Game Boy Advance - The Stage Is Set - TV Commercial - 2001
Game Boy Advance System Release Date: June 11, 2001 (North America) Manufacturer: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Type: Handheld game console Generation: Sixth generation (Game Boy Advance) Media: Cartridge Controller: Built-in D-pad, A/B buttons, L/R shoulder buttons, Start/Select Storage: None (games save to cartridge SRAM, battery-backed) Gameplay: Purpose: The Game Boy Advance (GBA) is Nintendo’s successor to the Game Boy Color, offering 32-bit processing, enhanced graphics, and backward compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. It targets portable gaming with a focus on vibrant 2D and pseudo-3D visuals, competing with devices like the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Features: Supports 500+ GBA games, such as Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Metroid Fusion, plus 1500+ Game Boy/Game Boy Color titles. Features a 2.9-inch reflective TFT LCD screen (240x160 pixels) with a 32,768-color palette (511 colors on-screen). Powered by a 16.8 MHz ARM7TDMI CPU with 32 KB RAM and 96 KB VRAM for GBA games (8.4 MHz for GB/GBC). Multiplayer via Game Link Cable (2–4 players, e.g., Mario Kart: Super Circuit) or Wireless Adapter (limited, e.g., Pokémon FireRed). No online play. Audio through stereo speakers or headphone jack, with improved sound over GBC. GBA games leverage shoulder buttons and larger cartridges (up to 32 MB) for complex titles like Golden Sun. Hardware: Horizontal design (144.5 x 82 x 24.5 mm, 140 g) powered by two AA batteries (15–20 hours). Colors include Glacier, Indigo, and Arctic, with special editions (e.g., Pokémon Center, Target Red). No backlit screen, requiring external light sources (addressed in GBA SP). Includes cartridge slot, link port, and durable build, though screen glare is an issue. Accessories like the e-Reader and GBA-to-GameCube link cable enable cross-platform features (e.g., Animal Crossing). Modes: Single-Player: Primary mode for GBA, GB, and GBC games Multiplayer: Local via Game Link Cable (2–4 players) or Wireless Adapter No Online: Local multiplayer only Key Features: Backward compatibility with 1500+ Game Boy and Game Boy Color games 500+ GBA titles, including Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Advance Wars, Fire Emblem 32-bit CPU for enhanced 2D graphics and pseudo-3D (e.g., F-Zero: Maximum Velocity) GameCube connectivity for select titles (e.g., The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures) Notable Games: Super Mario Advance, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Sound: Stereo speakers, richer audio than GBC, no music playback Accessories: e-Reader, Infrared Adapter, Play-Yan (Japan-only media player) Lifespan: 2001–2008; 81.51 million units sold globally (all GBA models) Marketing: Launch Price: $99.99 Promoted: Via E3 2001, Nintendo Power, and Super Mario Advance bundles Limited Edition: Variants like Pikachu, Mario vs. Donkey Kong bundles Add-Ons: Succeeded by GBA SP (2003), Nintendo DS (2004, backward compatible) Power up the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo’s 2001 handheld leap! Play Pokémon, Metroid, or 1500+ Game Boy classics on a vivid, non-backlit screen. Link up for Mario Kart races or connect to GameCube for Zelda adventures. With 32-bit power and a massive library, the GBA’s compact design and rich 2D visuals made it a portable legend. Game anywhere! Game Boy Advance games Nintendo DS evolution
