Lag Testing Every GBA Consolizer | The Results May Surprise You!

Input Lag Testing Every GBA Consolizer Kit
It’s crazy to think that we have 6 Game Boy Advance Consolizing kits available to us! So I thought it would be awesome to lag test them all! Which one has the lowest latency? Which one has the most? I think the results are pretty interesting!
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---
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:52 Lag Test Method Overview
4:11 Lag Test Equipment Overview
6:19 Which Consolizers I’ll Be Lag Testing
8:55 Dockable GBA HDMI Kit
13:13 Woozle’s GBA Consolizer
15:48 Zwenergy’s gbaHD
18:25 GameBox GBHD SP
21:01 GameBox GBHD Advance
23:36 Intec Gaming Kit
25:31 Unmodified GBA
28:07 Summary of Results
29:35 What Do These Results Mean?/Conclusion
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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.
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Links To Modding Tutorial/Review Videos:
► Dockable GBA HDMI Kit: • Dock Kit Almost Turns ...
► Woozle’s GBA Consolizer: • GAME BOY ADVANCE CONSO...
► Zwenergy’s gbaHD: • gbaHD | Hi-Def GBA Con...
► GameBox GBHD SP: • The GBA SP Gets A New ...
► GameBox GBHD Advance: • Best Affordable FPGA H...
► Intec Gaming Kit: • Easy NO SOLDER GBA HDM...
#GBAConsolizer #InputLag #MachoNachoProductions

[@Madblaster6]

I love videos like this. It informs the buyers of what may be the best option for them. Thank you !

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Glad you like it dude 🙏😁

[@Keillan5480]

I'd love a part 2 of this video adding a Gameboy Player to the comparison. Could compare a gameboy player startup disc, and the 3 versions of Gameboy Interface (standard, speedrunning, and high fidelity). And also AV out vs HDMI (Pluto GC Mod) comparisons

[@MachoNachoProductions]

That could be a very interesting addition!

[@CompletelyAverageGameplay]

I was about to post the same thing. I have the Game Boy Player an upscaler and a set of the GC Component cables and that's really what's stopping me from buying one of these kits. I've seen other videos suggesting that with GBI and a good upscaler the output you get is comparable (or better) than at least some of these consolization kits. Seeing where the GBP fits into the lineup would be awesome.

[@donhonk]

Absolutely would love to see this. And Analogue pocket!!!

[@gluttonousmaximus9048]

@@donhonk And some emulation options as well! Community emulation on regular X64 PC via mGBA, Raspberry Pi-based emulation options, as well as Nintendo Switch Online!

[@MagisterHamid]

This!!

[@snoochpounder]

Big fan of your consistency Tito. Hard work always pays off

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thank you 🙏

[@briangilmartin662]

This was a very interesting video! Input lag is definitely a deal breaker many gaming related products, including consolizer kits. Having hard data to compare is a major boon in the decision of which kit to purchase.

[@_BELMONT_]

amazing video Tito! Thanks for compiling all this information from us! Input lag is a big deal and people need to be aware of it!

[@elsorino]

I think you should've included the gameboy player(with GBI)

[@MachoNachoProductions]

I’m thinking I’ll have to do a part 2 and maybe include the analogue pocket as well

[@sh06un1s]

@@MachoNachoProductions Would bluetooth controllers for the kits that support it be something to include as well? I'm currently putting together my own gbaHD and would like to see that done as scientifically as this video. Not sure if that might differ slightly controller to controller, or if it would be demonstrating bluetooth rather than the capabilities of the kit, though.

[@MagisterHamid]

I just want to say that it’s fantastic to see a channel which deals seriously with the issue of input lag. There are so many retro game KZbinrs out there but barely any of them talk about input lag when they for instance review a new game pad. So I hope we see more of this on your channel. Maybe an input lag test on Vita TV compared to PSP with component cable output etc?

[@viridionwaves]

Wow, great video! Thanks for sharing this. You are really bringing light to the consolizer scene. These are the things we need to make decisions about what consolizer to choose. I didnt expect the unmodified gba to be so slower though lol

[@skins4thewin]

YES!!! THIS is what I have been waiting for! Fantastic work man!

[@WalrusFPGA]

Cool insight into the performance of these mods. Thanks for taking the time to put this together! I'd love to see the FPGA GBA options compared to this as well!

[@windigo_joe]

Thanks for this great video! I've been wondering this same thing about my setup and how to optimize things. Please do more of this content. Love your production too.

[@seraph4581]

Fantastic video. Interesting how good GBA consolizers can be even more responsive than an OG GBA. Would be interesting to see the input latency of different screen kits. There's a lot of talk about IPS screens adding anywhere between 2 and 3 frames of lag

[@MachoNachoProductions]

I’m thinking of doing that next

[@hollenwanderer]

@@MachoNachoProductions Please do, super keen to see this also. Would also be very keen to see if different hardware revisions have an effect, and not just AGB -> AGS -> 101, but eg 32pin vs 40pin AGB revisions (assuming you have access to any or all of this hardware in unmodified form of course :D)

[@justaroodypoo]

Wonderful video! Thanks for making this

[@fiffy6572]

the time, effort and care for us in your videos is amazing every time you outdo yourself!

[@tiger8559]

Been waiting a long time for this video and appreciate the time taken to do it. I do wish that a few more trials had been taken to more closely estimate the lag. At least 10 woulda been nice.

[@DanielOliveiraViolao]

Great tests! Nice work!

[@elishariedlinger559]

Great video! I love to see this type of stuff. I know a few frame of lag might be ok for some people but I like to get as close to 0 as possible.

[@USERNAME-Frankie_Techs]

⬆️⬆️⬆️congratulations you are among our shortlisted winners claim your reward🎁

[@dbnpoldermans4120]

Winter Olympics for gba consolizers! Wow, just wow! The amount of effort you put in this video. man, the editing. omg Important work, thank you so much. Looking forward to more lag testing in the future.

[@SayrexZ]

man this channel is always a feel good channel so glad i subbed

[@yeolemillinial8295]

always nice to see more videos testing the lag on stuff like this. still hoping for a run of after market lcd screen lag test. especially for the GG

[@Jakoliath]

Thanks for doing this, Tito! Was always curious about this.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

You’re most welcome!

[@Rocky712_]

I am not surprised to see you here, Jako. 😂

[@Jakoliath]

@@Rocky712_ 👀👀👀

[@adams213]

Top tier video. Thanks for this.

[@LuckyHit87]

Hell yeah a Bob collab! Love seeing 2 good dudes working together!

[@Areku_Gaming]

thanks for this testing

[@jviola04]

This guy always goes above and beyond ❤

[@samuraispiritsx]

great work guys, this is very good info

[@ilmc922]

These are some dope visuals for this chillhop mix

[@tigheklory]

Awesome video Tito, in this case I would think that you are measuring not only input lag, but input and output lag as there the kits might add some lag in converting the GBA video to HDMI.

[@hadesmcc]

Excellent video, really informative and I'd say essential for those looking to purchase one of these kits. The only thing I think would have been interesting to add is, results for how this compares in terms of input latency, to playing on a Game Boy Player on a GameCube.

[@skins4thewin]

Someone a while back posted the results of the stock GBA screen as well as many of the various IPS kits, and it was found that the IPS panels in these kids add considerable lag! I am sure this is from the scaler board included with the display, which probably uses off the shelf scaler chips. I have yet to see an off the shelf scaler chip that can handle lower resolutions properly and not add a ton of input lag. The only solutions I've seen that don't are ones made from scratch specifically for retro video game resolutions using FPGA chips, such as the one used in Woozle's Consolizer kit shown in this video as well as the more popular HDMI upscalers such as the OSSC and RetroTINK. That said, would LOVE to see a video testing the various IPS kits available on the market one day!

[@DurradonXylles]

Since the GBA's refresh rate is 59.73, thus just shy of 60 FPS, I decided to do the math for approximate latency in milliseconds (ms), based off of the averages. Stock GBA: 40ms Dockable: 74ms Woozle: 27ms gbaHD: 20ms GameBox SP: 67ms GameBox GBA: 57ms Intec: 104ms My thoughts about this is that while Intel isn't completely wrong, newer flat screen televisions with HDMI inputs will still generally have more latency than computer monitors or CRT screens (especially something like that Sony PVM). For the most part any professional display or computer screen will generally give the sub-50ms numbers as seen above, hell the stock GBA beats a stock SNES connected to a CRT by 10ms for latency funny enough. If you're using a HDTV that doesn't have a lower latency/PC/game mode, especially older HD televisions from the mid-2000s to early 2010s, then you're going to generally see numbers closer to the Intec. Even the mini consoles like the NES and SNES Classic were found to have 90-115ms delay on most consumer HDTVs when they were released. It's very mild lag that you may notice every now and then if you're looking for it, but so long as you have sub-150ms latency you should be fine unless you are planning on speedrunning or playing more precise fighting games IMHO.

[@ahioros]

amazing job!

[@projectf20]

I'm glad you included an original GBA as a baseline. Now you have me wondering how the stock screen would match up with various screen mods in delay.

[@The-Pixel-Fix]

Glad u did this, was very curious which one is best. I think it would have been a good idea to include the GC GBA player. But still, thanks 😊 ❤️💛💚

[@MachoNachoProductions]

I may have to do a part 2

[@gamingforpizza5142]

Cool video, would love to see more comparisons between other consoles too.

[@ArmandoDoval]

Great content Tito. For anyone considering the expense of a consolized GBA, don't forget to consider the MiSTer!

[@spayder26]

Retro collab time! Yaaay!

[@adonian]

super awesome, and informative video. I miss the solder blobs though. 😂😂

[@InsanityPrevails]

Me not even owning a GBA, but still watching cause Tito is awesome B)

[@josephchowable]

Me not understanding anything he says.

[@HKT-4300]

I'd actually be interested in a lag test like this between Game Boy models, like if the AGS 101 has more lag than a 001, or if the Micro improves on that etc.

[@gluttonousmaximus9048]

I'd literally kiiii to see if any lags were introduced from backlight modding.

[@Charlie97L]

Did you test the woozle unit with the speedrun jumper active? That removes the frame buffer he added to prevent screen tearing at the expense of changing the clock speed a bit.

[@Kyush4]

whats even more impressive is that youre testing hdmi kits, if it were rgb kits, the lag would be even less! thanks tito!

[@battmall9785]

I would love to see some input lag tests on the hdmi mods that you have done on stuff like the n64/gamecube/wii/ps2 ect. Would be super interesting because I want to do the mod to my gamecube and play melee but melee players typically have to play on crt monitors so that they don't have to deal with lag and it would be great if we didn't have to worry about that and could use gamecubes on HD monitors

[@GuaridaDelFenix]

There is a version 2 of the dockable consolizer. That sends video, snes controller, snes mini controller and power via USB C. Also allows LCD to output video at the same time as HDMI.

[@James_D.]

Let‘s go!

[@MrUNIXsnob]

Finally someone covering important topics.

[@FezTheSpaceBiker]

It seems like a big variable in these tests is how much of the screen has been drawn when the button's been pressed.

[@joe-edward]

Great video, Tito! Are you aware of any updates to the dockable one? I, like you, am left wanting more on that one - charging and data through a single dock output would be great, and I was hoping that company would have a version 2.0 by now.

[@CeceliPS3]

That's hella cool. I hope you'll do that same with PS2 and its several methods of using games in flash drives and whatnot, also comparing them to PS2 emulators.

[@Dang0thebepis]

I appreciate your work, but it does open up questions: - doesn't this mean that competitors (speedrunners, fgc, etc) have an advantage on the lowest input lag systems? I figure it's down to each community to decide what is/n't okay, and GBA speedrunning is quite niche, but doesn't this speak to a broader question about visual mods in video game competition? Is there a future where we can control the input lag to bring it more in line with stock hardware? - is this a thing with console video mods? E.g. n64 digital - would it ever be possible for mods like these to be more responsive than stock hardware? - does this video mean you're going to include input lag tests to your future retro renew videos? A lot of people are praising you for consistency, but this is the first we've seen of this crucial info.

[@Gruntled_Man]

I saw an updated version of the switch-like consolizer that has the hdmi out built into the stand, have you/do you plan on reviewing the update?

[@Jayaldrich26]

Love your videos. With all these new emulating devices like the anbernic, Miyoo mini plus, retro pocket 3+, analogue pocket, etc. Can you do a video on your favorite device for emulation? Esp since a lot of the emulation is retro games play on the handhelds you mod. Also, because if you I’ve modded 4 GBA SPs, 1 GBA color, and one GBA with new shells and IPs screens. Thanks so much for your content.

[@adilator]

Saw your stream with bob when you prepared this video. I'm sure it was a lot of work. I'd have preferred a test that didn't involve an rgb to hdmi adapter. There's no way that doesn't introduce lag, a chip has to decode the digital video and modulate an analogue signal, that takes time.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Thanks for the commmet adilator! Yeah it was quite the learning experience. Bob tested the adaptor unit and confirmed it does not introduce lag into the process. I believe he has a video with his findings. I should see if I can link it in the video.

[@RPGRekiMusic]

Unexpected result. I wonder how the Analogue Pocket with dock would compare to these.

[@MachoNachoProductions]

Oh crap that would have been incredible to include (face palm). Looks like I may have to do a part 2

[@shannons1443]

@@MachoNachoProductions If you do test the Pocket I'd be interested to see a comparison between the Pocket while docked vs not.

[@coderkind]

I think the Pocket Dock has a fair amount of lag with wireless controllers. Haven't used it with a wired controller that works yet.

[@Waldem]

@@shannons1443 Also with controller connected by USB vs Bluetooth vs 2.4 GHz

[@Destiny_iX]

Excellent video, now I want a game boy advance consolizer, jajajajajajaja. It would be interesting to compare with mister fpga to see if the core has input lag.

[@kobun69]

I know this is off topic but can you confirm if the funny playing rechargeable battery for the gba can support the rumble feature of the ez flash definitive edition. Every time I play drill dozer the system resets but play flawless when rumble is turned off.

[@centurioneyt9235]

That's Amazing

[@centurioneyt9235]

Ok

[@Inv8erZlM]

Great video! I’m curious about how Game Boy Interface would stack up.

[@dacjr9]

@Macho Nacho Productions awesome vid man! Which GBA Consolizer would you recommend for a streamer on KZbin and Twitch? I need one that compatible with a laptop and OBS. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[@Neakhiz13]

This is quality content. Sick and tired of youtubers always making Leak and Rumor videos about new consoles.

[@risengaming4044]

Please id love to see you do a video on the new updated dockable gba because it does everything, including charging a battery mod all through one usb c port

[@watchingdanny]

Outstanding video. Can you please do one like this for the Retron 5? Loving your channel.

[@USERNAME-Frankie_Techs]

Hi

[@Jamaniak]

I love those little baby Sony BVMs & PVMs so much

[@tomonemo2992]

I would love to see how the gamecube gb-player does compared, with stock software and with the 3 gameboy interface versions. Also testint the Analogue pocket dock would be interesting as well.

[@bahamutbbob]

I am a bit disappointed that these are not part of the video, but it's still solid information.

[@kazinwho]

Pretty happy with 4 frames per second for the docked GBA, which I have. It'd be interesting to see how badly my plasma TV adds to the lag... Random question Tito - you use Final Fantasy sound effects and the little hand several times in this video. I'm curious - what's your favorite FF?

[@OfficialBioDevil]

I'm curious is there any consolization mods for the PSP? I think that'd be a cool video to see.

[@ianvincent5069]

I wish there was a 3ds/2ds consolizer mod rather than so much focus on the GBA that I didn't really think needed a mod in the first place due to the gamecube gameboy player that being said the screen mods are 100% needed

[@theoperator288]

3DS / 2DS could be a bit more difficult due to touch controls, but it would be awesome. I know the Wii U has the DS emulator though, so there is that.

[@Elrinth]

what is the input latency for the analogue pocket with dock and SNAC adapter with snes controller? also what is input latency vs emulator on PC with keyboard or maybe a similar controller like snac thing? also what is input latency vs nintendo switch docked/undocked gba play? ofc you'd need an older switch or a modchip to test that.

[@JB2X-Z]

Damn, Woozle!

[@JB2X-Z]

DAMN, ZWENERGY

[@Jedimonkey27]

Is that LED board available for purchase anywhere? I'd be interested to do some of my own testing.

[@donoteatmikezila]

What HDMI>Component adapter is that? I really need a few for a projector setup I have.

[@enorb_art8211]

Glad I watched this almost grabbed the wrong kit 😅

[@skins4thewin]

So I'd like to give some of my impressions from the results. I kind of expected the non Woozle/Zwenergy kits to have some lag, but I DIDN'T expect the Zwenergy kit to be even less laggy than Woozle's kit! That was surprising to me! I know those guys over there know what they're doing, but this just proved it! They've programmed an amazingly efficient GBA FPGA scaler into their product! That Intec kit... Oof! That is a LOT of variable lag! Variable lag is even worse since it's hard to adjust your button timing for when playing.

[@Ziggurat1]

The only thing missing in this whole video is Clint from LGR helping you film the CRTs without flicker

[@Waldem]

not a consolizer per se, but it'd be nice if you included test of the Analogue Pocket too since you can play gba games on the tv with it. Other than that, great video!

[@Dragoonglue]

How do these compare to the GameCube + Game Boy Player running Game Boy Interface Speedrunning Edition?

[@skins4thewin]

What it means is the lag may make it feel like there's a delay between your button presses and what happens on screen. It will make it very hard to play and/or beat certain tougher games. RPG's it's not a big deal but demanding games like platformers and such can make it very hard to play.

[@dot-bob]

I wonder how much lag stock retro handhelds had out of the box and how they compare to a more modern handheld like the vita, 3ds, and switch.

[@ghostmopreal]

Definitely thought Woozle was gonna beat out gbaHD, but both I expected to beat out the rest (especially intec)

[@ninetendopesaitama2107]

Would have been cool to see a vs MiSTer. But still an amazing video. ☮️

[@Berg085]

Any chances of a video like this for other systems with multiple HDMI mods? Even if the rest are put into a single video and not their own per system, it'd be nice to see how the others stack up, esp N64.

[@IngwiePhoenix]

Too bad you didn't also test the GC GBA Player. That said, this was super interesting! Thanks for the testing!

[@animeking1357]

While I've never really noticed input lag on any device I've played games on, especially since I play a lot of games on original hardware, this is something incredibly important to me. You can't play at your best if the game literally isn't working properly.

[@dantrue250]

I know this is like comparing apples to oranges, but if you are doing a part 2, would there be a way to add a test for the Nintendo Switch’s emulator implementation? It might be impossible if, like the Wii’s emulators, they are separate forks of the emulator itself

[@conrad5342]

Interesting to see there are differences although all systems are based on original GBA hardware. I am wondering how the GB player for the GameCube compares to these measurements.. especially with it's different kinds of startup software.

[@USERNAME-Frankie_Techs]

⬆️⬆️⬆️congratulations you are among our shortlisted winners claim your reward🎁

[@jacobc2003]

a second video please add GBA AGB with an IPS screen and an AGS with stock 001, 101, and IPS screens.

[@rentoptional1524]

Would've loved to have seen GBA on a 3ds or DS tested or something like that.

[@MrBlakBunny]

i wonder what its like compared to the gamecubeGBA player and the custom GBA-player rom people have developed,

[@MachoNachoProductions]

I probably have to do a part 2 to this series 😅

[@MrOpz]

Why not measure the only official GBA consolizer, the Gameboy Player? Although not made out of parts from an original GBA like the other GBA consolizers, it basically is a GBA on the inside and it would have been nice to see how it compares. And then in original unmodified form and using Gameboy Interface (and maybe even using the M.2 Loader, but I think you didn't have it at the time of this video). But nonetheless this is an awesome video, thank you! Edit: Maybe make a 'Short' video about this the next time you visit Bob or vice versa to use his equipment again? 😀

[@Valthonis]

are there any GBA consolizers that output RGB scart at 240p?

[@MagisterHamid]

Could you pleas make a video on the input lag on Gameboy Player with GBI compared to Nintendo’s own GBP disc?

[@SNESOST]

please, review some scart to hdmi adapters for old games, like snes, genesis etc. Its would be good some great options to play these games on 4k tvs

[@Peanutchex]

Cool vid

[@ridingnerdy6406]

I love the idea of the GBAHD, but the fact that it's built around yet another FPGA that is expensive and nigh impossible to find is a pretty big hurdle. There's rumors of consolizers built around the Tang Nano 4/9k on the horizon, or maybe we'll see more applications of that Pi Pico HDMI mod in the future. Any idea if it's possible to correct the aspect ratio of the dockable HDMI mod with a scaler? I remember your review of that mod and that being the only real deal breaker for me.

[@A-Spoto]

How do these results compare to the Gameboy Player on Gamecube?

[@muhammadiqwan5369]

my gba sp a lil bit lag while playing game is usually happen when there lot of character in one scene

[@ZeroHourProductions407]

Considering how sensitive I am towards input latency, this feels tremendously overdue. The fact that these numbers are factored into an hdmi to analog conversion as well, make the winners even more impressive.

[@SebasTorron]

You should have added the IPS display Gba since the original screen added latency, just for good measure.

[@geoffnaylor3734]

How would the Mister’s GBA court stand up?

[@-dash]

This video was a good idea! I’ve said this before but I really wish there were a consolizer which allows for link cable to be used as a controller port. Using an SP to control a consolizer would be awesome