Installing the "One Chip" (Non-Funnyplaying) GBA IPS Kit
Channel: makho
Date: 12/01/2020

I got my hands on one of the non Funnyplaying IPS kits for GBA. I wasn't too interested in testing this kit in particular but since both manufacturers claim that their product is better than the competitors and a working ribbon landed in my lap, I had to get a GBA built to test that out. 

If you want to get one of these kits, I'd recommend holding off for now and just going with the Funnyplaying version. I did not buy this kit but I did buy or make nearly all of the individual components EXCEPT the ribbon itself and the adhesive for the LCD. I have no idea what the kits ship with since mine only came with the adhesive, ribbon, and (damaged) LCD. I got this kit as part of a lot. See this video for more info: https://youtu.be/njF9wIuiCb0

Please check out u/ImSkripted's thread on reddit with some (better) instructions on what needs to be trimmed: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/comments/c1qt82/to_all_those_getting_the_funnyplaying_ips_screen/

The LCD is the same across all the IPS kits for GBA right now so all the install is largely the same. 

RetroModding has a 3D printable bracket if you'd rather: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3689189 and check out their guide here as well: https://www.retromodding.com/blogs/tutorials/game-boy-advance-ips-lcd-installation-guide

There is also a bracket from jellybellycustoms that I showed off in the video but you might need to make some modifications or adjustments to get it to fit: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3711616

Like the other IPS kits, soldering is still not required unless you want brightness control. I do recommend it though because, unlike the funnyplaying kit, this kit will remember brightness settings across reboots.

If you do solder though, do pay more attention to the wire routing than I did. I had issues with the R button and brightness control working rather intermittently because the wire was shorting to ground: https://imgur.com/a/6zAnRBO

The trimming of the shell itself to fit the FIPS screen (centered) was very easy but it can be pretty time consuming and very intimidating depending on your setup. You'll also want to take the time to enlarge the screen cutout to make the bezel smaller. I ended up coloring the edges of the trimmed bezel with black marker too and I think that ended up really nice. 

Funnyplaying version of this kit: https://youtu.be/5q2K_Hgq7Qw
Comparison of this kit to the FP kit: https://youtu.be/YezHoRNnUf8