Final Countdown

The Japs already got one (if they managed to find a store still having one in stock, that is), only 2 more days for the US of A, and only a week to go for Europe... Already guessed what I'm talking about? The GBA SP, of course! A new (USA based) press release inside.

Press release: The star of portable video gaming just got brighter. On March 23, Nintendo of America releases Game Boy(R) Advance SP (GBA SP), the redesigned and distinctively stylish successor to the overwhelmingly popular Game Boy(R) Advance.Nintendo's latest entry in the Game Boy(R) line will premiere in platinum and cobalt with an estimated retail price of $99.

Boasting a compact folding design and front-lit screen, the GBA SP plays virtually all existing Game Boy titles anywhere -- in the darkest room or brightest sunlight. Powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, the GBA SP provides nearly 10 hours of lighted game play and takes only three hours to recharge.

"Game Boy Advance has sold more than 12 million units in the United States alone, and it's clear people want more Game Boy," says George Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America Inc. "Gamers have been clamoring for two things -- a built-in lighted screen and rechargeable battery -- we gave them what they wanted with the new GBA SP."

Since its introduction in 1989, Nintendo's portable Game Boy line has sold more than 143 million Game Boy systems and more than one-half billion games worldwide. The Game Boy Advance was the second best selling video game system in 2002, with a hardware market share of 31 percent.

Nintendo's newest hand-held system dazzled celebrities at a backstage preview in February during the 45th annual Grammy Awards. GBA SP has also created strong consumer demand, selling out in Japan on its Feb. 14 launch day.

Despite its high profile, the GBA SP has not forgotten its roots. New installments of popular game franchises including Golden Sun(TM): The Lost Age, Advance Wars(TM) 2: Black Hole Rising and Wario Ware(TM), Inc.: Mega Microgame$ will be released within the next few months. By this summer, the library of Game Boy Advance titles is expected to exceed 350.

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy(R), Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy(R) Advance and Nintendo GameCube(TM). Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.6 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching such franchises as Zelda(TM) and Pokon(R). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

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