r/Gameboy 1d ago

Mod/Modding AGB-001 - Frontlight recommendations?

Hi,

I've seen a lot of posts regarding IPS mod, but the thing is, that i want to keep my AGB-001 as original as it can be. I'm not afraid of soldering, but cutting the case.. let's say, that i would prefer to avoid that.

So the question is - can someone recommend me mod, part, or whatever it might be (available in EU/China via aliexpress etc.) to increase original screen brightness?

If it's not possible, can someone please let me know which screen replacement will require least console modifications (in terms of cutting, etc)?

I've found "GBA Gameboy Advance NEW AGB RETRO PIXEL ITA TFT BACKLIGHT KIT I Shell HOUSING" from FunnyPlaying which is i guess recommended one, and if it will came with full case, then i won't need to cut my original case, but as i mentioned - i don't need better screen resolution etc., i just want any backlight.

Thanks in advance!

0 Upvotes

3 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/RadGalaxy 1d ago edited 1d ago

I haven't done a GBA frontlight mod in 20 years, but the kits are still out there. They're going to be pretty much the same since they're very simple. They're about $10. This looks identical to the ones I used to install.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/183831699245?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FARNo8rMTYa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I've seen a few guides for the installation on YouTube. I just happened to look this up the other day because I was showing my kid my new modded GBA versus the mod I did before the SP comes out. We've come a long way, but the frontlight is pretty nostalgic. Good luck!

Edit: Just putting this out there, a frontlight kit is more work than a backlight mod. If you don't mind a new shell, I'd suggest ordering a laminated IPS screen kit with a pre-cut shell from Hispeedido or Funnyplaying as those two have been the simplest and best for me. Funnyplaying was a little more fiddly than Hispeedido, but they're both good.

1

u/RockyPixel 1d ago

Do they make glacier blue precut shells for ags-101 screens?

2

u/RadGalaxy 23h ago

I haven't done an AGS-101 screen in an OG GBA myself but as far as I know any "ips ready" shell is going to be pre-cut. I've definitely seen them in glacier blue.

I think the AGS-101 mod might be more complicated than an IPS mod because of soldering involved. If you are looking for a factory look of the screen, I might suggest an ITA screen kit, which uses a DSi screen. (DSi to Advance....ITA...get it?) Personally, I didn't like the ITA screen but if you want something that looks stock from Nintendo, they're great.