$200 ULTIMATE GameBoy Advance Build!

[@callmedru]

Its crazy how time flies, in 15 years people will be modding their switch with 8k oleds or whatever the new thing may be, and 24 hour battery life

[@Yuzuki1337]

Sadly I think the golden times of hardware that allowed this are over, nowadays its all SoCs

[@stellarorbit1341]

Yuzuki1337 sadly I agree

[@PasserbyP]

They're already modding the joycons.

[@themadhacker9376]

@@PasserbyP i did a shell swap on mine

[@kaltakus]

In 15 years, the switch will never need a screen upgrade. Either from that you can just plug it into your tv or because it will have next to no support from the modding community for that sort of thing The only reason gba's get modded is because their tech is basically prehistoric compared to new tech We might have a WW3 before then anyways

[@jacobwood2187]

I’ve been using the finest ipa I could find on tap but this heady beer keeps ruining my power buttons and shoulder buttons

[@TheRetroFuture]

Haha 😂

[@willwingrove]

I was just about to say

[@brock5932]

I bought a premade advance from retro modding last year, and it’s definitely the best setup for a gameboy advance...crazy to watch the process! You’re a more patient man than I am

[@dr_j0nes]

Just finished modding my GBA today. - Self-made under-/overclock Mod (16MHz, 4MHz, 1MHz) - AGS 101 Backlight Mod - Self-made 2000mah Battery Mod (rechargeable with USB Type-C Port while playing) - Glass Screen Protector, Case and Buttons Mod I am really proud it all worked out like planned :) PS: I love that cat in the end :)

[@whyumar1126]

I can't imagine having a usb c cable on my gameboy, let alone my phone!

[@dr_j0nes]

@@whyumar1126 there is no better job for an USB Type-C Cable :D

[@homiestuck]

2000mah battery must last forever lol

[@dr_j0nes]

@@homiestuck I hope so xD

[@XxBeastFreak98]

Any place we can check out your modded GBA, very curious now.

[@Josh-hi2ti]

WHY DONT YOU HAVE A DREMEL YET WHAT IS THIS YOUVE BEEN MODDING GAMEBOYS FOR YEARS DAMMIT

[@edyfofashow]

Hahaha chill bro

[@hansdietrich83]

@@edyfofashow hes right, you know

[@SprinklezAJ]

Right. I don’t understand what is a dremel-

[@Thalanox]

@@SprinklezAJ Small spinny thing that you can attach different heads to. Very useful for cutting, smoothing drill holes, or removing small areas of material in cramped confines. Exactly the best thing to use for this.

[@SprinklezAJ]

Thalanox k thx

[@Mymatevince]

Very good video Elliot, really nicely done :-)

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks Vince!!

[@ahmadaimam]

Love ur channel vince

[@Karinuh]

This is gorgeous! I just found your channel yesterday and now I’m gonna spend the rest of my Christmas break watching your videos :)

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks!!

[@stax3000]

@@TheRetroFuture me too✌️🤶

[@danielpruitt8550]

Same Acually this man's getting like 1,000 subs at least for Christmas :)

[@Skil__]

Or now the rest of your quarantine

[@peacegawd5192]

So your back on break i take it lol

[@ZenovaXD]

You'd honestly be unstoppable with the EZ-Flash as well, that bad boy would be rolling down the normie GBAs everywhere

[@Angultra]

Well said, I have the EZ Flash Omega and it's fantastic

[@etyramone2000]

Did you have any saving problems with your EZ flash omega?

[@Angultra]

@@etyramone2000 No problems, saves just fine

[@etyramone2000]

@@Angultra Thank you !! Cause the everdrive seems nice but a bit pricier

[@shaheedmanappat3304]

You Read my mind

[@Medachod]

*(listens to GBA audio comparison on KZbin app on GBA)* _"Wait a minute."_

[@zilvi9501]

🤨

[@eVerProductions1]

You can install yt on your gba?

[@zilvi9501]

@@eVerProductions1 What?! No!!!

[@Arroww]

eVerProductions1 not without heavily modding it. In fact, I don’t think it’s possible at all, as the gba doesn’t even have internet.

[@linuxstreamer8910]

@@Arroww you can mod that in

[@alextube2506]

I recently subbed and I’m a huge fan of seeing electronics discarded and restored to their former glory by someone who gives them the attention they deserve.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thank you for sticking around!

[@jamiebrain6078]

Great video! I just did an IPS screen mod and re-shell on a GBA myself, but this is next level!

[@HaloVortex]

This is pretty good timing. I already have an IPS GBA, but I still need to grab the ultimate battery pack from Retro Modding because holy cow does this thing eat AA batteries like it's nobody's business, so it's cool to see the brief snippet of what you cut away to install the battery pack.

[@joshuareveles]

Just get the Panasonic rechargeable batteries since they are 2500mah cells

[@Ereaes]

"I didn't pay for any of this [$200 mod]." -can't afford a dremel....?

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

Great video. In this situation, I'd go with the repro, premodded case. It's easier and it saves original shells from destructive mods.

[@Angultra]

@RS1 Here's the shell that I got: a.aliexpress.com/BZcOonx2 They also sell the full kit with shell for $45

[@MundaneMuser]

In my experience, it's easier to remove plastic from a shell by filing it away than cutting it with a knife. It's also more precise.

[@hanktank45]

That blue color is awesome. Your channel is great, keep up the good work

[@StuffAboutPokemon]

7:05 when I switch from 144p to 240p

[@levygaming3133]

When I put on my glasses

[@lostsouls1919]

Switching from 360 to 720

[@mariastevens6406]

2 years late to the party, but I'm starting a mod and this video really helped. Thanks for not providing an opinion where it'd have been biased. Very helpful info in this video.

[@jamesplummer2295]

I know im a year late, but its crazy how we both got our gamesboys done the SAME way. Great minds think alike

[@ArtumTsumia]

I've got both a standard and SP model GBA and considering the hand-me-down condition of the original model, it's probably a prime candidate for at least some rebuilding. Nice to see that screen and battery replacements have some nice options to update this old hardware.

[@Devildreaming]

When i have the money im definitly gonna build one of these. Already got myself an aluminum modded color

[@ChampionCorner]

I like the mods and appreciate the work you put into your content. If I am ever able to do these mods I'll just go with standard rechargeable AA batteries.

[@dennisflanders1957]

8:40 he just called my childhood "low quality"

[@neitherlink6612]

When you were a child it was the peak of handheld gaming, if you tried it now yes, the nostalgia would keep you playing, but after a few hours it wears off and you would be left wondering why Nintendo hasn’t ported *insert old master piece of a game here* to the Switch.

[@H484R]

i love how far modding has come in recent years and how accessible it is nowdays. I currently have a Handheld Legends shopping cart at a whopping $125 and that includes a new pre-cut shell, buttons, silicone pads for the buttons, laminated IPS screen kit, and rechargeable USB-C battery mod and requires NO soldering. Plus, for an extra $8 i could replace the speaker and volume potentiometer as well. once you win a bidding war or find a lucky low-priced working GBA like i did, you can have a brand "new", modified GBA for around $180.

[@usmanahmed89]

Will definitely try this! The screen looked great!!! Thanks for showing us this.

[@XenoVis]

I've always wanted to do something like this to my GBA and GBA SP. I hope in the future I can afford to do these cool mods to them.

[@tbug50]

$45 for a shell and ips screen do it bro!

[@g.k.1552]

One thing i never understand.. at 1:10, you clean the shoulder buttons, but you just put the alcohol in it and wiggle. how does the dirt and stuff come out of if? Its still all inside afterwards

[@Spartan265]

Yeah I've always thought that as well. I think you could probably get a little bit of compressed air to spray it out. If the pressure from the air won't damage anything.

[@TheJjcczz]

There is no “dirt and stuff” in the traditional sense, you’re dissolving any dust that could prevent the metal from making proper contact and closing the circuit. So there’s nothing to come out

[@TheJjcczz]

@@Spartan265Compressed air won’t reach the point of contact which is in the button housing. You have to use IPA because the dust inside the button housing has no where to go

[@Sebastian-rv7ff]

To be honest, I don't want to do any mods you did. But I'm truly enjoyed your videos. It's just, satisfying to watch and even more you did a great works...

[@tricksterx98]

Man that mod was incredible, time was totally worthy

[@chartier67]

It's so nice to see someone who was donated parts to do this mod give an honest revue.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Glad you thought so!

[@chartier67]

@Rabbit with a sun tan Je ne suis pas français, je suis juste terrible en orthographe lol

[@jyesucevitz]

Still difficult to do an unbiased review. Someone gives you something for free for you to talk about online you'd have to be some kind soulless robot to not let that effect your review. Even subconsciously.

[@chartier67]

@Rabbit with a sun tan You may be right lol.

[@chartier67]

@@jyesucevitz I agree with that, but at least he didn't gush over everything and say it's the best mods ever created. There's a certain well known KZbinr, who I like, that gets codes given to him all the time by the developers and ten minutes into the game it's the best game ever lol. I am serious about that too. I don't think I've ever heard him criticize a game that was given to him by the developers.

[@clearcardinal]

This video was really funny as well as informative, nice one Elliot!

[@TheRetroFuture]

This is the comment I was hoping for. Thanks buddy!

[@MofoMan2000]

I did most of this same mod. The clear blue shell, the IPS LCD screen (which is BEAUTIFUL by the way) and I just love the thing now. I didn't do the speaker or battery, and really I'm not sure I want to. The thing is already enough of a Ship of Theseus. I also got the clear blue button set, which I have mixed feelings about but in general I like it. Just having that screen replacement alone is... amazing. It's way better than the SP.

[@mahaelluri6825]

I love how he says “and we’re done” just like Hugh Jeffreys.

[@BeetleJack_07]

That's a very High quality screen also shell looks magnificent (Brilliant job Elliot)

[@liamberkelaar8496]

simply beautiful!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Indeed!

[@drzoidberg71]

You say it's not sponsored, but you got all the stuff for free, and you're kicking business over to Retro Modding. Don't beat around the bush. You may not have entered into a contract to do a sponsored video, but you might as well have. Either way, great video. I've been kicking around getting the screen for multiple systems. And seeing the process you went through to cut the screen aperture down, I will probably change my mind. If I do get the screens, I'll definitely be buying pre-milled shells!

[@cadendwyer7465]

I’m actually doing almost this exact set of mods for my senior project. I’m pretty excited, but also worried I’ll screw something up

[@metalhead32363236]

Nice! It took me about two hours and two screens to finally get my gba going lol I broke the first one. It's such a gorgeous display and this is now my go to gba. Just add a ezflash cart for another 45 bucks and you'll have the ultimate gba.

[@rixtkooistra3779]

This is awesome, I love the new shell and the backlight screen. I'd love to have that too done with my old original boring blue GBA but im affraid I screw up 😢

[@okayboomer7546]

Trust me they are harder to break than you think

[@lanreakerele4375]

This video inspires me to become a professional engineer and end up explore around the world to see the entire industry in every developed countries as I would like to become a future vlogger of technologies very soon :)

[@thefox9727]

Imagine having a friend you can call randomly and vent to... lmao

[@VolatileViolet]

Yeah... get a load of this guy. 😑

[@rameneaterguy]

🤣

[@rycap9927]

Imposter 😮

[@theedislikebutton]

Imagine having a friend... Lmao

[@lucassmiley4368]

I'll be your freind 🙂

[@byechout]

That's it, subbed. This is amazingly professional content, and I really like how clear you make everything!

[@sw1tchpoint]

This is a madders dream right here If I had more frivolous spending I'd definitely like to try out some of the mods they offer

[@hayleyscomet3447]

Ok. I have decided I’m gonna get into modding and portablizing in 2020. I have no idea what I’m doing but I hope I can learn a lot along the way. This looks like a super fun and rewarding hobby.

[@kaiju4702]

Did ya do it

[@Evil_Chronic]

Kinda funny how you said you’d never get the shell perfect, then you say you don’t have a dremel. Well that would be the reason.

[@ungratefulmango]

AMAZING production values on this video. Very good result

[@3DSage]

I currently program for the GBA! I'm going to make a custom GBA raycaster game for you! :)

[@captaincrumb]

And he did.

[@matthewnations501]

Best Mods and best footage. This channel is nearing peak perfection. 99.9%

[@sonicrocks152]

This is really inspiring me to upgrade my purple GBA, I love it its just hard to use cause of the poor screen. But Hey if I can do this I'll play it more for sure

[@bw1461]

I recently stumbled upon your channel and can I just say, I don't do any of the stuff you do but I find your work fascinating and relaxing. Keep it up! Subscribed to support you :) Also watching this makes me wanna try tinkering in modding myself haha

[@spaceinvader7047]

6:40 nice that would annoy the parents now

[@One2Nice]

My volume was up so I could hear the difference better, and when it was the new GBA times. My ears died.

[@MxSlfDstrct]

"It's 20 dollars for a Game Boy, roughly, or 30 dollars depending on where you get it." haha good times. i remember that.

[@Angultra]

If you can wait a couple weeks, funnyplaying sells the V2 screen kit directly with pre-trimmed shell for $45. That's what I did, Minish Cap never looked better!

[@RynoDBones]

Same gimbal company sent me the Vimble2S for phones. They make some great stuff! I originally was put in contact with them for the gimbal you got. I’m jealous!

[@jackdempsy9304]

Netflix: are you still watching? Somebody's daughter: 0:58

[@Nanapirate]

Awesome!!!! I grew up with one of these. The endless hours and batteries bought, plus the light I had to buy to play in the dark. The price for the mod version is definitely worth it. 😃👍🏽👍🏽

[@TiBiAstro]

Louis Rossman would almost be proud of the amount of flux.

[@videofudge]

I don't know much about soldering at all, but it looks like this guy is really good at it

[@zer0b0t]

4:20 the black screen crashes my Raspberry Pi, so weird

[@TatPwn]

Found your channel awhile back, been loving your content. You are actually the reason I bought the ifixit kit and the ez flash omega and the ips lcd screen for my gba. Sadly I figured out that my gba is a 32 pin, and not the 40 like in your video lol. Still great content!

[@kevinbrewer9341]

Would 100% do this if the Analogue Pocket wasn’t coming out in 2020.

[@seraph4581]

GBA games will look way too small in that.

[@themadhacker9376]

I just finished my own GBA last week! i didnt do the amp kit but i did use the screen and battery. both WELL worth it

[@themadhacker9376]

i also did not solder the brightness controls because my first screen was cracked, and while i was waiting for a replacement screen...i accidentally threw away the wires...

[@baccarah7010]

why didnt you get a precut shell? that trimming seems like a proper pain in the ass.

[@Angultra]

I tried trimming my first one, after that dodgy experience will buy pretrimmed whenever possible!

[@alvareo92]

That thought process was probably playing over and over in his head while doing the trimming

[@necex]

Love the new vid and the growth of the channel. Great work

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

Try installing the GBA SP buttons.

[@jamiebrain4389]

This.

[@FelipeBudinich]

What would be the advantage? (Sincere question)

[@WH250398]

That would be pretty uncomfortable i think

[@jamiebrain4389]

@@FelipeBudinich I think Dustin means clicky buttons from SP rather than the mushy ones on the GBA.

[@jamiebrain4389]

@@WH250398 I don't think it would be. Clicky buttons always feel more natural and tactile for me.

[@hinorashi]

Yo that shell is beautiful

[@mcflurryXD96]

Is there any way to get a type C port on the charger? I'd even be willing to pay a little more for it honestly.

[@TechHug]

You have $200. You can choose between a new Switch Lite or a modded GBA from 20 years ago. What an easy choice. Great video!

[@pi6481]

Still not enough power, I want my Gameboy Advance to fully emulate Breath of the Wild + DLCs and Amiibo compatibility

[@alvareo92]

yeah what kind of retro modding doesn't even include Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

[@real0mar]

Not happening for several years

[@mk1vx1000]

if you are considering this mod and are worried about your screen being off center like his was, the piece at 1:24 that he mentioned not using is the reason why it was off center. if you use that piece it will center the screen.

[@jacob612]

it's off-center because you're not using the bracket that came with the screen

[@adammagee3368]

Really great video, just a bit of advice to anyone in the UK if you want to save money of the IPS screen and other parts, I really would just ordee direct from funny playing. It's free shipping over $29 and you just have to wait a little longer for delivery. Works out alot cheaper in my experience.

[@mav48185]

7:24 back in my day that was normal pricing 🤣🤣🤣

[@FireBreatherMP1]

The GBA was never $200. It released at $99.99

[@gabrielmoreirabr]

I love your restorations, keep up the good work

[@thescoopr7344]

6:42 killed my Damn ears broo lmaooo

[@jordanedwards2714]

I have just now discovered retro modding from this video and wow I’m so glad! This is amazing

[@ERASE.]

Why is this in my recommendation ? Anyone else

[@fawzanfawzi9993]

I'm a part of gameboy master race so this gets recommended to me naturally

[@fsh3702]

You really take the gamebody modding to another level.

[@r7blue]

over priced!!! like damn man their profit must be close to 100%

[@Qvatroos]

More like 1000

[@r7blue]

Brandon Kick ... dude..its a screen... they’re buying from china for cents!!

[@redenginner]

7:10 I noticed the colors where a little messed up on the IPS compared to the AGS-101.

[@hazimreitz]

when the battery ran out without a warning in a tight spot... off. That battery mod is a godsend :D

[@ianbecker7385]

This video was very informative and answered all of my questions so thank you Elliot.

[@GolDGreg]

Around Black Friday this year, I bought a refurb Samsung 55inch 4K smart tv for $200 flat, no tax or shipping, straight to my door. While I love the advance, I wouldn’t spend more than like $60 for one.

[@thomas-NK]

Got a Funnyplaying GBA for christmas with preinstalled IPS V2, and are waiting for the retro modding amp kit😁 Really exited about the amp kit!

[@Hexedbug]

man i started by shell swapping my joycons and going back and doing old repairs for other consols and it seems so easy to mod older consoles when they were a lot simpler

[@ThickpropheT]

Congrats on your mod! It turned out great. I've never had to cut the viewport on my shells to fit the IPS. I also think you can get the screen centered with a little work. I think the centering bracket really helps for this. I would always definitely install it. In my experience, a good way to ensure it is centered without having to cut the viewport is to trim about half of the shims on the inside of the wall on the A/B button side and then slowly shave away the remaining areas outlined in the instructions until the screen drops in snugly. I do use a mill which makes this precise work a bit more uniform, but I feel that I could probably achieve the same results by hand. Ymmv. From there you have to take care to center the glass. I usually gently apply the glass at first and then use guitar picks to scoot it around with the screen turned on until each edge seems to be equally visible. That's when I go in for the kill and give the whole perimeter of the glass a firm press. You should try your hand at another one of these. My first unit turned out pretty good, but all the lessons I learned from the first made the second much easier and it turned out at a much higher quality. Cheers!

[@MikkyMilkshake]

I think the amplifier is let down by the constant hissing sound that is a normal part of the GBA hardware, but as you said it does do what it set out to do, and the difference is very clear between the unmodified speaker and the amp.

[@chrisred87]

I bought an ips screen from AliExpress it cost £30 delivered and required no soldering. I bought a new amp,new speaker and a dehum/dehiss kit for about £25 from Retro Six. The Retro Six stuff is easy to install as the unit is designed to be soldered in with no wires. They also sell a battery pack for £27 again no soldering, but minor cuting for the battery pack.

[@99percent_]

This is cool, I love it and I want to have a GBA like this too... Then I remember my DS lite still works perfectly. But anyways, I love that blue shell. So pretty

[@nathanramlochan6358]

Music, video and audio quality is on point. Great production

[@TheRetroFuture]

Appreciate that a lot thank you

[@djlclopez128]

This video is awesome. Pristine GameBoy Advance, and that color is beautiful! 😊

[@kennysa3586]

ags 101 is still king. The dots really help clean up the graphics! nice build!

[@ganggreen1983]

The ultimate way to play first gen to GBA games. The IPS screen is amazing.

[@alrangelal]

This video inspired me to mod my old Gameboy. Thank you very much, I'm gonna recover a huge part of my childhood just before starting college.

[@Rad_Dan]

Hey man, I love your channel. I just found it recently, but I’m already subscribed, the content is golden

[@Dionysor]

cheers for the upload and your work. i think im gonna keep my gb micro and replace its battery

[@therealnothingtoseehere]

I bought a nicely modded GBA on eBay with a fantastic sceeen. Speakers are good (because why would you want a powerful amp in a console you hold next to your face?), and the rechargeable batteries I use give hours and hours of play, and I already had them. It cost me about £90 delivered. Hmm, do you remember Pounds Sterling? I was surprised that you don't use them in Jersey, but then I forgot that you are the 51st US state. Peace out, Austin Powers.

[@inasuma8180]

I see why folks like the IPS display, but I think I prefer AGS-101 for retaining the old-school-ish quality of the screen. yeah the density isn't as good, but that's kind of the point, at least for me. Thanks for sharing Elliot!

[@ciggyazealia]

Wow, The Retro Future got super funny and well produced since the last time I checked in on the videos. I like it!