NintendoGeneration 6
Game Boy Advance
2001
AU Release
22 June 2001
AU Launch Price
$139 AUD
~$258 today
Units Sold
82M
Technical Specifications
Processor
32-bit ARM7TDMI (16.78 MHz)
Memory
32 KB + 256 KB WRAM
Storage
Battery-backed cartridge save
Media
Game Boy Advance Cartridge
Best-Selling Game Boy Advance Games
Global lifetime sales
Cultural Impact
The Game Boy Advance was the definitive portable gaming device of the early 2000s. It represented a significant leap from the original Game Boy, delivering SNES-quality graphics in a device you could slip in your pocket. The GBA was the dominant portable console in Australian playgrounds, and its link cable multiplayer created social gaming moments. It also brought classic SNES titles to portable form — many Australian kids played their first Zelda, Mario, or Metroid on a GBA. The SP revision (clamshell with a backlit screen) addressed the original's controversial unlit screen.
Did You Know?
The original GBA had no backlight — players used 'Worm Light' accessories to play in the dark
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen sold over 12 million copies on GBA — introducing a new generation to the original Pokémon games
The GBA cartridge slot was retained in the Nintendo DS, allowing backwards compatibility and enabling accessories like the Guitar Hero DS grip
From the Same Generation (Gen 6)
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