The NES special edition of the Gameboy Advance SP
The iconic design of the classic Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), aka the Famicom in the US, has been applied to everything from belt buckles to iPhone cases, such is it’s lasting appeal to the gaming public. It was therefore only a matter of time before Nintendo applied this design to another console – the Gameboy Advance SP, as a special edition.
Only in Japan could you come up with a product called the “Gameboy Advance SP Nintendo Entertainment System Edition”
Classic NES Clamshell Design
The colours and graphics mirror the design of the original NES console and its seminal “D Pad” controller with a simple A / B button layout and “select” and “start” options.
As a handheld that had already been released in many colours and designs, there was no default configuration for the Gameboy Advance SP, but the NES colour scheme held fond memories for gamers, it was an instant hit on release.
I have several Nintendo Gameboy handhelds in my collection but this is by far my favourite design, almost begging to be picked up and played. I can think of nothing better than firing up this console with a copy of Legend of Zelda:Links Awakening DX for an authentic retro gaming experience.
Buying A Gameboy Advance SP NES Edition – how much?
The classic NES edition remains a highly desirable version for collectors today, along with the Mario Red and Zelda Gold editions that were released towards the end of the console’s life.
There was however a large production run of this GBA SP model, and they can readily be found on auction sites for as little as £20 / $40 at the time of writing. Buyers however need to take into account the wear and tear on these items, where the paint in the clamshell is prone to crutches and general damage, as is the control panel, so make sure you pick the right one.
This is the latest in a series of pictures I have taken of my own retro gaming collection, spurred on by the need to have some quality photos to accompany my retro reviews. I used a Nikon D60 digital SLR for these pictures, which I hope make a welcome change from stock product photos found on the internet.
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