I TURNED THE GBA INTO A SWITCH! | THE SWITCH BOY ADVANCE SP

I turned a Game Boy Advance SP into a Switch-like console! Well, with a ton of help from my friend Kyle (@brinkerhoffsystems). You can play the GBA SP using official Nintendo Joycons both on the console and wirelessly off the console. You can dock the GBA SP to play it on a TV as well! This is effectively what a Switch may have looked like during the era of the Game Boy Advance. Well probably not, but it’s still pretty neat to think about! I had a blast working with Kyle to make this vision a reality and I hope you find this build both entertaining, fun, and interesting! Enjoy!
► So here's what you will find in this video:
► 0:00 Intro
► 2:15 Parts Overview
► 4:58 How I made the GBA SWITCH SP
► 9:37 Features Overview
► 9:37 How to Pair the Joycons to the GBA SP Switch
► 10:50 Pros and Cons
► 13:09 Final Thoughts/Conclusion
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// Products Featured in This Video (Affiliate Links Are labeled):
► NEW GBA SP TV-Out IPS Kit (Affiliate): retrogamerepairshop.com/produ...
► IPS Ready GBA SP Shell (Affiliate): retrogamerepairshop.com/produ...
► Holographic SP Rear Label Stickers (Affiliate): retrogamerepairshop.com/produ...
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// Where to find Kyle:
► Instagram: / brinkerhoff_systems
► Github: github.com/philosiraptor/game...
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// Support Macho Nacho on PATREON:
► / machonachoproductions
// JOIN me on DISCORD!
► / discord
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// SAVE MONEY at these Retro Modding Stores! (Affiliate Links Below):
► SAVE 10% by using COUPON CODE: TITO on any purchase from RETRO GAME REPAIR SHOP here: retrogamerepairshop.com/?ref=...
► SAVE 5% by using COUPON CODE: MACHONACHO on any purchase from RETRO MODDING here: bit.ly/39hHnz7
// TOOLS AND GEAR I Use For Video Game Console Modding (Soldering Equipment, Flux, Kapton Tape etc) (Affiliate Link):
►SRA Flux Pen: amzn.to/2CmPX4U
►Circuit Board Holder - amzn.to/2zV7VuC
►28 AWG gauge wire: amzn.to/2Ni1V22
►Silicone Mat for soldering: amzn.to/314rc88
►Kapton Tape: amzn.to/3xFk4wp
►iFixit Toolkit I use for all my projects: amzn.to/2CnJEOt - Everything you need!
►Hakko FR-301 Desolder Gun: amzn.to/2E8P2X3
►All other stuff I use: www.amazon.com/shop/machonacho...
// Great readily available IPS MOD KITS (Affiliate Links):
►Awesome Sony PSP IPS Screen Replacement: ebay.us/zlFs4h
►Game Boy Color Q5 IPS Backlight with OSD: ebay.us/uuBWar
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// MY VIDEO and AUDIO Equipment (Amazon Affiliate Links):
-Sony A6500 Camera - amzn.to/39FSxQa
-My Absolute Favorite Lens - amzn.to/308Zm9O
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// These stores provide fantastic Gear and Mods for Retro Consoles! If you use the following links below, I received a small percentage from sales at no cost to you. This is a great, free way to support the channel!
○ Retro Game Repair Shop (Tons of Game Boy Mods)
► retrogamerepairshop.com/?ref=...
○ Retro Modding (Lots of Handheld Console Mods)
► bit.ly/39hHnz7
○ Stone Age Gamer (Flash Carts and other great Retro Tech)
► stoneagegamer.com?afmc=MACHONACHO
○ eBay (It’s where I buy a lot of the consoles I mod!)
► ebay.us/NCwNkl
○ Sendico (I use Sendico to get great deals on Retro Consoles directly from Japan!)
► sendico.com/referral/MachoNacho
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// Social Media
► Instagram: / machonachoproductions
► Facebook: / machonachoproductions
► Twitter: / machonachomedia
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// Intro Music for Retro Renew Series by Matthew McCheskey:
► matthewmccheskey.bandcamp.com/
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Disclaimer: This video is only for entertainment purposes. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or from the information in this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and is to be used at the discretion of the end user/viewer and not Macho Nacho Productions or Tito Perez. If you are uncertain about any step of the process or feel unsure about your skill level, seek a more authoritative source.
Affiliate Disclosure: I get a small percentage of each sale that uses an affiliate link or coupon code. It’s a great way to help SUPPORT my channel at no cost to you so I can continue to make these videos for all of you, everyone wins! And as always, thank you for your continued support of my channel!
#Nintendo #GameBoyAdvance #Halloween

[@TheRetroFuture]

Unreal work! Nice job mate 😊

[@k.k9206]

I'm a simple man retro future. I just need to know when longer boy comes out?

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Dude! Thank you Elliot! Really appreciate it 🙏

[@RobbWes]

You were probably like "Why didn't I think about that?"

[@Lukripar]

When I saw this thumbnail I assumed it was Elliot back at it with his shenanigans. lol.

[@MrMegaManFan]

Do a collaboration! The Retro Nacho.

[@boothy128]

For someone with "only" 40k subs, the video production and insane nature of some of your projects rivals channels with 1M+ subs. Well done, Sir.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Really appreciate it dude, thank you 🙏

[@capybararctic9627]

“rival” is an understatement!

[@PigDan]

Agreed. This channel is special.

[@TheGirugamesh1000]

I disagree he copies various yt channels music and production styles plus I think people who speak in the manner he does are rather boring and unentertaining to watch. 40k sounds about right maybe even a little high.

[@oxhorn2906]

Agree

[@josealvarado2309]

The modding community is quickly going from very useful stuff to absolutely insane stuff, and I'm all here for it

[@Karl_Kampfwagen]

2010: "Today, we will be disabling the Region and Copyright Protection on an NES..." 2021: "Today, we are building a custom _____-based handheld, with new features added from the _____ series console."

[@PixelCat]

This would of been amazing for Four Swords Adventure and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.

[@Echidneys]

would have*

[@magik97]

@@Echidneys the only grammatical error that actually annoys me

[@Leron...]

"If you enJOY CONtent like this..." I see what you did there, Tito...

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Haha ☺️

[@timg2727]

I'm consistently impressed with your production values. If I didn't know better I would assume you had at least 10 times as many subs, if not more.

[@sojannedos]

This is amazing! Hope to see Kyle come up with a more intuitive way to pair the joy cons! Hope to see other controllers, like the pro controller, being used! I definitely can see him coming up with something soon.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Yeah, it would be very cool to update this project in the future!

[@AnthonyHarrisTechrat]

Nice mod! I did something pretty similar to control my switch from my PC a couple years ago - Raspberry pi connected to a sacrificial 3rd party controller via a custom circuit of transistors and a dac. Super fun project!

[@AndersonPolaco]

It's official, your KZbin channel is my favorite of all! You're a genius Tito, thank you so much for the content!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@pebbinmyshoe]

Amazing proof of concept! If you're able to figure out how to make the joycons automatically pair, and seamlessly charge while docked similarly to how the switch works, this would be a build I would love to replicate

[@casesquirrel583]

Well done, Tito! You are so creative and skilled that you always find new projects to work on. This SP switch seems really difficult, yet you managed to build it nice and easy. Enjoy it, friend! 😃

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you dude, really appreciate it 👍🙏

[@ESquadProductions]

I don't know how I feel about this.. pretty excited to watch but its Joy-cons we're talking about here, hopefully the gameboy doesn't get stick drift 😂

[@ArtisChronicles]

You could always put a piece of cardboard behind the joysticks to eliminate drift.

[@64hapz]

Shout out to Kyle, you a BAMF for doing this.

[@alexanderalfonsson5874]

"Or even better, Joy-cons" definitely the first time I heard that sentence.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Haha true 😂

[@posthard-coreshorts]

Joycons when they work and do the job are some of the dopest concepts of all time

[@-aexc-]

@@posthard-coreshorts they're a good concept but don't have a dpad and are too uncomfortable even if they're not drifting

[@turtlebear4507]

@@-aexc- hori made a third party left joy con with dpad. And honestly, I don't really feel like I miss it a lot. joy cons are the best controllers to use on the go imo.

[@Iskimoi]

Dude! Just the intro is crazy as hell, but the hole idea, man sooo good! Thanks for this awesome idea and share. 🤙🏻

[@Nexxxeh]

You absolute madman! I love it! Magnificent work Tito and Kyle!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much Will🙏! Glad you like it buddy 😁

[@TheDanteNero98]

That's an insane build dude! Can't wait to see more future projects!

[@wideasriel]

Woahh!! This really got me, thats the weirdest but also best amount of work and effort i saw for a GameBoy Advance mod. Congrats on that!!!

[@bioccam]

Man! Intro is awesome, the video is very original, great idea!! Congrats!

[@johnniewinwin3432]

This is amazing. Hands down best channel. Helen and I love your work.

[@burningbroad]

The production on your videos is another level 👏🏻

[@ytvandre]

You are so talented Tito! I’m sure there are great things to come…

[@IainsTheName]

This video is just phenomenal, fantastic work mate!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you dude 🙏☺️

[@droyal1994]

The intro in this video was top tier of KZbin content by itself. This entire video is a spectacle, the mod is amazing. Good work man

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much 🙏😁

[@TrondRune]

The intro is so freeking sweet! 🤩 Good job! I enjoy your vids very much.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Trexan 🙏 so happy are enjoying the videos!

[@hawkfeather6802]

That intro was really cool! It's a very complicated mod but it's pretty cool!

[@FranktheTank319]

That is so cool! I love stuff like this. Great work!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Frank 🙏

[@Pokepri]

This is one of the coolest and most insane mods I’ve ever seen! Your videos continue to amaze!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@hadesmcc]

This halloween themed intro is killer man!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you 🙏

[@ryujiyamazaki583]

Tito my man! U smashed it again! This is what I like that you come with ideas that nobody has done before, awesome job bro 🙌💪!!!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much Ryuji🙏! Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers buddy☺️

[@alfonsoleon4754]

Tito killing it on the visuals and editing, top tier work here! 🙌🏼🥳

[@vvlist]

This was so cool Tito. Amazing work! I can't help but wonder how this could influence the next iteration of the Thickboi SP? Maybe the Thickboi SP could have inset Joycon rails on the sides of the thicker back to optionally pair Joycons.... How cool would that be?!! See man, this was a complete success. You got people thinking about the possibilities. Happy Halloween bud.

[@thereturnticket]

Tito I don't normally comment but you and Kyle have gone above and beyond for this one, complemented fantastically by the Halloween intro and theme. Absolutely top quality content for the modding and KZbin community. Keep up the good work my dude. Production values are fantastic and it's so good seeing some really original content. Top marks!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed the video. We put a lot of effort into this one 😁. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@tsuikagura]

This is amazing stuff :D The fact that it actually works is wonderful.

[@ButtholioTheGreat]

Dude, I am impressed, very original idea/build that can be refined in the future. Also, kind of cool that the Raspberry Pi is more powerful than the SP but mainly used for Button input translation. Awesome video!!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you dude! Haha yeah that is quite ironic 😅

[@STICKOMEDIA]

Amazing as always

[@braddirt]

This is fantastic! I love the fact that it is dockable!

[@anthonyp2312]

You know installing IPS kits and replacing parts is one thing but holy cow man this blew me away. Excellent job on making something so unique that i haven't seen before. This has seriously taken this channel to the next level.

[@SCorpG22]

This is a really cool mod, and so nicely presented. Personally, I'd be too lazy to do all of this and just resort to emulation via atmos, but still it's really interesting!

[@somathebest]

THAT'S SO SICK. I LOVE IT!!!!! Greatings and Like from Spain!!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you! Greeting! Cheers!

[@guapo1040]

Tito, this is brilliant. Great content!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much!

[@reagandow850]

Your man Kyle is a genius.......actually you both are!! This is beautiful.

[@Evercade_Effect]

Very impressed by your skills and creativity. It's alive! 🤣 I really like what you created and that you truly made something special.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much man! really appreciate it!

[@JayBoyModz]

INSANE!! 🔥 Wtf so cool to see man I thought about this the first time the tv out screens were revealed but never thought I’d see it happen. 🙏🏽🙏🏽 Great work!!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Jay Boy🙏! Yeah same here, it was definitely one of the first things to come to mind with those tv out kits. Cheers buddy 😁

[@rafadono]

What a great and fun mod!! Amazing job as always.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Rafael!

[@joeyhenry7312]

That intro 🔥 that mod 🔥 literally everything about this 🔥🔥🔥

[@currytigre]

If you sacrifice a Nintendo Joy-Con Charging Grip you can probably also add joy-con charging capability with the functional joy-con rails.

[@BigJoker]

There's cheaper 3rd party ones that should work just as well

[@LakeParkerYT]

Woah this is awesome! :O honestly such a cool and unique build! I'd love to see a ver. 2 at some point in the future!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Glad you liked it 😁

[@eduardonogueira8096]

Your production quality is getting off the charts. Very cool to see

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you!

[@ChonkerMonkington]

Wow! I'm impressed! Great work, dude! You've earned yourself another subscriber! I'm looking forward to more projects in the future.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you very much🙏! Plenty more builds and tutorials to come ☺️

[@he4vym3t4l]

Whoa what that intro was amazing!!

[@MrBenedictHeyer]

Loved that editing!!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you 😁🙏

[@JPHarringtonJr]

Very impressive work. I'd say you are helping pave the way for what comes next. More Hardware Modders will hopefully realize how much we all want our handhelds to work like Switches. Happy Halloween my dude-

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thanks man! Yeah I’m totally hoping this could lead to more similar mods. Cheers dude!

[@ThatGuy001]

you deserve more subscribers tbh. This is crazy!

[@LusRetroSource]

This is a perfect example of.... "Why would you do this?" "Because I F'ing can!!!!"

[@KyleBrinkerhoff]

Story of my life 🤣

[@mikmoomamimocki]

The production quality of your videos is fantastic, it's a shame you don't have more subscribers. Keep it up!

[@deku_man_x]

Wow 😍👍, Awesome work, i need this in my Life ❤🤘

[@TankErdin]

Hell of a build. You've really out done yourself this time :)

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Really appreciate dude 🙏☺️

[@MrJimboberusky]

Got dam masterpiece. Divinely profound work.

[@eathenalexander2836]

The production quality is sooooooo amazing in these videos…just look at that intro

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Eathan!

[@Jakoliath]

Great stuff as always dude. Love your attention to detail. Very cool "frankenstein" of a mod (as you said), I didn't know such a thing could even be possible! Also I gotta say I love how often we see Metroid Zero Mission when you're doing GBA projects. Favorite GBA game of all time. It feels so right on the big screen!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Same here dude! I absolutely love the game. Agree, my favorite on the console for sure!😁

[@oxhorn2906]

I subbed before the intro was even over...beautiful theatrics!

[@kirksknight]

This is the coolest video you've made and I've been watching for about a year. This is such a cool idea and I would love to see you or other iterate on it

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Kirk🙏! Yep we may iterate in this design and make it better ☺️

[@samus-rd1channel585]

Awesome intro, love it!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you 🙏☺️

[@Vaskomyr]

Love the intro, nicely cut/edited. Need to use that one for all your October vids ;). Cool project

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you! Yeah that’s a great idea!👍

[@Vaskomyr]

@@MachoNachoProductions also kind of curious if the new pi zero w 2 just announced would have any benefit on this mod. I know it's mainly the increased CPU power, anyhow love the build.

[@CallMeP1ink]

Bro that into is one of the best if not THE ABSOLUTE BEST.

[@jakethesnake4040]

This is a really cool project. For me, the GBA and it’s library shine best when being portable. I can’t see myself sitting down on my couch and starting up a console to play GBA games. But for some people, after work or something they might not feel like focusing on a little screen to enjoy their games, so something like this is truly a blessing. I think my favorite project I’ve seen so far for a GBA with AV out, is the gentleman who made a tiny arcade cabinet with a small screen in it and had it set up to be a countertop GBA arcade cabinet. Opening the back, you could easily unplug the GBA and take it out to charge and go back to mobile use. But it was just cool to see it. Same as this project.

[@juliomauro_]

Wow. Amazing job Tito

[@AdtabRay]

this is actually incredible!!!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you adtab 🙏

[@NinSonyFan]

Dude! That intro.... is the second time i see it and i'm more impressed the mkre i see it!

[@ralphianrendal9594]

Wowwww i really like love the intro😍

[@Bringmecates.]

I wish I could continuously press the like button😭 this is amazing dude!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much man🙏! So glad you enjoyed the video ☺️

[@knghtbrd]

Tito, you get a like just for the intro on this video. Sadly I cannot give you another bag full of them for the video itself, that's freakin' sweet!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thanks dude! Glad you enjoyed the intro and the video ☺️

[@johndee759]

Excited to watch this.

[@Andrew182plus44]

This is pretty awesome Tito. I think having the purple and orange joy cons would have fit well with the mod and the Halloween theme. I understand buying them just for this video would have been silly. Job well done though!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Andrew! Yeah totally agree, orange and black joycons would have been so cool 👍😁

[@humacao01]

One of the coolest things I've seen in the retro community by far.

[@JakeSimmons]

This is genius👏🏼 I need a friend like Kyle😅 good job boys

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Jake!!🙏👍

[@MICOXD]

The amount of effort put into the opening demands a like

[@corruptedaxis]

Absolutely phenomenal video! i love this thing so much! I'd love to see you make a wii portable that uses switch joy-cons! or even if not a portable wii, at least have the ability to use switch joy-cons!

[@Sierra_Vice]

Many people said it already, but the production quality is top notch! You deserved much more subs than you have! Cheers and greetings from germany! 😁

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you 🙏☺️

[@thatonedudenamedvalentine7836]

19:56 did you hear that?????????? Anywho, great video as always Tito!

[@JanDemore]

Amazing production

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you Juan!👍🙏

[@jamccarthyson]

On the one hand, no more dealing with those tiny ‘L’ and ‘R’ triggers, but on the other hand no dpad and chance of joy con drift (unless you use 3rd party hori split pro pad joycons like I do)

[@rickyrns1059]

Eh, Boxy Pixel is already an example of a good joycon shell with a sort-of proper D-Pad, so it’s not impossible.

[@alexjustalexyt1144]

Maybe use an NES controller instead

[@rickyrns1059]

Oh yeah, I forgot that they had NES Controller Joycons, although I don’t think they have L and R buttons that you can reach while docked, but I don’t have them, so I can’t say for sure.

[@ShadowmarkReturns]

One of the best features of the GameCube back in the day was the add on hardware that let you play GBA games on the television. I'm happy someone did something similar.

[@scottlinux]

Amazing work!

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you!

[@wackyswacky1374]

Been dreaming about something like this for a long time.

[@marinenukem]

Those solder points are heckin clean

[@arraqibvervoort4966]

First of all this is a really sick mod. Great job! 👍🏽 I agree on what you said about the difficulty, but for those who like challenges, this is a great one. I think you both have set a great base for what is possible. That said, what would be even greater and a bigger challenge. Creating a switch like docking station where you put in your console like gba, GBA sp, etc. I guess it would be a easier mod to add a connection point to a console for that docking station. Also that docking station could be sold as one piece 💰 It is just a thought, hell i wouldn’t even know where to begin 😂

[@pacomonkey1879]

A nice way to close out the Halloween 🎃 episodes. A Frankenstein GBA SP / Switch hybrid. Seems like a lot of work, but congratz on getting your vision to become a reality. Props to your friend Kyle also. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the intro and projects for the Christmas 🎄 episodes!! Lol, no pressure. Cheers.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you so much dude! So happy you enjoyed the video😁

[@robertwahlroos6976]

That's awesome. Just a 1 step further to make it even more modular. what if the standard sp shell just had a pinout similar to the gpio pins so you didn't always have to have a bulky extra case and could just slide the standard size SP into the expanded dock with the Raspberry Pi and extra battery when you wanted it in switch mode.

[@GameboyCustom]

Incredible modding. Stunning 😍

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you 🙏☺️

[@cajun4christ]

Tito you do EVERYTHING with excellence! I am an advanced educator (no pun) and you could put on a masterclass to some of my educators.

[@Jesterclown17]

And here I am, wanting to just put a GBA sp into the classic gameboy shell. Amazingly creative.

[@blueskin1978]

That... is a great intro!

[@aswillis4797]

Ok wtf is this. It was a normal day; I was scrolling the fyp, and I see this AWSOME thing. Nice indeed

[@hurielmza]

Excelent job!

[@btarg1]

The fact that you could use this as a dockable raspberry pi with joycon support is insanely cool too

[@HeroDjou]

Simply Amazing.

[@coffeecass11]

Absolutely love this! Only criticism is I wish the pros and cons section was called the joys and cons

[@jeffhampton6972]

This is AMAZING.