Nintendo is showing the new Game Boy Advance SP and the upcoming GBA-to-TV unit, the Game Boy Player, in a hotel suite in Las Vegas. We got yet another chance to try out the new Game Boy Advance, and we're happy to report that, yes, the GBA SP's lighted display and new, compact design are extremely convenient. Additionally, Nintendo has confirmed that the GBA SP will work with existing GB/GBA peripherals, including the recently released e-Reader and GBA-to-GameCube link cable. While the link port on the e-Reader won't have anything to connect to, it actually only acts as a pass-through port, so connecting it up isn't required.

　　When compared to an original GBA outfitted with the Triton Labs Afterburner light, the GBA SP appears to provide an extremely similar experience. It also features a button on the face of the unit that will let you disable the light, should you find yourself in well-lit surroundings. The volume dial of the original GBA has been replaced with an analog slider, and at full volume the GBA SP cranks out audio at a volume similar to that of the original GBA.

　　Nintendo also showed off the GameCube add-on that will allow players to play Game Boy Advance games on their television, the Game Boy Player. The unit produces a large, colorful picture and features a handful of options, such as the ability to play with a small border around the game screen or to go all the way to a full-screen perspective. There are a handful of built-in borders to choose from. Video options include the ability to choose soft or sharp, which will, of course, soften or sharpen the display. Which mode looks better will depend on the quality of your television. Finally, there is a timer option that lets you choose from a few different intervals. Then, at the set interval, an onscreen alert will claim that "15 minutes have passed." This will be useful, should you find yourself playing Game Boy Advance games while, say, cooking some corn dogs or perhaps a burrito. The unit hooks into the bottom of the GameCube and will also make use of a boot disc that enables the unit. In addition, Nintendo confirmed that it would be possible for future GameCube games to make use of the Game Boy Player, perhaps allowing players to directly connect an e-Reader to the unit and scan cards without having to go through an actual Game Boy Advance. The Game Boy Player is scheduled to come out in the second quarter of this year.