The Gameboy DMG Backlight mod (blue) is awesome, and I wanted to share my experience with everyone about it. I also want to talk a little bit about the history of the original GameBoy.
1989, I was 3 but the Game Boy just arrived
I vividly remember growing up around the Nintendo Game Boy as a child. Older cousins had this cool device which had Mario, Zelda and Final Fantasy games on it on the go. There was only one problem it was ridiculously hard to see unless you played around good lights. It had no backlight. Today if a device came out with no way to see it, well it wouldn’t be much of a device. I ran across this Original Game Boy in a local Pawn Shop for a decent price, few scratches here and there also came with a game. Unable to summon the will to pass it up I purchased it.
This backlight will only work with the original Game Boy and the Game Boy Pocket. The Gameboy Color and Game Boy Advance both use LCD technology that can not be backlit. They require frontlighting technology. I've heard of backlights overheating regulator boards, does the Density backlight. Nintendo Game Boy Original DMG-01/Pocket Bivert Chip & Backlight Mod Kit WHITE. Refurbished Nintendo DMG-01 Game Boy Gray Bi-Vert, Backlight & Box Glass Screen. $109.99 to $139.99. Gameboy DMG-01 Play It Loud Clear. Tested and Working. Gameboy Dmg-01 Console Bundle/ Lot WORKS READ DISCRIPTION. Remove all 6 tri-wing screws from the back of your original Game Boy DMG-01. Make sure to always keep these in a safe place as you will need them later. Remove the ribbon cable connecting the front PCB to the back PCB in a gentle downwards motion.
Quickly I made my way home just so I could turn it on and play.
Come to find out, my eyes are nowhere what they use to be. Realizing that my eyesight has taken a huge hit.
Staring at 1080p+ monitors and 144hz+ HD screens all day gaming in super HD.
Then jumping to a tiny screen with this puke green everywhere that you can barely see, it is ROUGH.
Being so used to a backlight these days that it’s just standard in every device we have now. Smartphones, Laptops, Tablets.. etc.
It was hard to adjust, but the awesomeness of having real hardware was still there, the buttons felt great, the sound was loud enough and it was still fun as heck to play. Luckily we have many options of modding the original dmg Gameboy!
Super Mario Land 2
I went to my local/favorite retro game store, Wizards
Wizards is an awesome place where people come together to play Magic the Gathering and other various board/dice/card games.
But they also deal with retro games which are the even bigger draw to me than the card shop.
Luckily they had a copy of one of my favorite games on the system. Super Mario Land 2, I was super excited to finally be able to own this game and play it on my upgraded Gameboy.
The blue backlight shined amazingly, and I was able to play this game at night.
The Gameboy Backlight Mod
The backlight mod wasn’t difficult for me to complete. Although I’ve had many years of working on several electronics and soldering. I would rate it as an easy-medium level of difficulty.
Lots of small parts, just bundle them together each layer you take off.
A good rule of thumb is ALWAYS to test your mod or project before you put everything back together.
Worth every minute and penny! The screen shines extremely bright, and you are able to adjust it to however you want!
After completing the GameBoy dmg backlight mod
I really set into playing Super Mario Land.
Unfortunately, it was extremely easy well until the LAST WORLD. I don’t know what happens but the difficulty goes up a ton! Literally trying to beat the last stage almost every night before bed. I would progress further and further. Till my 4yr old son decided he wanted to turn Mario into a bomb and erase all my progress.
I haven’t played it since…
There are many other games I get to experience on the original Gameboy now.
Tons of amazing games were made for the original system.
Where to get the GameBoy dmg backlight mod?
I ordered mine off of eBay, which I realized its from a very cool site called https://handheldlegend.com/
You can, however, order it off of his Amazon Store too if you find it safer and I wouldn’t blame you.
Amazon Link – (https://amzn.to/2UrqURQ)
They have all sorts of cool stuff. More than just blue too, if blue isn’t your thing they basically have the rainbow. You don’t have to stop at just backlighting the screen either they have all kinds of original GameBoy shell replacements too.
The next piece I’m ordering is the bi-vert and glass screen. The bi-vert mod will make the pixel look sharper.
The Glass screen will just make the overall quality of the DMG GameBoy even better.
The plastic glass just isn’t that high of quality.
I guarantee you will find the right original GameBoy mod for you!
Game Boy Battery Life
The original Game Boy battery life with AA batteries usually lasted from anywhere from 10-30 hours of playtime. I don’t know why but the backlight mod-added extra time for me. I felt like the system lasted forever after I modded the system it lasted for months on end.
Now I didn’t go all out on a massive gameplay spree with the Game boy but I’d play it a little every night. Since you can adjust the screen brightness you seem to get more life.
Gameboy Dmg Backlight Mod
Retrogaming
I don’t know what it is, I know I can play all retro games on my computer but it’s not the same. There is something magically about hold the real hardware and playing the games on it. Emulators are still not 100% accurate but they are awfully close.
This is why I have almost all the consoles I want already now I just need the games. It really sucks that retro gaming is so expensive in the modern era, that is why there are alternatives such as the ever drives.
If you are an NES collector you should check out my NES Collection Guide.
What’s Next?
I’ve been dying to do a GameBoyZero project. I’ve been ordering parts but it looks like everything is back-ordered that I need to complete it as of right now. While I have already been printing brackets and ordering parts that I can order. The project will take quite a while, I believe it will be worth it to have an awesome portable emulation station. Especially one that looks like an original Gameboy!
For now, I’m going to order me a nice Game Boy everdrive and enjoy my backlight mod and play some original GameBoy games in Modern style.
Gameboy DMG Backlight Mod: Conclusion
Overall I think the Gameboy blue backlight mod really adds some life to an ancient piece of technology. I love retro games and this is a great way to experience them the way it was meant to be experienced. I’ve never really been a fan of emulation which is also an option but there is something magical about holding the real hardware.
These games were meant to be played on the go, and probably without having to fight for a light source to enjoy them.
Let me know down below if you got the backlight mod and how you enjoy it.
Game Boy Dmg Rips Lcd V3 Backlight
Also, be sure to follow me on twitter – @realkynerd.
After weeks of grinding, you’ve made it to the Elite 4. Eager to prove yourself as a Pokemon master, you jump into the action. A half-hour of intense battling later, and you reach Lance, the Master of Dragons. You’re almost there! But it’s getting dark, and your Game Boy Color is losing visibility fast. What do you do?
Modders have tried and failed to nail down the perfect Game Boy Color backlight kit for decades. And now, the wait is over. The Nintendo Game Boy Color finally has an easy-to-use backlight kit! It requires no soldering, and installation is super easy: you simply insert the replacement display, and it’s back to business.
Interested? Read on as we shine a light on the best Game Boy Color backlight kit on the market.
The Best Game Boy Color Backlight Kit
The Game Boy Color never had a lighting feature. Accessories manufacturers created worm lights and other workarounds, but none of them were very effective. It wasn’t until the Game Boy Advance SP released in 2003 that lighting became a built-in feature of Nintendo handhelds.
Over the years, some Game Boy enthusiasts have taken the lighting unit from the SP and transplanted it into the Game Boy Color. But even this modification was subpar, as it was not an actual backlight–it was a front light that required lots of retrofitting and soldering. Not to mention, this process destroyed the precious SP.
There have been countless other attempts at solving this issue, but nothing truly noteworthy. That is, until very recently.
Introducing…
1. The Nintendo GBC Backlight Mod Kit
✔ 10-minute installation time
✔ Brightness controls w/ 5 settings
✔ Tri-wing screwdriver set included
✔ No soldering or shell modifications required
Ready to play your favorite games in vivid color? Now you can with the Nintendo GBC Backlight Mod Kit! This LCD replacement kit works with any Game Boy Color and is incredibly easy to use.
Simply tap the top right corner of your GBC to shift between 5 brightness levels on the fly! It couldn’t be any easier.
The best part? Installation takes about 5-10 minutes. All you’ve gotta do is swap out the existing display for this new & improved one. It requires absolutely no soldering, no shell modifications, and no special tools of any kind.
And don’t worry if you’re not a hardcore techie, as the kit ships with an easy-to-follow guide.
This is hands down the best Game Boy Color backlight kit around, and the best Game Boy Color light mod on the market.
General Thoughts on GBC Backlight Kits
Gameboy Dmg Backlight Battery Life
We’ve penned a few thoughts on Game Boy Color backlight kits for those curious about the history and nuances involved.
The GBC should have shipped with a light.
Why didn’t it? A built-in light would have increased the overall cost of the console. And, given the technology of the time, it would have drained battery life far quicker. But much like the SP, there should have been a front light that you could switch on and off. This would’ve offered cost and energy savings while providing a much-needed service.
The world has lost countless Game Boy SPs.
It’s a tragedy. An unimaginable number of GBA SP models have been torn apart and discarded in the wake of the GBC backlight epidemic. Given the high price of other lighting kits in years past, it was the only feasible solution.
Soldering and shell modifications are a chore.
But not anymore! Before this backlight kit came onto the market, backlighting your GBC required soldering know-how and endless shell modifications. One simple installation could easily turn into a day-long affair. But not with the affordable and incredibly easy 10-minute Backlight Mod Kit.
Game Boy Color Backlight Kit FAQ
Next, let’s have a look at a few of the most commonly asked questions surrounding GameBoy Color backlight kits.
Gameboy Dmg Backlight
What’s the difference between Gameboy Color front light vs backlight kits?
The difference is exactly the way it sounds! Front lights brighten the display from in front of the screen, while backlights illuminate the display itself.
Is the Backlight Mod Kit the same as the Freckle Shack Kit?
No, it is not. This is an entirely new Game Boy Color light mod that involves no workarounds–it’s truly plug-and-play. Simply swap out the existing display, and you’re in business with a stunning backlight & five levels of brightness.
What are the Game Boy Color’s specs?
Excellent question! You can find out more about the GBC’s specs right here. And for a visual look at the interior of a GBC, check out the next section for a video preview.
How to Backlight a Game Boy Color
Gameboy Dmg Backlight Mod
If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow guide, you’ve gotta check out this video from Sojan Nedos on Youtube. He takes you through the entire process of installing a backlight on a Game Boy Color using an identical kit to the one above: