When I was a kid, I used to watch the Disney Channel religiously. It was always on in the background, and on weekends, I would be glued to it between stints on my N64. I applied for so many competitions, sending off items I had made and racking up my parents phone bill in the process to try and win everything from a ball pool to trips to Disneyland.
Needless to say, I never won anything. But some of you clearly did, because during 2003 and 2006, the Disney Channel ran competitions to give away Disney Channel themed GBA SPs. I would have been 13 - 16 at the time, which meant I'd moved on from the Disney Channel to playing guitar and trying to convince girls I was cool, and the only way you were supposed to get these consoles was through a competition won by the channel.
There are four variants of the GBA SP - Graphite/Black, Silver, Dark Blue, and a Toon Disney X Jetix surf blue version. Of all four, the Silver variant is the rarest, with a rarity score of 100 on Console Variations and only 2 known to be in circulation. Close behind is the Black or Graphite version with only 8 currently known to be in existence.
So, it's a rare console that probably passed most of us by. It would be mad, therefore, to assume that one person would have two of them in one place, right? Well, that's what we thought too, so when we received an email from collector MadMax2323273 asking if we would be interested at taking a look at them and discovering that he had both of them in his possession, I knew I had to find out more about them.
According to Max, these handhelds were supposed to be given out by part of the sweepstake held by the channel, but for some reason, these specific handhelds never ended up being sent out. They were kept back at the Disney Channel head offices until they were discovered by staff and handed out. Of the 8 that exist, Max currently has two, and he also knows someone who owns one of the rare Silver SPs of which, don't forget, there are only 2!
If you grew up watching Bear in the Big Blue House, Recess, Kim Possible, and Mickey's various adventures with Goofy, Minnie, Donald and the gang, then these GBAs will undoubtedly bring back some memories for you. So, without further ado, let's hear from Max about these exciting handhelds!
Q&A With MadMax2323273
Retro Dodo - Thanks for sending us these photos over Max. To have one of the rarest Disney GBA SPs is a feat in itself, but to have two is something else. How did you get hold of your consoles?
Max - A very well known collector posses these consoles, a full set to believe, there are 4 variants, he is also a friend of mine within the community.
Retro Dodo - For those who haven't come across these GBAs before, what other defining features do they have bar Mickey’s ears on the front? Are they AGS 001 or 101?
Max - These are box standard AGS-101’s then later silk screen printed at Disney's pleasure.
Retro Dodo - If you’re comfortable telling us, how much did you pay for them. Could you also tell me if you’ve had them valued and how much they are worth?
Max - I paid $5,000 for the complete-in-box mint, and for the loose I paid $750 and also was used. The mint cib was purchased from a collector and the used was purchased on eBay. With regards to how much they are worth, there have been units sold around 2023 for $3k plus, but there are only 8 known graphite variants, so pricing would be very difficult.
Retro Dodo - Here's the million dollar question - have you ever played them?
Max - I have tested them to make sure they work, but not an initially to play no, I have 20+ other gba sp’s I could use!
Retro Dodo - It sounds like the GBA is one of your favourite consoles. What memories do you have of the handheld?
Max - Most certainly, I was born in '99, so the revolutionary screens were perfect for my everyday use, especially in the dark without a light attachment. GBA SP to be specific.
Retro Dodo - What other items in your collection are you proud of that should get an honorary mention (games or consoles).
Max - I have many rare obscure items - I collect a lot of PlayStation, PS1/2/3/4/5 and Vitas, Nintendo I am strictly on gameboy and GameCube only.
Retro Dodo - What’s the one rare console or game you would trade your SPs in for, or are they truly priceless to you?
Max - I would happily trade one of my Disney Channel SP’s and cash for a rare Zelda limited edition Minish Cap big box bundle for the GBA SP, which included the shirt, console and other accessories, not the standard limited edition pak.
So there you have it, guys - if you've got a Zelda Minish Cap big box that you're wanting to trade for something rare from the annals of Disney's history, then you know who to contact!
Thanks to Max for getting in touch with us about these rare GBA SPs, and remember, if you have anything rare and unique that you want to share with the Retro Gaming community, then get in touch and send us some photos!
