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How to distinguish Game Boy Advance SP AGS-001 from AGS-101?
Which Game Boy Advance console to buy?
How to distinguish Game Boy Advance SP AGS-001 from AGS-101?
In February 2003, Nintendo released a new version of the console called Game Boy Advance SP. This console had the model number AGS-001.
The developers wanted to make a console that would be a status item, not just a children's toy. To a greater extent, they were counting not on children, but on adults. In general, it turned out to be an excellent console with a front-lit screen and a folding form factor.
Read more about the history of the Game Boy Advance SP in the article: «History of the Game Boy Advance SP».
In September 2005, a new version of this console was released - Game Boy Advance SP AGS-101. Despite the same name, this console had a different model number AGS-101.
Its only difference was the change in the screen backlight from front to back. In fact, if you do not take into account the small resolution, this screen became exactly what we are used to seeing in modern devices.
The difference in the screens turned out to be huge.
Please note, on the left the backlight is also on, but it is more suitable for playing at night than during the day. You can see more about the screens in different lighting conditions and with different brightness in the article: «Comparison of Game Boy Advance SP AGS-001 and AGS-101 screens».
Of course, you can play on the old version of this console. And it is clearly better than the Game Boy Advance, which had no backlight at all. But the difference between AGS-001 and AGS-101 is so big that in the end you can buy Game Boy Advance SP AGS-001 only for collecting purposes. This version of the console was released in different limited editions, which may be very interesting to someone.
And here is the main question, how to understand that in front of you is exactly the AGS-101 version, and not AGS-001?
If you look at the console from above, it is difficult to understand which model it is.
The easiest way to figure out the consoles is to pay attention to the back label, where the model number should be written: either AGS-001 or AGS-101.
Please note, on the labels you may also see the inscriptions AGS-002 and AGS-003. AGS-002 is the model of the charger, and AGS-003 is the model of the battery.
How to determine the model of Game Boy Advance SP if there is no label
So, suppose you are buying a console online, and the seller himself does not understand well and does not know which model this console is. In this case, just ask him what happens to the backlight when you press the brightness button.
If when you press this button the backlight turns off completely, then this is the AGS-001 version. If the backlight becomes brighter, then this is the AGS-101 version. That is, the Game Boy Advance SP AGS-101 backlight simply does not turn off, but has two brightness modes. In turn, the backlight of the Game Boy Advance SP AGS-001 can be either on or off.
The second difference is the screen itself. The GBA SP AGS-001 has a gray screen, while the GBA SP AGS-101 has a dark screen. But this can be difficult to understand, this feature depends on the quality of the photos and the light.
On the left is AGS-101, and on the right is AGS-001.
You can also determine the GBA SP model by the motherboard. The Game Boy Advance SP AGS-001 says C/AGS-CPU-**, and the Game Boy Advance SP AGS-101 says C/AGT-CPU-**. Please note that the numbers at the end of the motherboard are its revision, not a reference to the screen.
Of course, in theory, you can determine the GBA SP model by color. But here you can seriously make a mistake. For example, the basic American versions of the Game Boy Advance SP models were released in 6 colors.
Cobalt Blue – with front light. At the same time, there was a version with backlight in China.
Platinum – with front light. At the same time, there was a version with backlight in China.
Onyx – with front light. And this is perhaps one of the two consoles that was definitely released with front light. But don't confuse it with the Graphite color.
Flame Red – with front light. And this is the second and last console that was released with only one type of backlight.
Pearl Blue – with backlight. However, the European version of this console had front light.
Pearl Pink – with backlight in America. At the same time, in Europe it was generally released in both versions (AGS-001 and AGS-101).
Surf Blue – with backlight in Europe. And in America, they were generally a limited edition, and with front light.
In general, it turns out that this is not a very reliable method. On the one hand, to understand for which country the console was released, you need a label, and on the other hand, if there is a native label, it will immediately be clear what model it is.
Epilogue
Determining the Game Boy Advance SP model by the inscription on the label, screen color, console color depends on different circumstances. But what definitely does not depend on circumstances is the backlight mode. Therefore, the easiest way is to simply ask the seller what happens when you press the brightness button, whether the backlight turns off or becomes brighter.
