Nintendo 1504166 - Game Boy Advance SP Edition Console Programming Manual page 3

AGB Programming Manual Introduction
Introduction
2.9" WIDE TFT COLOR CHARACTER/BITMAP BG
PCM STEREO SOUND MULTIPLAY COMMUNICATION
COLOR GRAPHIC EFFECTS 32768 COLORS
COMPATIBLE FOR CGB 32BIT RISC CPU 16MHz
Game Boy Advanced (AGB) stresses portability and focuses on 2D rather than 3D image
processing functions, resulting in a cutting-edge portable game device with revolutionary
capabilities.
It provides window-like functions, rotation, scaling, blending, and fade-in/fade-out
features that can be combined to produce exactly the image representations desired.
Additionally, the bitmap image-rendering function, with its two modes (double buffering
mode for rewriting full-screen images in real time and single buffering mode for stills), can
be used to handle realistic images that are indistinguishable from actual photographs.
The 2.9-inch-wide reflective TFT color LCD screen provides a clear display with little
afterimage.
In addition to Game Boy Color compatible sound, AGB has a PCM stereo sound generator.
Multiple tracks can be played simultaneously by overlapping them using the CPU. L and R
buttons have been added to the Controller. The broader range of control provided also
expands the breadth of game designs possible.
Although AGB uses a 32-bit RISC CPU whose computing performance and data processing
capabilities far surpass those of Game Boy Color, it consumes little power, allowing
approximately 15 hours of continuous play. This is made possible by the inclusion of the various
types of RAM on a single custom chip.
Furthermore, software for AGB can be developed using the C language, minimizing the
cost of development equipment. This favorable development environment and the high
level of freedom of the system configuration allow one to build a profound world of play in
which anyone can become absorbed.
With its extremely high-performance computational and data processing capabilities as a
foundation, AGB provides greater image and sound representation capabilities, making the
pursuit of fun its essential aim.
The purpose of this high level of performance is to bring unique game ideas fully to life.
AGB is an innovation born from experience. While providing backwards compatibility with
the enormous software resources available for the 100 million Game Boy units in use
worldwide, it also breaks new ground for portable game devices.
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D.C.N. AGB-06-0001-002B4
©1999 - 2001 Nintendo of America Inc.