Gameboy Advance Backlight LCD Screen

The GBA was one of my favorite handhelds. However, it lacked a backlight. Although, a backlit replacement LCD has been available for many years, it usually was expensive or involved gutting out a good GBA SP AGS-101's screen as a donor. Luckily, they are a lot cheaper today. In this instructable, I'll show you how I did it.

Here are a few things you'll need:

Gameboy Advance

Backlight screen Game Boy SP GBA SP AGS 101
https://goo.gl/Yr5gDG

Orange GBA shell
https://goo.gl/ZqLSfd

Green GBA shell
https://goo.gl/EUfwsy

There are 2 versions of the kit. You have to make sure you buy the right type for your GBA. GBA's came with either a 32pin or 40pin connector for the LCD connector.

You can tell by a few #'s that's written above the battery compartment on the GBA motherboard. Just make note of the very first digit and disregard the rest.

If it starts with a 0, it's a 40pin (type A)
If it starts with a 1, it's a 32pin (type B)

It's a good idea to replace the shell as well if yours is really old but you may want to keep the original for nostalgic reasons. Whether you use a new shell or a replacement, you'll have to cut away at some of the plastic so the new backlit LCD will fit. What I've hi-lighted in red will be removed. I used a pair of small wire cutters to remove it.

Placement of the new screen will be tighter. So you have to make sure it's in there as neat as possible. Fold the ribbon cable on the back of the screen.

The new LCD screen will require power for the back light. Solder the red wire to the contact shown in the pictures.

Upgrading the GBA is one of the most rewarding things to do. The GBA with a backlight is almost the perfect gameboy. It can play every single gameboy game from Nintendo's library.