How to determine if a GBA SP is backlit or frontlit:

[BoringSupreez]

Here's a guide I made on the topic. I figured someone might find it useful:

Always Non-Backlit:

Any Unit With Model # 001
Lime
Any Pokemon edition that's not Pikachu Yellow
Classic NES
Rockstar Games Black
Rockman EXE 4 Tournament Blue
Legend of Zelda Minish Cap Gold Edition
Donkey Kong Yellow
Tribal Platinum
Boktai Red and Black
Sword of Mana Blue
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance White
Shreck 2 Spice and Lime
Mario Red and Silver
Who are You Black
Surf Blue (backlit only in Europe)
Pearl White

Always Back-Lit

Any Unit With Model # 101
Graphite (dark gray)
Spongebob Squarepants Yellow (yellow with darker yellow buttons)
Pikachu Yellow (yellow with black shoulder buttons)

Sometimes Back-Lit, Sometimes Not:

Red
Cobalt Blue (regular blue)
Platinum (silver)
Onyx (pitch black)
Emerald (green)
Pearl Pink
Pearl Blue (light blue)

Feel free to tell me if I'm wrong on anything, I'll correct any mistakes.

[Jamisonia]

Here's something interesting I found out. Nintendo will sell you a like new backlit model for $40 if you have another GBA SP sitting around. They will only sell you one per serial number. They only have pearl blue models still in, and they don't come with the AC adapter. I'm not sure about other models of GBA. I decided to go this route since the backlit models seem to be very hard to find at Gamestop, and very expensive on eBay. Just got mine yesterday, it looks brand new, and it comes with a 1 year warranty.

Full Disclosure: I originally called in because I was given an SP that was broken due to water damage and the rep suggested just selling me one of there's since it was cheaper than getting mine repaired, which they probably wouldn't be able to do, since it was water damaged.

[gtmtnbiker]

Here's something interesting I found out. Nintendo will sell you a like new backlit model for $40 if you have another GBA SP sitting around.

Wow, nice tip.

[BoringSupreez]

Here's something interesting I found out. Nintendo will sell you a like new backlit model for $40 if you have another GBA SP sitting around.

Wow, nice tip.

I'm gonna have to try that. My brother has a non-backlit SP he doesn't like, I could probably use that.

[Hobie-wan]

Here's something interesting I found out. Nintendo will sell you a like new backlit model for $40 if you have another GBA SP sitting around. They will only sell you one per serial number.

Full Disclosure: I originally called in because I was given an SP that was broken due to water damage and the rep suggested just selling me one of there's since it was cheaper than getting mine repaired, which they probably wouldn't be able to do, since it was water damaged.

Did you send in the busted one, or they just asked for the serial and shipped you one out?

[Jamisonia]

they just asked for the serial. My gf is actually attempting to paint the shell pink because she wants a pink one.

[BoringSupreez]

Well, I just got my hands on a non-backlit Pearl Pink model, so I guess not all pearl models are backlit after all.

[gtmtnbiker]

Well, I just got my hands on a non-backlit Pearl Pink model, so I guess not all pearl models are backlit after all.

Where did you get it?

[BoringSupreez]

Well, I just got my hands on a non-backlit Pearl Pink model, so I guess not all pearl models are backlit after all.

Where did you get it?

Ebay.

[Hobie-wan]

If it is a 101/pearl case, it might be repaired. Are the rubber plugs around the screen loose or a little chewed up which would indicate they've been removed?