Restoring the GameBoy Advance SP!

[@TheFallenOne250]

The matte black with gray buttons looks amazing. You should keep it that way.

[@glaciiz]

Yes I agree. But if he added blue or red buttons then it would look better and more neon.

[@jaeger6919]

Been waiting for an SP refurb! Keep up the great work Elliot. Also, loving the new intro.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thank you!

[@Mymatevince]

Great video Elliot, that SP came out really nice, loving the matt finish. Well done :-)

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thank you man! Would like to see you spray paint a shell!

[@S-Hussain]

Hi Vince!

[@N.o.T.e.V.e.N]

Unexpected viewer

[@Futilizer]

When I was a kid I actually had a tiny white bug on my screen. I squished it. Turns out it was inside the screen. He's been squished there ever since.

[@superhantendo]

Rip

[@MeMelon4u]

You are very inspiring,I was scared to mess around with my Gameboy advance so but after watching some of your vedios I was convinced to do my own, love your vedios amongst all those other youtubers, good luck with your work, keep it up

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks very much!

[@supersaiyancommenter]

They cost around 5$ now.

[@theeduummpp]

Rish Pulikken please don’t try unless you know what your doing

[@lex5835]

AdamDaDump why?

[@LWBII00]

"Don't be doing that." -Elliot

[@TheRetroFuture]

Quote of the day.

[@lololavigne7821]

Personally I love how the contrast between the black of the case and the gray of the buttons! I think it looks so good and I would keep it like that!

[@Seanster_94]

Getting a Blue Game Boy SP with Pokemon Sapphire for christmas was one of the best moments of my life, I had so much fun with that thing

[@Devil0027]

Idk why i really enjoy watching these repairs to now retro gaming devices. Respect to you even having the knowledge/expertise to do this. You could make a killing if you ever decided to do this as a service.

[@RickyTan10111]

Intro is back! Great stuff. A friend of mine has an sp thats in a bad state and needs to be refurbished in the same way.

[@julsbarracuda9892]

Woah, new intro! Also that black mate paint looks gorgeous!!!

[@chrismifsud7154]

I still have my original silver SP AGS-001 which I bought brand new in 2003, still got the box, manuals and even the receipt and credit card slip from purchase. Unfortunately the casing is all scratch up from loads of use but thats OK, it shows its been well used and loved :) And it still works fine too.

[@chamoo232]

You should keep the shell if you still like it but if you still want to play I would consider replacing the screen lense with a glass one. Scratched shell don't bother me much but a scratched screen that I don't even dare touch is not fun.

[@RodrigoDavy]

Finally a video I can relate to! I actually mounted a GBA SP 101 using a motherboard I got and getting a replacement shell with buttons, a speaker and a screen. Putting the ribbon cable is sort of hard, but I got used to it I actually had this spare motherboard due to another GBA SP I tried to fix, but I learned that you can't use a frontlit screen with an AGS-101 motherboard. So I fixed than previous one and mounted this one and when I actually saw how the backlit looked, I was so impressed that I sold my old frontlit model

[@TheRetroFuture]

Nice work!

[@mikespaintedminis5100]

That spray painting turned out really well!

[@_rnzr]

that black suits the sp really well, really cool finish

[@TheRetroFuture]

I agree!

[@leemcandrew4675]

Perfect timing for this as I’ll be doing mine soon 🙂

[@vitzie629]

The Retro Future, that was funny when you said “What on Earth is that” by you looking at the LCD screen in this video!

[@theuselessnoob8320]

I really like the way the SP came out! Great job as always!

[@SefEXE]

Should get a red rubber screw cover for the middle to get that thinkpad look lol

[@emmettturner9452]

Pro-tip: the inside of a Bic Round Stic ink pen fits the hinge clips. Just disassemble a pen then chop of the part of the tip that fits in the tube/body. Open the hinge to the detent and press the piece we cut against the hinge clips. If they don’t retract and pop out a bit from that alone, and often they do, it’s still hollow and you can easily push something through while the clips are retracted. Piece of cake! No cracking the housing or slipping and stabbing yourself.

[@sjm4306]

Wow that spray paint job came out really clean, great work. I've always had trouble painting stuff, I guess I'm too impatient at the sanding and painting stages to get a nice smooth surface. And yes that is a gba lcd with frontlight bodged on using a 3rd party ribbon adapter.

[@TheRetroFuture]

No way! So I can drop that into a GBA?

[@sjm4306]

@@TheRetroFuture Yep

[@jmobley6]

You're spraying with the can is fine, short bursts back and forth. One thing that may help is using small gator clips on thin dowels. You can clip the frame or inside of the object you're painting and stick them in a block of styrofoam. Lots of model builders use this technique and it allows them to move the piece to get all of the area coated each time they spray.

[@Tezencjusz]

It's truly inspiring to see how you work, and how much effort and precisision you manage to put into such thing. Thank you for keeping alive all this devices after so many years since their release.

[@vincentferrari]

Seeing you do one of these makes me smile. Why? Because using a video you did ages ago I bought a cheap beat to hell SP from Ebay and re-shelled it and I still use it to this day, so thanks for that!

[@trubshaw3369]

I like the matt black and quite like the light button covers with it - different is good!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Glad you like it!

[@yeahhbuddy3932]

Well done for fixing and polishing it up nicely. Keep these babies going as long as they can. Mine still works perfectly.

[@SierraHarmony]

You inspired me to rehouse my old SP. You're videos are fantastic and so easy to follow. You're amazing!

[@sarahadair7320]

Thank you for doing this! I have been trying to fix my cousin's old Gameboy advance SP and now I now what I have done wrong!(sadly I f up so band that I Broke the screen and part of the shell before this)

[@notthegoatseguy]

Elliott, I've really missed the intro in the recent videos. Thanks for putting in a new intro. Now it really feels like I'm watching a proper video.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thank you :)

[@andysmith5806]

The SP has my favourite motherboard. No space is wasted and it kind of looks like a crowded city.

[@HossRoss03]

LOVE the new intro. Keep it up man!

[@leonardorossi87]

We all want to know...can you fix GoT's ending?

[@TeaLeafProphecy]

Leonardo Rossi lololol

[@abaque24]

Elliot! The people have spoken!

[@chamoo232]

You can send him the ending to his PO box but like he said in the video he won't send it back.

[@razzi0718]

You know that Elliot can fix anything.. but THAT you’re asking of him is simply not possible

[@bravobird9435]

Glad I didn't waste time on it

[@Meechree]

Man, this turned out wonderfully. The paint job looks great, don’t sell yourself short. You mentioned that it looks reminiscent of the IBM ThinkPad, as well as colored buttons... I think it would be really cool if you replaced just the light switch button with a red one as if it were the “pointing stick” mouse of the laptop! Just a suggestion 🙂 Well done as always!

[@vinny7297]

I have been getting in to retro consoles and you inspire me to keep doing what i love doing is fixing history in my hands (also love ur vids)

[@disasterfinest]

Bro I almost cried that gameboy looks Beautiful with the white and black

[@Smurfgazmik]

This video of yours was extremely satisfying my dude! Great job!!!!

[@Dosman0026]

Love the black and grey look of the SP.

[@98.11Deet]

I was always more of a Sega kid, but the Gameboy Advance SP was the only Nintendo that I ever bought new. That clamshell design was so Star Trek that I couldn't pass it up.

[@SwaggKidz117]

This was to relaxing bro great job

[@3DSage]

10 minutes ago I just posted my video game console INSIDE and Game Boy cartridge!! :)

[@DeweyKentM]

Have you ever thought of trying a distressed look? So have your first coat be a glossy purple, or something, then a matte black over top. Then, either use it for a while, sand it, or use denim or a scrubbing pad to wear through the black so the other color shows through. You can either leave it to eventually wear away the top coat, or add a clear coat to seal in the level of distress you like the best. I think it would look really cool, especially if the buttons were the same color as the undercoat. Maybe even leave the outside pristine and distress the inside of an sp, or just the face of a gbc, gba, etc.

[@ganggreen1983]

Very cool. The SP’s ribbon cable folding hinge is a headache to deal with. Looks awesome.

[@chamoo232]

Did you ever mess in a DS Lite or newer? That's 10x worse. There is so many ribbon cables and you have to pass the wi-fi antenna under other stuff.

[@mutahard1632]

Oh wow I've only just noticed Ashens is in your intro video that's epic

[@WolfLykaios]

Why are this videos so satisfying to watch...

[@Chronis67]

Ooooh man, we have a new intro! Also, you have to lower the volume during the Patreon credits. It's a bit too loud.

[@williamv0242]

Ik right

[@Rohgamu]

I miss the old one:(

[@jetstreamvik9570]

I actually really like the black with gray buttons, it looks really good with that little bit of offset color

[@niels2400]

Kuru Kuru Kururin was my first game on GBA! Still have great memories of it.

[@TheBrokenPast]

Wow, that turned out fantastic! Excellent choice with the matte black finish.

[@ArtistMarkFlynn]

Finally did my one of these recently. Absolutely infuriating how many small parts there are lol.

[@tenchuu007]

So for spray painting, if you pick up some clear coat spray (or metallic ready clear coat spray for silver) it will stop it from chipping and fading and wearing off.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ive got some clear coat! Just not with me at the time. Thanks tho :)

[@elgigante2001]

It looks real nice with the silver buttons. It complements the matte black finish pretty well.

[@rogueshadow12]

I'm loving the new intro man! Different music and different kind of vibe from the original

[@nathanmead140]

The black with the white buttons looks good

[@Tijmen0for0President]

Nice job on the paintwork! If you are going to paint outside though , get something like a large plastic tub to put over the pieces when you let them dry, so stuff cant fall into it! :D

[@TheRetroFuture]

Good idea that!

[@viliuskuznecovas]

That's the first video that I seen on your channel and I subscribed when. Your channel is amazing man, love your videos!!! 😊

[@shenyantheawesomewit]

Dang, wish I could have someone restore my old GameBoy Advance SP. I tried to wash it when I was younger LOL.

[@leoneborges8921]

Nice!! Vine por Foli Tech

[@jooniethebest3709]

Loved this GB so refurb, and noice new intro!👍🏾👌🏾

[@SuperLegolover23]

Just finished watching a Gameboy color mod by the 8 bit guy and then got a notification for this! Low key on a handheld binge - I love the new intro btw!

[@Gamer-wf3jx]

Swanky I just wanted 8 bit guys thing to

[@TheRetroFuture]

I just watched it too! Enjoy the video :)

[@JoshFrisch]

The paint looks like it turned out pretty awesome! Nice job!

[@MarcosCodas]

Snazzy new intro. I'm into it.

[@wimwiddershins]

Your spray technique is good. Multiple light coats. Results speak for themselves.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Indeed! Thank you :)

[@yobelkcip]

That matte black looks sick.

[@wee_sigma420]

still a good video 5 years later

[@Toebias]

Looks very good! Nice Vid again

[@retrojake228]

Paint job came out great

[@LWBII00]

It's the reappearance of the mini electric screwdriver!

[@JurassicMatt]

Great video - would have liked a bit more explanation regarding the painting prep. What grit sandpaper did you use? What type of primer/paint did you use? Also, in your experience does the spray paint wear off any faster than the original paint? Is it worth it to apply a sealant of some kind?

[@mannydiaz215]

3 years he still hasn’t answered

[@steve_o379]

Great work as usual the paint job on it is really good

[@cyo_corner]

Ofc after I did a shell swap, you did one. I could have really benefitted from watching you do this if you did it earlier because when I took mine apart it took a long time and I wasn't sure how to reassemble. Took me like 20 mins to figure out how to rip the screen out with the ribbon cable.

[@PupusaBoy]

Awesome new intro! Great video, as always!

[@smithincanton]

I like the black with white buttons/accents!

[@flutterdrive4286]

Tbh the gray buttons and rubber bits on the screen should stay that color. Its a nice contrast.

[@TheCheriashley]

Heck yes! I've been waiting for an advance SP video 😄 I just bought another one yesterday lol

[@zandatsu07]

How much is gameboy advanced sp now? I have regular advanced here

[@jaeger6919]

@@zandatsu07 you can get one fairly cheap on ebay

[@TheCheriashley]

@ZANDATSU I bought an AGS-001 from Facebook market place for $20 and the AGS-101 for $50 at a pawn shop.

[@CoreyDunmore]

Keep us updated on the GBA SP. I like the all black look, grab some black buttons!

[@chris51282]

That Matte Black looks good!

[@popsinthevoid2776]

Omg I loved playing on mine when I was younger. I managed to lose it but found it again a couple of months back. I might give it a bit of a clean as little me was very sticker happy. Great vid dude!

[@GuilleSpiegeler]

Mate don't swap those buttons, the monochrome look gives nothing but good vibes. Looks superb!

[@phantomgunz1167]

Love the vid, I've always been a huge fan of the Advance SP

[@TheRetroFuture]

Same man! Was my first GB.

[@bikesbeansandbuilds]

Here's a tip.. use paint adhesive instead of using surfacer as a primer.. it will last better and wont chip

[@Steven85-8i]

That was a great video,this was worth watching as I have 3 of these,nice spray job on the casing,I replaced my pink SP to a Nintendo one, as a beginner it was fun doing it.

[@totallyfrozen]

9:55 That’s why your mate had an aftermarket screen in it.

[@Nurofaen]

That spray painting looks excellent! I have a matt black SP myself (Original colour) so maybe I'm just biased...

[@joehdah5395]

Awesome intro dude! Great video!

[@lanet.2934]

Thinking on starting my on gameboy advanced project. Wish me luck. Lol.

[@kennybullet6012]

How is that going my friend?

[@raunaigarcia7634]

That was awesome!! The combination of colors are perfect.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@srooij]

That is bloody gorgeous mate!

[@Tom2404]

It looks so cool. Now I want to repaint my old GBA SP, which looks really bad.

[@SimpleToasty]

Can you make a video about how to deal with stubborn screws to remove?

[@jakobwiberg9536]

i liked the grey parts on it, dont change them pls.

[@twizzlytwist]

He likes it that way so let him. It's his money.

[@MikkyMilkshake]

Personally I'd keep the colour of the buttons/rubbers the same as what you had in the video, they provide a nice contrast to the black of the shell. Replace the damaged rubbers definitely, then it'd look amazing in my eyes.

[@DanSutherland]

Wish he would've left the letters on the debossed Gameboy letters on the battery pack silver grey. Would look classic

[@karakeller9288]

I love the white buttons

[@ashjones1094]

I am a wanting to be an engineer when I am older(14years old now)I have made several projects but the biggest up and coming projects is repairing my first game boy sp and my brother will pay me double the money for it.hopefully it can get me to my dreams.

[@shupermonsh8629]

The gba looks beautiful i love it , amazing work

[@TRDGE]

This was hands down the best gaming console ever

[@nonamej1591]

Agreed, but maybe that's my nostalgia talking. I liked the Nintendo DS also.

[@MinecrafterPictures]

That GBA SP is likely an older model 100 version, having a frontlit screen instead of a backlit screen

[@mattcred]

Mint vid as always! You should keep the grey buttons and screw covers, theyre an interesting contrast with the matt black.

[@boyceallen3689]

Love the video and new intro

[@mandh14]

Nice rattle can work! One of your best E!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thank you!