Game Boy Advance vs Game Boy Color: Which Classic Handheld Should You Buy?

If you're getting into retro Nintendo handhelds, you'll quickly face a classic question: Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Color? Both are beloved pieces of gaming history, but they serve different audiences. This guide breaks down the key differences so you can choose the right one for you.

The Game Boy Color (1998)

The Game Boy Color was Nintendo's bridge between the original Game Boy era and the next generation of handheld gaming. Released in 1998, it brought a vibrant colour screen to Game Boy for the first time and maintained full backwards compatibility with the original grey Game Boy library.

The GBC's game library is excellent — Pokemon Gold and Silver, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons, Metal Gear Solid, and Wario Land 3 are genuine classics. The hardware is compact and durable, and original cartridges are widely available and affordable.

Best for: Players who want a true retro experience, Pokemon fans chasing the original Gold and Silver games, and collectors who appreciate the original Game Boy era.

The Game Boy Advance (2001)

Released in 2001, the Game Boy Advance was a significant leap forward. The horizontal form factor was new for Nintendo handhelds, the hardware was considerably more powerful (essentially a portable SNES), and the game library was outstanding. Importantly, the GBA also plays all original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, making it backwards compatible with two generations of games.

The GBA library stands on its own: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Metroid Fusion, Golden Sun, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap are all must-plays. The SNES-level hardware also meant excellent ports of classic titles like Final Fantasy VI and Mega Man Zero.

Best for: Players who want the biggest possible game library, the best value for money (GBA plays GBC and GB games too), and anyone who wants a great portable gaming experience with 16-bit quality games.

The Game Boy Advance SP — The Best of Both

If you're torn, the Game Boy Advance SP is arguably the best answer. The SP is a clamshell redesign of the GBA with one massive upgrade: a frontlit (and later backlit) screen. The original GBA had no backlight, making it difficult to play in anything but direct sunlight. The SP fixed this and remains one of the most comfortable retro handhelds to use today.

The AGS-101 revision of the SP (identifiable by a small label on the back) features a backlit screen that is noticeably brighter — this is the version to look for if you're buying second-hand.

Which Should You Buy?

Here's a simple guide:

Choose the Game Boy Color if: You specifically want to play GBC-exclusive titles, you love the compact original design, or you want the most affordable entry point into retro Nintendo handheld gaming.

Choose the Game Boy Advance (or SP) if: You want the most versatile device — it plays GBA, GBC, and original GB games. The GBA SP in particular is the best pick for everyday use thanks to its backlit screen and fold-flat design.

Keeping Your Handheld Running

Both the GBC and GBA use AA batteries, though the GBA SP uses a rechargeable battery pack. Over time these battery packs degrade and may need replacing. Console Mate stocks replacement battery packs for the Game Boy Advance SP, along with charging cables and other accessories to keep your handheld running like new.

Whether you're picking up a GBC for the first time or reviving a dusty GBA SP, we've got the parts to keep it going — same day dispatch, shipped from Australia.