Hyperkin RetroN Sq vs Original Game Boy Advance SP: Which Is Better for Playing GBA Games Today?

The Hyperkin RetroN Sq wins if you want your GBA cartridges on a TV: it outputs at 720p over HDMI, costs around $90 new, and accepts Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance carts in one small box. The original Game Boy Advance SP wins if you want to play anywhere, with native hardware accuracy and saves that write directly to the cartridge. Your choice really comes down to one question: where do you play?

Both devices use your physical cartridges, which matters to collectors. But they serve genuinely different use cases, and buying the wrong one for your situation will leave you frustrated. Here is what each machine actually delivers.

How do the screens compare between the RetroN Sq and the GBA SP?

The RetroN Sq has no built-in screen. It outputs video through a 3-foot HDMI cable at 720p, 60fps, with a physical slider on the back to toggle between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. On a modern 1080p or 4K TV, the 4:3 mode keeps the original proportions intact. The 16:9 stretch looks noticeably wrong for games designed around a 2.9-inch portrait display. Stick to 4:3.

The GBA SP shipped in two screen variants, and the difference between them is large enough to matter. The AGS-001 (2003) uses a front-lit panel that can be switched off entirely. It works fine indoors at a desk but struggles in bright rooms. The AGS-101 (2005) replaced that front light with true backlighting, two brightness levels, and a noticeably deeper black level. Most players who want to use original hardware today prefer the AGS-101 specifically because of that screen upgrade.

Neither screen is objectively “better” in all situations. The RetroN Sq on a 55-inch TV fills the room with chunky pixels in a way the hardware never intended. That can be charming or distracting depending on the game. The AGS-101’s 2.9-inch backlit panel is small but sharp, and colors look accurate without any upscaling processing in the chain.

Does the RetroN Sq handle GBA games reliably?

This is the most important practical question, and the honest answer is: mostly yes, but with caveats.

Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges run cleanly on the RetroN Sq. GBA support launched in beta and has improved through firmware updates. After version 1.2, most standard GBA titles run smoothly. The catch is that each cartridge dumps its data to the included 512MB microSD card at boot, which adds load time. Some games load in under a minute; others, particularly dual-game compilation carts, can take several minutes.

There is one behavior that affects collectors specifically: saves are stored on the microSD card, not written back to the cartridge. If you pull a GBA cart from the RetroN Sq and put it into an actual Game Boy, your save data will not be there. For someone who rotates between devices, that is a real inconvenience.

Games with motion-sensing hardware, like WarioWare: Twisted, will not work properly because the console cannot replicate the cartridge’s tilt sensor. That covers only a small number of titles, but it is worth checking your library.

The original GBA SP runs every GBA cartridge ever made with zero compatibility issues. Saves go directly to the cartridge battery. There are no load screens.

How does portability factor into the decision?

The RetroN Sq is a home console. It is compact, roughly the size of an upright tissue box, and powered by USB-C, which means it could theoretically run off a power bank. But it requires a TV and an HDMI connection to show anything. It goes nowhere useful without a screen to plug into.

The GBA SP is one of the better-designed portable consoles ever made. The clamshell protects the screen, the rechargeable battery lasts several hours per charge, and it fits in a jacket pocket. The AGS-101’s backlit screen works in nearly any lighting condition.

If you commute, travel, or want to play in bed, the SP is the only option here. If your gaming happens exclusively at home on a couch with a TV in front of you, the RetroN Sq makes more sense.

Which one costs less in 2026?

The RetroN Sq retails for roughly $90 new and includes the console, a wired Scout controller, a 3-foot HDMI cable, a USB-C power supply, and a 512MB microSD card. Everything you need to start is in the box.

The GBA SP is used hardware. A loose AGS-001 in decent condition typically sells for $50 to $70. An AGS-101 in good shape runs $80 to $100 or more, depending on color and condition. Add a replacement battery (original ones are 20-plus years old and often need swapping) and a charger if one is not included, and the real cost climbs. A clean AGS-101 with accessories can easily match or exceed the RetroN Sq’s price, with no warranty and no guarantee of battery health.

The Screen Situation Decides Everything

Buy the RetroN Sq if your GBA library sits in a box and you want to play it on your TV tonight, with a controller in hand and no fuss about finding working hardware. It is a new product with firmware support, a full accessory bundle, and a price that undercuts a clean AGS-101 once you factor in batteries and chargers.

Buy the original GBA SP AGS-101 if portability is non-negotiable, if you need saves to write to the cartridge itself, or if you want 100% compatibility with every title in the library, including motion-sensing games. Just budget for a battery replacement and verify the screen revision before you buy.

For players who want to go deeper into the Game Boy library on a TV, Hyperkin’s broader RetroN 5 HD Gaming Console also plays GBA cartridges alongside SNES, Genesis, and more, which is worth knowing if your collection spans multiple platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Hyperkin RetroN Sq save games to the cartridge or to a memory card?

The RetroN Sq saves game data to the included microSD card, not to the cartridge itself. This means if you remove a cartridge and play it on an actual Game Boy or GBA SP, your RetroN Sq save will not carry over. Collectors who rotate carts between devices should factor this into their decision before buying.

Can the original Game Boy Advance SP connect to a TV or monitor?

No. The original GBA SP has no video output port and cannot connect to a TV or monitor without third-party hardware that was never widely available or reliable. If playing GBA games on a television is your goal, you need a dedicated device like the RetroN Sq or a similar HDMI-output console.

Is the RetroN Sq compatible with all Game Boy Advance games?

The RetroN Sq is compatible with most standard GBA cartridges, particularly after firmware updates improved stability. However, GBA support remains labeled as a beta function. Games that use motion sensors, like WarioWare: Twisted, will not work correctly. Reproduction cartridges and certain licensed accessories may also have compatibility issues.

How do I tell if a used GBA SP is the AGS-001 or the AGS-101 model?

Turn the unit on and press the small brightness button. If the backlight turns off completely, it is an AGS-001. If it cycles between two brightness levels and never turns off, it is an AGS-101. You can also check the model number printed on the label on the back of the unit. The AGS-101 is the preferred model for everyday play because of its significantly brighter backlit screen.

What controller does the RetroN Sq use, and can I use other controllers?

The RetroN Sq includes a wired USB Scout controller with a 10-foot cable, designed to resemble an SNES pad. Controller compatibility beyond the bundled Scout is limited. Hyperkin has indicated this may improve through future firmware updates, but as of current firmware versions, not all USB controllers are guaranteed to work.