AfterBurner
Encyclopedia
The AfterBurner is a lighting solution for the Game Boy Advance
system that was created by Triton-Labs.
Originally, portablemonopoly.net was a website created to petition Nintendo to put some kind of light in their Game Boy Advance
system. The system's screen was almost impossible to see except in direct bright lighting situations.
As the site grew, the creator started tinkering with his own solutions and eventually created a $30 kit that could be installed by the user or professionally.
Installation of the Afterburner involved opening up the Game Boy Advance to a front light (the physical Afterburner) that is slightly larger than the screen itself. The process also required soldering, and some users add a toggle or dimmer switch.
Because the Afterburner relied on the system itself for power, battery life was drained considerably if the light was left on at full capacity. Also, due to the nature of the front lighting technology, colors could be slightly washed out. However, the Afterburner generally provided a much better light than any external solution. GBAs with an Afterburner installed were even used at official presentations such as E3 by third party publishers because they were cheaper than the official solution of hard wiring the GBA to a television monitor.
Nintendo
would go on to create a lighted version of the Game Boy Advance
called the Game Boy Advance SP
that used much of the same technology as the Afterburner.
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
system that was created by Triton-Labs.
Originally, portablemonopoly.net was a website created to petition Nintendo to put some kind of light in their Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
system. The system's screen was almost impossible to see except in direct bright lighting situations.
As the site grew, the creator started tinkering with his own solutions and eventually created a $30 kit that could be installed by the user or professionally.
Installation of the Afterburner involved opening up the Game Boy Advance to a front light (the physical Afterburner) that is slightly larger than the screen itself. The process also required soldering, and some users add a toggle or dimmer switch.
Because the Afterburner relied on the system itself for power, battery life was drained considerably if the light was left on at full capacity. Also, due to the nature of the front lighting technology, colors could be slightly washed out. However, the Afterburner generally provided a much better light than any external solution. GBAs with an Afterburner installed were even used at official presentations such as E3 by third party publishers because they were cheaper than the official solution of hard wiring the GBA to a television monitor.
Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
would go on to create a lighted version of the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
called the Game Boy Advance SP
Game Boy Advance SP
The , released in February 2003, is an upgraded version of Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. The "SP" in Game Boy Advance SP stands for Special. The SP was marketed at US$99.99 at launch. In September 2004, Nintendo lowered the price to US$79.99...
that used much of the same technology as the Afterburner.