What is the single best method of playing GBA games, or your favorite?

The Real Jdbye · Feb 3, 2023

I like the form factor of the original GBA best, it's much more comfortable than the SP. But obviously, the screen is not good, so it needs an IPS mod. I haven't modded mine with an IPS screen yet.
The Analogue Pocket also deserves a mention. Haven't been able to get my hands on one, but seems like the ultimate way to play GB/GBC/GBA.

slaphappygamer · Feb 3, 2023

If you do go with the IPS screen, I recommend to get one in a kit with a pre-cut shell. Cutting the shell is a ridiculously messy process. I cut a gbc shell before. I put it together and took it apart many times to be sure my cuts were right. To me, paying extra for that to be done was worth it. Also got to choose a new color. That was exciting.

wolffangalchemist · Feb 3, 2023

Hanafuda said:
I use this option ... real GBA consoles are alll a little small for my hands and (because I'm old) I need reading glasses to see the screens. I do still like playing on an AGS-101 sometimes though.

Temptation for one of the "consolizer" options is strong, but it's pretty expensive.

I have some spare sp and agb boards that have a few issues that i could consolize, but i just don't bother as it isnt really any better the the gbplayer for tv play. I have a agb 101 modded with a orginal sp back lit screen for travel or sometimes i use it at work when i go to break, it's the best form factor since i also have big hands! Lol.

Hanafuda · Feb 3, 2023

wolffangalchemist said:
I have some spare sp and agb boards that have a few issues that i could consolize, but i just don't bother as it isnt really any better the the gbplayer for tv play. I have a agb 101 modded with a orginal sp back lit screen for travel or sometimes i use it at work when i go to break, it's the best form factor since i also have big hands! Lol.

You don't think so? Native 720p output, no futzing with different versions of gameboy interface, scanline and other visual effect options if you want them, and SNES controller port. I'd like all of the above. Even with my Cube having a GC Loader and gameboy interface on an SD2SP2, I'd still prefer a GBA Consolizer. But, not enough to pay the $$$ for it. Not yet.

Jokey_Carrot · Feb 3, 2023

Gba with AdvanceVga mod

orangy57 · Feb 3, 2023

normally i'm a huuuge stickler for display quality but when I play GBA games i prefer to play them on an original glacier blue GBA with the non-lit screen.
The backlight mods are cool to look at online but if I really needed that advanced display quality I'd just use my DSi XL or something. It always feels weird to soup up such an old device with modern hardware, like the display's controller board alone probably has half the processing power of this thing. Why put so much effort to make the display look as good as the one on your smartphone when your phone could've just as easily ran all those games in the first place?

wolffangalchemist · Feb 3, 2023

Hanafuda said:
You don't think so? Native 720p output, no futzing with different versions of gameboy interface, scanline and other visual effect options if you want them, and SNES controller port. I'd like all of the above. Even with my Cube having a GC Loader and gameboy interface on an SD2SP2, I'd still prefer a GBA Consolizer. But, not enough to pay the $$$ for it. Not yet.

I just use a snes style gc controller, but those are kinda hard to come by now days. 480p still looks good enough to me upscaled over hdmi, i still have crt's for my older stuff so scan lines aren't really a desirable thing to me yet for my 4k tv, on gba it never bothered me anyway. Also have a gbscontrol built into a set for using rgb and hdmi on the crt. Switch on a crt is kida fun sometimes.

Deleted member 194275 · Feb 4, 2023

my build is

-Gamecube + retrobit hdmi + Gameboy Player + GBI (accuracy worked best, don't know why)

- Nintendo DS lite for portable play

all running ez flash omega (for DS is a no brainier, as the omega is the only one with a cart shell made for the DS)

KingBlank · Feb 4, 2023

Retroid Pocket 2+ with rollback to reduce latency + retroacheivements and a cloud save backup solution

Dothackjhe · Feb 4, 2023

Probably not the best but my experience via gpSP on PS Vita and via Retroarch on Miyoo Mini V2 have been pretty good, so far.

Funkyspectrum · Feb 7, 2023

zerofalcon said:
An original AGS-001 NES Classic shell with AGS-101 circuitry and original brighter backlit screen + GBA flashcard is my prefered choice but lately I play GBA games on Nintendo Switch with mGBA.

can you please reply to the PM i sent to you mate ?

N7Kopper · Feb 7, 2023

I use my Player with GBI (over composite, it's not worth the money to HDMI my GameCube when it's a glorified GBA), my SP-001, or my 3DS with TWL_FIRM as appropriate. I also have another SP-001 (which I salvaged from an old botch repair - the shell is glued in place and the screen scratched by my attempts at fixing the botched fix, when it's 4P time I use that one) and an AGB for multiplayer - mostly Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords Adventures.

Hanafuda said:
You don't think so? Native 720p output, no futzing with different versions of gameboy interface, scanline and other visual effect options if you want them, and SNES controller port. I'd like all of the above. Even with my Cube having a GC Loader and gameboy interface on an SD2SP2, I'd still prefer a GBA Consolizer. But, not enough to pay the $$$ for it. Not yet.

I don't really get the appeal of scanlines on a system that never had them (The GBA stock screens are interlaced, but framebuffer is progressive - no double strike whatsoever) but to each his own.

Hanafuda · Feb 7, 2023

N7Kopper said:
I use my Player with GBI (over composite, it's not worth the money to HDMI my GameCube when it's a glorified GBA), my SP-001, or my 3DS with TWL_FIRM as appropriate. I also have another SP-001
I don't really get the appeal of scanlines on a system that never had them (The GBA stock screens are interlaced, but framebuffer is progressive - no double strike whatsoever) but to each his own.

GBA Consolizer scanline settings include "Grid" options, which impose horizontal and vertical lines to emulate the GBA lcd. I think it looks pretty cool in the examples I've seen, but I haven't jumped in on building one yet so all I have are some youtube examples. These shots are from MLIG's review.

slaphappygamer · Feb 7, 2023

Growing up with the GBA, those “grid lines” are very familiar to me. When I upgraded from an AGS101 screen, to an IPSv2, that was the first thing I was worried about missing. I’ve always seen them. With my new screen, I get a very sharp picture. I’ve now grown to accept the clean image. The “grid lines” are just part of the authentic display experience. I guess if you’ve never played the GBA with those lines for decades, you’d never miss them.

Internal__Jet_Tune · Feb 7, 2023

N7Kopper said:
I use my Player with GBI (over composite, it's not worth the money to HDMI my GameCube when it's a glorified GBA), my SP-001, or my 3DS with TWL_FIRM as appropriate. I also have another SP-001 (which I salvaged from an old botch repair - the shell is glued in place and the screen scratched by my attempts at fixing the botched fix, when it's 4P time I use that one) and an AGB for multiplayer - mostly Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords Adventures.

I don't really get the appeal of scanlines on a system that never had them (The GBA stock screens are interlaced, but framebuffer is progressive - no double strike whatsoever) but to each his own.

what is TWL_FIRM for

Psionic Roshambo · Feb 8, 2023

Hmmm probably mGBA on Shield TV, Just feels good and looks nice lol

elk1007 · Feb 8, 2023

Internal__Jet_Tune said:
Is it some specific DS version, or maybe some custom GBA, or maybe even a 3rd party android handheld?

For me battery life is the most important factor, but i could see 2x internal resolution being more worth it.

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

I personally like to play on my n3dsXL. The screen size and access to other generation games being the main draw.
Some games are not advisable due to sound emulation problems (Mother 3 iirc)

xshobux · Feb 15, 2023

Steam deck has been great for GBA games.

JuanMena · Feb 15, 2023

Wii and GameCube Controller.

What is the single best method of playing GBA games, or your favorite?

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