GBA decisions decisions

[neorichieb1971]

I have a boxed GBA, but I can hardly see the screen anymore its so faint. Everything is in mint condition and I have all the paperworks, box, manual, cables etc.

I want to upgrade to a IPS 2 screen. But what is my best option?

Is it sell the boxed GBA I have and just buy another modded GBA?
Is it ask someone to mod my current GBA with the upgrades?


What would you do?

[jd213]

There used to be a drop-in IPS screen kit but looks like it's no longer available. However there's also a drop-in consolizer kit from Intec Gaming, but it has around 6 frames of lag:
https://youtu.be/TDxjd5d2Q8E?t=1417

If you want another mod and don't feel like learning how to solder yourself, maybe paying someone to do it would be the way to go. GBAs have really shot up in price over the past few years despite the plethora of other portable options, and they'll surely go up more, so selling a nice boxed but broken one now would be a wasteful IMO.

You could also maybe get an Analogue Pocket or emulation handheld (or MiSTer if you would rather play on a TV/monitor)

[fernan1234]

An additional option is an original fat DS, all original hardware and no modding needed. Especially if you didn't mind the original GBA screen, the original DS one will feel like a huge upgrade in visibility and will also display in the correct color space. IPS "upgrade" screens show incorrect colors (not aware of any new model that includes color correction or even color adjustment to get closer).

[neorichieb1971]

My GBA works absolutely fine. I just can't see the screen very well either because its got dimmer through the years or it was just like that when it came out. It certainly seems to work as it should. But compared to the later handhelds its just so dim I don't like it anymore. It doesn't have a scratch on it.

I already have a DS boxed like new as well. Still have the stylus and everything.. thing is I am not a fan of the double screen and the games seem to have a bit more gimmicky elements due to the stylus and double screen. I just like the GBA better.

There is a shop in Leicester UK which has a range of pre modified GBA's but they only offered me £30 trade in (without seeing it as I didn't have it on me on that particular day). I took it to the UK's biggest trade show to see if they could do something with it, but none of the GBA modders turned up this year (they did last year).

Maybe I'll just buy a pre modded one and add it to my collection and see how it goes.

[Osirus]

I already have a DS boxed like new as well. Still have the stylus and everything.. thing is I am not a fan of the double screen and the games seem to have a bit more gimmicky elements due to the stylus and double screen. I just like the GBA better.

He means you can play GBA games on the DS as well. Probably my preferred platform for GBA; actual backlit screen and its larger size is a bit more confortable.

[neorichieb1971]

I already have a DS boxed like new as well. Still have the stylus and everything.. thing is I am not a fan of the double screen and the games seem to have a bit more gimmicky elements due to the stylus and double screen. I just like the GBA better.

He means you can play GBA games on the DS as well. Probably my preferred platform for GBA; actual backlit screen and its larger size is a bit more confortable.

Forgive my ignorance, but how does a GBA game fit in a DS slot?

[Konsolkongen]

The original Nintendo DS and DS Lite had a GBA slot at the bottom of the console. This was dropped for the DSi and DSi XL