The Game Boy Advance SP Tribal Edition Is Pure Early 2000s Energy
On June 18, 2004, Nintendo launched a new version of the Game Boy Advance SP exclusively in Europe. This so-called Tribal Edition was a standard silver SP, but covered in 'tribal' tattoos—and the result is an object that exudes pure, unfiltered early 2000s energy. The designs, 'based on ancient designs originating from Polynesian and Indian culture' according to Nintendo, were slapped on the console's clamshell lid, as well as inside in the spaces between the buttons. In hindsight, it's one of the ugliest consoles Nintendo ever released. But people weren't exactly thrilled by it at the time either.
Looking at a comments thread from the day it was announced on April 19, 2004, the reaction is less than enthusiastic. "I don't like Nintendo encouraging tattoos," says one oddly puritanical commenter. "I think it's kinda pretty very ugly," adds another, using far too many words. "This might turn parents off buying it for their kids," someone else suggests, wondering if the console is aimed at 'mature' gamers. "I like it, but there are too many types of GBA SP," another commenter remarks, a sentiment echoed by a few other people in the thread. "This 'new GBA every 2 weeks thing' is getting out of hand."
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A press release immortalised by the Internet Archive explains the thinking behind the design. "They've been around since 2000 BC and celebrities such as Eminem, Robbie Williams, and Angelina Jolie can't get enough of them," it reads. "What are they? That's right, tattoos—coming to a Game Boy Advance SP near you soon!" Actors, musicians, and footballers showing their 'edgy' side by getting expensive tattoos was something of a trend in the celebrity world in the early-to-mid
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