Nintendo Game Boy Advance Jasco Special Edition Glacier Handheld System

I loved the Gameboy Advance I had when I was a kid growing up in the 90s, and I was crestfallen when my neighbor accidentally broke it. Now, more than a decade later, I got a chance to get another one pretty cheap here on ebay! For ten bucks, I was extremely satisfied and the system was even better than I had remembered. Though it's true that the GBA isn't back-lit and doesn't really hold a candle to the graphics and functionality of such portable gaming systems as the PSP, it's integrity still remains wholly intact.
The screen, a step up in size from its predecessors, is a large part of the "special" features of the GBA, and its resolution is more than adequate in regards to the functionality and playability of the system as a whole. I love reliving my classic gaming conquests on this thing, and it really brings back memories of a much simpler, less chaotic time. Other than the sentimentality factor, however, I would assume it would be obvious to note that any games played on this system are bound to be a bit dated, so if you're looking for the "latest and greatest" technological marvel, this one probably isn't for you. But if you're like me, and you enjoy such classic titles as Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, etc, than I highly recommend that you invest in one of these beauties...unless the backlighting is an issue for you, in which case I might recommend the more current version of the GBA. However, the original GBA does have the advantage of being able to use a card-reader, so you'll have to weigh the pros and cons if that's a big tie-breaker for you.

Overall, though, the GBA is quite simply, if nothing else, a reminder of how much fun good 'ol cartidge games can be.

The ONLY reason this didnt get 5/5 was because there was no backlight. I mean. Hello? Nintendo? When you were testing these things were you outside in broad day light or what? Most of us play in the convience of our home or our cars which have not that good of light. So really the only way you can see your screen is to go outside in broad daylight, or shine a light on your screen.. which creates a horrible glare.

Everything else about this system is BEAUTIFUL. They added L and R. The screen is big. There's a HUUUGE library of games for it. It's backwards compatable with GBC and GB games! This is cool!

The graphics are a LOT better. They are rich and colorfull. They have shading.. The sound is a lot better. There are even voices in some games.

There's not really much else you can say about it.. besides it rocks.

Here's a MINI list of some of the games I've had a good experience with: (There's too many to list ALL of them! XP)

Pokemon Ruby + Sapphire + Emerald
Hamtaro: Ham Ham Heartbreak
Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Not yet released in US)
Hamtaro: Ham Ham Games
Kirby Nightmare in Dreamland
Kirby + The Amazing Mirror
Zelda: Minish Cap
Naruto Games (Not in US yet)
Sonic Advanced 1,2,3
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
Mother 1+2 (Not released in US =((((((()
Pokemon Pinball R/S

-Cait-

I already have an Original (4 AA Batteries) Game Boy, a Game Boy Pocket, and a Game Boy Advance SP. I really didn't need or want a Game Boy Advance. I went to a thrift shop a few hours ago and saw a Game Boy Advance Glacier for $9.99. It was in excellent condition but was missing the battery cover. This unit was sold with a "The Legend Of Zelda Oracle of Seasons" Game Boy Color game. They were having a half-price sale so I got the Game Boy Advance AND Zelda game for only $4.99!! I came home and placed two AA batteries into the Game Boy and turned it on... it fired right up but the screen was really dark!! My first thought... "Oh this sucks!! It's broken!! No wonder it was donated to the thrift shop!!" I was looking for a glacier battery cover for this item when I came across all of your reviews about the Game Boy Advance and read that these units ARE NOT backlighted and the screens are supossed to be dark!! (Guess I'll stick to playing my Game Boy Advance SP.) I can't complain too much being that I still got a really good deal. I'm not out any money because the Zelda game was already worth the $4.99 that I paid. The only problem now is that it'll cost me more to replace the missing battery cover than what the whole unit + game cost me to begin with!! Happy gaming folks!!
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UPDATE: (07/28/07) Obtained a OEM Glacier colored battery cover to replace the one that was missing on the unit. Other than the non-backlit screen, everything is fine now!!
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One good reason to get a Game Boy Advance is for the Nintendo e-reader add-on device. If I'm not mistaken, the only way that you can use the e-reader is either with the Game Boy Player for the Nintendo Game Cube OR the Game Boy Advance. Even though the Game Boy Advance SP is newer, the e-reader will NOT work with it.

The whole idea of having a portable game system is great. However, the fact that there is no light source is really disappointing. I am a 37 y/o mom who purchased a Gameboy Advance SP model for my son and decided to try the regular Advance model for my 4 y/o daughter (to save a little cash). That was a big mistake. She hardly ever touched it because she couldn't see the game. I tried all of the lights that are out there, the worm light, the xeon light, etc...none of them lit up the screen without being intrusive and casting a terrible glare on the screen. If you can just hold out a little longer, save the extra money and get the SP model AGS 101. You can even get the SP model AGS 001 here on ebay (used) for just a little more than the regular advance system. The 001 has a backlight built in that you can turn on-which my daughter leaves on at all times-otherwise the screen looks just like the regular advance screen. The 101 (which is what is in the stores now) has a backlit screen at all times and you can push a button to make it even brighter if you so choose.

If you are a mom/dad who may want to get that younger sibling a game system so they leave big brother or sister's alone, heed my advice and skip on the Advance system-get the SP instead.

Love this game system. The only draw back is the screen can be dark in lower light, but if you get a worm light that is solved. My eight year old son has had a lot of fun with this. It is easy to carry and use. He just loves it. I am still able to find used games easily. Great first time game for younger ones. The lap top styles have too many draw backs for the younger ones like the hinges between the top and bottom falling apart. These new style game systems are more adult oriented. I wish Nintendo would bring this one back with a new brighter screen for it is very comfortable to use and hold.