Building the Ultimate Gameboy Advance

Today Join me, on the first step of my quest to create the Ultimate Nintendo Game Boy Advance.

🟣 In today's video, I'll be replacing the screen on the original GBA with a much brighter and colour rich IPS CleanScreen mod as well as changing the colour scheme with a new crystal clear shell which I bought, via eBay UK from a company called RetroSix.
🟣 Additionally, I'll be adding a new pink screen lens and an full replacement clear pink button kit, with both of these being bought, again on eBay UK from a seller called Cool Spot Gaming (CSG-Retro).
🟣 I'll then give it a little test with one of my favourite GBA games "Pokémon Emerald".

🔵 Don't forget to let me know in the comments, any recommendations you have for future GBA mods I should lookout/attempt. As well as your favourite games that I need to check out.

*DISCLAIMER*
🟢 Please do not take this video as a tutorial / advice. I'm not an expert, this is just my hobby :)

*GEAR I USE IN/OR TO MAKE THE VIDEO*
🟡 Links below ⬇️ to the Digital Microscope, Andonstar kindly sent to me that I use in this video (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Amazon US (United States of America) 🇺🇸 links below ⬇️
Amazon UK (United Kingdom) 🇬🇧 links below ⬇️

*SOCIALS*

🎶 *MUSIC & SFX* 🎶 _(Affiliate link)_
🔴 _(and, if you sign up to Epidemic Sound through the playlist link, you'll get 7 days for free!)_

*CHAPTERS*
---coming soon--

[brikokujin]

My entire body withered up, crumbled, and blew away on the wind when I heard "a surprise find from a local antique store"

[randomactsofgaming]

I have to say your soldering skills are on point! That was some clean work.

[jonsharman]

Just wanted to say me and my daughter love your channel, she’s only 7 but she watches your videos over and over, you do a really important job that’s of being a positive female role model for girls, there are plenty of female role models now in the sporting world but some little girls aren’t in to sport, we completely lack female role models in science and technology and for my 7 year old daughter you’re filling that gap, you should be very proud of yourself, she’s now talking about us setting up a little work station for herself so she can work on electronic equipment just like Kari does and who knows this interest might carry on in to adult life and a career in science and technology inspired by you and your channel, on behalf of her and me her dad I’d like to say thanks and please keep up the amazing work 😊

[elizabethl]

As a person who is new to modifying anything with a soldering iron, this video is the type of informative guide that I was looking for before undertaking my GBA Upgrade/Mods. Excellent Excellent Excellent. THANK YOU SO MUCH !

[juliashenandoah]

This is the best and most advanced soldering station I have ever seen! Almost all other people still use magnifying glasses and a flashlight between the teeth when modding circuit boards but you have a macro camera and a big screen. Impressive! You really deserve this awesome new modded GameBoy.

[markkilborn]

I’m glad I found your channel. Some fun tutorials here. And I think I’m going to have to do this project myself. My wife and I, both gamers, have a little girl who also loves playing games. I think she’d be ecstatic for a pink GBA. Thanks for this!

[pjsines]

Come for the tech, stay for the t-shirts! Great video!!

[wolfgangblack]

The retro machine improvements available now are amazing, look at how much better that Gameboy is now.👍

[kenm.]

For someone so young, it’s clear you’ve had both dedication and good teachers along the way.
You should have a good long career ahead.

[DerkuiDerkui]

The shirts you wear are always awesome!

[horusfalcon]

Well done, Kari. The GBA doesn't get enough love these days. Nice IPS mod, and you made good work of it.

[Trimzee]

Man... It's that RetroSix quality, that menu that comes up, and the ribbon cable that gets soldered in the board so nice.
I've actually pulled those testing point pads off the select and L on 2 GBA's, so those ribbon cables make going in and out so much easier without having to unsolder them off and weaken the joints and glue holding those testing point pads.

[wildzeke]

Your younger brother is lucky to have such a cool sister.

[edubs]

11:58 - I believe the phrase "The difference is night and day" applies for sure!

[akrsa]

A few weeks ago I finally ordered a replacement battery and shoulder buttons for an old Gameboy Advance SP. I was really worried I'd break it, I'm not good with hardware, dealing with software is much more my alley but this video has inspired me to order a case and screen mod for it and give it a go, thanks!

[freudinator]

Coincidentally, I just did this to my GBA earlier this week. I also bought a liion battery pack + USB charging circuit from ali express. It all fits where the 2xAAs would usually go, and it came with a replacement battery panel, with a hole for the USB-C connector. Very convenient. (edit: I should add, the pack that I had didn't even need soldering. It just makes use of the existing AA contacts on the GBA).

[Sronmar]

Now you just need Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Golden Sun 1 and 2, Klonoa, and Super Mario Bros. 3 to go with that awesome mod. Great job Kari. 🙃

[KC-kpvh]

I still have the GBA sp’s we had in the 00s. The screens are still bright to this day, probably helps that we weren’t real gamers

[Yogi]

did she just say "antique store" ouch that's my childhood. I need aa beer now so I can go cry in a hole with my GBA and Games.

[edwardreichard]

Well done Kari, I’ll looking forward to more videos from you, The pink color case looks real nice!