Bless you for finally making a screen that retains the original image quality and resolution! The way these games were intended to be seen and played by the people who made them. If I wanted a crystal clear image I’d just play them on a Switch or an emulator. And with the ease of installation and lack of needing to physically alter the oem shell, makes this the Platonic ideal of a gba backlit replacement screen. Apologies for the glazing, I’m just really happy these exist
Honestly this is exactly what those like me wanted, a way to keep our consoles as authentic as possible and without permanently altering anything. really enjoying mine. Just hope that this can be done with the GBC at some point, would love to bring my special pikachu console back to life.
I bought a dark bluish purple transparent gba but was bummed when i forgot that I had to replace the shell to mod it, but luckily I found your video, thank you!
very cool actually, even with the IPS-mod I had installed I still had to trim some of my IPS-ready shell's corners inside the D-Pad housing and some other small bits and pieces, and to think this fits in a stock shell is really interesting
Hi I would like to say even though I am not from the generation that experienced this I do love my game boy advance as I got it for Christmas 1 year ago and iam definitely modding this as I can tell it would make my experience even more enjoyable
Great work! I never liked the colors and non-integer scaling of other IPS screens so I kept playing on an AGS-101. Definately going to order this screen 🙂
@@RetroSix Well, it took only 2 days from order to arrival here! I just built the screen in and that was a breeze, usually I have to mess around a bit with alignment, but this screen just slid in and was aligned instantly. I compared this GBA with an IPS one and an AGS-101 one, and the colors and pixels look very natural -- awesome!
I've been delaying a conversion because every IPS kit I've tested so far had odd looking colours. The transparency issue you mentioned was one of the things I noticed immediately and it's something that breaks the experience a bit. Especially when most cheap emulation handhelds are capable of displaying the flicker effect quite convincingly. So far, your kit looks like a very interesting proposition, and the fact It's a non-destructive mod it's a huge plus. Good work!
The transparency fix is a game changer! I recently got a copy of F Zero GP legend that I haven't really played because of the map issues and concerns about causing burn on the IPS panel, I'll be picking up one of these asap!
I made two mods, with ips and ITA. Response time of DSi Screen really disapoints. IPS is fantastic, but you miss the pixel grid. I'm considering buying this kit.
Yes so many people don't realise how bad the ITA kit is, very misadvertised as if it is similar to the CleanScreen... there is a reason it is so much cheaper :P
I'll be ordering one of these, might be a useful datapoint to know I've just picked up a used GBA, model number AGB-01, it's the clear case version, the number visible on the PCB through the battery door is '02 7-1' but it's also a 40 pin connector. I opened it up to check since I'm ordering a screen from you :)
Hi Retrosix, Looking at purchasing this soon, but I cannot solder. Can you still remove the pixel grid and change the brightness without the extra piece for the menu?
I have a problem with my brand new screen. I installed it without soldering, but still when I turn on the GBA the onscreen menu pops up and won't go away. Sometimes it even goes through the menu or turns down the brightness without me pressing anything. Even if I did press, it shouldn't react as I haven't soldered. What could be the problem?
@@RetroSix Thank you very much for your quick answer! Just one more quick question - if I solder the buttons with the wireless kit, will I still have to solder a wire from SEL to 3v3? Maybe I should just use another GBA mainboard, should be better, right?
Great job. Good idea making the screen so compatible with the original features of the GBA. Out of interest what is the default brightness setting of the screen if you don't solder in the screen brightness controls?
I'm just mad I've heard people go on and on about the other screens Like it's the best thing to ever exist and they don't even work right with the games yet not a single one has mentioned the issues you listed. I'm still gonna stick with the oem front lit on my sp because battery and outside play but it is nice to know if I do wanna make it back lit there's an actually accurate screen.
ooh I am excited for 3rd party reviews of this! I was just looking at the funnyplaying ITA mod, which is a DSi screen in the GBA. I wanted it for the pixel grid. this seems like it's a much better option, as the ITA kit requires a lot of shell modding. I wonder if the transparency is something like a lower response time or some firmware detect thing. or maybe something as simple as a frame blend. would be interested to know!!
I finally got the screen and I installed it. When I tested it, it looked all wrong. Part of the top screen was displaying at the bottom of the screen and it all looked all glitchy.I reconnected the ribbons to the boards, but it started to look different with wrong colors and sometimes worse. It displayed some type of lightbulb symbol sometimes. What's wrong? Is it the screen, the ribbon cables or the screen board? I re-installed the original screen back in the meantime and it worked fine.
I might get one before I did an ips and while I like how bright it is I got a new shell so I won’t have to cut the old one and I don’t like the feel of it at all
Funnyplaying has a video on their website demonstrating their ips v2 vs knockoffs. They even play fzero and it doesn’t seem to have the map issue you’re talking about, unless I’m missing something.
How do you get rid of the light bleed and seeing some of the white part of the screen on the top and bottom? Also, I noticed you never put the foam backing back in, was that intentional?
There is no light bleed only that plastic showing in this video at angles. That's since been fixed with our latest glass lenses being slightly thinner at top and bottom. The foam can stay in if desired
Just ordered one of these to put into a stock GBA, it's absolutely perfect for what I'm looking for. I've got a question that will have me ordering another one if the answer is yes. Will this screen and board also be able to be installed into a Boxey Pixel v2 unhinged?
@@RetroSix I've got both sitting here in front of me, it looks like the boxy pixel is made to fit the larger IPS mods by default, with a bracket I think that it would fit perfectly. I'm putting this screen in an original GBA, but I may buy another with a bracket to put in my Boxy Pixel. Thanks!
I just install the clean screen and the result is amazing, but I have the level of Brightness permanently on and I don't solder the special ribbon cable to adjust the lvl. I have a little wire you don't have on the video, soldered to the cleanscreen 3v3 pin, maybe its that ?
That's a fix that makes battery last much longer. If you want to adjust brightness you will need to add the button ribbon or solder wires to the SEL L and R pads
@@RetroSix Oh, okay. But my problem is I have the light level jauge "brightness" always here on my screen, I don't want to adjust it, I didn't even solder the ribbon cable. Maybe this little wire make a contact somewhere ?
@@axelpaillaud7542 ah I see. Do you have a soldering iron? You can solder a wire onto the SEL wire to the 3V3 pad where the other wire is soldered. It will force menu to never show
If original shell and no menu just the screen and CleanScreen board and either 32 or 40 pin ribbon. If installing in our shell grab the bracket too. If installing on screen menu and you don't want to wire then grab button ribbon as well
Amazing! This is how the GBA was supposed to be from the moment of release. But on my case still prefer the IPS V2 since a bigger screen helps me see better. Btw, I hope to see an Install guide of the CleanAmp for the GBC. Also want to see a LED RGB board for the GBA that allows to change the colors of the LEDs similar to what I do with the GBC.
Yep it's studio lights. But it's also set to 60% brightness by default to better match original visual and also pixel grid gives dimmer appearance too. With on screen menu you can turn off grid and go 100% brightness if you desire
Thank you for this, I'll order one asap I've the money 😉. The only concern I have is the plastic white margins at the screen I have the feeling I'll see a bit of it under the screen glass depending on the screen orientation. Maybe having that plastic in black or both options available would solve it
If positioned right you don't see it. It shows in video for rebranded lens as the tape is still on the lens pushing it too far up. But it's the backlight plastic it can't be black. Simple option is black tape along it if you see it. I could possibly have factory coat the top of plastic after production to black on next batch
@@RetroSix If I look closely at 9:41 I think I can see some of the white on top of the screen if I'm not mistaking, might be wrong though. Would keeping the adhesive strip solve this issue? Otherwise I am thinking of just painting it black before installing it. Really thinking about purchasing one now
@@leinsaat5779 It's just camera angles and the lens isn't stuck in so the tape tab at bottom is pushing screen up. When aligned perfectly you dont see anything, but you can black it out with ink or tape no problem if you like
Bless you for finally making a screen that retains the original image quality and resolution! The way these games were intended to be seen and played by the people who made them. If I wanted a crystal clear image I’d just play them on a Switch or an emulator. And with the ease of installation and lack of needing to physically alter the oem shell, makes this the Platonic ideal of a gba backlit replacement screen. Apologies for the glazing, I’m just really happy these exist
Honestly this is exactly what those like me wanted, a way to keep our consoles as authentic as possible and without permanently altering anything. really enjoying mine. Just hope that this can be done with the GBC at some point, would love to bring my special pikachu console back to life.
Glad you like it. I spent lots of time making it this way. Will focus on GBC next
I bought a dark bluish purple transparent gba but was bummed when i forgot that I had to replace the shell to mod it, but luckily I found your video, thank you!
This is trully magnificent! =o
Finally a good replacement screen!
very cool actually, even with the IPS-mod I had installed I still had to trim some of my IPS-ready shell's corners inside the D-Pad housing and some other small bits and pieces, and to think this fits in a stock shell is really interesting
Most anime hair I’ve ever seen wtf
Well, Nintendo is Japanese, so it fits
Hi I would like to say even though I am not from the generation that experienced this I do love my game boy advance as I got it for Christmas 1 year ago and iam definitely modding this as I can tell it would make my experience even more enjoyable
Great work! I never liked the colors and non-integer scaling of other IPS screens so I kept playing on an AGS-101. Definately going to order this screen 🙂
Thanks. You won't regret it. Any feedback once you install it also let us know
@@RetroSix Thanks, will definately do; just placed my order, looking forward to replacing my GBA's IPS!
@@RetroSix Well, it took only 2 days from order to arrival here! I just built the screen in and that was a breeze, usually I have to mess around a bit with alignment, but this screen just slid in and was aligned instantly. I compared this GBA with an IPS one and an AGS-101 one, and the colors and pixels look very natural -- awesome!
@@GarmrNL Nice. Glad to hear it
Yesss!!!! THANK YOU!!!! ive been holding off due to me not wanting to cut my original shell.
I've been delaying a conversion because every IPS kit I've tested so far had odd looking colours. The transparency issue you mentioned was one of the things I noticed immediately and it's something that breaks the experience a bit. Especially when most cheap emulation handhelds are capable of displaying the flicker effect quite convincingly. So far, your kit looks like a very interesting proposition, and the fact It's a non-destructive mod it's a huge plus. Good work!
Thanks. Lots of work has gone into making this as good as possible
I did an ips mod and had no idea the colors were so off until now. No wonder I wasn’t enjoying the games as much as I thought I would.
@@lockedine Yup. Castlevania, Mario Kart, Dbz Buu Fury, Golden Age, to name a few.
The transparency fix is a game changer! I recently got a copy of F Zero GP legend that I haven't really played because of the map issues and concerns about causing burn on the IPS panel, I'll be picking up one of these asap!
Definitely. You will love it
Boss move. Takes out all the competition in one video.
Amazing work! 👍🏻
Thanks. My longest project yet. Had many many late nights perfecting this. Hope people like it
I made two mods, with ips and ITA. Response time of DSi Screen really disapoints. IPS is fantastic, but you miss the pixel grid. I'm considering buying this kit.
Yes so many people don't realise how bad the ITA kit is, very misadvertised as if it is similar to the CleanScreen... there is a reason it is so much cheaper :P
Stoked to see this, can’t wait to try mate 👌🏻
Definitely let me know how you like it compared to current market screens. Really hope it outperforms them all
I'll be ordering one of these, might be a useful datapoint to know I've just picked up a used GBA, model number AGB-01, it's the clear case version, the number visible on the PCB through the battery door is '02 7-1' but it's also a 40 pin connector. I opened it up to check since I'm ordering a screen from you :)
Cool. I will make a list of known numbers to ribbon sizes and put on retrosix.wiki
All starting with 0 have 40 and with 1 have 32 PIN I thought
This is awesome 👏🏽 all I need is to add a rechargeable battery and that’s it
this is amazing, once I get a GBA to mod, i'm definitely going to be getting one of these just because of how easy it is
Good to know. I'm sure you will love it
Congratulations! Hard work, perfecto result.
Thanks 🙏
So beautiful!!!!
This looks amazing! Exactly what I was looking for, is this still available in the store? I didn’t see any listing for a TFT gba screen anywhere
Yes it's here retrosix.co.uk/Game-Boy-Advance-2001-c54012087. The IPS is still TFT IPS same thing
@RetroSix thank you for clearing that up 😁
Have the kit installed but on dark screens bright areas are creating dimm horizontal lines across the whole screen. Whats wrong?
Try reconnecting IPS ribbon to board.
Thanks for all the hard work you put into this. Really appreciate it! Great Stuff. Will definitely order a bunch!
Hi Retrosix,
Looking at purchasing this soon, but I cannot solder. Can you still remove the pixel grid and change the brightness without the extra piece for the menu?
No it requires the menu. But if you leave a note on the order to have it pre configured a certain way let me know and I'll do it
I have a problem with my brand new screen. I installed it without soldering, but still when I turn on the GBA the onscreen menu pops up and won't go away. Sometimes it even goes through the menu or turns down the brightness without me pressing anything. Even if I did press, it shouldn't react as I haven't soldered.
What could be the problem?
Noise on power rail. Simplest solution is solder a wire from SEL to 3v3 pad. Or even just tape wire over to pull SEL pin to 3V3
@@RetroSix Thank you very much for your quick answer! Just one more quick question - if I solder the buttons with the wireless kit, will I still have to solder a wire from SEL to 3v3? Maybe I should just use another GBA mainboard, should be better, right?
@estylegreesye4384 if you solder button wires the extra one isn't needed
You guys make amazing mods.
Thanks glad you like them
Please please please make the same for the SP! It's all I need
Great job. Good idea making the screen so compatible with the original features of the GBA. Out of interest what is the default brightness setting of the screen if you don't solder in the screen brightness controls?
65%
looks just like the original
Definitely. My goal was totally original just backlit
Incredible work! OSD menus!!!
Yep will show that next
I'm just mad I've heard people go on and on about the other screens Like it's the best thing to ever exist and they don't even work right with the games yet not a single one has mentioned the issues you listed. I'm still gonna stick with the oem front lit on my sp because battery and outside play but it is nice to know if I do wanna make it back lit there's an actually accurate screen.
ooh I am excited for 3rd party reviews of this! I was just looking at the funnyplaying ITA mod, which is a DSi screen in the GBA. I wanted it for the pixel grid. this seems like it's a much better option, as the ITA kit requires a lot of shell modding.
I wonder if the transparency is something like a lower response time or some firmware detect thing. or maybe something as simple as a frame blend. would be interested to know!!
Very nice! Can't wait to order and try out myself!
Definitely give me your feedback once you do
I’m probably gonna buy this but how is the default brightness? Is it too bright to play in the dark or just right?
I'd say it's fine. You can always add OSD to change it too. It's set about 70% by default with pixel grids which also dims it
You can see the white edges of the lcd at the top and bottom, which is a huge drawback for me, unfortunately. Otherwise, it looks good
You can't anymore this was a pre production lens
@RetroSix ohhh well in that case, I will definitely be trying to get my hands on a couple of these bad boys
Finally a kit worth buying
No going back once you have tried it
I finally got the screen and I installed it. When I tested it, it looked all wrong. Part of the top screen was displaying at the bottom of the screen and it all looked all glitchy.I reconnected the ribbons to the boards, but it started to look different with wrong colors and sometimes worse. It displayed some type of lightbulb symbol sometimes. What's wrong? Is it the screen, the ribbon cables or the screen board? I re-installed the original screen back in the meantime and it worked fine.
Sounds like faulty white board. Just email us to get replacement
@@RetroSix I ordered it from Handheld Legend, I contacted them with attached photos. So hopefully they replaced it.
I might get one before I did an ips and while I like how bright it is I got a new shell so I won’t have to cut the old one and I don’t like the feel of it at all
Funnyplaying has a video on their website demonstrating their ips v2 vs knockoffs. They even play fzero and it doesn’t seem to have the map issue you’re talking about, unless I’m missing something.
Because other providers have that feature, too in the meantime.
Yes. They copied our true motion a month after we released this video
i really need this :)
Grab them while in stock 🤗
@RetroSix Hello, can you tell about the power efficency of the screen, e.g. compared to the IPS and AGS-101 models?
Will do power draws and more comparison videos shortly
If you install it without the control board, will it be at maximum brightness?
70%
How do you get rid of the light bleed and seeing some of the white part of the screen on the top and bottom? Also, I noticed you never put the foam backing back in, was that intentional?
There is no light bleed only that plastic showing in this video at angles. That's since been fixed with our latest glass lenses being slightly thinner at top and bottom. The foam can stay in if desired
@@RetroSix awesome, just ordered my kit from handheld legend and an original size glass lens. Excited to install in my GBA!
Just ordered one of these to put into a stock GBA, it's absolutely perfect for what I'm looking for. I've got a question that will have me ordering another one if the answer is yes. Will this screen and board also be able to be installed into a Boxey Pixel v2 unhinged?
We have never had a boxy so could not test it. But if it fits original screens I would think it would fit
@@RetroSix I've got both sitting here in front of me, it looks like the boxy pixel is made to fit the larger IPS mods by default, with a bracket I think that it would fit perfectly. I'm putting this screen in an original GBA, but I may buy another with a bracket to put in my Boxy Pixel. Thanks!
hi
will this screen works on a gba sp ?
I just install the clean screen and the result is amazing, but I have the level of Brightness permanently on and I don't solder the special ribbon cable to adjust the lvl. I have a little wire you don't have on the video, soldered to the cleanscreen 3v3 pin, maybe its that ?
That's a fix that makes battery last much longer. If you want to adjust brightness you will need to add the button ribbon or solder wires to the SEL L and R pads
@@RetroSix Oh, okay. But my problem is I have the light level jauge "brightness" always here on my screen, I don't want to adjust it, I didn't even solder the ribbon cable. Maybe this little wire make a contact somewhere ?
@@axelpaillaud7542 ah I see. Do you have a soldering iron? You can solder a wire onto the SEL wire to the 3V3 pad where the other wire is soldered. It will force menu to never show
@@RetroSix Yes i have, ok thanks for the tips, I will do that immediately!
@@RetroSix I sold the same wire 3V3 into SEL and it work perfectly! thanks you very much, the color of the screen is really amazing
Are the transparency problems also present in modern Game Gear screens?
Yes. Our CleanScreen update for GG coming out in dsa months also has transparency support too
Any plans for the GBA SP Cleanscreen mod?
It's already out
@@RetroSix could you provide a link?
I can't seem to find it
retrosix.co.uk/Game-Boy-Advance-SP-Screens-c54012090
@@RetroSix I meant an installation video. But I was looking for the website too, so thank you 👍
@@martinmcneal2778 Ah yeah I need to do install video soon, few days or next week
This guys hair looks like he just got out of bed.
nice job,where to find the adapter ?
retrosix.co.uk/Game-Boy-Advance-Screens-c54012089
I'm excited for sp version
I'm just saying walmart sells a kit with the screwdrivers for this. It's green and like $15. There's walmart everywhere
I used a small Phillips and I was able to remove the screws with no problem
what parts do I need to purchase to have this mods done?
If original shell and no menu just the screen and CleanScreen board and either 32 or 40 pin ribbon. If installing in our shell grab the bracket too. If installing on screen menu and you don't want to wire then grab button ribbon as well
@@RetroSix Thanks
You don't have to solder anything?
Not if you don't want on screen menu. No soldering, no cutting
@@RetroSix Oh that´s cool! I am a total newbie, can you explain me please, what the screen menu does (is it necessary)? I will buy one!
@@Nadine.22 you can change brightness, color modes, pixel grid and align screen left and right if needed
@@RetroSix Thank you!
Amazing! This is how the GBA was supposed to be from the moment of release. But on my case still prefer the IPS V2 since a bigger screen helps me see better. Btw, I hope to see an Install guide of the CleanAmp for the GBC. Also want to see a LED RGB board for the GBA that allows to change the colors of the LEDs similar to what I do with the GBC.
Yep I'll do more product install videos
Do I need the board to enjoy the screen?
The white driver board? Yes
it looks a bit dark, is it the video or can the brightness be adjusted?
Yep it's studio lights. But it's also set to 60% brightness by default to better match original visual and also pixel grid gives dimmer appearance too. With on screen menu you can turn off grid and go 100% brightness if you desire
can we have this but laminated?
On its way soon
lol that hair
Thank you for this, I'll order one asap I've the money 😉. The only concern I have is the plastic white margins at the screen I have the feeling I'll see a bit of it under the screen glass depending on the screen orientation. Maybe having that plastic in black or both options available would solve it
If positioned right you don't see it. It shows in video for rebranded lens as the tape is still on the lens pushing it too far up. But it's the backlight plastic it can't be black. Simple option is black tape along it if you see it. I could possibly have factory coat the top of plastic after production to black on next batch
@@RetroSix thx 👌
@@RetroSix If I look closely at 9:41 I think I can see some of the white on top of the screen if I'm not mistaking, might be wrong though.
Would keeping the adhesive strip solve this issue? Otherwise I am thinking of just painting it black before installing it. Really thinking about purchasing one now
@@leinsaat5779 It's just camera angles and the lens isn't stuck in so the tape tab at bottom is pushing screen up. When aligned perfectly you dont see anything, but you can black it out with ink or tape no problem if you like