Is this a rare/uncommon GBA variant?

[TK Island Boy Gamer]

Okay guys, 8 days to go until I leave my island in the Atlantic for an epic Retro-searching road trip. I've got suitcase full of VHS tapes in hopes of trading for some goodies, several Pokemon cards of high quality that have been unplayed and therefore, have stood the test of time (we're talking 1st Edition Tyranitar from 2002 if anyone is interested). I'm in the midst of searching for my Magic Cards, which I have little to no more care for. If I can trade em for NES games, more power to me.

But today, I bring you my Game Boy Advance. The very one I got when the system originally came out. Now, I was old enough to acknowledge the Target etching up there, but I figured at the time it was nothing more than vanity. But how valuable is this. The screen, admittedly, is in rough shape, but the thing still works. I currently use it in Animal Crossing, functions like a champ. I'm carrying it on my road trip regardless (so I can trade-evolve some Pokemon in the Pokemon Yellow I plan on buying in Coastal Florida.) but would be interested in parting ways with it. I got my beautiful NES Model GBA anyways.

Yes, thats coming too, but unless you got $500 or something, that aint leaving my hands!

[Anapan]

AFAIK this is an uncommon variant, tho I'm not sure how rare it is. I just saw another similar one (the Toys R Us bezel) featured on Nintendrew's latest Youtube video. Before that I had only seen either pictured in collections where people showed off their full NA collection of the Nintendo Handhelds.
Nice piece. I wish I still had my original GBA.

[fastbilly1]

Uncommon, not rare. If it was the Red Target edition, then it would be considered rare.

[samsonlonghair]

I think a common mistake is to conflate "rare" with "valuable," especially in video game collecting.

I know that there are some collectors who collect target variants of gamecube games for instance. They are relatively uncommon, but they are not especially valuable (at least they weren't last time I checked). If a rare video game isn't in demand, then it won't command a high price, ya dig?

That said, I haven't checked eBay prices on target variants in a couple years now. Feel free to correct me if you know something I don't.

[samsonlonghair]

Followup:
I just took a look at completed auctions for target gameboy advances. Looks like the red version goes for about $50 and the purple version goes for $30 - $45.

In other words, the target variants are not much more valuable than a stock GBA in good condition. So... I wouldn't hold out hoping to make a fortune here.

On the other hand, if the target GBA holds sentimental value to you, then I say more power to you! Play it often and enjoy it with your whole heart. There's a great library of games on the GBA waiting to be explored. Have a blast!

[TK Island Boy Gamer]

I don't expect anything I bring to the trade show to be worth that much. Though the rules here on the islands I live on would seem to think otherwise.

I'm sure the local pawn shops around me will still sell PS2 games, no matter the title, at a fixed $50.

But my mindset is to take a bunch of things I really have no sentimental value for, that are just becoming fossilized in this salty air. And then if you put them in the attic, they get degraded even more. Both my SNES are yellowed up.

My 1998 Game Boy Color is there too, wondering if the cracked screen could be salvaged if someone is willing to buy it for $3-$5 maybe.

Honestly, I think the most valuable things I own that are being carried are Pokemon Cards (best one being a 1st Edition Tyranitar) and vintage comics. A few sealed by the way. And an interesting Vintage Turok comic from the 70s.