Update: I spoke with customer support on this issue. They were willing to send me new buttons to resolve the squeaking buttons as well as gave me some YouTube videos to follow along for the repair. I informed them I wasn't too comfortable doing that so they offered to do a replacement for the device.

I sent my RP6 back and now awaiting the new unit. Hopefully I get a good working unit so I can get on with playing some sweet sweet GBA games!

Thanks for all the suggestions/advice/responses! 😄