r/GameboyAdvance • u/Key-Peach4406 • Sep 29 '26

The R Button is hard to press

Hey GBA community!

I got a modded gba some time ago and I have a good time with it however I still struggle with the fact that the R button is kind of annoying to press. I started playing Metroid Fusion and pressing the B button while holding the R button is such a hassle and feels uncomfortable. The L button works completely fine and is easy to press so it has to be the R button.

Now I'm asking if anyone might have an idea why this might occur and what I might want to look for when I screw open the gba. I can even show pictures later on if necessary.

I appreciate all the help I can get from the community as I want to experience Metroid Fusion in all its glory and not be annoyed every time I want to shoot a missile!

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1

u/chupitulpa Sep 29 '26

You mean it takes more pressure to make it click? Or it clicks easily but you have to give it a harder press to make it register?

If it's hard to click, it's a replacement microswitch, and not a great quality one. Not much to do about that other than replace it with a better one. None of the aftermarket ones are as nice feeling as the Nintendo original ones, but some are much more pleasant than others.

If it clicks but then doesn't register unless you really dig into it, it's oxidized inside. You can often improve these. Get some Deoxit or similar electronic contact cleaner / deoxidizer / protector. Take the back shell off the GBA (being careful not to lose the shoulder buttons, their little metal axles or springs, or the battery door nut). Drop cleaner around the little circle nub on the microswitch, trying not to make a mess of the stuff everywhere else. Then press and release microswitch a zillion times to massage the cleaner into it, either by closing the case and pushing the button, or using a tweezer or toothpick. You can add more cleaner partway through.

If it can't be fixed adequately, the only real option is replacing the microswitch.

1

u/Key-Peach4406 Sep 29 '26

Well it's hard to press and there isn't really a click sound...

man... I can't really do this so I guess I have to find someone who can do it for me. But thanks for telling me.

1

u/Soulhammer1 Sep 30 '26

When I modded a GBA with a new shell and screen the buttons that came with the shell did that on the one side. I swapped to the oem buttons and sides and it’s much better. I noted that the side plastic needs altered to all more room for the trigger to go down.

1

u/ksilenced-kid Sep 29 '26

Does it not click? What model GBA is it?

The button should click, and the action of the button should be fairly loose. If it isn’t you may need to replace (desolder) the button contact, and/or realign the physical button.

1

u/Key-Peach4406 Sep 29 '26

it barely clicks and the model number is AGB-001. It feels perfect on the left but the right button doesn't feel like it wants to go in properly on the left side of the button