The original DMG Game Boy is a legendary piece of hardware that those of a certain age will have fond memories of. The system sold like hot cakes and is a good example of how Nintendo created amazing experiences from hardware that some thought was outdated. The liquid crystal display, similar to calculator displays, was tested, modified, and continuously worked on by engineers at Nintendo under the leadership of the late Gunpei Yokoi. At one point, Nintendo’s president, Hiroshi Yamauchi, almost cancelled the whole Game Boy project as he thought the screen didn’t work and you couldn’t see a clear picture on it. However, Yokoi’s team persevered and eventually Yamauchi agreed to release the handheld. The screen is a bit of an oddity to use now, but I find it works quite well in the right conditions, and the whole experience is nostalgic.
However, it pales in comparison to an IPS screen in terms of picture quality. Because of this, many of us like to mod Game Boys and install IPS screens. The screen kit reviewed in this article is from Hispeedido and is their laminated version. The laminated version has the screen and lens integrated into one panel, minimizing dust and making screen alignment a non-issue. Read on for a review of the product.
Installation
The screen kit arrived in the hard plastic case that many Hispeedido products are packaged in. This case is durable and your screen kit will most likely be able to withstand knocks and throws. Inside was the screen panel, the screen motherboard (which on the DMG forms one part of the two-part internals), ribbon cables, and seperately was a custom shell that is designed to fit the laminated screen. If you choose a laminated screen kit, be sure to get a shell that will fit the screen. Unfortunately, even though the shell included buttons, there were no new rubber contacts. I had to use the rubbers from the donor console.
Once everything was placed on the workspace and the donor console was taken apart it was time to install the screen kit. Firstly, I soldered the donor speaker to the contact points on the screen kit motherboard. You always need to solder a specker with these DMG kits. Then, I placed the bottom half of the internals into the new shell. It should click into place. Then I put the buttons and rubbers in the front half of the new shell. I then placed the screen panel itself into the top half of the new shell. Next, I attached the screen to the motherboard via the latch. Next, I connected the screen ribbon cable to the screen panel and the screen motherboard. Finally, I had each half basically complete but not connected. It was difficult to connect each half with the thick ribbon cable. Eventually, I got it connected well enough so I thought it would work. I then held both parts together and screwed the unit together. Sometimes it really does seem awkward screwing it together, but if everything works, it’s a sign you’ve done it right.
Unfortunately, even though I had initially connected the main ribbon cable well enough, and a backlit image was produced (the main goal), there was no sound. This was mysterious. I opened up the console and saw that one wire from the two-wire speaker had dislodged. I soldered to the solder point, and it adhered well. Thankfully, when I put it back together, the sound worked. I now know that DMG speakers need both wires to be soldered for the speaker to work. I didn’t know this before. That was my installation for this screen kit. Not the most simple, but not the most difficult either.
Performance
The real test of a handheld setup is based on how well the console plays games. I tested the console with a Super Mario Land cartridge, an Everdrive X7, and an Everdrive X5. The Super Mario Land test is the most basic, as every Game Boy should play Super Mario Land. The title was a launch game, and it is not stressful on the battery to run the game. The Everdrives, on the other hand, draw so much power that they won’t run on the Game Boy Pocket. Especially on modded Game Boy Pockets that have screen kits installed (unless they also have good battery mods). I’m happy to report that this DMG Game Boy, and other DMG Game Boys that I’ve tested, have no problem running Everdrives. I played Link’s Awakening, Super Mario Land 2, a Pokémon ROM hack, Donkey Kong 94, Tetris (Classic), Castlevania: Belmont’s Revenge, and all ran with no issue.
Unfortunately, the fact that the kit came with no rubbers turned out to be a problem. The d-pad seems stiff, and the buttons aren’t as comfortable as with other Game Boys that I’ve used. This meant that this particular DMG isn’t the most comfortable to play. However, none of this is game-breaking and I still beat all the bosses I played in Super Mario Land 2 (as an example). Interestingly, after installing the screen kit the Power LED light no longer turns on when the system is on. This is not an issue but just an interesting side effect of installing kit. Also, if you hold the contrast wheel (now the brightness wheel), a range of on screen options will appear such as screen alignment and color filters. This negates the need for bothersome touch sensors to change things like brightness or filters.
Conclusion
We live in a different era from the late eighties, and now IPS screens can be installed in devices for a small cost. While Nintendo no longer needs to innovate or use withered technology to sell products, there is a certain charm that the Game Boy DMG has because of its archaic screen. However, we can easily upgrade the experience by installing an IPS screen. The process requires control and practice, but screen installation on old handhelds can be a fun hobby that makes using these devices even more fun. This hispeedido kit is one of the best DMG kits available. If you ever use unbranded kits on any Game Boy, you’ll see the difference that a FunnyPlaying, RetroSix, or Hispeedido kit brings. Unbranded kits always have problems, such as screen flickering or wrong button input. Official kits are always the way to go (although technically they’re not official since Nintendo doesn’t produce them). If you want to upgrade your old Game Boy DMG, getting a Hispeedido laminated IPS kit is a good choice to make. Just don’t forget to also purchase the correct shell. 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.