as the terminal at theGlitz Pit, where Mario and his party set up their matches. In theNintendo Switchremake, the Game Boy Advance's startup sound plays when the terminal is interacted with. Additionally, Mario carries with him an e-mail device called the "Mailbox SP," which resembles a Game Boy Advance SP. An in-dialogue reference is made byPennington if Mario asks his opinion on whatBub wants for his birthday; theBumpty confidently assumes it is a Game Boy Advance, being "what young children his age crave above all things!" AToad inPetalburg says he has been playing a game calledFire Emblem on his GBA, a reference to another game series also developed byIntelligent Systems.
Wario Land 4[edit]
InWario Land 4, many images ofartwork appear in the game's ending credits. One of these images showsWario with boxes full of Game Boy Advance consoles.
Wario World[edit]
InWario World, thetreasure in the finaltreasure chest ofBeanstalk Way is a Game Boy Advance.
WarioWare series[edit]
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$![edit]
InWarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!, several Game Boy Advances represent the single player modes. InCard-e Cards, a Game Boy Advance with an e-Reader is utilized. InAll For One, scoring enough points shows a bonus ending that has an advertisement for a Game Boy Advance SP.
WarioWare: Twisted![edit]
InWarioWare: Twisted!, the Game Boy Advance makes an appearance at the beginning and end. In the intro cutscene,Wario plays on his Game Boy Advance, before taking it toDr. Crygor to fix it, and in the intro ofWario-Man's story, one of the many objects on the conveyor belt is a Game Boy Advance.
WarioWare: Touched![edit]
InWarioWare: Touched!, the Game Boy Advance makes various appearances. Both a Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP are stolen by Wario in the opening, a monitor shown duringMona's stage resembles a Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advances are thrown by the audience atVanessa when she tries to disguise herself asMona, and a Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP appear in9-Volt's intro cutscene. The microgamePushing Buttons contains a Game Boy Advance and a Game Boy Advance SP andGold Digger features a pink Game Boy Advance.
WarioWare Gold[edit]
The Game Boy Advance is asouvenir in the Nintendo collection inWarioWare Gold.
Super Mario games[edit]
2001[edit]
2002[edit]
2003[edit]
- WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
- Donkey Kong Country
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
2004[edit]
- Mario Golf: Advance Tour
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Country 2
- Densetsu no Starfy 3
- Mario Pinball Land
- WarioWare: Twisted!
- Yoshi Topsy-Turvy
2005[edit]
- Mario Party Advance
- DK: King of Swing
- Dr. Mario & Puzzle League
- Mario Tennis: Power Tour
- Donkey Kong Country 3
Galleries[edit]
System gallery[edit]
Game Boy Advance logo (black)
Japanese logo
Different colors of the Game Boy Advance
GBA connected to theGameCube
GBA and GameCube controller connected to the GameCube
An indigo GBA
ASuper Mario-themed GBA
A Cobalt Blue Game Boy Advance SP
An Ice Blue Game Boy Advance SP
ASuper Mario-themediQue GBA SP released as part of theSuper Mario 20th anniversary
Diddy and Dixie playing a Game Boy Advance SP
Startup screen of the GBA. If no game is inserted, the "Nintendo" text will not appear.
European bundle, withSuper Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 included
Game Boy Advance SPFamicom color version box art (Japanese)
Game Boy Advance SP Famicom color version for the "Hot Mario!" campaign with a copy ofSuper Mario Bros.
Game Boy Micro Famicom version box art (Japanese)
Game Boy Micro Famicom version back (Japanese)
The front of the box of the Mario Edition version of the Game Boy Advance SP (British)
Game gallery[edit]
Multimedia[edit]
 GBA startup screen theme | File info |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ゲームボーイアドバンス[19] Gēmu Bōi Adobansu | Game Boy Advance |
References[edit]
 | The Cutting Room Floor has an article onGame Boy Advance. |
 | Wikipedia has an article onGame Boy Advance. |
| Wikipedia has an article onGame Boy Advance SP. |
| Wikipedia has an article onGame Boy Micro. |
| Wikipedia has an article onVisteon Dockable Entertainment System. |
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- ^Dailygame co, Ltd. (Apr 17, 2001).대원씨아이, 닌텐도 게임보이 어드밴스 수입.데일리e스포츠 (Korean). Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^Lauren Fielder (May 16, 2001).E3 2001: Nintendo unleashes GameCube software, a new Miyamoto game, and more.GameSpot (English). Retrieved June 8, 2024. (Archived April 2, 2015, 01:34:57 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^Tom Bramwell (March 21, 2001).GBA Day: June 22nd.Eurogamer (English). Retrieved June 8, 2024. (Archived July 27, 2014, 22:15:00 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^@NintendoAUNZ (June 22, 2021).On this day 20 years ago, the Game Boy Advance was released in Australia and New Zealand. What's your favourite memory of this handheld console?.X (Australian English). Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^Rogers, Joshua Alexander (April 16, 2020).Video Games around the World.LinkedIn. Retrieved March 23, 2024. (Archived June 1, 2021, 09:26:53 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^Wiley, M. (January 6, 2003).Game Boy Advance SP.IGN. Retrieved December 19, 2024. (Archived June 18, 2013, 01:28:30 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review.CNET. Retrieved December 19, 2024. (Archived November 2, 2012 via Wayback Machine.)
- ^Bienvenidos a Nintendo en México.Nintendo of Mexico (Mexican Spanish). Archived April 1, 2003, 06:20:06 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^March 7, 2003.N-Europe News: GBA SP Press Release.Ashley Jones. Retrieved December 19, 2024. (Archived February 6, 2010 via archive.today[deprecated link].)
- ^January 7, 2003.A SLICK NEW ADDITION TO THE GAME BOY® BRAND IS ANNOUNCED.Nintendo of Australia (Australian English). Archived April 1, 2003, 23:03:11 UTC from theoriginal via Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^국, 순신 (Apr 1, 2003).닌텐도 게임보이 어드밴스SP 국내 출시.아이뉴스24. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ゲームボーイミクロ.Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japanese). Retrieved January 13, 2026. (Archived February 7, 2006, 02:21:34 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^abCraig Harris (August 17, 2005).Game Boy Micro Date and Price Revealed.IGN (American English). (Archived October 25, 2012, 15:20:56 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^August 18, 2005.GAME BOY MICRO TO BE RELEASED IN NOVEMBER.Nintendo of Australia (Australian English). Archived August 25, 2005, 19:24:38 UTC from theoriginal via Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^박, 진호 (December 14, 2005).대원씨아이, 게임보이 마이크로 20일 국내 발매.게임메카 (Korean). Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^Gamecube : Korean Master-List !.Scanlines16.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^Vega, Nick (March 13, 2017).A look back at the Game Boy Micro, the Nintendo console that time forgot.Business Insider. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ゲームボーイアドバンスソフト.Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japanese). Retrieved January 22, 2025.
