The ULTIMATE Game Boy Advance

The form factor for the original Game Boy Advance is generally preferred by most people over the SP, however its non lit screen makes it much harder to use today. I wanted to spend some time and build what I would call The Ultimate Game Boy Advance using a new screen, better speaker and even a rechargeable battery pack through USB-C. Today we'll be completing the build and bringing an old classic system up to modern times.
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#Nintendo #GBA #Gameboy

[@hai5266]

+1 for using Golden Sun thumbnail. That game is awsome, sick soundtrack and good pace

[@sumalponggoldash]

Imagine if Camelot releases a Remake on switch, wooooh

[@hai5266]

@@sumalponggoldash That would be a dream come true, or GS4

[@erickgm15]

@@hai5266 just hope it isn't trash like Dark Dawn

[@DrakkarCalethiel]

@@erickgm15 I didn't found it trash, but compared to the GBA titles it was a bit low. The first two ones had such damn good writing, you knew that Weyard was on the cliff of destruction. So much tension buildup while you are walking on the map to the Mars tower which is damn near on the edge of the world. A big moment also was where you find Lemuria. I could nerd out for hours about the first two games. The third entry is summarized in like a couple minutes. Sure the end at the Eye also had lots of feelings, but again lacks compared to what we got before.

[@erickgm15]

@@DrakkarCalethiel the story telling made no sense... huge civilizations and cultured species sprout in 30 years when it take place after book 2 is absurd. Its pretty trash on retrospect.. book 1 and 2 had good story but had a bit too much dialogue if that makes sense.

[@stevesteve0521]

If the gba came with a screen like that back in 2001, I’m pretty sure it would have sold a half billion units.

[@davidstring8301]

And it would've cost as much

[@mmert138]

Gba battery lasts for a week on AAs with non stop playing. If it had backlight, I doubt they would last as long.

[@robspear03]

@@mmert138 what good is battery life when you can't see shit

[@gokumetrix80]

@@mmert138 its lasts like 4-6 hours max

[@mackit]

Based on the power draw tests other have done, you should be able to get 10-12 hours on a modded GBA if you’re using high capacity 2,400MaH rechargeable AAs. They’re pretty cheap on Amazon.

[@pythonxz]

As soon as I saw the Golden Sun logo on a GBA in the thumbnail, I clicked without reading the title. I remember when I got my Glacial Blue GBA. I would kill for that exact look for my Switch.

[@gedora5539]

I know Amazon and Walmart have quite a few clear shells you can order to replace your switch she'll with :)

[@mobaby1979]

@@gedora5539 Just be careful with the screws many of those kits come with - they're usually low quality so be easy on them as they want to strip.

[@kirby4230]

Same! I remember saving up my money for a brand new SP and The Lost Age. I just wish they would make a another game for the switch!

[@catriamflockentanz]

@@mobaby1979 Couldn't you just reuse the original screws?

[@mobaby1979]

@@catriamflockentanz Not in every case - if the screw holes in the case/shell you bought were designed specifically/only to work with itself (you're screwing it in to another half of the same aftermarket case in the joycon example), it wouldn't have to work with the original screws when it comes to screw threading. This was the case for me when I tried to install a clear purple shell to my joycons.

[@ijustsawthat]

GBA has special place in my childhood. Lot of hours in a lot of awesome games. PKM Ruby, Advance Wars 2, Golden Sun, Metroid Fusion and Zelda Minish Cap....

[@tpastudios8681]

Matheus Xavier me too.... I got Frogger, Mario Kart super circuit, Shrek 2, Crash Bandicoot, some Nickelodeon game that I have, Star Wars and that’s it

[@kingkuda4206]

Yugioh GX D.A., Frogger,pokemon leaf green and saphire,yoshi's island, Mario vs DK,Shrek hassle at the castle

[@lordofhostsappreciator3075]

It, the Gamecube, the PS2, the Xbox and the Dreamcast. The 6th gen was without a doubt the peak of gaming, hands down.

[@DrakkarCalethiel]

Golden Sun was and still is AMAZING! Really want to get a 4th entry in the series, especially since it has an open ending.

[@shepherdhaus]

Lol I also used golden sun to calibrate the screen placement because the menus have a perfectly square border that tells me of the screen is centered

[@samuraivader3814]

So many “Ultimate” GBA out there, but none of them figured out the headphone humming. Edit I found a solution with a sound amp and EMI elimination board.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

It's a hardware issue though. I'm curious if even replacing the speaker would change that. I doubt it.

[@legendaryoutcast4440]

@@JohnDoe-yf9wk so? He has a point. Its not "ultimate" if it has the same issues that are in the original.

[@JohnDoe-yf9wk]

@@legendaryoutcast4440 I mean it's kind of ironic because it's like saying "ultimate gba" in general is like saying the best version of a still flawed device. The device analogue is making Will probably actually qualify as the ultimate GBA as I assume it will solve all if at least 99% of the problems that the GBA still has.

[@matocarina]

do you mean the static sound? the one that's also present on emulators? that's due to the low bitrate audio, it just can't be fixed without re-engeneering the sound hardware and reprogramming games individually, not happening

[@21N42Photo]

I bought one of those in eBay and it had the humming. The GBA Sp doesn’t have the humming though

[@RogersBase]

As a massive GBA buff, I LOVE this!

[@Andronicus87]

Where did he get a black GBA? I never saw any black ones for sale. There was black for the SP I believe but the regular GBA I only saw white, silver, purple, and see though lavender.

[@themightytammos]

@@Andronicus87 Custom housing.

[@mrmarr8308]

@@Andronicus87 yes black and orange were also original colours.

[@BigSnipp]

I agree. I love the old horizontal gba. I'd love one of these. Only thing, it needs to be the OG purple .

[@marcusgiovanni1783]

The GBA fills a holy trinity for handheld and Nintendo lovers that makes it so unique: classic old games, one of coolest, of not the best looking retro handheld, and ERGONOMIC. Considering how uncomfortable the earliest Nintendo handhelds were, the GBA really hits the perfect sweet spot for retro handhelds.

[@Sterl500]

I like how your save file loads up in the starting room of the Venus Lighthouse. Best final dungeon music for a game I've ever heard. A lot of love went into that game, just like a lot of love goes into many modded systems. Great video.

[@ich1234577]

I just bought a GBA for 15€ and wanted to do a backlight mod, then I heard you talking on the Spawncast about having bought the screen on MAGfest. I knew I had to wait for the video and I´m glad I did, now I know what I have to do and I am so excited. Thank you Jon

[@JesseAndMike]

This looks great!

[@Omabatfartsbruh]

could say the opposite of your content

[@g4binator394]

@@Omabatfartsbruh I used to watch that channel its dead now lol

[@bctalicorn809]

Ahhh, Tal Tal Heights. You have great taste in music. And this GameBoy is a dream come true. I want one so bad.

[@jameslarge434]

The alluminium body ones with usb c and ips display are really ultimate

[@ElliottTrout]

I'm glad you're expanding the channel. You've become my favorite source when it comes to gaming news, and I really enjoy your tear downs and the spawncast. The content is great but I really watch because you're so good at being informative and are overall just a natural at talking to an audience. So yeah, thanks and I'm sure you're just gonna keep growing will be at 1M subs in no time , especially once next gen hits.

[@SharifSourour]

This kind of stuff is always your best content; surprised you don't make more. Also your weekly wrap-ups are good, but this stuff is the best! You're awesome with tear-downs, mods and the like.

[@FamedGuardian]

Just got my IPS V2 screen in the mail and can’t wait to do this mod. Thanks for posting this video!

[@DoctorMinjinx]

The GBA always felt way nicer to me than the SP.

[@willcooper3015]

Underrated opinion.

[@robinenbernhard]

Same here i like GBA more in my hands then SP

[@nievewildorange2879]

Everyone out here disrespecting the SP, it was the ultimate handheld.

[@efwefwef4747]

Even with a black light mod the SP is a much nicer machine

[@Shlappz]

I hold the opposite opinion. The SP always felt and looked better to me. Maybe I have small hands or something.

[@XelaShade]

Golden sun is one of the best rpgs on GBA. I'd love to see the franchise make a comeback, if not just put the collection on switch eShop :D

[@SMCwasTaken]

Have you played superstar saga?

[@ijustsawthat]

> Press on GBA: Tlaaaannnn.... Tim!!! Me: Hey there old friend ! [Childhood memories intensifies]

[@The_Dejected_King]

I just recently started looking into buying the parts I need to do this same mod. It's more difficult to find parts than you would imagine.

[@fishinghobo]

I wanna do this but idk where I’d even get the GBA

[@xdragoonzero0]

@@fishinghobo You could potentially buy ones off ebay. If you're doing a screen mod, you can try even consider 'broken' ones, as long as the console actually powers on.

[@TheChromescorpion]

I know this is kinda late, but I use "Retro Six". They are located in the UK, but they have super fast overseas shipping. Thet have everything you need for ALL retro hand helds !!!

[@czarkowskipawelyt]

15:50 Did you seriously touch the inside of the glass with a finger, inevitably leaving a smudge?

[@retr0type]

I said the same thing out loud as he did that. When I modded my GBA, I also used canned air to clear out any dust that inevitably gathers on the open screen when you're working on it.

[@teacherfromthejungles6671]

he probably cleaned his hands with alcohol beforehand

[@tridentmanproductions3528]

This comment has 69 likes, nice

[@bryce7344]

Oh gross I almost didn’t notice that

[@MartKencuda]

From the close ups I didn't see any evidence of smudging. I think this dude knows what he's doing.

[@TheShyShotaArcive]

I sold my psp to my friend a week ago, I broke it 10 years ago and he fix it, modded it. I cried.

[@Walking-MY-Path]

That's what you get you silly boy just kidding lolz.

[@michaelmodernsonicfan5341]

Nice

[@jakethreesixty]

I once accidentally left my GBA outside in a container overnight, I didn't think of it because I also had an SP, and a thunderstorm rolled through. I was horrified to learn it was completely submerged in water the next day. Miraculously it still worked, but the speaker was really quiet and sometimes distorted, and the screen seemed faded. I broke the SP just by falling with it in my pocket...

[@michaelmodernsonicfan5341]

F

[@TheZeroSbr]

"I broke the SP just by falling with it in my pocket..." No you didn't.

[@red6785real]

@@TheZeroSbr what reason does he have to lie about that? You also don't know how bad the fall was and such.

[@fernandosepulveda7297]

@@TheZeroSbr did you really have to quote his sentence? Lol you look like a fool

[@lunarrhythm7344]

I've been thinking of doing this but then the Analogue Pocket got announced and now I'm waiting to see more on that.

[@s.b.b.3567]

Extremely hyped about the Tech Wave office...!!!

[@jgibbons510]

I had so much fun with the gba back in the day.

[@whatevsnevs7689]

Happy Saturday!

[@SirCalalot]

Oh hells yes! I did an AGS-101 backlit mod for my GameBoy Advance a few months back and have been thinking about getting the thing back open for a rechargeable battery pack and speaker amp. Tech Wave is top-tier when it comes to this stuff so this video is super helpful. Thank you so much, John!

[@asboll]

I kind of have one of these, but the speaker is struggling unless I keep it on a random mid-level of volume. Very nice to play with this form factor :) Golden Sun 1+2 are my favorite GBA games

[@notpants2810]

Bruh please start selling these they’re so good

[@badwrongfun5541]

I rememebr retromodding dot com basically having all these kinds of mods available.

[@DoubbleDdragon]

Go to funnyplaying

[@psychoticpulse4831]

Totally doing this. Thank you for the video! Fantastic.

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

DAMNIT! You were at MaGFest?! I was there! I would have loved to say hi!

[@fortunax22]

D Dub who hurt you bro, I’ve meet a few YTs at a retro game con in my town and they have been nothing but awesome. Just because you had some bad experiences doesn’t mean everyone will. Maybe if you weren’t such a downer you would have better experiences? Experiences are a two way street after all.

[@fortunax22]

@@NintenDub ah so you're just basing what you're saying to other people on second half information, cool. Maybe meet one of them for yourself and form your own opinions? You've now heard from some who says they are nice and approachable, at least the ones I've met.

[@justAuv]

I've heard John's actually a really humble cool dude to meet in person. :)

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

@@justAuv He comes across as such in his videos and I really like that...

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

@@NintenDub You're assuming things here.. Not everyone is like that.

[@Pffy]

This is one my favorite videos that you’ve done ! This is so cool!

[@spiritcodegames7410]

Congrats on the new office! Look forward to the high quality content as usual!

[@ianmisik3343]

Great video. I love that you let it go to over 20 mins. More of these please

[@seth64_]

Congrats on the new office homie! I’m happy you’re in a place that you can upgrade like that!!!

[@robh.2400]

Very nice! I recently put an AGS-101 screen kit in my original GBA that I bought in 2002. It makes such a huge difference!

[@sneakybadgerjd1583]

Hearing you have an office is great! Super excited for the future of your channel. I will definitely be there.

[@_Banjo_]

This is absolutely beautiful, Im glad i can watch you do it.... because honestly, im pretty terrified when comes to soldering

[@alexblack849]

Very nice build. I watched it with joy!

[@macnite4210]

Nice! Minish cap one of my favorite gba games and metroid probably will really pop on that. Good job

[@MarlonRobertoMenjivarMenjivar]

Man, I almost had a heart attack when I saw that Golden Sun logo in the thumbnail... I thought there were news about a remake or something... Anyway, awesome video. I always wanted to mod my old GBA but I'm afraid I'll screw up.

[@dbucha4]

Been waiting on this one. I've started this build myself. Installed the Funny Playing IPS screen and have a rechargeable battery coming from Retro Modding any day now.

[@GC-ji3ye]

I did this mod to my OG purple GBA about 3 years ago! It’s the best way to play game boy games other than a backlit DMG. Glad tech wave is getting its own set. Can’t wait to see it!

[@somni2246]

Loved that you used the music from the Switch remake of Link's Awakening. The music was probably the thing that struck me most about that game.

[@101sandro]

This is such a huge coincidence I’ve literally just bought a GBA SP for modding and I am in the process on buying some mint condition boxed games, I will be ordering the screen and case very soon. So excited!!

[@jpesicka999]

Why mint condition boxed games? X.x

[@Souls8]

Awesome build man!

[@bry9448]

Thank you for the tutorial! Doing this now with my GBA and this helped soo much!

[@Infected.]

Awesome build! Can't believe the difference in the screen!

[@fraool944]

With that light leak, could it be possible that the clear screen spacer was installed on the wrong side? looked like the the side with the ribbon had a much larger bezel on both the screen and back of the faceplate ? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@erry9895]

That looked like so much fun!! Would love to mod up something like this. Spawn does it again!!!!

[@trevorgrover5619]

I remember having a rubber grip for my GBA SP. It made holding it a 1000 times better.

[@Azz156]

I just brought myself a gba off eBay to try this, wish me luck 🥳 Also more videos like these there really fun to watch.

[@SpouTSmemS]

This kind of videos of yours are by far the best ❤

[@RhythmGrizz]

I'm doing this. I'm making my own dream gba just like you did Jon. You've inspired me.

[@ThePrimo80s]

This was so cool. I need one of these. I’d love to see you do some mods on either the Dreamcast or the OG Xbox

[@VentusvsVantias]

Glad to see you showcase the IPS v2 Screen. More people need to know about it so AGB-101s stop getting destroyed.

[@kat.]

This is beautiful and great game choice lol! I’ve been wanting to order the screen but now I want to get the speaker mod too

[@redfern963]

Great video started to order parts to get my Ultimate gameboy now

[@crash1760]

I love your videos man, keep up the good work!

[@Zsmart17]

I had the original GBA when I was 11/12 back in 2001. I bought an AGS-101 SP for $40 a few years ago and love it.

[@nickdude07]

Great job, I think the issue with the backlight bleed is that the spacer should have been installed on the left side and not the right.

[@tuvicious1156]

I only clicked this link to hit "like" because you put Golden Sun on the thumbnail. One of my favorites of all time

[@cppctek]

That's a huge improvement wow

[@calebsmith198]

Appreciate the videos brodie

[@aharonjones8287]

Best DIY I've seen in a while

[@MacMak-hq3kl]

You had me at the Golden Sun thumbnail.

[@byronmartin6469]

BROOO that looks so awesome!

[@tobi86gam3play]

Awesome man!! Wish I can get something like this done

[@acecab5397]

Man, do the tech videos with multiple views, maybe with just your shot at a corner window, looks a lot cooler. Wow grats on on the new office! Just keep the variety going and interesting. Mad respect.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

Awesome video / tutorial, GBA LCD is really cool 😎

[@daveb0t82]

Awesome video, I wish I would have had a gba like this back in the day!

[@jacobdelvalle243]

I literally commented about this earlier. How back in the day we had to buy an external lighting for these and prior. Lol. Good stuff. Great video!!

[@EduardoWeidmanBarijan]

Yep. I had a whole kit of external light with lens, smooth buttons drop in and rechargable batteries for my gameboy color back in the day

[@newp0rt]

i had this little piece of shit purple dongle thing that plugged into the top port and basically acted like a desk lamp for your screen. while that stuff is nostalgic im so glad we have gotten past it. being able to lay in bed on my devices carefree at night is such a blessing.

[@ontil68]

Your thumb! One of my all time favs man!

[@malcolmar]

Well done! I also think the original GBA with a backlit screen is the way to go. That speaker mod is also very nice. Thanks for sharing and enjoy!

[@Ahzafera]

I am so jealous :O I don't even know why, but this is something I need.

[@AdamEnriquez]

Hell yeah dude this is awesome! I need to do mine now!

[@piratehax3492]

Amazing video! Thanks

[@user-e1337]

Killed it man! Respect.

[@HarryWangification]

Congratulations on the new office Dad

[@MrKaprione]

Good job John!👍👍

[@johnodaz1273]

Top quality TechWave video Jon(SW). This is a really nice looking GBA system, that Screen is Clear n Crisp and wow that speaker is so much better than the Original. Really great Job Jon :-D 👍.

[@thetristan465]

Thank you for mentioning Golden Sun! We fans need to keep this game alive :)

[@Notpoop906]

if you use a clear / frosted battery cover it's actually fairly easy to line it up with the USB-C port and then mark it from the outside with a sharp knife or even some masking tape. Then you just use a 4mm drill bit to cut a slot between the two marks you made at the edges of the USB-C port. Drill holes first then use some side cutters to get enough of the remaining material until you can get a file in there and then finish it with the file. Honestly, I've made my own and also bought professionally molded ones for my kit from Funnyplaying and the only real benefit from the proper ones is that they have a bit of support molded into them for the port and cable.

[@GorGob]

Great vid. I need this gba!

[@MonadoJoJo]

This was freaking awesome! This is so cool, I wish GBA's were like this!

[@LelandHasGames]

I did that backlit screen from FunnyPlaying on my GBA SP and, it’s just flipping beautiful. As a person who grew up with the Gameboy systems and as a person who still owns and plays those games, that mod is worth every penny.

[@josephclemons3797]

I modded one myself with a backlit screen new shell n buttons with a retro modding rechargeable battery the things a beast I love it. I used the ags101

[@gameoveramy]

I did a screen mod couple of weeks ago on my GBA gotta say super nice I love it!!

[@InifintyLefty]

Man I love my GBA it was my go to for rpgs...I got it late in its life and was pretty cheap to collect for till it broke...bonus is that the ds lite is backwards compatible with gba so that's my goto now

[@Blissment]

Always wanted one as a kid, that looks way better than the old system. Very cool.

[@atranfanatic]

Pretty cool build man. Yeah I modded my Advance with an AGS-101 screen that I got brand new. The original color of the Game Boy was a clear transparent and I ordered a silver front and back aftermarket with black buttons. Anyway it really pops and I think it looks beautiful. I also got away with not soldering, because of the particular model of Game Boy Advance I was using. Yeah that rechargeable battery and speaker mod you did looks and sounds pretty cool. Although I think it has decent sound and good battery life out of the box. Also considering I don't play it all the time. lol

[@Xnerdz1]

This is the content I subscribed for.

[@sshuraii]

Thank you for using golden sun in the thumbnail. That defined my teen year into my adulthood

[@micksterminator3]

I had the same color scheme growing up. It was a Toys R Us bundle that came with Super Mario World. Sold it to fund an SP for $20usd. Learned a lesson that day lol. I really want one of these again but know it will just sit in a box.

[@9aracna.]

Congrats on the office

[@RikuHino]

Great video!

[@mrt.7146]

Golden Sun - enough said 🤩

[@b.o.353]

Yeah I got one last year and they are awesome.

[@thegamecatcowboydan3180]

That looks cool at the end I agree it's not the tidiest but an amazing screen and sound plus the USB-C charging port and battery I have a portable battery dock that works really well so it would go well with that aswell as your phone and portable speaker so you could charge incar while driving and then use the portable battery charging dock to finnish charging when you arrive at your destination