I've been repairing electronics professionally for the last 9 years. I recently got my hands on a DMG Gameboy from 1989. The customer wasn't interested in pouring the money into it to fix the screen (I tried all the usual stuff to get it working, but I deduced the fault appeared to be with the embedded controller in the Y-axis flex). I bought it off of him for $40, because otherwise it would have ended up in the trash, or in a drawer collecting dust for who knows how many years. I decided to look into the whacky world of Gameboy mods, and stumbled into this. Soldering is my specialty! I fix things under microscopes, I run 40AWG jumper wires almost all the time to fix all sorts of silly things. This looks like it's right up my alley. My best friend has been collecting retro electronics for years, and I think something like this would make a very cool and thoughtful gift for her. Thank you for making such a detailed breakdown of how these boards and kits all go together. I just need to find a Gameboy Color to steal some parts from.
@@MachoNachoProductions Just wanted to update and say I managed to find my gameboy color! I got it in a completely non-working state, and I assume the battery terminals were just corroded. Easy fix, but I was eager to cannibalize it and start building this. So far it has been very fun! I'm on the part where I get to hand solder like a hundred passive components, and this is pretty boring. But doing all of the complicated packages like the CPU, various ICs, FPC connectors, etc was awesome. The cartridge connector was quite difficult to remove by hand at first, but a knife tip and some solder wick made some quick work of it. UPDATE: I'm almost finished! I ran into a bit of an issue testing the boards when I saw it wasn't actually powering on. I had all of the necessary voltage rails, but for some reason it just wouldn't fire up. I was afraid I had accidentally salvaged a damaged GBC CPU. It turns out I'm just stupid, I had the cable that goes from the CPU board to the IPS board upside-down. I also ran into a sound issue, but I should've tested the DMG speaker I salvaged with a multimeter before even salvaging it --- that sucker was dead as a doornail. I fortunately had another DMG I'm planning on tearing apart to build another one of these things, so I just pulled the speaker from that. My one remaining step is to trim a bit of the edges of the original DMG shell to fit the new screen, and she'll be ready to go :). This was actually super fun to build, and I am definitely going to re-order the Mouser components I need to slap together another one.
@@MachoNachoProductions Specially since many of them fail in stuff that wouldn't affect this mod. I don't think I've even heard of a failed CPU or RAM on the GB lineup, but the DMG's LCDs rot, irreparably. The Color's LCDs often have deteriorated polarizer filters that can be replaced with a LOT of patience and the right (cheap) filter film, but I imagine most don't do it either. The only one thing I would have done differently on this mod is ditching the old electrolytic capacitors from the sound board, everything else was a top notch job, it's nice to see people who know how to do stuff doing it.
adding more to this, I used to sell modded handhelds a while ago, I specifically went for the dead screen ones, or anything that didn't have to do with leaky batteries. Often these would get sold in Japanese eBay auctions as not working for no more than a bad power switch, but quite a few ready to bin ones were saved by modding a new screen and case to it.
@@MachoNachoProductions Hello friend This Classic Gameboy with the Color screen, does it still have the original Link Cable input? Do you have this Gambrboy for sale?
That's a passion build for sure, reverse engineered board and all just for the sake of it being cool. Really admire people that do this kind of stuff, with such simple reasoning, not everything has to be for profit or for saving the world, sometimes just plain doing it for fun, the challenge and sharing for whoever also likes, should go more appreciated as well.
These videos are always enjoyable, but I really appreciate the extra effort you put into the intro. Very good looking cinematography. I also really appreciate the lighting choices throughout. It just adds that little bit extra that makes the presentation that much nicer. 🙂
This Frankenstein's Monster of a DMG is really rad. I've been compiling broken Game Boys and Game Gears with the intention to do these types of builds in the next few months. Your videos will go a long way in allowing me to bring these back from the dead. Great video, as always! 👍🏿
Not only is this video about a dream build of mine (DMG color) but the intro, music, and overall production quality of this video is AAA. Awesome content, love the videos, keep up the great work! 👍
Reminds me of when my grandfather put together 7 broken CRT TVs he found at the dump when he was younger and took working parts from each one and made one working TV, no diagrams or education on it besides personal experience and I'd say he did a pretty good job
My god Tito. It’s probably a dream build to those who grew up with a DMG! Awesome video as always. When I modified my DMG last Christmas after seeing your video, that idea crossed my mind. 😉
Glad you enjoyed the video! It’s definitely an incredible build. I’d like to see a pocket version but with improved battery life. That would be amazing!
This is amazing! I'd say at this point its no longer a retro system, but basically a brand new system that takes design cues from the original system. Give it some time and they'll find a way to clone the CPU so the system can be 100 percent aftermarket.
I love your Halloween intro! This FrankenBoy is so cool! It's way more soldering than I could do. The creator has really good skills to put this all together.
We doing seasonal _hardware_ mods now? Mate your production is something else! I actually saw the animation and as an engineer I smirked "ofc they did that..." I would call this _The_ Gameboy myself.
Awesome video, these videos will be historical in years to come. Please do an xbox 360 controller maintenance/upgrade/repair video. They are the ultimate controllers.
Amazing!!! That mod was just just so cool. But that intro?! OMG. Just beautiful! Clearly you put in a lot of time filming that intro and editing it. It was an absolute journey to watch! Thanks Tito.
I've said it once and I'll say it again. This channel is so underrated. The beautiful entry to this video was awesome. Keep up the amazing work I love this channel. I cannot wait to see what you do in the future!
Awesome video, Tito! I liked the way you make the thematic opening, your sounds...everything helps to create a fantastic experience and environment for a halloween video. Wonderful job, your DMG looks fantastic, really! Like a badass Frankenstein! Thanks for the video and so much thanks for the tutorial! This is a masterpiece of retro gaming videos of halloween!
You NAILED THIS!!!!! What an AMAZING HALLOWEEN video for an AMAZING PROJECT!!! 10 out of 10 Tito!!!!!!!! You did SUCH a GREAT JOB on the aesthetics of this video! Not too many RU-vidrs are willing to put that much effort in to their videos, but you took the risk and IT WAS WORTH IT!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!
when it comes to intro production in the retro scene, there is no equal to Macho Nacho. the use of your own leitmotif to create a halloween opening was sublime!
Y'know..I can't help it. but everytime your splash screen comes up with your name comes up with the nacho and then the cheese pouring on it, I would love hearing a "mmm nachos" and a crunch at the end,idk why but I think that just completes the whole nacho thing😂
This would be my dream DMG but my solder skills are at a very beginner level. I think I'd die from stress just trying to get the CPU on, nevermind the dozens of caps. Lovely video.
Hurts to see the gbc get dismantled, but this is honestly the solution to my "little device, bigger hands now cause adult" problem. I may attempt this soon as it looks amazing. Nice work with the videos as always, top tier editing.
I always love your videos and the very high production quality, but man what an exceptional intro for this one... goosebumps, so great! Going to rewatch it...again 😀
Holy Karp your videos are amazing dude. Subscribing just based on the production level and huge bonus of cool gaming mods/info. Keep up the amazing work.
Great video as usual! One thing I'd like to mention is to not attempt this mod if you don't have the right tools and experience to solder those darn small capacitors/resistors/transistors (meaning microscope, solder and hot air station etc). I messed up two gba sps because I desoldered capacitors because I wanted to install the Retrosix De-hum kit. Don't do it if you dont have the right tools, ask a pro to do it. Trust me lol.
The AMOUNT of creativity from the intro to the actual build is beyond words. You outdone yourself Tito. Remember the old days when we were loca gluing light screens on gb colors ? The modding community has come a long way.
Thanks buddy! Really appreciate it! I always have fun making these Halloween episodes. Indeed, the modding community never ceases to amazing me. So many talented folks out there!
Geez Tito, I just made my Gameboy aluminium with IPS and now you drop this video hahah 😀 Awesome video though, and I probably upgrade (again) sometime!
Hey man, just wanted to say i loved the poduction quality of all your videos and especially this one! You always do a fantastic job and this video is no exception!
