Introduction
If your GameBoy Advance SP AGS-001 or AGS-101 has a deteriorating shell, or if you’re looking to customize it, use this guide to replace the shell.
Before using this guide, plug in your console and charge it for a few minutes. If the battery is too old, it may start expanding and could potentially explode. If it starts to swell, you’ll have to order a replacement battery - which you can find below:
https://www.amazon.com/Game-Boy-Advance-...
Before beginning the replacement process, power off your console and unplug it from the outlet if it is plugged in.
What you need
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Unscrew the screw on the battery compartment with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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Open the battery compartment and remove the battery.
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Remove the four 6.45 mm Tri-point Y00 screws from the corners of the device.
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Remove the two 4.6 mm Tri-point Y00 screws from inside the battery compartment and game cartridge comparments.
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Lift off the bottom cover to expose the motherboard.
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Remove the three 4mm Phillips #00 screws from the motherboard.
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Gently lift up the motherboard and remove the ribbon cable by gently pulling the two clips on the side up and towards the cable.
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Remove the small Phillips #00 screw hidden underneath the ribbon cable. It holds the hinge cover of the top screen together.
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Remove the hinges from the original shell. This is the most difficult step, as it requires a lot of force to remove the hinges.
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Apply pressure with the pointed end of a spudger from the inside, pushing out with plenty of force. The hinges will likely fly out of the shell a few feet; this is normal.
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Once the hinges are removed, remove the caps on the end of each hinge.
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Reinsert the ribbon cable into the motherboard and lock it into place.
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Guide the motherboard into the new case and screw it down with the three 4mm Phillips #00 screws.
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Install the square, threaded washer on the back of the shell. This is where the battery compartment's screw gets held, so it is important!
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Rehousing your GBA SP can be a fun project! It doesn’t take very long, and once you’re done you’ll have a fun new customized console! The ease of difficulty and ability to express yourself both make this project well worth attempting.
Rehousing your GBA SP can be a fun project! It doesn’t take very long, and once you’re done you’ll have a fun new customized console! The ease of difficulty and ability to express yourself both make this project well worth attempting.
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Team
University of North Texas, Team S1-G1, Raign Fall 2020 Member of University of North Texas, Team S1-G1, Raign Fall 2020
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6 Comments
Excellent guide thank you! My GBA is looking great now :)
Hello this guide is great but it has some flaws (missing some steps) but I used an eXtremeRate GBA SP shell and they are the best ones to go with because they have It molded in a way to remove the Nintendo logo sticker and so you can put in a ips screen with out needing to trim and it is made out of a high quality plastic and it better than other third party shell and I used purple/blue color
Thanks for the helpful guide! A couple things of note that I noticed along the way:
If you're replacing the screen lens, make sure you line it up properly so the end result isn't crooked.
Make sure to organize your screws, a mismatched screw can poke a hole through the shell.
Be gentle but firm when tightening a screw. I definitely messed up a screw or two being too forceful.
(I might be stupid) keep an eye on the battery lid screw hole. Mine ended up warping so I had to duct tape the lid to the shell.
If you're doing a button replacement too, be careful with the triggers.
