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I think GP is referring to the unlit, relatively low-contract LCD screen that was only readable in bright light conditions.

The SP was better, but only somewhat: it had a button for front-lit lighting so the image quality was still pretty mediocre. I presume to save battery life, since a back-lit would have lead to much more light loss.

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A couple years after the GBA SP (AGS-001) a new revision of it, the AGS-101, came to market. That revision used a backlit screen and the toggle button allowed you to switch between a dim and bright backlight mode. If my memory serves right games on that revision looked like they would on the original Nintendo DS. Obviously battery life took a significant hit compared to playing on the AGS-001 with the frontlight disabled.

There was also the backlit Gameboy Light, which was only released in Japan. It was essentially a Gameboy Pocket with a electroluminescent back-light. It glowed green like those old Indiglo wrist watches.

I've got one, but sadly the LCD has a bunch of dead lines. Apparently, that can be repaired pretty easily.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_family#Game_Boy_Light

The AGS-101 was never advertised outside North America and stayed relatively unknown. I don't fault OP for not knowing about it.

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