Europe to get new backlit Game Boy Advance SP

Nintendo has confirmed that a new backlit version of the Game Boy Advance SP handheld is coming to Europe.

New Graphite and Pearl Blue versions of the handheld, complete with backlit screens, were released in the US on September 19, and a Nintendo spokesperson informed this site that: "All GBA SPs manufactured in the future will feature backlights, which makes for a brighter, clearer image.

"The SP's screen is now comparable to that of the GB Micro in terms of clarity and sharpness," he explained.

Earlier SPs are lit from the front and sides, but "Now the technology has come down in price enough for backlights to be affordable," according to Nintendo. The new handhelds will retail at GBP 69, the same price for current models.

Nintendo is planning to roll out the new SPs all over the world, but as yet there has been no official announcement as to when the first machines will arrive in Europe.