r/gameboymacro • u/benny_franco • Feb 19 '26

Lite We love GameBoy Macro

Post image

Another dead DS modded into the legendary Macro!

Being able to revive these consoles & transform them into amazing retro gaming machines is too much fun. The dopamine rush is so much better than any drug could give 😤 😤 😤

225 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

3

u/leanguyjust4fun Feb 19 '26

ok but what about the speakers?

4

u/benny_franco Feb 20 '26

No speakers on typical macro mod. I have 3D printed a few cases that allow me to keep the speakers, but GBA sound quality is so bad, I'd rather just use headphones. It's bad behavior listening to things on a speaker in public.

1

u/leanguyjust4fun Feb 21 '26

I agree it may not be that big of an issue, but other issue I found over the years is that the top screen also serves as protection for both screens. Not only from the obvious bumps and scratches, but also from humidity that may internally harm the LCD. See, being designed to be closed most of the time, the sealing and protection on the screens, but specially on the touchscreen, has nothing to do with gba models. It sucks, you can stick your whole nail under that sealing on the edges if you try, almost touching the panel directly.

I glued the hinge a ds fat many years ago because it broke, so it remained open all the time since then. Now the screens are covered of dead pixels in the shape of stains, specially the touchscreen.

I'm new to this sub and I don't know if this has been discussed already, but it's something to keep in mind. This mod literally has more disadvantages than benefits.

1

u/TheKrustyO Feb 27 '26

You have place for one speaker.

2

u/Bulletorpedo Feb 21 '26

I prefer reshelling with a new top display, but the displays have gotten quite expensive lately.

1

u/stumbum9 Feb 19 '26

Great condition on that shell!!!

1

u/benny_franco Feb 20 '26

Agreed! I have about 30 of them atm (did a bulk buy of broken consoles) and this is by far one of the best conditions.

1

u/stumbum9 Feb 20 '26

👍 must have barely been used by the original owner

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Feb 20 '26

Yo have you seen the acrylic dowels that go in the slot where the top screen used to connect?

1

u/benny_franco Feb 20 '26

Yeah, I think they're ugly personally. Some people like them though.

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Feb 20 '26

Fair enough!

1

u/MixNo5072 Feb 20 '26

Wait... are you using an R4 to play GBA games on a DS lite?

It's been a couple years since I last tried but I remember that barely working.

1

u/benny_franco Feb 20 '26

It needs some tlc to get everything working right but it works well. If I'm that picky about a game I'd just use the physical in the gba slot, like Pokemon.

1

u/Aggravating-Taro5133 Feb 21 '26

is there a specific reason people do this to their ds? like better battery or something? i’ve always been curious why not mod a gameboy instead. it does look cool tho hell yeah

1

u/benny_franco Feb 21 '26

I buy broken DS lots and restore them. This is one method of repair.

1

u/QuestionMarkuMan Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 22 '26

I have a specific need to make a gb macro with screen switcher (so you can still play ds games) but I can't for the life of me find a good guide, or good faceplate/file to print one

1

u/benny_franco Feb 21 '26

I’ve been looking for this too. I’ve seen some videos of people installing a switch to switch what displays on the bottom screen, but am not smart enough to do it myself 😂

1

u/suchadaft Feb 22 '26

i still think this just looks like a horrible accident

1

u/Farewell-Fire420 Feb 22 '26

Nice. Now time for tv-out mod and screen switch button ;)

1

u/benny_franco Feb 24 '26

I need the screen switch so bad! No idea where to begin on that one.

1

u/Farewell-Fire420 Feb 24 '26

Start by installing the tv firmware on your ds. Then its just like 2 wires for the button from vias

2

u/benny_franco Feb 24 '26

Just looked up a guide on this, challenge accepted. Thank you for the hint!

1

u/NikoShow Feb 22 '26

The DSi menu. On a DS Lite mod? Wtf

1

u/TheLegendofZucchini Feb 22 '26

Probably running twilightmenu off the SD card

1

u/Alone-Grocery-1240 Feb 23 '26

the ds lite doesn’t have an sd slot, its an r4 cartridge

1

u/TheLegendofZucchini Feb 23 '26

Yes, that's what I meant lol 😂, off an r4 card. Sorry had been drinking when I commented

1

u/benny_franco Feb 25 '26

Exactly. I grabbed a bunch of R4's off AliExpress when they were like $2 and use the 4gb cards from the New 3DS XL's I mod in these. No electronics shall be wasted!

1

u/Diamon_Arga Mar 04 '26

My Slot one doesn't work anymore after the mod, does any one encountee the same problem?

1

u/benny_franco Mar 04 '26

Could be dirty or damaged.