Born in Japan, 2001
The Game Boy Advance launched in Japan on March 21, 2001 — a 32-bit handheld that fit in your pocket yet out-powered the SNES.
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GBA Fun Facts
Ten things you might not know about the handheld that defined a generation — and the hardware we restore every day.
81.5 Million Sold
Across the GBA, GBA SP, and Game Boy Micro, the family sold over 81.5 million units worldwide before being retired in 2008.
No Backlight (Originally)
The original GBA had no backlight — you played side-lit or not at all. The SP's frontlight in 2003 was a revelation; our IPS kits finish the job.
ARM7TDMI Power
Inside sits a 16.8 MHz ARM7TDMI processor — the same CPU family used in early Nokia phones and the iPod. Efficient, legendary silicon.
1,500+ Game Library
Over 1,500 official titles were released, from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire to Metroid Fusion, Golden Sun, and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
Two AA Batteries
The original GBA ran ~15 hours on two AA batteries. Our rechargeable lithium kits deliver longer life and never need a trip to the battery drawer.
Backward Compatible
The GBA played every original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cart — three generations of library in one handheld. The cartridge slot is a time machine.
The Clamshell SP
Released 2003, the GBA SP introduced the folding clamshell design and a rechargeable battery — the blueprint for every Nintendo handheld since.
Link Cable Legacy
The GBA link cable enabled trading, battling, and multiplayer mayhem. Four-player Mario Kart Super Circuit sessions were the original LAN party.
Still Going Strong
Decades later, the GBA community is thriving — modders, homebrew devs, and collectors keep the hardware alive. We're proud to be part of it.