Topic: Which GameBoy Advance SP version should I get

I'm thinking about getting an SP, but which one? I'm asking this particularly from a collector's viewpoint.
Sure, AGS-101 is the better one, but if I had to choose between an original AGS-001 CIB and a China refurbished AGS-101 without box, which one should I go for?
I've always wondered about those China refurbished models.. are they any good? Do they hold value or is it bad that they're not completely original?
If you repaint a classic car, it usually affects the value positively, but with cell phones and such it's usually best if the housing is original.

Didn’t you just say you bought a 2DSXL so that you wouldn’t have to pay high prices for cartridges of old games?

@JackEatsSparrows
I realized a nice SP might be better than the DS afterall. More nostalgic to.

@Aroraboi89
Buy the NDS lite for brighter display.
Beside, the monitor size of NDS lite was as same size as GBA SP.
Also, you can play NDS games as well + you can use earphone on NDS lite.
I play my GBA game on NDS lite.
Add with Portable loud speaker + Aux cable to upgrade the sound quality.

@Anti-Matter
Can even the newest Pokemon games be played on the NDS lite?

@Aroraboi89 Only GBA + DS Pokémon games.

The GBA SP 101 is just perfect. But buy it only for authentic nostalgic purpose! The DS Lite can do everything better and play more games. However the GBA SP is more durable than the Lite.

The display brightness in both units is the same - AGS-101 and DS Lite.

@Aroraboi89
Gosh... 🙄
Let me explain about NDS & 3DS family.

1. NDS fat & NDS lite = play NDS + GBA, free Region.

2. NDSi = play NDS + NDSi, free region for NDS games but Locked region for NDSi games.

3. 3DS / 3DS XL / 2DS / New 3DS / New 3DS XL / New 2DS XL = play ALL NDS games, play NDSi games based on its region, play 3DS games based on region. For New 3DS XL, only few titles that require New 3DS XL to play.

"Can even the newest Pokemon games be played on the NDS lite?"

Okay, i'm sorry but that was really stupid question.
NDS lite was NOT designed to play 3DS games.
Not just only the hardware aspect, but also from the cartridge shape.
Did you see there is a "tail" on the right size of 3DS catridges ? That shape will UNABLE to get into NDS Lite.

You want to play the Newest Pokemon on DS family? Use your purchased New 2DS XL to play 3DS Pokemon such as Pokemon Sun/Moon, Ultra Sun/UltraMoon, X/Y, Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby. And also, your New 2DS XL CAN play ALL Pokemon games from NDS.

you want to play Pokemon games from GBA ? buy NDS lite and enjoy your ALL GBA Pokemon games.

Oh, btw...
Face Raiders on 2DS XL was NOT a Scary Apps.
Distorted face from that apps was like Distortion by Photoshop, Not even scary but Weird and Hilarious.
You have bought a New 2DS XL, keep your machine nicely.

I can't even anymore with this.

Just let the man waste his money in peace.

@Delibheel
I still don't understand his logic about New 2DS XL.

@Zuljaras
What about a GameBoy Advance with backlighting? There are even GameBoy Colors with the AGS-101 mod, if you can believe that.. and they cost more than 200 bucks.

@Anti-Matter
If you're interested in more drama, I'd like to add that I've found more flaws with the 2DS. Button placement. I'm always subconsciously going for B button when I'm supposed to press A. It's so close to the edge of the machine. I need to curl up my thumb to press A.

Just to chime in a little late to the show, I'd still go with the AGS 101 if you have the coin. I never found playing GBA games on the DS Lite comfortable as the A and B button placement isn't quite right compared to a GBA (to me, anyway). I ended up trading a boxed Micro for a 101 with a slightly beat up shell (otherwise great though, hurrah for the clamshell design!) and it's fantastic ^_^

@Aroraboi89 If you are looking to buy an unmodded device, the AGS 101 screen GBA-SP is absolutely the best way to play GBA. The difference is night and day compared to any other Game Boy model. The DS lite is not a bad choice either, but if you are specifically looking to play GBA games, you don't really need it. However it can be found cheaper. Personally I got a modded original GBA with the 101 screen because I prefer the form factor and don't want to use a dongle for headphones.

The reasons for the cost of modded systems are:
1. It is just individuals modding them on an individual basis.
2. The AGS 101 screen is long since out of production, so there are limited quantities.