The Game Boy Color was released all the way back in 1998. The console is slightly more powerful than the Game Boy (original) and the Game Boy Pocket. It also, as the name implies, added color, but there was still no backlight or front light. We’d have to wait another five or six years for the GBA SP to release for gamers to actually see their Nintendo portables in the dark. People are nostalgic for the Game Boy Color. The release of the Analogue Pocket, and more recently the ModRetro Chromatic are testaments to the nostalgia people feel for old Game Boy systems. For a few years now, fans have been wanting to add a backlight to their Game Boy Colors, and now its pretty cheap, and easy to add an IPS display. However, this often means buying a specialized shell, or modifying your own shell. ExtremeRate, a company that produce premium shells for many systems and controllers, have released a line of great looking shells for the Game Boy Color. However, they are not compatible with most IPS screen kits (although they can fit some non-laminated versions). The ExtremeRate GBC shells look and feel great. Read on for a short review of a selection of ExtremeRate Game Boy Color shells.
Great Look and Feel
The three ExtremeRate Game Boy Color Shells that I’m reviewing are the Wood Grain, Classic Grey, and Translucent Blue Green models. These were the shells that most appealed to me out of their line up. Overall, there are around twenty one options available. These shells feel different. Some have more of a rubbery finish, while others are more shiny sleek feeling. I would say that all of the versions that I’ve tried feel really good. The buttons break out of a casing that is supplied. Sometimes bits of plastic need to be broken off them. I’ve had no issues with the buttons (they do the job) but if you don’t break off all the plastic cleanly I could see that being a problem. In terms of looks these are some of the best looking Game Boy Color shells that I’ve seen. In terms of feel I’d say that they are more comfortable than shells provided by RetroSix or Funnyplaying. However, in comparing them we now have to discuss compatibility with screen kits.
Pick and Mix
The ExtremeRate Game Boy Color shells do not allow Laminated IPS displays like the one in the picture above to fit into the shell mold. It may be possible if you modified the shell, but I don’t think that is worth it. Because of this I have had to pick and mix shell fronts and backs to get working consoles. The devices that I’ve put together look good, use IPS screens, and still have a proportion of ExtemeRate shell. Battery mods are a similar issue. Most will not fit into the ExtremeRate shell since it has a barrier between where the two batteries go. That space usually has no barrier if it is possible to install a USB-C battery mod. However, I did get a non-laminated IPS display to fit in to the Translucent Blue Green model in the first pic. The second pic uses the front half of a IPS laminated ready shell and the back half of an ExtremeRate shell.
The thing is, we are never going to get shells that will please everyone and be suitable for every mod. The quality of ExtremeRate Game Boy Color shells is arguably the best, both in terms of look and feel. It is just a shame that ExtremeRate do not provide options for laminated displays and battery mods.
Product Performance
The Classic Grey shell has a slightly rubbery texture and is amazingly comfortable when played. I often switch between Pokemon RPG’s, Mario, and Zelda when I’m playing Game Boy Color, and the Classic Grey feels most comfortable for the precision that you need in Super Mario Land 2. The Wood Grain has a nice finish. You definitely won’t get any splinters from it. The finish looks polished. Although it probably uses plastic rather than real wood. Finally, the Translucent Blue Green shell feels and looks shiny and sleek. It has a different texture to the other two shells but is still comfortable. The colors look great and this shell would go well with some LED light installations on the PCB. The fact that it’s translucent means you can see the board beneath it. I used a HISPEEDIDO non-laminated screen kit in combination with this shell and it looks amazing.
Conclusion
The ExtremeRate line of Game Boy Color shells compare well to those offered by RetroSix, HISPEEDIDO, and FunnyPlaying. The designs are creative, and often novel, and the feel of the shells is more comfortable than the original Nintendo shells. However, the shells do not fit with most screen kits, and battery mods will not work (without modification) either. Some non-laminated IPS kits will work in the shells, but because of incompatibility I’ve mixed up the shells with others that do accommodate these mods and now have some great looking ‘mixed’ Game Boy Colors. The ExtremeRate shells are great to have in your collection.
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.