I’ve always loved my Gameboy Advance (GBA), but after years of use, it was time for an upgrade. I decided to breathe new life into my old handheld, which I bought for just 1 single euro from an old colleague in school who was about to throw it into the trash. Mixing nostalgic design with modern tech, here’s how I transformed it from an old-school relic into a portable powerhouse.
Starting with the Old: Shell and Motherboard
To kick things off, I took apart the GBA’s original shell. As much as I loved the old design, the scratched-up exterior and dim screen were begging for an upgrade.
Once I had it open, I got a clear look at the motherboard. Taking apart my GBA felt like stepping into a time machine, but this was just the start.
I carefully removed the motherboard. It’s amazing to see how simple yet powerful the internal components are—here’s the motherboard fully out of the shell.
Here’s a close-up shot of the CPU for all the hardware nerds out there. It’s incredible to think how this little chip powered so many of my favorite games growing up.
A Fresh New Look: Transparent Grey Shell with Blue Buttons
Next up, I swapped the old shell for a transparent grey one with blue buttons. It’s a nice blend of retro vibes and modern style. The best part? This shell came precut for the larger IPS screen, saving me the hassle of modifying it myself.
Here’s a shot of the motherboard next to the new shell, ready to be reunited.
Ditching the AA Batteries: Lithium Power
One of the biggest quality-of-life improvements was switching from AA batteries to a rechargeable lithium battery. No more constantly changing batteries, and the shell even came with a precut USB port for easy charging. I was all set for modern power with classic gameplay.
Check out the new battery compartment.
Putting the Pieces Together: Testing in the New Shell
Once I had everything in place, I tested the motherboard inside the new shell. Things were coming together nicely—the screen and buttons felt great, and I was excited to see it all work.
The Screen Upgrade: IPS LCD for Crisp Graphics
Now for the biggest upgrade—the new IPS LCD screen. This screen makes a world of difference, with 9-to-1 pixel upscaling that makes the visuals sharp and bright. It’s a massive improvement over the original dim display, and the adjustable brightness means I can play anywhere, even in low light.
Here’s the screen installed and connected to the motherboard.
The EZFLASH OMEGA DE: All My Games in One Place
What’s an upgraded GBA without some serious gaming? To complete the project, I added an EZFLASH OMEGA DE. With this flash cart, I’ve got all my favorite ROMs in one place—Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Color, and Gameboy classics. No more carrying around cartridges, and I’ve got instant access to my entire retro library.
The Finished Product: A Retro Beast
And here it is, the final result—a fully modernized Gameboy Advance that still holds onto its retro charm. The transparent grey shell with blue buttons looks stunning, the screen is a huge upgrade, and the lithium battery means I can game without worrying about power.
Finally, here’s the glory shot—GBA powered on, with that iconic GameBoy Advance intro screen lighting up the IPS display. It’s like stepping back in time, but with a much better view!
This whole project was a blast, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. If you’ve got an old GBA lying around, upgrading it is definitely worth it. Now I can relive my favorite games like Metroid Fusion and Pokémon on a device that’s ready for the future.