Game Boy Advance

A 32-bit Nintendo cartridge handheld with a color screen, shoulder buttons and several hardware designs, including the original GBA, SP and micro.

Type: Handheld
Platform company: Nintendo
Launch date: Mar 21, 2001
Official website: www.nintendo.co.jp

Collected games: 584

www.nintendo.co.jp

Overview

What this platform is

Game Boy Advance launched first in Japan on March 21, 2001. This cartridge handheld continued the Game Boy tradition with a color screen and a broader range of portable action, role-playing and strategy games. The original horizontal model was followed by the folding SP and smaller Game Boy micro.

Key features

A 32-bit processor and shoulder buttons expand the platform’s possibilities. The original model has a 2.9-inch screen. Compatible games support multiplayer through a dedicated link cable, sometimes sharing limited play from one cartridge. Original GBA hardware also runs most Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges.

What to know before playing

Check the exact model: screen lighting, batteries, headphone connections and accessory ports vary. The original lacks built-in screen lighting, SP models use rechargeable batteries, and micro does not support older Game Boy or Color cartridges. Multiplayer requires the correct game and communication equipment. Language options and save methods depend on the cartridge.