IPS Ready Upgraded eXtremeRate Clear Black Custom Replacement Housing Shell for Gameboy Advance SP GBA SP – Compatible with Both IPS & Standard LCD – Console & Screen NOT Included

If you are in the Gameboy modding/repair community you know that everyone was selling the same 2 types of GBA SP shells that come from the same factories. The older opaque ones that are poorly molded and made with pretty bad plastic. Or the newer transparent ones that were better molded, but can develop cracking issues (specially around the hinges.)Looks like we have a 3rd option now!eXtremeRate seems to have their own unique molds, for both the shell and buttons. (the witness marks being in in different places, and lack of branding, are obvious tells) The molding seems well done with fine and straight lettering, everything fits perfectly with no creaking, no gaps, no sharp edges on the shell.The plastic feels thicker and stronger then the no name transparent shells. Time will tell if that makes a difference, but eXtreme rate seems to know a thing or two about making aftermarket shells for controllers so. I haven't tried their opaque shells but I imagine they use the same molds. I will go out on a limb and say, as of 2022, these are the highest quality SP aftermarket shells.I hope eXtreme rate adds more colors. Right now I'm using "Atomic Purple". I personally wouldn't describe it as that, since its not really that close to the OG GBC color, its a warmer purple.But it is a really nice shade of purple. If there ever was a "Pokemon Amethyst" THIS would 100% be the cartridge color.Some minor criticisms though:Screws: They could have been better organized and packaged in a resealable bag. With the amount of extras its slightly hard to tell what goes with what. - I also feel since this shell isn't pretending to be original, there isn't really a good reason to use Triwing screws. It really could have been all Phillips/JIS and that would have been fine.Also the screw on the battery door does not have a captive ring.Springs: The Shoulder springs are weak. I don't recommend using them unless you have to...Buttons: I can't help but feel its kinda tacky they come with buttons of the same color as the shell? But maybe thats just me. They aren't as good as originals, and they seem to be copying other aftermarket buttons - meaning the middle post is flat. Their remedy for the wiggle this causes is that the silicon pads are thicker, and while this works, the buttons again just don't feel as good as originals.EDIT: Slate compatibility.There is some minor incompatibilities between this shell and the 'Slate' Mod. It seems like the screw holes are in slightly different places (off by < 1mm maybe?) and the shell it's self might be slightly off? Unless your mixing and matching eXtreme rate shell parts with other shell parts, this won't affect you so.

Just as with any review I want to preface this by saying I use my own tools and I generally use all the original OEM screws where possible.I have been modding multiple systems over the past year and I greatly enjoyed the quality of the shells that ExtremeRate has to offer (just wish that they offered an olive/swamp clear green color for the Rayquaza shell inserts) for both the GBA SP and the NDSL (I have reviewed those housings on Amazon as well). They're without a doubt one of the first names a recommend for reviving old consoles such as these. They're not only mod friendly (IPS ready) but they're also engineered well. Id go as far as saying theyre better than OEM shells (manufacturers have come a long ways since the GBA SP days). They have good tolerances which allow for a snappy, fresh out of the factory feel. A lot of shells out there just don't feel as tactile as these ones. When it really boils down to it, I am not sure you can this high of quality for this low of a price.Now onto the three I have bought, the two transparent ones are by far my favorite. The ABS material and finish make these not only feel good to the touch but also make them very wear resistant. The color of these two shells was just about what you'd expect from the photos. The only thing I'd say they should change is the "Emerald Green" is much more a sea green color (which my wife loved). However if they did make a shell that was the same color as the Pokémon Emerald color, I'd throw my money at them without hesitation.Now onto the golden boy. I have to say, I loved it for about a month and then the fingerprint magnet finish began to bother me a bit. If you simply want this as a display piece, this is the shell for you. Otherwise you may want to keep a polishing cloth nearby (in my case with in the carrying container I stored it in). There is nothing wrong with the functionality of the shell in fact it was just as good performance wise as the other two.I know this could be a topic that some might be curious about so here's my thought on the buttons that came with these kits. They're possibly the best buttons I have ever installed on a gaming device in years. They're very durable and they also fit excellent. I even bought some for a cheap Rayquaza shell I bought on Amazon because the Rayquaza shell buttons where smaller than the OEM. I'd highly recommend the membranes and buttons that come with these kits.The only troubles I had with the kits were the quality of the screws. I'd love to pay a few more dollars just to have better screws. The Philips heads screws were not honestly bad but the tri-wing screws were abysmal. This is one of those moments I'd recommend using the OEM hardware or if ExtremeRate wants to improve these kits just simply including all Philips head screws with the correct length and pitch.

Great case, gives the gameboy a cool retro look. -1 star because the hinge cap has a tendency to pop out

First off I LOVE THE ATOMIC PURPLE!!Okay, I purchased the atomic purple shells for both the game boy advance and the advance SP as I had both of those and they were in pretty rough condition being my daily use when I was a kid.I had gotten other shells only to quickly return them as the quality was subpar and/or missing parts. I came across extreme rate when doing a Google review for shells and noticed they were sold on Amazon quickly purchased the atomic purple shells for myself and when they arrived I was SURPRISED 😯 just holding half of the shell for the game boy advance I noticed the quality was immediately leagues better than the many others I had previously purchased.I then opened SP shell package and to my surprise the quality was exactly the same. Really great quality had all the parts necessary. Sadly I regret not having taken it before picture of the poor states of my old gamboys, but the end product is just AWESOME!! Thank you for such good quality products and for also providing the tri-wing screwdriver required. I DEFINITELY recommend these shells to anyone looking to give their Gameboys a Quality refreshed newer look.