A handheld electronic gaming console with a colour LCD screen, 32-bit graphics and built-in stereo speakers. Plays existing Game Boy games with an optional 4-way gameplay mode. Battery operated.

Nintendo unveiled the GameBoy Advance on August 24th 2000 at Spaceworld in Tokyo, Japan after talks of the console going back to a year before. It was released to the public on March 21st 2001 for a price of 9800 yen. Nintendo felt it was time to upgrade the capabilities of their GameBoy console after over a decade on the market and many changes in appearance, size and a colour screen (GameBoy Color).

The GameBoy Advance is what Nintendo wanted to achieve with Project Atlantis (a 32-bit colour handheld that was backwards compatible). It is almost the exact same size as the GameBoy Color, but held lengthwise with the buttons at the sides and the screen in the middle. It features all the same buttons as the other GameBoys except for two extras on top (shoulder buttons). The screen is wider and larger than the normal GameBoy screen. GameBoy Advance is fully backwards compatible with GameBoy and GameBoy Color games which means you have access to a huge library of titles. GameBoy Advance take cartridges which are about half the size of normal GameBoy carts.

The GameBoy Advance can be attached to the Nintendo GameCube and games will interface between the two consoles.

Although it is 32-bit, there is no 3D processor, so games will be mostly 2D (they look similar to Sega 32X games). There is also no backlit screen as these use up batteries quickly, however, make the screen bright and easier to see.

Features

CPU: 16 MHz 32-bit RISC-CPU + 8-bit CISC-CPU
Memory: 32KB WRAM + 96KB VRAM + 256KB WRAM
Screen: Reflective TFT Colour LCD
Screen Size: 40.8 mm x 61.2 mm
Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
Display Ability: 32 000 colours
Sound: Mono speakers, stereo headphones
Multiplayer Options: Up to four GBAs, up to two GB/GBCs
Power: Two AA batteries, or battery pak
Battery life: 15 hours for batteries, 10 hours for battery pack
Dimensions: 82 mm x 144.5 mm x 24.5 mm