DON'T buy a modded Game Boy Advance!

[@PhobiaSoft]

Shout out to the Legacy of Goku II soundtrack

[@genarodistilio8441]

Isnt it the buus fury`s one?? Anyways I love that song. Nice video btw!!

[@NayruSSB]

It's used in I & II but they vary in some parts. The one used here sounds like the one from II.

[@PhobiaSoft]

@@NayruSSB I pulled it from the LoGII OST

[@KingPopinLockin]

As soon as it started playing I thought, "I know this from somewhere, it must be in the comments!"

[@PKD145]

I noticed the Yu-Gi-Oh world championship tournament 2004 soundtrack right at the beginning

[@chaliceohearts4658]

My baby hands were made for an Advanced SP.

[@ChicagoMel23]

Mine too

[@islandimus3370]

I never had the original gba until recently, when someone I met gave me a white one for free 5 seconds after I met them. The sp and Megaman zero are my childhood

[@kevin_lee_music]

The original GBA feels like it's made for baby hands to me 😅

[@noafroman1]

I have big hands but long skinny fingers and don't mind playing with my finger tips.

[@noafroman1]

@@islandimus3370 thats how I got my gbc and Pokémon yellow

[@napynap]

I remember modding my GBA years ago when the Afterburner came out. It was a detailed install to make sure no dust got on the screen. I took my time and had all the parts laid out on a big well-lit table. Got it done and it still works today. I never knew they had these other screens to install. Thanks for the video!

[@biohayzer]

Is it just me or were you removing and installing the ribbon cable into the connector without releasing the grey locking tabs?....maybe that’s why you had trouble?🤔

[@ryanstrickhouser]

I am glad I wasn't the only who noticed that.

[@magicalsleeper]

He even mentioned the "locks" but didnt open them up. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that. His point is still valid, dont trust others to do a job you can do yourself

[@javiles2331]

It was wild!!! 😵

[@Nelson_C_KNOWS]

Yes... I notice that.. I was like “ hey pull the gray tabs first”

[@piratepop7115]

Who gives an f. This chat room is cringe

[@JulietStMoon]

I actually "restored" an old GBA SP I've had lying around for years with one of the FunnyPlaying IPS screens and a new shell, and it works like a dream. Strongly recommended to anyone, especially if your handheld needs a new screen anyway! It's literally cheaper than an original AGS-101 screen, last I checked. Edit: Also, this is crazy easy to do, even with minimal experience! Just make sure to follow a good guide, and you can totally skip the brightness control solder, like I did. The default brightness is already much brighter than the brightest setting of the original 101 screen!

[@jahyeet1137]

Yea and it’s better to take your time but I’m 🤔 by of putting one in my gba also did you buy your ips off e bay?

[@stevejeffrey11]

Ya its crazy on ebay the 101s were going for 200+ bucks So I bought an 001 SP and ips screen for less

[@megasean3000]

I’m getting an IPS V2 very soon and this video helps a lot in understanding the process better. Thanks for showing how it’s done!

[@singleflips]

People seem to never mention the issue that's arguably larger than the form factor issue with the GBA SP: The battery life. Most OEM GBA SP batteries are on their way out at this point, and while modern 900 mAh replacements are available, there have been battery mods for the original GBA to give it a USB-C rechargable battery with a capacity of 1700 mAh. I have the RetroSix CleanJuice in my GBA and it really lasts a long time.

[@PhobiaSoft]

Great point

[@Tim3888]

I just don't see the point in type c battery mods for the most part, you can get 2500mah+ rechargeable AAs for much cheaper. Top mods for me would be IPS screen, amplifer, dehumming kit, and my personal favorite is putting in a hdmi out kit.

[@CptJistuce]

@@Tim3888 I've considered the battery pack before, but only because my GBA's battery door broke off ages ago. But until I fix the power switch, the battery is a moot point.

[@Fighter_Builder]

I have an old GBA I picked up at a yard sale years ago that barely works. I'm thinking about doing a restoration + mod of it, and this video was really informative!

[@TheGauges420]

If it barely works then its still going to barely work.

[@Fighter_Builder]

@@TheGauges420 ok but I know what's wrong with it and I have a good idea how to fix it. Mainly the battery terminals aren't making great contact, and there's a couple parts, like the speakers and volume knob, that need replacing and/or cleaning.

[@mentifresh]

My goodness, i'm suprised you managed to pull and reinstall the screen, you totally forgot to release the locks on the PCB. The cable releases and reinstalls incredibly smoothly if the locks are released (pulled out). I guess you realized later and that's why you mention it later on the voice over.

[@benyhhill]

hi was screaming at the screen foe that lol

[@weatheronthe8s895]

All of this makes me happy I have an original AGS-101 GBA SP. It may lack a headphone jack, but it is my childhood Gameboy, which I am thankful I have this model.

[@KD-bk7gd]

Stock GBA’s are all selling for around $70 now, so after reshelling and screen it’s hard to make one for less than $140 on your own now.

[@itstimmyramisu]

Now an ags 101 is 120 minimum :)

[@KD-bk7gd]

@@itstimmyramisu I just spent $200 on a fully kitted out GBA with iPs display, new shell, buttons, silicone and rechargeable USB-C battery. They’re definitely getting pricey. Also picked up a similar GBC for $199. Crazy times. For these prices I could get an Analogue Pocket if only they were available.

[@itstimmyramisu]

@@KD-bk7gd awh shit that's awesome man! They're definitely getting up there!! I am gonna mod myself but even then it's still pricey!!! Happy new year friend. I hope you love your gameboys :)

[@itstimmyramisu]

@@KD-bk7gd ahhh yes I really wish I had pre ordered the AP when I could've gotten it in 2022.

[@purpasmart_4831]

Damn that Yufioh WCS 2004 menu music brings me back...

[@PhobiaSoft]

Same here man

[@Decoy_Shark]

CFW N3DSXL is my favourite way to play GBA games now. I was enjoying games on the original hardware, but the 3DS still being Nintendo makes it feel legit enough for me.

[@nastysdsi]

It is legit, since the 3DS runs GBA games natively (it has the GBA processor inside). The DS Lite is also an option, it doesn't require a CFW, and it has a cartridge slot. On both DS and 3DS, you can use stereo sound, without headphones, as a bonus (if the game supports it).

[@surrealchemist]

I bought one because I didn’t have the OG GBA anymore. I traded mine in to get the SP back in the day. But in reality the DS Lite is the best one. Put a DS flash cart and GBA flash cart in the same console and the library is huge.

[@ozzyp97]

I like the DS Lite, but without support for the GB and GBC it can't fully replace the GBA. Obviously that's not a problem if those older systems don't interest you in the first place, but it still cuts out a lot of classic titles.

[@apanapane]

I was not aware of the issues with the V1 screens, so thank you for pointing that out!

[@SAkURAYOWA]

I don’t know how to solder so it’s nice to know I can just attach the screen

[@sarahphilion5203]

I agree, makes me happy this is something i can actually do for my collection, i hope to do a reshell as well since my battery cover is bad on my GBA (i currently have masking tape so my batteries aren't exposed while playing) i might take a bit though since i just got a limited edition DSi not that long ago

[@Nawk32]

I bought a GBA recently and I was shocked at how dark it was. Should get my IPS drop mod within the week

[@Nawk32]

Update! I've modded 2 gbas with new cases, buttons, screens and one has a USB-C battery mod. They're amazing

[@supermetroid009]

Ikr! Back in 2002 we didnt know lol but that screen was daaaarrrk af.

[@metroidmayhem8463]

Some of these mods look fun to try. Like getting the best of the retro system.

[@cljoe35]

The dragon ball z soundtrack goes well when describing the gameboy advance! Perfect!

[@violencechooser5137]

I’m actually getting one that’s a ips V2 and famicom theme and it’s arriving tomorrow and I’m super excited

[@lVlArseniclVl]

From where?

[@violencechooser5137]

@@lVlArseniclVl eBay

[@douglasthequilava]

after this I'm tempted to get my old GBA out of storage, order a new screen and the screwdriver type I need and some more things it needs. shoulder buttons are so unresponsive it makes my old DSi's R button look functional. that and I need something to be able to play my old GBA games on again. Without emulation I mean.

[@nathandow2574]

Do it, I've primarily worked with the sp, but these things all kindve look the same inside and are so simple and seem to be pretty hard to completely ruin.i just picked up a gba micro in pretty excellent shape and I'm gonna bring it back up to near mint with a couple little parts to use as my main daily driver as I only really play game on break or in public and the sp just doesn't fit in my pocket practically

[@alinepiroutek8932]

Is there any permanent fix to LR buttons of DSi?

[@Idk-lf7fe]

@@alinepiroutek8932 hmm well ive fixed my triggers for my 3ds, you could likely order new parts from amazon or carefully take out the trigger with the wires and watch a youtube tutorial on it... idk if the triggers are similar for the DS and 3ds, but i cleaned my metal plates on the triggers, it worked for me

[@EvanDeLuca]

@@alinepiroutek8932 the best thing you can do its clean the buttons with isopropyl alcohol. I did this when i bought a used dsi.

[@alinepiroutek8932]

@@EvanDeLuca Well, I do this but it only works for few hours.

[@KassandraQuiseng]

A bit off topic, but your voice is really nice to listen to! I love your accent.

[@twangyyy18888]

I found a working GBA underneath a couch cushion in a vacant house I was cleaning out for a job. Im probably gonna order a kit from handheld legend

[@PhobiaSoft]

What a find!

[@tpsplatinum3562]

My personal recommendation is to do a Boxypixel mod kit. The kit plus system will run you about $200, but you get an IPS screen, rechargeable battery, USB Type C for faster charging, and a metal shell and buttons that give a great feel to the system. I went with a purple shell with brass A and B buttons. There's even a sound amplifier kit you can install.

[@co8539]

Boxypixel gba’s retail for around 300… doesn’t really seem worth it to me since you aren’t getting something that looks like an OEM game boy

[@jean-pierregiguere4048]

The recharge and metal shell are lovely but yeah it's more expaeive now

[@tommymaxey2665]

I just did my first IPS mod on a GPA SP a few months ago as a gift for my nephew. I could of done a few thing better like I put the yellow part as the insulator instead of the plastic film, whoops, should still be fine. I'm thinking of doing another mod on a Fuchsia GBA I have. I love the grip of the first model even though I grew up on the SP. I think I will have an easier time playing GBA with the first model instead of using a SP or DS, wont have to deal with the hinge. You're video is going to be a good guide whenever I get around to doing it

[@commondog3956]

Used to mod a bunch of these like 7 or 8 years ago. Fun stuff. Replaced the shells, some of the buttons, installed the screens and went onto other projects. (RIP SP)

[@shotgunmasterQL]

Oh wow, I didnt realize screen replacement would be quite this straightforward on a GBA. I dont have many GBA games, but when I have some extra cash, I'll keep this screen mod in mind...

[@Chronoflation]

Are you using the music from Dragon Ball Z Legacy of Goku 2? Hahaha, I was feeling nostalgic for that game and just finished watching a playthrough of it. I still have my copy somewhere, so I'm gonna go play it again 😁

[@adrianmanzo7916]

THANK YOU a lot of tutorials I had watched in the past made it sound like sautering was a requirement for this mod so when I had first made a custom gba I just stuck with a worm light. I just bought the necessary supplies to make my custom gba, hoping I dont screw up the process the good thing is that I bought a custom shell for ips displays so I dont have to shave off the plastic

[@crimsonshadow1140]

I bought mine premodded with the V2 screen and I love it to death. Mind you it was a little on the expensive side but it was also refurbished so it felt like a brand new console when I took it out of its packaging when it arrived

[@zagan512]

Im gonna buy one premodded with v2 screen also, have you noticed any problems? This would really help since i haven't actually bought one yet

[@crimsonshadow1140]

@@zagan512 can’t say I have had any real problems with it, one little side effect the screen has it that it causes the red low power light to display earlier than usual, but the battery life of the gba is untouched, I get at least 3 weeks out of one set of battles

[@MrPeteykins]

Hey, I know this is an old video, but I just wanted to thank you for the good info. Cheers!

[@snorlaxi5620]

yo how do you only have 12k subs this is super high production value :O

[@yuvyx3288]

ok?

[@kr4t0sg.28]

I agree, i dont trust other people's crappy work. I trust my own work as i make them as flawless as humanly possible. No dust in screen and always wear gloves to prevent finger prints.

[@Janzkrieg]

1:04 Legacy of Goku Music!! I think it's Legacy of Goku 2 if i remember correctly. But you made my night when i heard that! ✨️

[@Roshan_420]

6:30 id recommend just getting a funnyplaying housing which supports the screen without trimming etc its molded that way

[@PhobiaSoft]

Exactly, trimming is the only difficult part

[@Roshan_420]

@@PhobiaSoft I did this mod today and fucked up my tp2 pad. Its gone. So I used tp3

[@eeveeblazelol]

though the stuff about screens is quite outdated now lol, this was still a really nice video to watch!

[@fireemblemistrash75]

Metroid fusion got me nostaligc, among the best

[@wilexly]

im playing dbz buu's fury while watching this and the music tripped me out

[@flick2flick]

The icing on the cake is a usb port battery upgrade too.

[@lexofadown]

6:55 Dude I can smell that molten plastic from here !

[@timetravelingoldman6839]

The Yu Gi Oh amd Dragon Ball soundtracks are awesome and nostalgic

[@lauraalvarez4598]

just finished changing my screen i love it i was giving up hope on my gameboy thank you this video helped me a lot.

[@Maesterful]

I still say if it weren't for the screen the GBA was one of the best portable consoles ever made (though the Vita is still my number 1)

[@13THPR0PH37]

Love the Vita

[@bzbee5139]

7:36 I shed a 😢tear. So beautiful.

[@crimsonshadow1140]

I don’t tend to use the adjustable brightness on my GBA’s V2 screen. But it’s nice that it has that option anyway. I just leave on on level 5. I’m also surprised how long the battery lasts on the GBA with the V2 screen installed. I run Duracell Ultra AAs in my modded gba and they last at least 3 weeks on one set

[@sarahphilion5203]

Good to know since i have no soldering skills so i will have to use level 5 brightness, also nice to hear the battery life is good

[@tehMaloWalo]

sorry i know your comment is old but is there like a battery light when the batteries get low?

[@crimsonshadow1140]

@@tehMaloWalo yeah the power light turns red when it gets low, it’s a little bit harder to tell on a modded screen due to it using more power than the stock screen

[@supermetroid009]

Mine too been playing superstar saga .

[@VworksArt]

I also like the legacy of goku series

[@ClanOxyL]

I had a GBA as a kid, had a SP in my early twenties now in my mid twenties I had that urge to get a gba and pokemon. I did not like how the sp felt in my hands as they are on the larger side, my wists would cramp up holding it for too long. I ended up buying a pre modded gba with an ips kit off of facebook for 150$ cad. Only downside is it's pink lol. Was originally going to get a new shell but after watching videos on how it all works I don't want to ruin the guys good work on the gba since it all works right. keeping my eye open for a really beat up gba to restore and make my own. Love this handheld system so much.

[@ChrisCovers78]

Great video. I would’ve used kapton tape instead of electrical tape.. electrical tape becomes an oily mess over time.

[@四季-i5k]

Anyone: this is too small for our hands... Nintendo, a Japanese company: ... Japanese with small hands: yay

[@jakspica]

if youtube wasn't the way it was i would say change the title, but it turned out to be informative, so thanks

[@madamadadane7989]

One day after work I'll pop out the old dremel and soldering iron and go ham, thanks man

[@primorock8141]

GBA had some banger games😤🔥

[@KingBlueDood]

Gotta love the legacy of Goku II soundtrack, that's my 5th favorite GBA game

[@Semystic]

I'm working on this mod myself. Broke my first ips screen because they're so damn fragile so I'm waiting for a new one. I'm also replacing my L and R button with tactile clicky ones. I installed an audio amplifier to boost the sound of the speaker since its so quiet normally. Aside from the ips screen, getting a usb-c rechargeable battery is the best upgrade you can do to your old gba. I got a precut replacement shell with the same colors as the original glacier purple so it wouldn't look modded until you turn it on. I can't wait until it's finished!

[@bertrandbest]

I love the Legacy of Goku 2 music!

[@PhobiaSoft]

My man knows what's up

[@Sylversion]

I love to see this kind of videos I hope that before the end of the year I will have a gameboyadvance

[@CZPC]

Been meaning to mod my gba for the past year. Thanks for reminding me. Now I just gotta have one... Fuck. Also a fellow Legacy of Goku OST fan!

[@StevoHDA]

blue power light? BLUE!?

[@mzebari]

Hurts my mind. BLUE ? Blind me while I play!

[@boredcommenter]

Fun fact the game boy advance (black) is a toysRus exclusive

[@Kalipper98]

Wouldn't it have been easier to loosen the cable locks to be able to install it better?

[@Mullratte]

It’s crazy how my entire hand is bigger than the original GBA when I got mine when it first came out I thought it was huge and my hands were tiny when I was kid just like the rest of me it wasn’t until I turned 17 I had growth spurt and went from being 5’4 to 6’1 by the time I was 24 and went from having small hands to large.

[@Scorci]

the SP and the joycon both fit my hands nicely so I am a lucky baby hand haver yay

[@Niborino9409]

I somehow ended up getting the proper model so this video helped ease my mind afterwards hehe

[@deusprogrammer_thekingofspace]

I used to modify systems, but my hands aren't as steady as they used to be, so I just paid a friend to mod one for me. It looks great. I just need to find a damned flash cart for it. Can't seem to ever catch the GBA ones in stock where I can get them fast.

[@maxeckstein5004]

Get the EZFlash Omega. Thing works like a dream and it's way cheaper than an Everdrive

[@ijansk]

Why doesn't Nintendo better relaunch the Gameboy Advance with backlit screen and chargeable battery?

[@davestylehenry]

My dad just modded mine. He bought a new case, screen, and added a backlight

[@pocket83squared]

Great video. Thanks a bunch. I've been meaning to do this, and this was the cleanest how-to I've seen.

[@peachbubble8652]

Ah thank you! I was trying to see if I could fix my broken speaker and accidentally made my screen do this. I had to shove that cable in there to fix it!

[@flick2flick]

Dbz inspired music for the video. I like I like 😊

[@FPSBurg]

I have a white gba from the early 2000’s might do this lol

[@undeadknight01]

I have my old white GBA too but have zero modding and soldering skills, so I'll be ordering a backlit GBA from those "bad" vendors he talked about!

[@WellSwolen69]

I wanted to modify my wii, but seeing this video, I am confident I must look very careful on who I may outsource to. I saw the wii could be trimmed. My wii is broken, but also homebrewed, so I could possibly remove the CD drive and have it portable to work. I just want one thing different, I want to keep the external GC ports.

[@travis8106]

Me, who never planned on buying a gameboy advance, modded or otherwise: "Good looking out"

[@BIGROYFAN7000]

I just a bought a refurbished pink original gba and I love it

[@dariuscurry7396]

The intro music, was that Yu-Gi-Oh Word Championship 2004?

[@PhobiaSoft]

Yessir!

[@FranklinSninsky]

So let me get this Straight, if I dont do any of that soldering and just connect the screen the only function I wont get is adjussting screen brightness, wow that really changes how hard I thought it would be to install a new fancy backlit screen on one of my old Game Boy Advances wow...

[@akumakami9727]

Man I wish I still had my GBA 😔. All the Castlevania games, Boktai 1 and 2, Onimusha Tactics, the 2 Yu Yu Hakusho games. Man probably my favorite handheld growing up.

[@jonahraines]

Well I know what I'm doing this weekend

[@alexpine8295]

Great video! Looking to buy a GBA to mod, this is very helpful!

[@KensDreaming]

This video popped up right after I bought a freeplay cm3

[@Peterguy2012]

There's somebody else out there who appreciates the Yu-Gi-Oh 2004 GBA soundtrack

[@wyndiahighwind7477]

Quit making fun of my baby hands. 🤣

[@Jack_80]

i have big hands but found the sp to be perfectly comfortable to hold.

[@HAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA]

Can't wait to mod my GBA with the aluminum buttons though

[@pelotaz0]

I did something quite similar to this mod in the past and I think we have the same imperfection: screen is not centered as it can be seen at 9:03 in the numbers on bottom left

[@Mocroskate]

I don't think its ever perfectly centered to be honest. Every mod so far that i have seen have had the same issue. I could never live with that to be honest lol. My ocd would bother me way to much.

[@pelotaz0]

​@@Mocroskate I think it's a design problem of the screen we all are buying, it bothered me in the begin, not gonna lie, but it's still quite an improvement over the regular shitty GBA screen

[@nendis4896]

I just ordered one because I don't have a scolding iron and I don't wanna buy one just for one modification. Maybe sometime in the future when I have an extra hobby room

[@leeartlee915]

I really should get into soldering.

[@777superlightwater]

Thanks for making this video!

[@valkyrasonara1797]

I buy a moddet GBA on Ebay and he work very well. I love him, because he glow in the dark ❤️

[@armor1z]

I bought one a little over a year ago for about $100. It was worth it for me. Didn't seem too outrageous for one.

[@SoundToxin]

That blue LED looks sweet but I've had some bad luck with soldering SMD LEDs in the past.

[@duscha55]

I modded 4 gba consoles with the ags101 screen some years back, and i have never had any problems with them. And yes! I know that they are not nintendo oem screens. I have brightnes control on them to. So you dont have to go with the expensive ips screens.

[@giackbazz]

Bro I feel bad for how you treat your soldering iron. Melting plastic with it... That's cold blooded man

[@PhobiaSoft]

Haha that one was like $10 and I've always had problems with it, so it got what it deserved.

[@Wyatt_James]

If you release the locks, the screen ribbon should slide right out with no force.

[@mini-_]

3:55 not to question your skill, but it seems like you didn't unlock the ribbon cable and just pulled it out. I've taken apart my GBA a couple times and never had it be snug when pulling out the cable. This may be why it was so difficult to plug in the new cable and why it didn't have a good connection the first time around

[@KingPopinLockin]

Honestly, I would get one of these GBAs but I'd rather find something like the original DS that can play DS and GBA games. I'd be missing out on a third of the Golden Sun series if I didn't.

[@derektheclerk5093]

didn’t know the pre-made gba’s on ebay weren’t official, definitely going to do this mod myself. i just don’t know how to solder 😅

[@dragoonman1478]

The GBA is definitely much more practical to hold but honestly, the folding GB SP? I cannot have any other Gameboy because of pure nostalgia

[@PhobiaSoft]

The SP is peak nostalgia, I agree

[@dragoonman1478]

@@PhobiaSoft yo I was not expecting a response so fast. Glad you agree

[@jryangutierrez]

Vibrating feature would be dope

[@connorburrus6069]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing your project!

[@namelessanarchy]

thats some dbz legacy of goku ost

[@DaRk_DoG]

Hmmmm just bumped into this.. I modded my own GB's in order to spent some free time with something recreational. However the final cost is not that far from a pre-modded GB with all the quality parts I've used. There are a lot of reputable modders out there with lots of love, for what they do and what they offer.