The Game Boy Color is an icon of the late 90’s and early 00’s that has been having a comeback in recent years. Because of modding (especially adding backlights), GB studio, and probably nostalgia, homebrew Game Boy and Game Boy Color games have become a thing, and we are getting around five or ten new games released for the system every year. The Game Boy is a simple 8-bit system, and budding game developers are drawn to developing for the system because making a Game Boy game is a more modest project in comparison with making a 3D PS5 game. Titles like Infinity, Dragonborne, D*Fuzed, Hermano, and Opposum Country are just some of the games that have been released recently.
In the next few months, we have Dracula: Dark Reign (a metroidvania with high production standards), Children of Magia (a fantasy epic reminiscent of the Mana games), and the sequel to Dragonhym (which was itself a color upgrade of Dragonborne) releasing. So, as the Game Boy Color is having a revival, some companies are releasing parts for modding the console. ExtremeRate produces shells for the Game Boy Color, among other products (such as shells for controllers and for the GBA). Here we review two of those GBC shell offerings.
Installation
The two shells that I’ve been testing are the clear glacier blue edition and the black edition. I’ve used the clear glacier blue back half and buttons (which are very comfortable and fit snuggly into the build) in an older build that had problems, and also because using only the back half has allowed me to use a laminated 2.8-inch Hispeedido IPS screen with the build (as one major issue with ExtremeRate GBC shells is that they are not compatible with laminated IPS kits). The black edition build uses a non-laminated IPS kit, so the shell not being compatible with laminated IPS kits wasn’t an issue (a laminated IPS screen kit is a screen kit that has the lens and screen on one panel and is a different shape from the original GBC shell).
Both builds used the same steps to set up and put together, so I will go through just one of them. I purchased the black edition as I have, at this stage, owned quite a few of the GBC shell editions from ExtremeRate, and I wanted to go for a plain color (the amount of choice, and how varied the editions are, is very impressive). So, I chose the black version, which, incidentally, is now sold out on their website, so it must be a popular choice. I started off by screwing in the cartridge contact guard into the back half of the shell. Then I got the front half and installed the black buttons into their spaces. I put the infrared piece into its place and then put the rubber contacts over the buttons. I then disassembled the donor console and removed the motherboard. I then placed the IPS non-laminated screen kit in the screen area and lined up the display. I had no bracket with this build, and usually, with the GBC, non-laminated displays fit in with little problem.
However, this time I could see there might be a problem, as the screen hung too low. So, I secured it with some tape (I know using tape is not usually the best solution, so I don’t recommend it). I then stuck down the touch pads of the screen into crevices in the shell. Then I placed the motherboard over the front shell and connected the screen ribbon cable (luckily, the screen kit is drop-in, so no need to solder anything). I made sure that the speaker clicked into place, and made sure that the power nub on the motherboard was settled into the right place on the power switch (on some consoles, the nub can snap off if not seated correctly). I then placed it on the back end of the shell, and it clicked gently into place. Finally, I screwed the unit shut. Lastly, I tested the unit with some batteries and a game. I was pleased that the unit turned on, and the IPS screen was working. That was the installation complete. This shell is soft, and so it has been very easy to work with, which led to an easy install. Moreover, the buttons seated very comfortably, and that often results in nice-feeling buttons during gameplay.
In the case of the black edition, I then added a screen lens (which comes with all ExtremeRate GBC shells) that sticks onto the front shell. In the case of the glacier blue edition, this wasn’t needed as I had used a laminated screen kit with a custom front shell (that fitted the rare Hispeedido laminated 2.8 inch screen kit)
Performance
The two builds both turned out to be very comfortable to hold, and luckily, the buttons are super responsive in both builds, too. It is always a pain when you put together a build and any of the buttons are stiff. I find the problem is more common with older systems, such as the DMG Game Boy. The problem can also be linked to old or defective rubber button membranes. It happens to the start and select buttons often. The Black Edition also has a slightly rubberized texture with makes it comfortable.
I’ve paired the black edition with an Everdrive X5. Games that I’ve tested include Link’s Awakening DX Redux, and Super Mario Land 2 DX. Those two titles are great ROM hack upgrades to two classics, and the games play very well on the black edition build. I also tested the console with my Super Mario Land 2 official cartridge, which I test all my builds with. The console is comfortable, the buttons are responsive, and the screen is bright and well-centred. The console looks and feels like an adult’s Game Boy Color.
The other build is just as responsive and plays games just as well. The buttons sparkle like crystals. These two builds are backup builds for my collection of Game Boy Colors. I have probably used almost ten ExtremeRate shells over my modding career. They are reliable, versatile, and look great.
Conclusion
Overall, both the black edition and clear glacier blue edition ExtremeRate shells have performed very well in these builds. I had no problems regarding installation, and the completed builds are comfortable to hold, and the buttons are super responsive. The black edition build has a slightly rubberized feel to it, which makes it easier to grip. I feel a slight worry that the rubber will perish one day but that has never happened with any of my other ExtremeRate shells (some of which also feel slightly rubberized), so I’m probably worrying for nothing. The clear glacier blue edition build only uses the back half of the shell and the buttons, yet the build still feels and operates very well. I can use the front half in a future build. ExtremeRate is a company I will always come back to and one of the best companies for shells for controllers and retro handhelds. Happy Gaming.
BongoBongo123 is an avid Zelda fan who also likes the odd game of Smash. His interests in gaming are broad but he loves a good Metroidvania or action RPGs.