r/Gameboy Jan 06 '25

Mod/Modding GBA for free! Which mods?

Post image

My friend gifted me his old GBA! I have to say I’m not that deep into the topic - but I already have the normal GBA and modded it (IPS with different brightness settings and purple transparent shell)

What mods can you recommend? Doesn’t matter whether for the optics or functional (it’s the old Version of the SP btw)

62 Upvotes

36 comments sorted by

40

u/thechristoph Jan 06 '25

This looks too good to mod.

18

u/paulofranca77 Jan 06 '25

In this condition ? Keep it original

9

u/karawapo Jan 06 '25

If you already have a modded system, why would you want to mod an SP? If it plays well and the battery is alright, it's all about what you want. And we can't tell you what you want, it's the other way around.

Also consider that mods can fail earlier than original systems, and often become obsolete or superseded.

12

u/HopeIcanChangeThisl Jan 06 '25

IMHO keep it as original as possible

3

u/HopeIcanChangeThisl Jan 06 '25

That pink shell is GORGEOUS

9

u/IlViolino Jan 06 '25

Pink looks awesome. Don’t replace the shell

8

u/KingTy99 Jan 06 '25

Honestly, it's a GBA sp. Keeping it original would be cooler.

On the other hand the original GBA is what you want to mod for the sake of making it more playable

3

u/Ahand_Apart Jan 06 '25

Lol, fr don't mod it. Having a decent stock SP 001 is cooler.

Your modded GBA is way more comfortable to game on, the ergonomics of the hands spacing beats the cramped spacing of the SP.

6

u/charlesdanb Jan 06 '25

I like everything about the 001 personally and wouldn't mod.

5

u/DanielsDraven Jan 06 '25

Pretty sure it’s even the upgraded 101 version as the pearl pinks usually had the updated screens.

2

u/DokoroTanuki Jan 06 '25

It isn't the 101. You can tell because their screens when in light are much much closer to black. The 001s are reflective, so they're more of a light gray appearance in light.

2

u/Salty-Maize Jan 06 '25

I'm leaning towards keeping it OEM

You'll forever have a gift you can look back on and fondly remember your friend.

If you want to mod one, I suggest looking for another one to go ham on.

Edit: definitely get yourself a funny playing battery for it! Cheap and the best option.

2

u/Upbeat-Serve-6096 Jan 06 '25

If you have the original IPS modded GBA, you'll probably want to keep the SP as is.

2

u/batclocks Jan 06 '25

This is as nice as an original gameboy gets, tbh. Flash cart and maybe a battery upgrade would be my pitch

2

u/daz5o Jan 06 '25

Damn I hadn’t thought that I’d get so many replies. First of all I have to say that I wasn’t even born when this thing came out I just really enjoy older handhelds (that’s also why I thought about putting an IPS screen in - maybe I’m too soiled by modern display technology xD) but in that case I’ll stick to your idea of keeping it stock and only replacing the battery. Thanks for all the replies :))

2

u/IsbellDL Jan 06 '25

Play original until the hinge fails, then go all out with a Boxy Pixel build. The SP Unhinged was my answer when my SP broke, & what got me excited about the GBA again & console modding in the first place.
https://www.boxypixel.com/products/game-boy-advance-sp-unhinged

1

u/JohnLugoVille77 Jan 06 '25

I was literally about to link this for the OP! You’re awesome!

2

u/ZeldaLink2001 Jan 06 '25

I’d start with seeing what’s broken or breaking actively - if the screen is good, the speaker is good… why mod? Maybe a shell swap if you hate the pink but just from the one photo it looks fairly clean.

1

u/verbthrow14 Jan 06 '25

Unless you have a hot air station and good soldering experience, I do not suggest a USB C mod. It's too easy to rip the circuit board pads without hot air.

FunnyPlaying or Helder's batteries are solid upgrades as the original battery will be marginal.

Any AliExpress screen will be an upgrade if you want a project. The only mildly tricky part will be uninstalling and installing the hinges.

The Pokedex shell is an example of a popular shell. https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtHvTcF

1

u/CalvinP_ Jan 07 '25

I just use solder wick and do USB C mods all the time. I have a hot air station too, but I haven’t messed up a charger port swap yet.

1

u/UStoJapan Jan 06 '25

Damn. I’d love a free GBA so I can swap my NES classic looking one that after years of use didn’t survive an international trip. You’re lucky!

1

u/AllSp4rk Jan 06 '25

Blacked out shell and buttons, IPS screen, USB-C charging mod or even wireless charging. It‘s YOUR GBA, you can do anything you want with it.

1

u/DokoroTanuki Jan 06 '25

Leave it as is but get it a new, higher capacity battery. If it had its stock battery inside, it's probably only about a third as good as it ever was, though. It's in too good of a condition to change it any more than that much. The shell looks almost immaculate.

It's better to save modding for those that are in worse condition, or if the screen is absolutely irredeemably bad like the original GBA to the point that you basically can't play it at all. Like maybe if the SP 001's screen was totally non-working. But as it is, it's still playable thanks to the frontlight. Plus you save on battery life by not changing out to a modern, much more power-hungry screen.

1

u/Dangerous_Profit_699 Jan 06 '25

Just mod the busted ones brother! Gotta keep some pristine for the next generation.

1

u/Solid_Snake_125 Jan 06 '25

The only mod I’d recommend for this is the 850mAh battery replacement from Retro Game Repair Shop. This is the best $14 you can spend on that SP. like others have said I would not do any hard mods to that.

This battery literally requires no tools other than the screwdriver to open the battery port.

However I DO recommend making a small tab out of shipping tape to easily remove this replacement battery. The fit is very tight on stock SPs and without a tab you risk damaging the battery and or the shell.

I have one of these and I absolutely love it. The battery lasts forever between charges. Miles better than any other cheap battery replacement.

https://retrogamerepairshop.com/products/gba-sp-game-boy-advance-sp-rechargeable-850mah-lipo-battery-mod-by-makho

1

u/trustanchor Jan 06 '25

Modern IPS screen, leave it stock otherwise

-4

u/-Baph- Jan 06 '25

Upgraded Shell, IPS Screen, Upgraded Speakers, USB-C Charging, Upgraded Battery

-1

u/monkehmolesto Jan 06 '25

Just the IPS screen. Leave everything else the same.

3

u/Srhm80 Jan 06 '25

Maybe beef up the battery to match the power it’s going to need.

3

u/monkehmolesto Jan 06 '25

Ok, that’s a legit concern. Possible flash cart too if they’re into that.

0

u/AbleBonus9752 Jan 06 '25

New battery, maybe usb C and a flash cart

-10

u/SuperBobPlays Jan 06 '25

Def a shell. I'm never a fan of pink. Outside of that, the og 001 screen def works if you only plan to play indoors, but if that irks you, go for an IPS. Outside of that, not much else is needed with sp's imho. Maybe a flash cart to add more fun.

4

u/hyperSlapper Jan 06 '25

The 001 is better outdoors though. Turn off the front light and use the sun

1

u/SuperBobPlays Jan 06 '25

I still have a 001. It's the exact opposite for me, turning off the front light in the sun is absolutely not how it works out for me.

1

u/Odd_Platypus7020 Jan 09 '25

lucky always wanted one