Dude, all your videos are amazing and motivate me to mod stuff. I have been buying game boys for cheap just to mod them. This mod really interest me and would totally buy a couple kits from you if you make them available once you feel they have been polished. Good job!
I actually used this as a tutorial, if you will, of how to replace a broken tactile switch on a SP where someone apparently had smashed the button so hard that the original tactile switch was cracked open. If you pressed it just right, it would work once in a while. Sourcing the same part you listed, I bought from Mouser and had in a few days. Removing the old switch was definitely a lesson in profanity without hot air. Cleaned up the pads and installed the new one like you did here on your custom board, and BAM, SP is working great. Thanks for your awesome videos! Interesting how something somewhat unrelated can end up being a tutorial for something else.
Really like this idea, looking forward for a follow up. I was entertaining the idea of trying to put tactile switches in my GBA, but hadn't looked into how yet. This would be an amazing mod
I’ve always loved the SP for this reason, that tactile feel. Hopefully you can work this out, it would be great on the GBA for it’s form factor. Looking forward to an update!
OH MY GOODNESS I was looking so hard for this. I knew it had to exist. Thank you so muchhhhh. This is like the big missing step for the ultimate GBA. Diagonal inputs are a pain without this
Hey Makho thanks for your effort on this, its funny because i have been researching ways to tac mod my GBA and the only thing I found was people using iphone home buttons to tact mod their controllers. Another idea I was exploring was using a DS lite d pad and rubber + a raised pcb with switches. This is way more elegant hope you keep developing this as I really want it for my GBA.
These are great man I love it I just recently bought a bunch of those SP buttons to do this same mod but these little pcbs would definitely make it easier Do you plan on having them available for purchase? Would line to buy a few sets Thanks
Dude, you have to fill up the hole of the center of the modded directional pad so the bump of the cross bottom won’t sink when you press the directional with you thumb! I think that will fix the problem
So I recently bought the boards to try out on mine. Easy to put on and install. But since I wasn't sure on the website, un checked the setting before placing the order, like for the PCB. So I ordered them default and so when they arrived, the PCB's were pretty thick. Regardless installed and works. Just tight enough to not have to put leverage on the membrane pads. Putting everything together, its super tight fitting, like just barely.
I did this recently just directly to the gba motherboard with buttons harvested from a dead sp then using the thin membranes that the sp uses and it worked perfectly fine used small rectangles of copper tape I had on either side of where the membrane is supposed to bridge and just soldered the buttons directly to that
You need to increase the height of the d-pad pivot point, one way for doing it might be filling-in the circle hole on top of which w dpad rest pivot point rests
I want something similar for the SNES controller, but perhaps in that case it makes more sense to make a whole new PCB. Membranes are still a concern, though
For those wondering, it's because I needed an OEM speaker to repair a LE GBA and then this GBA had no speaker at all. DS Lite speakers I had plenty of though. There's no real change in performance.
I tried this recently, but did not use a board. Just solder them directly to gba board. I also did not like the feel of it. In paper it sounded it great, in reality felt terrible :( maybe we need different buttons or rubber pads
I think it would be better without the additional springyness of the rubber domes on the membranes and, perhaps, with less travel. Taller buttons might actually be better.
Hey mahko i know this video is old but i am interested in doing this mod to perfect my modded GBA. I would like to know where you got your PCBs printed and if they only required your design on the github, or if you did all the specifications I see on most flex pcb sites. If so what are those specifications I should input. Its all greek to me. Also I know I could simply look at the two flex pcbs but my memory and spatial reasoning are both shot, is this compatible with NatalieTheNerd's LED pcb?
As I tried to state in the video, this is not a complete mod without custom buttons or custom button inserts. You can't just add tact switches and expect the buttons to feel like those on a SP. I never finished making those custom inserts. To make the PCBs, you'd need the files linked in the description. I'm unsure of their compatibility with other mods but if there is any physical overlap, I doubt it will work.
Is it hard to replace these switch buttons on a gba sp? The metal part of the button (the part that actually gets pressed down to make contact) fell off when cleaning the buttons with IPA. Now it won’t stay in place.
My SP AGS-101 button A has a double tapping issue (sometimes presses register twice). Since its an 101 I can't just easily swap the board out for an inexpensive 001. Would this tactile switch work as a replacement? Or would you recommend salvaging one from a broken 001
It's worth a shot, I suppose. I haven't tried anything yet because I was tired after making this but I'm concerned that because those membranes are so thin, the buttons will just rattle.
nothing planned at the moment. The next step would be to replace the membranes with 3D printed inserts (or custom molded/printed buttons) and I've just got so much stuff on my plate right now.
@@SuperLuigiGuy64 That's true in normal circumstances but since the GBA was designed for membrane buttons, the button travel is still largely the same.
@@xXStrifeXx017 No difference whatsoever in game play. Just another thing to mod. In my GBA, it doesn't really serve a purpose but it might be useful for someone who has a GBA with really worn out button contacts or corrosion or something.
Hi makho and ppl of the comments section. I'm looking for a way to upgrade the speaker of my gba sp similar to the mod for the original gba, but it doesn't seem to be a mod for the sp. So, I was wondering if there is another way to address this problem? (Thanks for the funnyplaying mod tutorial btw makho)
@@makho yeah, like that. I was trying to find a place for it in my sp, but I ended up messing up the reshell I bought. Could u do a vid tutorial for the sp please? I would really appreciate it. (While I wait for my replacement shell XD)
I do not recommend this mod. I attempted to install this mod but could not get it to fit, almost damaged my GBA. It’s too thick and puts lot of pressure and flex on the motherboard pcb, also the button will not click right at times. It has to almost be perfectly lined up to get the right click. I recommend getting an SP if you want clicky buttons. Overall membranes are better for long term reliability, no soldering necessary to get them working compared to tactile.
Makho is the Bob Ross of modding
While tactile feel makes me feel warm and cozy, that squishy "what the heck is this" feel of an AGB-001 equally feels comfortable to me
I need this in my life.
Dude, all your videos are amazing and motivate me to mod stuff. I have been buying game boys for cheap just to mod them. This mod really interest me and would totally buy a couple kits from you if you make them available once you feel they have been polished. Good job!
I actually used this as a tutorial, if you will, of how to replace a broken tactile switch on a SP where someone apparently had smashed the button so hard that the original tactile switch was cracked open. If you pressed it just right, it would work once in a while. Sourcing the same part you listed, I bought from Mouser and had in a few days. Removing the old switch was definitely a lesson in profanity without hot air. Cleaned up the pads and installed the new one like you did here on your custom board, and BAM, SP is working great. Thanks for your awesome videos! Interesting how something somewhat unrelated can end up being a tutorial for something else.
Really like this idea, looking forward for a follow up. I was entertaining the idea of trying to put tactile switches in my GBA, but hadn't looked into how yet. This would be an amazing mod
I’ve always loved the SP for this reason, that tactile feel. Hopefully you can work this out, it would be great on the GBA for it’s form factor. Looking forward to an update!
OH MY GOODNESS I was looking so hard for this. I knew it had to exist. Thank you so muchhhhh. This is like the big missing step for the ultimate GBA. Diagonal inputs are a pain without this
yeah, it's really not great. This is only a half step.
Looks like a great mod, something I would be interested in doing !
Hey Makho thanks for your effort on this, its funny because i have been researching ways to tac mod my GBA and the only thing I found was people using iphone home buttons to tact mod their controllers. Another idea I was exploring was using a DS lite d pad and rubber + a raised pcb with switches. This is way more elegant hope you keep developing this as I really want it for my GBA.
These are great man I love it
I just recently bought a bunch of those SP buttons to do this same mod but these little pcbs would definitely make it easier
Do you plan on having them available for purchase? Would line to buy a few sets
Thanks
Dude, you have to fill up the hole of the center of the modded directional pad so the bump of the cross bottom won’t sink when you press the directional with you thumb! I think that will fix the problem
I know. I said this in the video.
@@makho or have someone make you a metal Dpad with a tall nub
I always wanted to do this mod for the first GBA, it's awesome
always a pleasure to watch your videos, thank you makho
So I recently bought the boards to try out on mine. Easy to put on and install. But since I wasn't sure on the website, un checked the setting before placing the order, like for the PCB. So I ordered them default and so when they arrived, the PCB's were pretty thick. Regardless installed and works. Just tight enough to not have to put leverage on the membrane pads. Putting everything together, its super tight fitting, like just barely.
They should be flex PCBs because otherwise it won't fit.
You could take the hole out of the PCB on the d-pad or, you could 3d print a pivot point for center pin on the d-pad. Just an idea
I did this recently just directly to the gba motherboard with buttons harvested from a dead sp then using the thin membranes that the sp uses and it worked perfectly fine
used small rectangles of copper tape I had on either side of where the membrane is supposed to bridge and just soldered the buttons directly to that
could you elaborate more on this? like in more detail ?
sorry new to this type of stuff
Yo. Love your videos. I hope you are doing well in these dark times. Be well and prosper, my friend.
Celebi shell is straight fire
You need to increase the height of the d-pad pivot point, one way for doing it might be filling-in the circle hole on top of which w dpad rest pivot point rests
I want something similar for the SNES controller, but perhaps in that case it makes more sense to make a whole new PCB. Membranes are still a concern, though
On my 5th viewing of this video and I just noticed the DS Lite speaker in the GBA.
For those wondering, it's because I needed an OEM speaker to repair a LE GBA and then this GBA had no speaker at all. DS Lite speakers I had plenty of though. There's no real change in performance.
I tried this recently, but did not use a board. Just solder them directly to gba board. I also did not like the feel of it. In paper it sounded it great, in reality felt terrible :( maybe we need different buttons or rubber pads
I think it would be better without the additional springyness of the rubber domes on the membranes and, perhaps, with less travel. Taller buttons might actually be better.
Awesome!!! A new video! Thank god! 😂😍
That's amazing!
wish I knew about these buttons 30 years ago. then I wouldn't have had to destroy my colleco football game for my St TNG tricorder buttons
I have been trying to purchase these but can't seem to get the boards into my cart the site sticks at processing when I upload the zip
Update got it to order going to try this 😁
I'm not sure if you posted on other of your videos but where could I obtain that test rom?
tcrf.net/AGS_Aging_Cartridge
Hey mahko i know this video is old but i am interested in doing this mod to perfect my modded GBA. I would like to know where you got your PCBs printed and if they only required your design on the github, or if you did all the specifications I see on most flex pcb sites. If so what are those specifications I should input. Its all greek to me.
Also I know I could simply look at the two flex pcbs but my memory and spatial reasoning are both shot, is this compatible with NatalieTheNerd's LED pcb?
As I tried to state in the video, this is not a complete mod without custom buttons or custom button inserts. You can't just add tact switches and expect the buttons to feel like those on a SP. I never finished making those custom inserts.
To make the PCBs, you'd need the files linked in the description. I'm unsure of their compatibility with other mods but if there is any physical overlap, I doubt it will work.
@@makho Another question. Do you have an eBay store? I would love to pay you for this type of work. My dpad is super squishy.
@@alexmendez3681 I don't do commissions and I don't have a store
@@makho okay. 😢
I would buy an old gba with clicky buttons and a back light
did this ever get an update? I can't stand the dpad right now on my GBA its so mushy and not as responsive as the SP dpad.
yeah, on the github
@@makho thx!!
im waiting for my ips v2 screen in mail should be here next week and im finally gunna upgrade my sp001 ur vids are amazing ty for ur content,
Is it hard to replace these switch buttons on a gba sp? The metal part of the button (the part that actually gets pressed down to make contact) fell off when cleaning the buttons with IPA. Now it won’t stay in place.
desolder is more difficult than resolder but if the switch is already broken, you don't have to be careful when desoldering.
My SP AGS-101 button A has a double tapping issue (sometimes presses register twice). Since its an 101 I can't just easily swap the board out for an inexpensive 001. Would this tactile switch work as a replacement? Or would you recommend salvaging one from a broken 001
it's the same part
@@makho thanks! Guess I'll try desoldering these things!
@@Phigames you could just try opening the switch and cleaning it first, especially if the alternative is desoldering and replacing anyway
@@makho Ah I didn't know you could just open the switch. I'll try that!
@@makho Do you have any hints/best practices on opening up these switches? Had a look and I'm concerned I'd break these things
Thanks!!! That was one of my recommendations I think, but thanks!!! This looks awesome...
20:26 Also, for the membranes, wouldn't the GBA SP membranes work for the GBA? Those should be a bit thinner than the GBA ones, if I'm not mistaken...
It's worth a shot, I suppose. I haven't tried anything yet because I was tired after making this but I'm concerned that because those membranes are so thin, the buttons will just rattle.
any plans to do something similar for a ds lite/gameboy macro mod?
no
It would be great with a Game boy color
I know. You're not the only person to mention this.
Hi, I was just wondering how did you copy the exact layout for the holes?
careful measurement
Any suggestions on where to buy GBA/GBA SP replacement power switch? All i see online at DS lite being sold as GBA
For a reasonable price? No idea. I did find this though www.aliexpress.com/item/4000864563957.html
Is there such a mod for the DS Lite?
not that I've done
Wowie Zowie! 🤯 I gotta get me this mod.
Would love to see a update to this!
nothing planned at the moment. The next step would be to replace the membranes with 3D printed inserts (or custom molded/printed buttons) and I've just got so much stuff on my plate right now.
@@makho I totally understand, I work 6 days a week and don't have much free time either.
Did you have a 3d Design for this mod? Im seach for a 3d Print replace membram
Awesome video. would this mod also works for DS lite (GBA MACRO)?
with a different pcb design, yeah
Sounds awesome, but what is tactile buttons? And what's the purpose of them?
The name says it all. A button with a tactile feel when you press.
@@SuperLuigiGuy64 I didnt know what tactile meant. But thanks..
So is it a major difference between the standard buttons or does it improve gameplay?
@@xXStrifeXx017 tactile buttons have a click feel to it and has way shorter travel than membrane style buttons.
@@SuperLuigiGuy64 That's true in normal circumstances but since the GBA was designed for membrane buttons, the button travel is still largely the same.
@@xXStrifeXx017 No difference whatsoever in game play. Just another thing to mod. In my GBA, it doesn't really serve a purpose but it might be useful for someone who has a GBA with really worn out button contacts or corrosion or something.
I've always wondered if this is possible... Do you think you could try the same with a micro?
Possible, yes. I want to get the kinks worked out here first though before I fork the design.
makho Awesome, I'd love to see that video since there aren't really any mods for the micro
Dude I always wondered this: how many GBAs do you own? 😂
Uhh, a lot. Should I make a video tour?
@@makho yesss, it would be awesome!
Does this work with gba sp
I, uhh, what?
Do you do repairs?
My own repairs, yes. I do not do commissions.
It would be cool if you did a raspberry pi zero or 4 dmg build
Omg I need this 😳
wow very nice
Hi makho and ppl of the comments section. I'm looking for a way to upgrade the speaker of my gba sp similar to the mod for the original gba, but it doesn't seem to be a mod for the sp. So, I was wondering if there is another way to address this problem? (Thanks for the funnyplaying mod tutorial btw makho)
What like an amp? The install should be the exact same in an AGS except that you'll have to find a place to shove the actual amp itself.
@@makho yeah, like that. I was trying to find a place for it in my sp, but I ended up messing up the reshell I bought. Could u do a vid tutorial for the sp please? I would really appreciate it. (While I wait for my replacement shell XD)
@@makho also, the mod form retro medding requires soldering to the earphone jack that the gba sp dosen't have
modding kills original !! Do You restore old cars or uppgrade them??
You can restore its bodywork and soup up the running gear. Ain't nothing wrong with that
my prayers have been heard!!! membrane buttons on an original gba!
The gba has always had membranes... This mod uses tactile buttons.
I wish I could do this
finally
You're welcome
I do not recommend this mod. I attempted to install this mod but could not get it to fit, almost damaged my GBA. It’s too thick and puts lot of pressure and flex on the motherboard pcb, also the button will not click right at times. It has to almost be perfectly lined up to get the right click. I recommend getting an SP if you want clicky buttons. Overall membranes are better for long term reliability, no soldering necessary to get them working compared to tactile.
Sounds like you didn't order flex pcbs like you were supposed to.
@@makho The entire time, there was a flex option? Thanks i’ll order it again.