Design

This Game Boy, Nintendo Switch hybrid is all we want in this world

A retro gaming modder transformed a Game Boy Advance SP into a Switch-like console with docking abilities and Joycon use.

A screenshot of the gameboy advance switch
Macho Nacho Productions

Sometimes a simple question cascades into something much bigger. Can a Game Boy Advance SP be controlled with Joy-Con? This line of thinking is what compelled Tito from Macho Nacho productions to create a Game Boy Advance Switch.

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The foundation of the project was hinged on a custom lower shell, which mounted the Joy-Con rails, housed openings for the Switch’s various power cables, and was large enough to contain the Game Boy itself.

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Tito used a unique composite cable to connect the SP into a TVMacho Nacho Productions

The simplest part of the DIY project was removing the SP’s motherboard.

From there, the process involved pre-tinning VIAs, soldering wires to button input VIAs, populating a custom PCB, and much more.

Macho Nacho Productions

Ultimately the Game Boy Advance x Nintendo Switch-like console allowed Tito to experience the old handheld like a home console, by separating himself from the need to hold the SP at all.

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We highly recommend checking out Tito’s full video, which goes into depth about the creation of the hybrid device and its overall benefits/features.

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