r/gameboymods

This is a 1/1 handcrafted, painted and modified project by Neat Game Boy.

Been a while since I've been here, but I've got some issues right now. First, a recap;

For the last 4-5 months, my GameBoy has been in a shop, and updates have been extremely scarce. Before it needed fixing, I added an HDMI mod without the wires (because I had a FunnyPlaying board installed,) and it worked just fine for the next three days.

Then, I started seeing some pixels on my screen turn blue. I troubleshooted by taking out the mod, and it still showed up. I then decided to do what always worked when my GBA had some weird problem; reflow the solder.

This is where shit hit the fan. My best guess is that it had been too long since the last time I reflowed the solder and the pins were too oxidized, because as soon as I put my soldering iron on two of the CPU pins, they "disappeared."

This is where the next set of problems comes in. I take the GBA to a shop, tell them the problem, and leave them to it, knowing how unbelievably busy they are. 4 months pass, and I decide to give them a call.

They tell me that it's still being worked on ATM, and that it's still giving them problems. IDK what problems exactly, because they never elaborated🤦‍♂️ and that they would call me in a week to say if they could fix it or not.

More than a week has passed, and no response. I figured I'd give them until the end of the month before I call again, fully expecting them to tell me they couldn't fix it.

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Now HERE'S MY QUESTION:

How difficult can it be to fix a GBA with a CPU missing pins? Surely you just... add flux and carefully remove the damaged CPU with a heat gun, right? Or are least add a small wire of solder to replace the missing legs?

I don't even know if they bothered to think of doing that. I also know damn well that the motherboard was in good condition; nothing else got damaged and I cleaned up everything with 91% IPA before putting it back together.

This is all guesswork so far, because they've given me NO REAL ANSWERS.

I shell swapped my gameboy, without a game it starts up normally but as soon as I put a game in, i have this issue( see video) anybody have an idea?

Hey all, I’m about to buy this GBA which supposedly has some minor shell issues. If I were to replace the shell myself later, do I need to know what parts were used so the new shell is compatible?

Anyone know how to connect these 2 together?? this is a gba sp screen on the right and the mother board on the left

I added a usb-c audio supported component and then used a Questyle pro Bluetooth adapter so it can work with my AirPods and whatever headphones I’m using. After years of having this idea it’s finally real!! Lol

I have and old red GBA SP that I want to replace the screen in, but wanted to try modding first on one without emotional attachment. Found this blue one at the flee market today. Works perfectly but will replace the shell, screen and perhaps the buttons. Also came with the charger, but might want to add a usb-c mod.
Cost me €80 for those wondering, quiet a nice price I think.

Any advice for mods welcome!

I've done a few mods now, but this is my first SP mod. My neighbor gifted me some great GBA games to do a custom mod for his childhood Game Boy. He picked out the buttons and the UV printed Funnyplaying shell. Added the M2 screen, USB-C mod, upgraded battery, audio amp, and new speaker.

When I first installed the audio amp, I accidentally bridged two pins and popped the F2 fuse. I initially thought I had completely killed the motherboard, but after a lot of diagnosis I was able to figure it out. The fuse finally arrived today and after replacing everything works perfectly!

It was definitely my most difficult mod so far, but it was very satisfying to complete. Hopefully my neighbor likes it!

Replacing the caps and just got this one off, what is the brown and is the lift white and green line next to it bad or fine?

All caps (minus cp4) are replaced, inductor, and power switch too. Still getting green red flash when turn on to nothing and one flash of green when I shut it off. I bridged F1 as it was blown and I don’t have more. CP1,2 have 3.2v on bottom, CP3 has 3.2v on left. 3.2v on both sides of F1 and same with the power switch terminals minus the 4th (right most side). I have no idea what’s happening.

It was working when I replaced the power switch but I tried modding it (IPS, AMP, better speaker) and it stopped working so I did everything above and now I’m at a loss. 😩

I just re shell my childhood gba sp and it looks stunning

Got this Gameboy dmg from a convention local recently within 2 days a horizontal line appeared the guy offered free repair within 180 days but I open it up and see corrosion when I asked him about it he said it's already clean and neutralized, I'm no expert in this so I need to know if I can take his word? I really love this Gameboy returning it to him is an option but I would be really sad because I love the aesthetic lol I paid 120$

This custom Glow-in-the-Dark Game Boy Advance SP features a luminous shell that glows in the dark and a premium 720x480 IPS V5 display with 15 brightness levels, touch controls, and retro pixel modes.

Key Features

• Glow shell: Charges under light to emit a vibrant neon glow.
• IPS V5 screen: Sharp HD picture with vibrant colors and wide viewing angles.
• Custom controls: Adjustable brightness, color modes, and retro scan-line effects.

So happy to have a GBA again :) Had to sell off my GBAs and most of my collectibles a few years ago when things were hard financially, so its been awhile since I had one in my hands. I got one off the fb marketplace for roughly $30, everything was working except the sound so I just had to change the capacitor and it was working like a charm!

Spent about $100 on everything and I'm really happy with the GBA. I bought a purple shell too just to see which I liked better, but I realized that the purple shell for the laminated screens is hardly translucent and you really need sunlight to see through it since its super dark and really frosted.

As much as I love the IPS screens and their colors, I think the ITA mod is the best for GBA, it looks like playing on a mini CRT and reminds me of playing on my AGS-101 SP as a kid.

I am bummed though cuz I ordered an Ezflash Air and it was dead after updating the firmware lmao, so Im stuck playing Buus Fury even if I havent played Legacy of Goku 2 yet cuz its the only cartridge I have

I've recently bought a junk gbp with a beautiful yellow motherboard, so I decided to put it in a clear shell with some matching buttons and give it an IPS upgrade :-)

I've also made a little video of the progress in case anyone is enjoying these.

Hello. I recently finished modding my GBA a few days ago, however it has this constant humming noise that gets louder the more I turn the consoles brightness up. Does anyone know how I can fix this? Id apreciate any help. Thanks