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First-Time Modding a Game Boy Advance: A Beginner’s Journey

Embarking on a new hobby can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it involves hardware modification. In this detailed account, a beginner (referred to as "unboxing you") shares their first-ever experience modding a Game Boy Advance (GBA), focusing on turning a worn-out device into a beautiful, personalized piece. The journey involves a mix of anticipation, learning, minor setbacks, and eventual satisfaction.

Choosing and Preparing the GBA

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The process begins with selecting a suitable GBA. Our enthusiast picks a used unit from eBay, noting its dirtiness and missing battery cover—minor flaws that are expected given the upgrade plans. The goal is to breathe new life into the device with a custom shell, lens, buttons, membranes, and a new screen.

Sourcing Custom Parts

To achieve a unique aesthetic, the modder chooses an iridescent shell, which they find highly appealing. They also select a pink lens, pink membranes, and gold-flake buttons to add vibrant accents. For the display upgrade, an OEM-sized IPS screen is purchased—they opt for this to avoid trimming the shell to fit larger screens that many replacement screens support.

Disassembly and Initial Challenges

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Removing the motherboard from the original shell seems straightforward at first but quickly highlights the absence of any instructions—an all-too-familiar obstacle for beginners. Fortunately, the retailer's product page provides a helpful tutorial video. The process involves peeling off old components and preparing for the new parts.

As part of the upgrade, the modder installs a USB-C compatible battery. While the new battery physically fits easily, its reliability is questioned due to a less-than-perfect fit, foreshadowing potential issues down the line.

Screen Replacement and Technical Hurdles

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The heart of the mod is installing the new IPS screen. Despite the availability of on-screen display features for brightness and color adjustments, the modder admits to hesitation in soldering due to nervousness. They decide to focus on correct placement and ribbon cable attachment rather than full electronic calibration for now.

However, not all goes smoothly. An attempt to turn on the device after the assembly initially produces a blank screen. This surprises the novice, who reflects on their lack of prior testing before modding, a common pitfall. Further complications arise when a stripped screw trap prevents easy access to troubleshoot, forcing them to break open the shell—an emotional moment that underscores the risks of DIY repairs.

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Replacing Broken Components and Dealing with Setbacks

During disassembly, the original broken screen gets damaged, necessitating a new one. The modder also customizes their color scheme further by opting for a mint green lens and purple membranes, adding lively variety to the iridescent shell. The order arrives promptly from Retro Game Repair Shop, noted for their fast shipping and quality parts.

Cleaning becomes a priority; using DeoxIT to remove grime and ensure good contacts, the individual reconsiders their choice of battery due to fitting issues. This time, they opt to skip the USB-C battery, favoring a more secure fit.

Troubleshooting and Final Adjustments

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Despite careful reassembly, the screen adhesive begins to cause aesthetic concerns, stretching unevenly and looking unprofessional. To resolve this, the modder disassembles the unit once more, applying heat to remove the defective adhesive, then creatively uses cut-up magic eraser wedges as a lightweight, makeshift mounting solution—a clever improvised fix.

This iterative process highlights both the challenges faced and lessons learned, especially regarding adhesive application and component fitting. Even with setbacks, they express pride in their work, appreciating the end result's visual appeal.

Reflection and Future Plans

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The finished GBA is now a personalized, attractive device, reinforcing the satisfying feeling of transforming old hardware into something new. Motivated by this success, the modder discusses plans to mod other handheld consoles, like the classic Game Boy DMG and Game Boy Color.

Acknowledgments and Recommendations

The creator credits Retro Game Repair Shop for sponsoring them and providing a GBC build kit, emphasizing its ease of assembly and compatibility with original cartridges. They commend the company's quick shipping and quality service, recommending it for fellow enthusiasts.

They also thank their patrons for ongoing support, inviting viewers to join their Patreon community for more content.

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In conclusion, this first experience with hardware modding encapsulates the excitement, challenges, and learning opportunities that come with DIY electronics projects. While perfection wasn’t achieved on the first attempt, the journey fostered skills, patience, and a deeper appreciation for customizing gaming hardware. Despite minor setbacks, the modder’s dedication and creativity resulted in a uniquely beautiful Game Boy Advance—proof that with perseverance, even beginners can create something special.