In 2003 a new model of the system was released called the Game Boy Advance SP, which was redesigned to be significantly smaller with a folding design that protected the screen when closed and allowed for better portability. The GBA SP also featured a front-lit screen, the first time a Nintendo handheld had ever had a lit screen, and later would be changed to feature a true back-lit screen. In 2005 the system was redesigned again to the Game Boy Micro, which removed the Game Boy and Game Boy Color compatibility and was one of the smallest handhelds ever released.
Despite the Nintendo DS being released in 2004 the Game Boy Advance maintained a strong position in the handheld market until finally being discontinued in 2008 with the release of it’s final game, Samurai Deeper Kyo. Over the course of it’s lifespan the Game Boy Advance saw the release of nearly 1,000 games, and as of 2010 the system has sold over 81 million units worldwide.
