GBA SP; best D-pad of all nintendo handhelds?

[StinkyCheese]

After the unresponsive ds-lite diagonals thread, I searched for my Ds phat, and all my old gameboys. After trying them all out, the GBA SP was the best, for both up/down/left/right and diagonals. The Ds phat came a close second, with Ds lite trailing behind. I've sold my Gameboy advance, and my Color's D-pad wont respond due to some liquid/paste that seeped into the cracks ( and I still hate my brother for it )

Isnt the reason of Handheld remakes to improve hardware? Or am I wrong about which is best? Opinions?

 

[yayece]

The GBA SP wasn't without problems either... The first run of the backlit ones didn't have the pivot point in the center. You could press straight down on the d-pad, and it would register all 4 directions at once.

 

[Gothic Walrus]

The older D-pads have always been better. The SP and DS D-pads pale in comparison anything that came before, original monochrome Game Boy included.

I think the main reason why I prefer the older D-pads is the response - if you push them down, there's more of a tactile response. Nintendo may have been willing to give that up to make the SP and DS Lite thinner and to accommodate the clamshell design, but that doesn't mean that it was a good idea.

 

[StinkyCheese]

[quote name='yayece']The GBA SP wasn't without problems either... The first run of the backlit ones didn't have the pivot point in the center. You could press straight down on the d-pad, and it would register all 4 directions at once.[/quote]

but the ones that did work were the best, right?

 

[Puffa469]

My problem with the SP is that it turns my hands into arthritic claws after an hour of use.

I would love an original style GBA with the full backlit lcd of the newer SP's.

 

[rapsodist]

Gunpei's not around to enforce and these slackers are running amok!

 

[Kerig]

[quote name='StinkyCheese']but the ones that did work were the best, right?[/quote]

I would say so. The last run of SP's with the true backlit screen have a clicky positive feel to both buttons and the D-pad, while the DSLite is all soft and pushy.