How to replace Gameboy Advance SP Shell in UNDER 10 minutes - Shell Swap

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

Which shell are you using? Time Stamps: ► @ 00:00 - What you need ► @ 00:31 - Opening Gameboy ► @ 01:12 - Removing from Shell ► @ 02:01 - Removing Screen ► @ 03:00 - Hinges ► @ 05:12 - Inserting Screen ► @ 06:28 - Inserting Buttons & Rubbers ► @ 06:57 - Inserting Gameboy into Shell ► @ 07:40 - Closing Shell

[@walrusman151]

Well that NES inspired shell looked so good I used the same one! Thanks, great video

[@franciscopina2899]

Funny thing, even before I found your video I bought the same NES shell, and even funnier, my old GBA is the same tribal tattoo one!! Although mine is in worse shape than yours 😅🤣

[@kiwistinky]

Limited Edition Rayquaza shell

[@artexjay]

a video of replacing the screen lens would have been a really useful addition, otherwise it's pretty comprehensive and quick tutorial

[@nukegames3327]

I’m using spingebob

[@Glackinator3000]

I broke my childhood GBA last week and was devastated. I bought a new shell online and was able to replace it thanks to this video. Thank You!!

[@thinkaboutangel]

if you don’t mind me asking where do you get your gba sp games?

[@Glackinator3000]

@@thinkaboutangel Usually online on sites like eBay. It can be hard to find the games in person nowadays.

[@thinkaboutangel]

@@Glackinator3000 ahh okay thank you. i found a shop near my house that sells games for it but they’re all copies which is okay i guess

[@Glackinator3000]

@@thinkaboutangel No Problem. :)

[@scarlettmrose3496]

I know it's a weird question but how exactly did you break it? I'm actually trying to replace the shell but the screws are old and no longer have any grip on top so I can't unscrew them either so I'm forced to (carefully) break it open so... any ideas/suggestions? 😅

[@emmettturner9452]

Sorry, but the hinges should not take that much force to remove and forcing them out is likely to break the later AGS-101 models since some of those colors are particularly brittle. You removed them while they were under tension which holds the screen closed and they were misaligned with the tabs inside the shell halves. You are supposed to remove them when the screen is open to the self-supporting detention position since they will not be under spring tension and the grooves on both halves of the hinge will be aligned with the tabs on both halve of the shell. This is a common mistake because most people don’t know how to access the left hinge while the screen is open. More on that in a bit. You can look inside your empty hinge areas to see an almost rectangular protrusion in the circular opening for the hinge. Both parts have one and they only align when the hinge is opened to the detent. Of course, you still have the clips to contend with even when the tabs and grooves are all in alignment but those are not what make it difficult. You can often free the clips and push a half millimeter or so before you open the screen to finish pushing the hinges out. To access the left hinge with the screen open you typically have to remove the right hinge first and then find something long enough to reach the left side through the right side. There are two easy ways I know of to deal with all this. In 2019 Makho designed and released a 3D printed tool that retracts the clips and pushes the hinge out even with the screen open. It’s very cool, but I never printed one purely because I always have a Bic pen handy (yes, I do have 3D printers). That’s right: you can also use a common type of Bic ink pen. In the mid 2000s I figured out that a Bic Round Stic ink pen has a part where the inner diameter is the perfect size to retract the clips and it is hollow so you can still reach through and push while the clips are retracted. For the Bic Round Stic Tric you want the cone-shaped piece that fits the outer tube and holds the functional part of the pen. Take the part that fits inside the large tube, open to the detent, and press it against the right hinge to retract the clip... then you can use anything that fits to push the hinge out. Next, close the screen and cut our pen part down to fit tightly between the left hinge and the nearby plastic rib. You want to wedge it in between so it will stay there with the clips retracted when you open the shell. Once the shell is open you can use something long to reach through the right hinge all the way across and through our home-made tool to push the hinges out. Last time I used a plastic watercolor brush but you could use a long screwdriver, a hex key, or maybe even the ink tube from our disassembled pen. Literally anything stiff enough that can reach.

[@kermitkid1]

Damn I just read this after I beat the shit out of my hinges lol

[@emmettturner9452]

@@kermitkid1 Ah, man… hope they didn’t give you too much trouble. Does your top screen sag a bit when you hold it upside-down while closed?

[@nicowh1t3]

Thank you for this!

[@emmettturner9452]

@@nicowh1t3 Very welcome. :)

[@andresquintero9855]

2 year later and you comment is still doing good. Just about to print out the piece. Found it on thingiverse

[@scrilla2051]

I opened my Gameboy the other day and the hinge exploded lol. I guess with age and exposure it was ready to go. So i bought a new shell and with the help of your video, i was able to make my Gameboy brand new again! Appreciate the help!

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

glad it helped and that must of made you jump haha

[@mycal05]

Haha I did all the steps an worked well. Haha but when I was done an turned it on, it's just a half black an half white screen. U can hear everything, I just can't see anything in the scree now. How do I fix this?

[@stunner2355]

i completely agree that this is the best shell switch video. camera with narrow angles and clear view and a very good explanation. im very glad you did this, as im about to build in my first shell to an sp and with this video i think it will be easy :) so thx you a lot! :) i gave you a thumps up ofc. keep it going. would love to see more nintendo gameboy repaire stuff from you.

[@hunterallen8225]

I appreciate this video. So many others just show the person doing it but you narrate it clearly as you do it and specifically show great angles as you remove each individual screw. Very helpful for beginners like myself who have anxiety about messing up and not being able to put it back together so I thank you!

[@GrumPBear]

Getting the hinges back in is a lot easier than getting them out, you just need to put them in partially, open the screen to its normal position, and then push the hinges in the rest of the way.

[@spiralcat6376]

DO NOT APPLY FORCE TO HINGES WHEN PUTTING THEM BACK IN. It took me ordering replacement hinges and covers to understand why they broke. Once the hinge is in place as far as it will go, the notches lined up with the groves, simply rotate the pieces open until the hinge slides into place. The other should go in at the same angle. There is no force, no clicking, no pop, but you'll know it worked because the pieces will open and close like they are supposed to, locking into position.

[@ItsCeline1]

THIS COMMENT HAS SAVED MY LIFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THANK YOUUUUUUUUUU §

[@ObliviousNaz]

so.. basically i need to line up the hinges and notches by opening the gba sp?

[@spiralcat6376]

@@ObliviousNaz yes. Put the hinges in as far as they will go and then rotate the two pieces of the case until they click in all the way. Once they are in properly the case will open and close like it usually does

[@KelpeeGee]

This isn’t working for me whatsoever my hinges stick out a good bit and no matter how much I wist and turn them they won’t go all the way in

[@spiralcat6376]

@KelpeeGee try rotating the pieces slowly and gently pushing them in. You can do one side then the other. You might be doing it too quick or not actually pushing the hinge in. You just don't need to press hard

[@darkcharizard52]

Your guide is easily the best one. Other guides seem to skip certain important parts and don’t specify which screws should go where…ended up making a hole in the button plate because of this from another guide, but yours was incredibly thorough. Thank you!

[@ditt0422]

I owe a huuuge thanks to this video! Even while muted, I could easily follow along with the instructions. I bought my first GBAsp a while ago, and the old used shell was QUITE busted & gunked, but it was a good price. Got a new shell and thanks to JJ repairs it was much easier to see what I should be doing to replace it!

[@EvieFlanksalot]

i bought a shell and customized it for my bfs birthday and i know very little about computers and electronics in regards to their components and how they go together. with this video i was able to put it together in under an hour. thanks so much

[@brockthe80sdude60]

I picked up a worn Gameboy advance SP at a Carboot a couple of weeks ago. I used this video to reshell it. Many thanks for this guide! First time I’ve done one and this video explains how to do it so easy. Cheers buddy 👍🏻

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

no problem glad it helped! What shell did you use in the end?

[@kencrossland]

Thank you so much for making this video! I used this tutorial to move the guts of an AG-101 with a broken hinge to the shell of an AG-001, and this helped me SO much in getting that done. You’re awesome!

[@MrLicky106]

Fantastic video!. Just re-shelled my original black sp with a new Rayquaza Green shell. Thanks to this video for making it turn out amazing!

[@MouseCIick]

9:50 heat gun to remove the oem sticker, but you need patience and finesse.

[@partsman4376]

An easy way to take off the sticker is to use a heat gun or hair blow drier to the backside of the shell. You then carefully peel it off. The heat makes the adhesive loosen up and will still still stick to your new shell. Just to add, I use a toothbrush with glass cleaner on it to brush out the cartridge slot while you have it open. I use an air gun after cleaning to blow out the left over glass cleaner. Canned air works too if you don't have a compressor.

[@ultr8870]

Currently waiting for my shell to come. Love your videos

[@azgrafflife]

Same my she’ll should be here by Thursday and I’m a bit afraid of taking the robin out of the mother board but going to see how it goes

[@ryansimmons6993]

Use a heat gun or hair dryer, going back and forth on the label about 3 inches above it and slowly peel off the label at the same time. it should leave enough glue after getting it off to put it on the new new and then just heat it up a little more and smooth on the label to the back of the gba sp

[@edwardlow5568]

Followed this all the way through and managed to complete the shell replacement with no hiccups! Thank you so so much for the thorough walkthrough.

[@slickskater29]

Awesome video! I just used this to replace my case. The hinges terrified me, and I thought I broke my new case, but it was ok. All in all, took me about 70 minutes, but I kept having to stop and find tools and stuff :P

[@songsan807]

Just found this video today. Got 2 old SP that the case got all scratched up so ordered 2 shells from AliExpress that just came in. Going to try to do this following your steps. Thanks.

[@KalKyzara]

I've tried doing ds replacements before and failed miserably, so I came to this video with low hopes. I was surprised at how easy this was, and successfully replaced the shell

[@lb2695]

Great vid, thank you for your help. My childhood gba now has a brand new purple shell to match my gameboy colour

[@stutterin_stick239]

I was so nervous that I just replaced the lower half which was the only broken part 😅 as long as it works I'm happy

[@TheMarxxsman]

Very helpful guide! With enough practice doing shell replacements it may take under ten minutes... but depending on the quality of the replacement case (as well as buttons and screws and such) you might end up taking over an hour like I did. Those hinges were super hard to get off on mine! I appreciate how detailed you were and mentioning not to dos as well. My GBA looks brand new now! Thanks :)

[@kevindewaynelowe]

Great video nice job. I dropped my sp not once, not twice, but trice before I could no longer glue the cracks back.

[@AlwayZash]

This video was super helpful, but here are 2 things that I experienced in my journey that may help others: 1: I could not shove the hinges in no matter how hard I tried. I realized that *the hinges were in the open position when I took them out* , and the whole time the shell was in the closed position. As soon as I put the shell in the open position, the hinges slid right in like a dream. 2. It wasn't covered, but the lens on my screen needed to be replaced, and all I did to remove the old one was blast it for 30 seconds with my hair dryer and that also came off like a dream. No razer blades requred and no fingies were harmed.👍

[@mrmiagi6052]

this would definitely be a project for a first timer. my shell is in bad shape but the gameboy works perfectly

[@rickgreenwald743]

This is one of the best instructional videos I have ever seen. Great lighting, camera shots are clear, detailed and unobstructed. The narration is clear and easy to understand . . . even with the funny accent. Great job! I hope you do more nintendo videos. You might try using a heat gun or hair dryer to remove your original sticker.

[@lemonchicken507]

How is his accent funny? He's British. Not everyone has to sound like they're from London or America.

[@f5673-t1h]

Took me an hour and a half, but I did it thanks to you! Tip for putting in the hinges: Try using pliers, one of those wide ones. Made it super easy.

[@TheAuthenticBlueTheBudew]

Thank you so much for the tutorial! I had some trouble because my battery door screw was stripped, but it worked out in the end!

[@xruinux]

Great video, I just followed step by step and got it done first time . I'd recommend using genuine Nintendo screws from your original shell . Thanks alot 😊

[@thursdaymoonwalker]

I want to change my housing on mine but I’m so scared I’ll fuck it up but after watching you do this I think I can lol

[@KingKoss]

Replacing my old gba sp I doug out of storage with a new shell and battery for my bday this month. Shame I'm not much of a soldier because my original Pokemon yellow, gold and emerald (oddly enough emerald doesn't have a battery so idk why it's not saving) all have flat batteries... Still this will be my first attempt re-shelling anything so wish me luck 🤞. I went for the Zelda gold Majora's mask shell. Thanks to this vid I'll be able to do it so thanks bud.

[@THEWHITESTKIDFAN]

the frozen food gloves are a nice touch lol badass video brotha!! You helped me drastically with my first SP shell transfer!!!

[@gibbkhalifa]

Thanks for this video it helped alot...if you are to ever update this video or make another I got a new technique that worked for inserting the hinges...instead of putting pressure on them like you did all I did was open up the case and push in the rest of the pin and it goes in smooth almost no effort so no breaking risk ✊🏼 not sure if I explained right but I'll try to explain better if needed

[@nikiski6142]

Thank you so much! I was absolutely lost on where to even start, but your explanations were incredibly helpful

[@kaythompson4855]

Fantastic explanation and demonstrate on how to change the shell case. Took me a little longer than 10 minutes as some of the parts were very fiddly but after all that came out with an amazing Gameboy Advance SP. Fabulous ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@rafaelcastro2591]

Ima try this in two days when all the stuff I need arrives!!! 🤩 orange with purple buttons to have a halloween-eske look 🎃

[@SketchyLemonade]

I did an ips mod and used your video as reference (except for the soldering part) because your quality and straightforward explanations are unmatched when it comes to other shell swap videos I’ve tried to use!

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

glad my video was helpful!

[@JD-re3cj]

@@JuicyJakeRepairs hi my sound isn’t working so you know what I could’ve missed or done wrong ?

[@piffytho8638]

alright this helps a lot, i am swapping the shell for my friends ags 101 because his is all scratched and he wants to sell it

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

glad it helped!

[@duckandcover8777]

Hey good video just got mine put together did an atomic purple and it turned out amazing ! Very well done at steps and explanations.

[@edwardreichard3852]

I like the clear view of the work at hand!

[@elijahcuswhynot]

Thank you sooooo much it was my first time doing this and your video was so easy to follow and really helped me thanks again 😀

[@MagusSage]

Justa wanted to share some knowledge about the hinges, I was having a hard time putting them back together, tried to do it just like the video and the hinges stayed only midway, couldnt get them all in, what i did is that i put the shell in open position give a little push and it was done, they fit into place with barely any force applied. So put the shell in close position, get them midway through, open and push and its done.

[@JeromeBeckett]

Ah, you legend, thanks. That made the hinges a breeze.

[@MagusSage]

I am glad to help ✌️​@@JeromeBeckett

[@mikehance6086]

I did all this perfect i got one of those high quality rubber shells a black one but i broke my hinge covers so had to use white ones and it looks ok but my ocd makes me kinda hate it haha so I ordered some cheap plastic ones they are black so should look ok the other ones only broke because i didn’t have the right hinges and tried to make them fit.

[@mikuneverdies6288]

,We was trying to find a DYI shell replacement guide online ,,there are a few ,but they don't really explain well enough or even shpw close enough to see whats really needed to be done..yours is by far the best an I will be useing it if we can mannage to win a used SP on E-fail/um mean ...Ebay of coarse :P TY for the Upload~!!

[@jas0n17-bad4]

Someone please help, when I put on the piece by the hinge that covers the ribbon cable, the cable isn’t inside of it and it’s exposed? Also how do I get the cable connected to the motherboard I just can’t do it

[@michaelnye7472]

Wish I checked the comments first. Just broke the hinge cover of my new shell

[@stefaniarivers7414]

Man this is great! Thank you so much! I just replaced the shell and the screen using this video

[@walrusman151]

Excellent tutorial I've used multiple times

[@thehomiejuan1306]

I just bought a cobalt version Original really used Nerve racking to think of doing a shell swap

[@returnofmerenguespersempre6664]

Excellent video, to the point and comprehensive. Well done!

[@Atsara612]

This was a great guide thank you so much

[@Iamsososorry]

just did a clear orange one. awesome tutorial

[@lebazardeisaak]

It looks quite simple in the video but I'm afraid of breaking something, the shell of my gba is quite damaged

[@ape3050]

Are all the screws the same size?

[@Lulinha-dz7mp]

I cant open the gameboy because the try wing screws just dont move 😭 I think it has passed some time and they might be stuck due to corrosion

[@jakeplaydirty3882]

Cheers for the detailed guide mate

[@angorplays8785]

when i wwas pushing the things out i did it with a screwwdriver and i pushed so hard it went into my hand

[@andresalcaino7570]

Best tutorial ever

[@sarahwilson6948]

This worked for me! Thank you so much!

[@Alexisme.]

This looks a lot easier then I thought it was thanks

[@sirtinley-knot2944]

nice work 👍🏻 I always HATED that 'tribal' design 🤮

[@fivejedis]

Wondering if anyone can help. Will be attempting a shell swap soon and was wondering can you replace the tri wing screws with phillip screws? If you can, what size screws should I get?

[@thelastbastionofinvincibil9629]

Helpful video, I would just say that I put too much force on the hinges and unfortunately broke more of the original shell getting them out which was a night mare trying to get them out of small broken bits, but this video did help a lot going through the process. Thank you for providing it for all!

[@taebeebee]

im unable to remove the y shaped screws from the back of my gameboy😢

[@EJDOMOTOR]

I respelled my gba but it’s not reading games it’ll have audio and show the gameboy screen but not the Nintendo logo

[@it_punkkid7298]

My question is it easy to swap shell cover i never done it before i own a SP i love to change the shell to something different yes mine still works fine

[@yoeribours3260]

Hello , i swapped the shell but now i have a white screen doing nothing, you know what to do about it please?

[@Ganacamole]

Hey guys, I just wanted to ask if someone knows the best way to approach removing a rusted phillips screw. The battery cover one is rusted and i have no clue how i'd go about removing it.

[@SebastijanStanivuk]

Can old original shell can be used? Is there a video how to put it into an old original shell?

[@yugohines1943]

same principle and steps, but be VERY gentle with it, especially if its an AGS-101 shell. some ags-101 shells are crazy fragile (especially pearl blue) so i would recommend working on a surface that is low to the ground and not pushing too hard on anything. also be careful with the hinges; person in the video uses a lot of force to reinsert the hinges, but i wouldn't even try this on an original shell. there's a couple comments where people slide the hinges in as much as they can in the closed position, switch the game boy to an open position, and then slide the hinges the rest of the way in. read through those and really take your time with them.

[@JoaoSilva-vx4sh]

You helped me thank you 🙏

[@PopPunkNerd]

I did this unfortunately I lost audio and my L and R buttons don’t work . I feel kinda disappointed in myself with this project

[@theskyfoogle1511]

My screen cable seems to be soldered on

[@kylecanfield7497]

Now my gameboy is broken. Thanks

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thank You!!!

[@randyseidell1665]

Where can I order 2 of those cases? Thank you

[@0Stellar0]

My screen came out call white with lines all over dang it

[@rocketman093]

Great video!

[@StretchedOutCrewSocks]

I am having trouble finding reputable hinges to use when I do this shell swap. I am also unsure which batteries work best as replacements. Can you recommend a website or brand?

[@pinko965]

use a hair dryer on older sticker till it come loose then gently peel it off and stick it on new shell.

[@n64_m]

Broke the screen on mine rip might order a new one

[@fredcarter2123]

I wanna sell my gba but the problem is that its shell got some scratches, is it better to change it before selling it or it will lose some of its value ?

[@PieS1ayer]

The ribbon seems to be stuck, I am applying pressure pretty hard to get the tabs down and they just won't budge. Any ideas?

[@lordz19]

Am I the only one struggling on replacing the tri wing screws on the screen?

[@KirbySTompy]

Where did you order your replacement shell from? What brand?

[@marsimoon185]

how take the sticker off?

[@calculusfalconerd]

Which size triwing screwdriver are you using at 59 seconds? I am having trouble getting that particular screw off.

[@blackjesus620]

Thx helps a lot

[@ramsfootball19]

Thanks for this!

[@JuicyJakeRepairs]

no problem :)

[@M_LittleRivers]

Great video! Do you know the size of the Y screwdriver? I think it's 2.5mm but I want to be sure before buying. Thanks!

[@lildagnamet8760]

Ty so much.

[@omarluna5840]

Thank you for this

[@f5673-t1h]

2:26 they were philips screws rather than tri-wing. Does this mean my GBA SP isn't authentic?

[@geezus7833]

yours is most likely an ags 101 model like mine

[@SandNinja98]

Okay so where is the best place to get a new shell for my sp

[@turkey6969]

Best video.

[@yonkou0899]

Good video ❤️

[@unitedcolorspace8672]

GREAT ❤

[@Ruben.Studio]

Where do you get this plastic blue tool ? I don't find, I don't even know the name of it..

[@dontstaylong]

It's usually called a spudger.