How I Built and Documented My First Game Boy Advance IPS Mod

How I Built and Documented My First Game Boy Advance IPS Mod Modding a console was something I always thought was out of reach—until I did it. I recently completed my first-ever Game Boy Advance mod, giving a 20+ year-old handheld a second life with a sleek all-black shell and a modern 2.9” IPS V2 screen. What started as a casual interest turned into a full weekend project—and my first published technical guide. Why I Took On This Project I’m a creative/technical hybrid by nature. I love structure, storytelling, and hands-on building. This GBA mod combined all of that: Hardware troubleshooting Researching tools and parts Writing clear, beginner-friendly instructions Testing, revising, and problem-solving What I Did Sourced all parts myself (shell, screen, cables, etc.) Used a 32-pin GBA motherboard + IPS V2 screen Cleaned, assembled, and tested everything without soldering Spent about 3 hours total on the build Wrote a full technical document to help others follow along The Full Guide (GitHub) Want the complete step-by-step breakdown? Read it here → github.com/CaesarWattsHall/gba-ips-mod-guide Key Lessons Learned Cheap screws bend easily. One of mine stripped inside the shell—it took three tries and a replacement screw to fix. Clean your board first. Use isopropyl alcohol (on the right parts only!) before installing. Planning is everything. I chose a solderless setup for simplicity, and the 2.9" IPS screen made alignment easy. Future Upgrades I’m Exploring Li-ion battery mod with USB-C charging Flash carts (like the EZ Flash Omega Definitive Edition) Internal speaker upgrades Possibly a custom start-up sound or boot animation Why I Shared This This project wasn’t just about fixing up a handheld—it was about documenting something real. Writing the guide helped me think clearly, explain my process, and build something others could actually use. If you're a tech writer, builder, retro fan, or just curious—I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading! Feel free to fork the guide, remix it, or message me if you're planning your first mod.

Apr 16, 2025 - 01:01

How I Built and Documented My First Game Boy Advance IPS Mod

Modding a console was something I always thought was out of reach—until I did it.

I recently completed my first-ever Game Boy Advance mod, giving a 20+ year-old handheld a second life with a sleek all-black shell and a modern 2.9” IPS V2 screen. What started as a casual interest turned into a full weekend project—and my first published technical guide.

Why I Took On This Project

I’m a creative/technical hybrid by nature. I love structure, storytelling, and hands-on building. This GBA mod combined all of that:

Hardware troubleshooting
Researching tools and parts
Writing clear, beginner-friendly instructions
Testing, revising, and problem-solving

What I Did

Sourced all parts myself (shell, screen, cables, etc.)
Used a 32-pin GBA motherboard + IPS V2 screen
Cleaned, assembled, and tested everything without soldering
Spent about 3 hours total on the build
Wrote a full technical document to help others follow along

The Full Guide (GitHub)

Want the complete step-by-step breakdown?

Read it here →

github.com/CaesarWattsHall/gba-ips-mod-guide

Key Lessons Learned

Cheap screws bend easily. One of mine stripped inside the shell—it took three tries and a replacement screw to fix.
Clean your board first. Use isopropyl alcohol (on the right parts only!) before installing.
Planning is everything. I chose a solderless setup for simplicity, and the 2.9" IPS screen made alignment easy.

Future Upgrades I’m Exploring

Li-ion battery mod with USB-C charging
Flash carts (like the EZ Flash Omega Definitive Edition)
Internal speaker upgrades
Possibly a custom start-up sound or boot animation

Why I Shared This

This project wasn’t just about fixing up a handheld—it was about documenting something real. Writing the guide helped me think clearly, explain my process, and build something others could actually use.

If you're a tech writer, builder, retro fan, or just curious—I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for reading!

Feel free to fork the guide, remix it, or message me if you're planning your first mod.