Required Parts

Here's a checklist of all the components and parts you will need to complete an AGBM build. (Note: at the time of writing, only AGBM-01 is completed. The other models listed are placeholder text for future use.)

1. AGBM Circuit Board

You can get the circuit board you want through JLCPCB, PCBWay, other PCB manufacturers, or buying them directly from me (if I offer them for sale).

• AGBM-01
• AGBM-02
• AGBM-11
• AGBM-12

2. Brand New Electronic Parts

For your given AGBM board, you should view the Bill of Materials (BOM) section to gather all the necessary components. The vast majority of components must be bought brand new - most parts from existing GBAs cannot be used. You can typically get the new parts through sites like Digikey or Mouser. Some of them you may need to purchase from specific retro supply shops, or pull off of an existing GBA board - but these are few and far between. Those parts are listed in the BOM.

• AGBM-01 BOM
• AGBM-02 BOM
• AGBM-11 BOM
• AGBM-12 BOM

3. Harvested Game Boy Advance Components

The only parts that are required from an original GBA are the CPU and RAM. You must use a hot air rework station or some other method of removing the chips.

Image from Game Boy Hardware Database by gekkio.

You may use parts from an existing GBA board if you want, but new replacements or aftermarket options exist:

• BT1 - Battery terminals
• P1 - Cart slot
• P4 - Link connector
• SP1 - Speaker
• SW2, SW3 - L and R buttons
• VR1 - Contrast potentiometer
• X1 - Crystal oscillator

You cannot use the original power switch or volume wheel from a GBA on this board. There are modern replacements in the BOM.

4. External Build Parts

The following is the high-level BOM - basically, the "Game Boy" part. I won't get too detailed here - options are endless. As long as you select components that are compatible with original GBA circuit boards (should be most of them!) then the AGBM will be compatible. I suggest checking out the Game Boy wiki for general information about modding - being familiar with the Game Boy modding scene will help you out in this project.

• Screen Kit: The linked page has some information about screen kits I have personally tested. I do not guarantee compatibility with every single screen kit, but as long as the screen kit does not require the original LCD voltage supplies, it should be ok. If you test one and it works, let me know, and I will add it to the list.
• Shell: I list this part second, because many screen kits nowadays come with custom shells to reduce effort as it relates to trimming the shell. I generally find Funnyplaying shells to be good quality. The best quality will be original shells, obviously, but you'll likely need to do some shell cutting.
• Lens: This is the part that goes over the screen and connects to the plastic shell. I personally like laminated screen kits that have the lenses pre-attached, so I haven't had to purchase any lenses lately.
• Buttons: Endless possibilities! I like using the fancy LabFifteenCo buttons, personally.
• Membranes: The membranes are what give the buttons their "feel" and therefore different membranes can make gameplay feel stiffer or slipperier. I'm not an expert on this, but I've been told Cloud Game Store membranes (the ones listed on Retro Game Repair Shop as "high quality membranes") are a good bet. If you've got an opaque shell, then you might just want to use the membranes that come from your donor console.
• Speaker: There are plenty of options out there on retro game supply stores.
• Battery Tabs: Only necessary if you're making an AA version of the AGBM.
• Stickers: Completely optional, but it ties a build together. Matthewmods on Etsy has designed some nice AGBM-specific stickers for me, so that design should be available for purchase if you message him.

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• CodyWick
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• Nataliethenerd
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5. Battery Selection

AA Batteries

All of my testing for AGBM-0X builds were done with eneloop pro batteries. In general, I recommend getting NiMH rechargeable batteries, like eneloops or Laddas. While alkaline AAs are usable, they generally have lower energy density than the NiMHs, and are obviously one-time use.

Lithium-ion Batteries

I only recommend using this Jauch battery for the AGBM-1X builds. I do not recommend buying batteries from AliExpress - they are usually no-name brands, and using a Li-ion battery at all is risky. Buying a random no-name Li-ion increases that risk. Read more about battery safety here!