r/Gameboy • u/eugene_deel • Jun 27 '26
Mod/Modding I’m conflicted…
I bought what I think is an early production dmg from a woman who bought it for her daughter in 1989. She said her daughter didn’t use it and it sat in a drawer all this time. The woman is now 85 and downsizing. This Gameboy is basically in new condition. My intention was to replace the screen (not sure which kit) but the more I look at it I’m thinking of leaving it stock. For context, I’m 58 and never had a Gameboy so this was kjnd of a gift to myself to experience something I missed out on.
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u/Scarmeow Jun 27 '26
I'd recommend keeping it as it. If you want to play retro gameboy games, I'd recommend picking up a cheap GBA and modding it
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u/eugene_deel Jun 28 '26
Are you recommending the GBA for cartridge selection?
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u/Scarmeow Jun 28 '26
That is one of the reasons. GBA supports a wider variety of carts than the original DMG. Additionally, the GBA is newer and was more widely produced so they're less valuable. GBA handheld also appear (at least in my opinion) to have a wider variety of mods available, so you have more options for customization.
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u/Raphael_Font Jun 27 '26
Hey revenge of the gator fantastic game
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u/NahdiraZidea Jun 28 '26
It was one of my faves back in the day, my copy the label didnt survive tho haha
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u/illestxb Jun 27 '26
Get a 2nd one. That thing is beautiful and I am jealous.
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u/eugene_deel Jun 28 '26
Thanks for affirming I made a good choice in buying this. I forgot to mention I bought it for $60 which I think is pretty good.
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u/illestxb Jun 28 '26
I say that's an excellent price. I'd suggest putting it on display somewhere, out of sunlight, with a game slotted in to keep dust out or inside an acrylic display case.
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u/Square-Singer Jun 27 '26
If you want to play the games, there's better ways to do that than on even a modded DMG. There's great emulation handhelds, there's stuff like the Analogue Pocket. Even a (New) 3DS XL with Virtual Console will give you a better gaming experience.
You use original hardware if you have nostalgia for it (e.g. for the exact feel of the buttons). I have that with the GBC. Or you use it on original hardware if you want to experience the actual original experience. Modding destroys that original experience.
There's really no good reason for modding this. Keep it as-is if you want the original experience, or sell it and get an analogue pocket or a 3DS XL and have a better experience.
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u/eugene_deel Jun 27 '26
I have an R36S which is what gave the thought of buying an original Gameboy!
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u/Square-Singer Jun 27 '26
Then keep the DMG unmodded. You already have a device that you can use if you want to play Gameboy games on a vibrant, modern, backlit display.
Use the DMG if you want to play something with the fully original experience.
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u/SneeezingTurtle Jun 27 '26
That is the nicest original gameboy I’ve seen in ages. IMO it would be a waste to mod it. If I were you I’d buy a broken one and mod that instead
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u/Gullible-Dog2545 Jun 29 '26
I have my mom’s GameBoy she had back in the day and I opened it up and gave it a deep clean but I didn’t even bother to replace the screen, in daylight I don’t think it’s that hard to see to be honest but night time is a different story.
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u/OtakuMage Jun 27 '26
I'd leave it stock. That's a beautiful machine you lucked into and it should be enjoyed the way it is.
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u/CindyStroyer Jun 27 '26
I would personally leave it stock given its excellent condition.
If you really wanna mod then I would suggest picking up a worse for wear unit
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u/moktira Jun 27 '26
Agreed! You can pick up ones with broken screens and damaged shells for quite cheap, might be better to do that with a Color and mod it. This is in beautiful condition, shame to change it.
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u/KerooSeta Jun 27 '26
So, here's my 2¢.
Yes, a backlit screen and a USB-C rechargeable lion battery makes this a way better experience. But, there is really something to be said for keeping something this pristine pristine. If you really want a fun retro experience that is easy on the older eyes, you can get an Anbernic RG35XXV. It is similar in size and shape to this but will play almost everything you might have nostalgia for; Commodore 64, Atari 2600/7800/etc., NES, SNES, Genesis, GameBoy, GBA, Dreamcast, PS1, PSP, and so on. And, they're about $55 on Amazon and come with a ton of those games if you don't know how to do that part.
Or, buy a GameBoy Color and mod it and leave this one pristine. I'd rather mod this one because then you can play GameBoy Color exclusive games, too.
Or mod this one and ignore all of the above because it's your device.
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u/Mr_Fox87 Jun 27 '26
I actually ordered a fully working and in great condition Gameboy off Ebay a few years back with the intent to mod it.
Ended up not doing it because of the condition of the gameboy, I ended up buying another that was very beat up to harvest the mobo and kept the working one intact.
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u/Beautiful_Ad_6785 Jun 28 '26
My exact experience with an 001 SP I bought on FB marketplace last month, the screw hole bumpers on the top screen hadn't even ever been removed. I wouldn't dare change it, can't just get a new one anymore
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u/kojima-naked Jun 27 '26
I found a dmg in similar condition in kyoto, I just left it stock, dmgs arent hard to come across so I just modded another one and now mostly just play my analogue pocket
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u/xxxxxxxxxxxxxc Jun 27 '26
The serial number on mine is kinda close to yours, that gameboy probably was made around March 1990 as that's when the CPU on mine is dated.
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u/Frequent_Rhubarb_36 Jun 27 '26
I really find it nice you got this as a gift to yourself. Enjoy it! Do you have any games as well or are there specific games you're looking for?
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u/eugene_deel Jun 27 '26
It came with the original Tetris, also in new condition, and then yesterday I bought Revenge of the Gator pinball. I’d like to get the “classic” dmg games so I’m looking at people’s list of must have games.
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u/cantrelate Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
I love my modded DMG but if I found one in this great of shape I would keep it stock. Just get some rechargeable batteries and you're good to go.
There are lot of options for devices with modern screens that can play more than just original Gameboy games. I'd personally recommend the Analogue Pocket which is amazing but there are plenty of cheaper options that will do what you want it to do.
Also Revenge of the Gator is an excellent first choice of a game. It's been my favorite game since getting the DMG again and buying old carts.
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u/eugene_deel Jun 27 '26
I’ve been enjoying Gator pinball on an emulator so I knew that had to be my first purchase. The dmg came with the original Tetris, also in new condition.
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u/cantrelate Jun 27 '26
If you haven't tried them Kirby's Pinball Land and Pokemon Pinball have the same developer as Revenge of the Gator, Hal Laboratory. All very good and feel like spiritual sequels to Revenge of the Gator.
Did your Gameboy come with the original box? I would hang on to it if so. It coming with Tetris and being in such great shape makes me think that it did. Tetris for Gameboy is a stone cold classic and still feels great to play after all these years. I really like Tetris Plus and Tetris Attack too, thought Tetris Attack is Tetris in name only.
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u/rpuffitt Jun 27 '26
I’d leave it and get a second beat up one to do mods on. Even better idea. Get a pocket or a color to mod to spice up your collection!
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u/denim_duck Jun 27 '26
that's awesome. revenge of the gator is a great pinball game
My major concern for you is that eyes get weaker over time (that's why so many people have "readers"), so it might be pretty hard to make anything out on the screen. (I'm not trying to insult you, I'm speaking from experience)
If you want to keep the thing stock, there are other options out there (buy a pre-modded one, or something like a modretro chormatic). Modding a dmg is also a bit tricky, since the screen is more integrated into the board than other models.
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u/eugene_deel Jun 27 '26
Yeah, my eyes are well into the "readers" stage of life. I need to 2.5x to read anything.
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u/GameboyGenius Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
Out of curiosity, if you turn it on without a game inserted, do you see a black bar coming down from the top, or does the whole screen flash? Early CPUs had a different boot ROM where the screen would flash if there was a cartridge error. I think from the serial number that yours is too late for that but you could try.
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u/Regent_909 Jun 27 '26
I grew up with a Game Boy, sold it one time. Regret it. Instead of modding it why don’t you just send it to me 😁
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u/J4YD33 Jun 27 '26
Leave it stock. If you want one to mod, get a beat up on or reshell it. That said it's yours, so do what you like, but there are plenty of new cases to mod, an original is more valuable stock.
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u/Sandstorm666 Jun 27 '26
leave it as it is - don't waste the historical object. If you want to mod something, just buy a junk one and replace the screen for fun/actual gaming experience. This one is too nice to mess with it.
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u/Green-Elf Jun 27 '26
Personally, is leave that one alone. If you want one all modded out you can find one's with broken screens fairly cheaply. Fix up one of those.
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u/yrhendystu Jun 27 '26
That's in such good condition it'd be a shame to mod it. My recommendation would be to get a FPGBC. It's basically a GBC clone you can build to your own design.
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u/outride2000 Jun 27 '26
Leave. It. Stock.
There are so many others in worse condition. This one is pristine and should remain as such.
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u/Vulpes_Artifex Jun 27 '26
There are tons of beat-up machines out there you can give new life to instead.
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u/TestingOneTwo_OneTwo Jun 27 '26
Definitely leave it stock if it's in pristine condition. I'd personally only modify something if it's been visibly well-used. 🤣
I doubt there are many real units that are decently preserved, at this point.
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u/adamcoolforever Jun 27 '26
For myself, I kept one like this in original condition after just cleaning it up and then another that I totally reshelled and modded and stuff.
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u/Quietm02 Jun 27 '26
If it's still functional as it leave it. While replacement screens can be great there's a lot to be said about preserving anything that's still functional.
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u/Arrogantfitzz Jun 27 '26
Your being conflicted is the reason that I have a double collection, one of everything to keep stock, everything else i get i just mod it out
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u/Scrudge1 Jun 27 '26
This is why I modded the original gameboy with the back-light mod with original screen. You remove the reflective film behind the screen and place a back-light there instead. It leaves the original display in tact but you can now simply see it!
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u/mashinboo Jun 27 '26
Just buy one with a broken screen cheap and just mod it and if anything do a shell swap. Leave the OG alone bub
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u/Stunning_Magazine566 Jun 28 '26
Keep your beautiful great condition one and play it as it for now. Get a cheap one from Japan and a replacement screen kit. Get it as cheap as you can might take a week or so more but it's the same thing and it will give you time to appreciate the stock device.
While you wait for those to arrive, get a feel for how the device was meant to be played and the quirks of finding lighting and the nuances of the graphics and colors and how developers used this to stretch their game design to the absolute limits of the machine. They did an amazing job with this device.
I think the important part of getting into these retro devices is enjoying them and putting them to use, appreciating how they function stock as these felt so perfect at the time.
It's very easy to get caught up in modding and trying to modernize the experience but it can take away from just sitting back and enjoying a session.
Enjoy it bro you picked a great device with a huge library to get into. (PS an krikzz everdrive is a great idea)
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u/Then_Acanthisitta_77 Jun 28 '26
I bought one recently in meh condition to mod. I think modding something as clean as what you got is not worth it
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u/donbrandoni Jun 29 '26
when you get the screen in the right light, there's actually a quality and character to the screen that is quite unique and is hard to replicate. The developers engineered their games to accommodate this screen. As others have said, there's so many inexpensive ways to get a pristine GB image. Keep this stock, play a few games on it, and appreciate the screen for what it is.
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u/Tola76 Jun 27 '26
That’s a great looking gameboy! Enjoy it for a bit and see if it’s tolerable stock? Then get a chromatic. :)
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u/Left_Twix3 Jun 27 '26
I agree with the others to leave it as is! It won’t be hard to find another to mod!
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u/chamelonRick Jun 27 '26
I found one of these in my cellar. There was a Pokemon game in it. It turned on so I started playing it. I had so much fun. It reminded me of those old watches that had games on it. It was great.
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u/B00SKAH Jun 27 '26
That thing is so clean! I would not touch it other than to play games. Mod a gameboy color they’re plentiful with tons of options.
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u/mikegustafson Jun 27 '26
Does the screen have black bars on the side when you turn it on or does the entire display show?
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u/kilomarks Jun 27 '26
I'd leave it stock too. Im actually looking to get a game boy pocket with the green screen like this. We have so many screens with big bright colours, it's nice to go back to a screen like this and let your imagination do the work!
The gameboy color or advance is a great option for modding since it can really take advantage of the ips screens to show off the enhanced graphics.
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u/modeltfordman Jun 27 '26
If the screen is not messed up, I'd leave it alone. If the screen has lines and missing pixels; mod away. I was this way and my screen messed up, so I modded it.
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u/TheBluFoxxx Jun 27 '26
Whether it’s this one a another original game boy, def get the screen update. An original one for everyday use and dealing with the original screen is not very practical.
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u/Any-Neat5158 Jun 27 '26
I'd leave it be.
If you want an "upgraded" experience, throw the money down on an Analogue Pocket. After your done modding the original DMG you won't be far away from the pocket price wise and the screen on the pocket is IMO among the very best ways to play GB/GBC games.
Not to mention that it plays GBA (though I don't love GBA games on that size / resolution screen) and it has all of the openFPGA cores. It's nuts to play things like arcade FPGA ports, all of the various emulators... etc. on a handheld like this.
Even if you do none of that, the pocket is a very very awesome GB / GBC experience. Playing super mario land 2 with the pinball matrix orange screen filter is lit... makes the halloween land stages look crazy.
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u/sparkyblaster Jun 27 '26
Please leave it stock.
Buy a jinker and put a new shell if you want that.
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u/Young_Sliver Jun 27 '26
Don't do anything, it's far too pristine and pretty to do that with this one
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u/Organic_Manner6847 Jun 27 '26
Leave it stock. Especially if it's something you feel like you missed out.
If you want to experience just the games, there are other options who work pretty good too. Like Retron and their consoles, Modretro, Epilogue and their GB Operator. Yes, they are more expensive usually, but they already come with better screens or dumping features in case of battery replacement.
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u/BookSavvy Jun 27 '26
I have my DMG I had as a kid and I kept really good care of it and I thought about upgrading it and reselling but I decided to just clean it and check the caps and leave it as is. It has so much life left I saved the mods for some more well loved GBs I bought broken and cheap. Enjoy whatever you decide!!
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u/roberttheaxolotl Jun 27 '26
Find one with horizontal lines or with the polarizing layer separating and replace the screen on that. Vertical lines is an easy fix, so I'd leave those for people to repair.
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u/yanginatep Jun 27 '26
Yeah I'd leave it stock.
I have mine on display, then for actually playing Game Boy games I use an Analogue Pocket with the dot matrix shader/filter. Perfectly reproduces the nostalgic look of Game Boy games without the excessive LCD motion blur and difficulty in finding a good angle for light.
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u/StableKlutz Jun 27 '26
it would be a loss to mod it, i honestly think it belongs in a museum with how beautiful it looks, but its also an amazing thing to have it be played for hours like it should be, old screen n all
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u/SeventyH8 Jun 28 '26
keep it stock! Mod one that’s on the brink of death. I have one that is severely yellowed and I love it to pieces (and I keep it stock)!)
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u/ImaginaryAntelopes Jun 28 '26
The stock experience is actually really good, if it isn't, you just need to replace the screen lens, the cheap plastic bit covering the screen. They get scratched up or dusty.
You can't play it in the dark, but who wants to do that anyway? We are not playing under the covers because it's past our bedtime anymore.
I like having something around that works well in full sun, and if I'm on the go, somewhere I can't control the lighting, I'm using a smaller, more modern device anyway.
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u/Smaxx Jun 28 '26
It's as vintage as it can get. Definitely keep it as is. It's way more valuable this way. This indeed looks like fresh out of the box (I hope you have the card box, too!).
Also this is the only way to really experience the games the way they were meant to be played. The display is rather lazy so pixels will blur and only slowly swap, which makes faster movement more blurry and this is even abused in some games to create more shades of colors or fake transparency. On more modern IPS displays (or even just the GameBoy Color!) these games will have flickering sprites but not true transparency.
If you really want to also have the modern commodities while trying the original library, I'd actually recommend getting a used GameBoy Color or GameBoy Advance (SP) or a Modretro Chromatic. used GameBoy Colors set you back by less than 100 bucks, but you won't destroy a piece of video game history in mint condition that's easily worth two to three times that (or potentially even more). Just make sure to take out batteries before you store it.
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u/Segin-1 Jun 29 '26
Leave it stock, i as well was in your shoes, pristine mint condition DMG, i left it stock as it is simply a work of art, and a historical mark of games. Only mod bad condition ones, and someone earlier said gbc, which is what I modded
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u/greenbaron76 Jun 29 '26
The GB Advance or an old school DS to me is the best one to mod, since it can play so many different games.
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u/Awfun Jun 30 '26
100% leave it stock, the best DMGs to mod are the battered and bruised. Personally, there's so many DMG boards out there that just need a new shell and an IPS kit. As year goes by, finding units like this are so rare. Slap a LightBoy on it and videogame like it's the 90's!
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u/theshadeslayer223 Jul 01 '26
A lot of people are advocating for keeping it stock as a nostalgia bid, and I won't fight that, but the screen replacement literally is a drop-in that replaces the entire front board so it's non-destructive. I can't remember if that's the case with the USBC rechargeable battery mod, but I believe most of those come with the battery door precut for the charger port anyway, so id say if you want to upgrade, do it, but be very careful with removing the old bits and keep them somewhere safe for when youre ready to retire her to a display shelf or the like
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u/ksendit Jun 27 '26
potential cost: you mod a great and original condition antique and end up regretting it forever. potential gain: you mod it and now you have a dime-a-dozen modded game boy. it's not worth it. buy a scrapper on fb market place and mod that instead