Rejuvenate Your Retro Gameboy Advance Console With COLOR!

I took an old Gameboy Advance and added blue button lights and a backlit screen, along with a new translucent cover and some translucent dark blue buttons to give it the WOW factor it now has. Giving this GBA a backlit screen and lots of pretty blue lights will certainly be a much appreciated colorful addition for any fan.

***Soldering is not necessary if you do not plan on adding the blue Clearlight strip nor want to control the brightness levels of the backlit screen. You can add the screen without soldering and have a GBA that looks great. I just like to go the extra step.***

Not every lighted screen goes into the shells as easy as this one did. The older shells need to be trimmed down and clear inserts are used to be sure the screen's placement is correct. Not every cover is the same, too. So please use this guide as a rough how-to.

Also it is important to note there are several types of IPS backlit screens. I currently see version 2, v3, and v5 available on eBay. There are also other light kits that don't involve replacing your current screen but add an additional backlit screen behind your current screen. These ones are usually messy and involve a glue application between the two screens. Not for me.

I'm using tools and supplies purchased from eBay, Amazon, Funnyplaying.com and AliExpress.

In the first picture:

Soldering iron, solder, soldering wick, solder sucker, liquid flux, IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol), cotton sticks, Exacto knife, spudger, dental pick, tweezers, files, screwdrivers with correct tips, flush cutters to modify the shell (if needed),an Electronic Microscope helps, and a digital multimeter as well. A silicone mat to protect the table top, and slim pieces of a magic eraser. Not pictured: DeoxIT and compressed air.

Second picture shows my oscilloscope, my power supply, helping hands, reading glasses, and a fidget toy (Yes, you read that correctly.)

The third pic shows the new cover, new buttons, new backlit screen kit, and the Clearlight light strip for the buttons. Most vendors who sell the backlight screens throw in a pair of screwdrivers for you, in case you were wondering where you can get a Tri-Wing screwdriver from.

The 4th pic shows the original GBA console I was going to do for this build, but it has an issue with sound. So I'll fix it later and publish (hopefully) another Instuctable on how-to.

Start by removing the batteries and battery cover. Then remove the 7 retaining screws. There is one Philips tipped screw in the bottom of the battery area, and 6 Nintendo's tri-wing screws circled in the picture. I keep my screws in a lid with a magnet for temporary holding. After removing all 7 screws the back cover lifts off easily. If it doesn't, check to see if you left a screw in place or you left a game cartridge in place.

With the back cover off, you will see two or three Philips head screws holding the console down, and the ribbon cable that needs to be freed. Depending on your Gameboy Advance, I've seen some with all three screws in, but usually there are only two. Use the spludger tool (or fingernails) to pull up the locking tabs and then remove the ribbon from the holder. Notice if the console uses a 32 pin connector or the 40 pin connector. The new screen kits have both cables. At this point the console is ready to come off of the front cover.

With the console free, you might notice the rubber pads for the A & B buttons still stuck to the console. Simply lift them off. Then use cotton sticks and IPA to clean your console. Be sure to wipe out the speaker as grime likes to ride in there. Also check down in the slot where the cartridges go to make sure the contacts look clean as well. Be careful not to bend any!

This step is completely optional and does not involve the backlit screen. I really like the look of the colored lights and everyone else has agreed (so far.) There are 5 spots that need to be soldered onto the board. I've used arrows to indicate where. Add a tiny drop of flux to the 5 connecting spots before tinning TP2, TP3, and both shoulder button pads. Cleanup of the flux can be done with IPA and a cotton stick after connecting the light strip. Using the back cover to hold the console while I solder helps, as well as a digital microscope. The last pic shows me testing the blue lights with my power supply. OOoo pretty!! Easier to fix now than putting it all together just to take it apart again.

Side note: This Instructable does not show soldering iron temps or the type of solder needed. This isn't an Instructable on "How to Solder", but "How to Modify an Existing GBA to add Color and Lights". If you need to know how to solder then you have visited this Instructable too soon, and I encourage you to return later to attempt this.

When you first look at all the parts needed to give your GBA a brilliant colored lighted screen, it may appear to be a bit much. I mean, the kit said "no soldering needed" but it comes with three wires! What's up with that? Well, that is an OPTIONAL step that will allow you to control the screen brightness by holding down the SELECT button with one of the shoulder buttons for a brighter/darker looking screen depending on which shoulder is pushed. I'm skipping this step because out of the dozen or so GBA systems I've modded, not one have wanted to change the screen's brightness. Pass.

The edge of the double face taped pad is the ONLY part you will need. It goes into the front cover and secures the screen to the front cover. Normally, I "dry fit" the screen parts first before removing any adhesive cover strips. This way I am sure the screen placement is perfect and there aren't traces of light coming through. Since I ordered the cover with the screen for this GBA, the clear adjustable strips aren't needed, along with the need to use the flush cutters to make space in the shell housing. Be sure to add the protective layer to the back of the screen to prevent the screen from grounding out against the controller board which connects on the bottom of the screen. The 4th pic shows the double faced tape in place, ready to receive the new screen. I inserted the A, B, and 4-way buttons in the housing before putting the rubber pads in place as well. I generally wait to add the top two buttons for the moment when I am putting the two halves of the cover together as they tend to bounce around and flop out of place.

Whoops! I forgot to take some pictures here, as I had both hands on the console and screen and none on my phone. It was late at night so I apologize for this. I'll try to explain the best way I can. I will try to remember to take pictures from the next one I modify and add them to this Instructable.

After dry-fitting the new screen, attach it to the controller board by connecting the two together at the bottom connector. Carefully press the two parts of the connector together. After this, peel the protective film off the front of the new screen and gently lower it in place. Be sure you don't touch the screen! The fingerprints will be locked in forever between the screen and the new outer protective cover if you do. Set the console in place as well, making sure the speaker lines up as well as the shoulder buttons. Put the ribbon in place at the top. Put two Philips screws in the board to hold it in place and finish putting the rest of the buttons in, like the sides and power switch. Add the back cover now with the 6 Tri-Wing screws plus the Philips tipped screw by the bottom of the battery housing and flip it over. Remove the protective film from the black screen cover and put it in place. Hopefully the space between the new screen and the new black screen cover remained untouched.

Finish with optional stickers.

So bring your GBA back to life! More options are available to rejuvinate your GBA. Rechargeable USB-C battery packs are available as well as adding a HDMI port onto it (Imagine watching your GBA on the big screen TV!) The color options available today with all the different colored shells and all the different colored buttons should be a must if you are seriously considering modding your old tired Gameboy Advance. Yes, there are plenty of options for the GBA SP as well.