Backlit is "better"... both of mine have been frontlit, and they're great anyway. Here's how to find a backlit:

Backlit Model (AGS-101)

 

 

Packaging for the European AGS-101 model, in the colour "Surf Blue".


In September 2005, around the time of the Game Boy Micro's release, Nintendo released an improved version of the Game Boy Advance SP in North America, featuring a brighter backlit screen instead of the previous version's frontlit screen. The new model can be distinguished by the following features:

• The box states "Now with a BRIGHTER backlit screen!" to distinguish the new model from the older, frontlit models.
• The backlit SP has the Model Number AGS-101 on the label on the bottom of the unit, whereas the original frontlit SP has the Model Number AGS-001[7]
• The switch at the top center of the consoles lower face is now referred to in the manual as the "Brightness Switch" and selects between two levels of brightness, "Normal"(Low) and "Bright"(High) with no off setting. On the frontlit models this switch turned the frontlight on or off only. With the backlight set to "Normal"(Low) the brightness still surpasses the original AGS-001 with the frontlight on.

The North American backlit version comes in three standard colors: "Pearl Blue", "Pearl Pink" and "Graphite" (a grayer version of Onyx Black). There were also two Toys "R" Us exclusive backlit models; a "SpongeBob SquarePants" model[8] and a "Limited Edition Pikachu" model.
In 2006 the AGS-101 backlit model also saw a very limited release in Europe[9]. Few models made it to market, likely due to the release of the Game Boy Advance-compatible Nintendo DS one year prior. The European version was released in "Surf Blue"[10] as well as re-issued "Pink" and "Tribal" editions.
Unlike the North American release the European box does not feature any prominent text to distinguish the backlit models from the older frontlit models. In addition, only the "Surf Blue" color was unique to the AGS-101, the other two colors "Pink" and "Tribal" had already been released as frontlit models - for these reasons it can be very difficult to identify a European backlit SP. Apart from the AGS-101 model number on the base of the unit the only other obvious distinguishing feature of the European backlit model is the large picture of the Game Boy Advance SP featured on the front of the box (The European frontlit models of "Pink" and "Tribal" only feature small pictures of the Game Boy Advance SP on the sides of the box and Flower/Tattoo patterns on the front respectively)
So far the European AGS-101 model has only been reported in Germany, Italy and Spain so may not have been released in all European countries.

Thank you for all this valuable information! I can now decide on which SP to buy.

I do what I can. Now start reading up on my blog:

rfgeneration.com/blogs/noiseredux

so then you'll know which GB/GBA games to buy for it. :)

They're both more than satisfactory, but the back-lit model is brighter, and widely preferred. I have a front-lit SP, and the screen is still bright enough for me to play it in any location that I've attempted to play in, thus far. So either choice is acceptable.

Front-lit Model No. = AGS-001
Back-lit Model No. = AGS-101

But I agree, the DS always felt so clunky when playing GBA games on it, plus the backwards compatibility is lacking in comparison to the SP.

Also, yeah.... $60 is a little much. I scored mine for $25! I would check a few local game shops first.

PS: Fuck you, guy!

me, or ghostchase?

You, and your speedy posting skills can suck the big one, guy.

hahaha sorry Bromeo. I knows what I knows. And I knows Game Boys.

You could type a lot faster if you weren't giving Esham an HJ at the same time. :)

At least The Unholy E doesn't moan in auto-tune...

My SP I'm assuming was a front lit...it was a red one. But yeah...the SP's light was awesome. It never bothered me...so I guess it doesn't really matter.

oh yeah...and I find my hands cramp up sometimes with the DSLite. Only like on parts where I need to be everywhere all at the same time ya kno?

yeah red SP is frontlit. I had a red one too. Frontlit is fine -- I use it inside, outside, everywhere w/ no problem.

:eek: Ha, really, guys? Mine was red too. Not even joshing.

The one I have now is black, but beggars can't be choosers.

PS: NR, I'm gonna hit your blog up tonight, once the day's festivities have dwindled.

I replaced my red one with the NES model cuz it' looks so awesome:



Dr. Eug -- lemme know what you think of the blog.

Game Boy Player Land is a fucking outstandingly well-crafted exploratory critique of a significant slice of portable gaming culture. An addictive must-read for anyone who has ever loved their Game Boy.

second this!!!
btw when wil there be a feature of the gamebo cam /printer. would appreciate that!!!

Is an SP magnifier worth buying?

Also, NR...what would you say were the best multiplayer games for GBA?

anyone play the new Castlevania on xbox live? Harmony of Despair?

I have the camera & printer of course. Haha. I hadn't really thought of it lately. I should do something about it...

I've never used a magnifier...

...but a feature on GBA multiplayer games is in the works actually. There's a lot of great ones that only require one GBA cart, and I even have a rather elaborate setup worked out that I'll be taking picture of... :)

OH OH and thanks to both of you for the kind words about Game Boy Player Land... Rob INst hit me up about it recently too. It means a lot to me you guys. THanks!

About to play Golden Sun until I fall asleep, I'm setting my alarm for sunrise, gonna wake n' bake, head outside, and start a game of Boktai!