Nintendo GameBoy Advanced

The Game Boy Advance (GBA), launched by Nintendo in 2001, was a significant leap forward for handheld gaming, offering 32-bit processing power and vibrant color graphics. With a horizontal design, the GBA introduced a wider screen compared to previous Game Boy models, making it easier for players to view and engage with the more detailed games the system could handle. The layout, which included a larger screen in the center, a D-pad on the left, and the A and B buttons on the right, along with shoulder buttons (L and R), allowed for more complex controls and gameplay mechanics, a welcome change for fans of action, platformers, and RPGs.

While the GBA had an impressive color screen for the time, it wasn’t backlit, which meant gamers had to play under good lighting conditions to fully enjoy its visuals. Nonetheless, the console's 240 x 160 resolution screen displayed up to 32,768 colors, giving games a vivid, lively look previously unseen in handheld consoles. This limitation led to the development of various third-party lighting accessories, as well as a series of third-party modifications. Despite the lighting issue, the GBA was praised for its performance and could handle more ambitious, graphically rich games, including titles from popular franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, and Metroid.

The Game Boy Advance also boasted impressive backward compatibility, supporting Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, allowing it to access Nintendo’s established game library. This, combined with the introduction of link cable support for multiplayer gaming, made the GBA a versatile console with broad appeal. The GBA's library grew quickly, with developers creating titles that took full advantage of its 32-bit processor, and fans enjoyed beloved titles such as Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Fire Emblem, and Advance Wars. Its innovation and versatility set a new standard in handheld gaming, ensuring that the Game Boy Advance became a defining piece of Nintendo’s handheld legacy.