For most people who want to play their original Game Boy or Game Boy Pocket, a backlit IPS mod is worth it: you can finally see the screen without a lamp. The catch is collector value, because a mod can't be undone easily. With me, the original Game Boy backlit IPS mod is £95, and so is the Pocket IPS mod.
The problem it solves
The original Game Boy (DMG-01) and the Game Boy Pocket (MGB-001) have no light of their own. You need good room light to see them, and the right angle too. In a dim room, the picture fades to shapes on a murky background. Fast movement can smear as well, which makes some games harder to follow than they should be.
A backlight mod fixes that. The old screen comes out and a modern backlit IPS panel goes in. IPS is the type of display used in most phones: it lights itself, it's sharp, and it's easy to read from an angle.
What actually changes
- You can see it anywhere. In bed, on the train, in a dark room: the screen lights itself.
- It's much sharper. Pixels are crisp, and fast movement is clearer.
- You can choose the look. Most kits have an on-screen menu, usually called an OSD, for brightness and colour palettes. Many offer a classic green-style palette alongside others, so you can keep a retro feel if you want to.
- The games are the same. Nothing changes in how the games run.
What doesn't change
A screen mod doesn't fix other faults. All mods need a working console. If yours has no sound, corroded battery contacts or a tired power switch, fix that first or get in touch and we'll sort out the order.
The collector caveat
This is the honest part. Mods can't be undone easily. If your Game Boy is rare, boxed or in unusually good original condition, a mod may reduce its value to collectors. Some people care a lot about keeping a console as it left the factory, and that's a fair position.
So before booking, it's worth asking yourself:
- Is this a console I'll play, or one I'm keeping?
- Is it a rare edition, or boxed with its paperwork?
- Would I ever want to sell it as original?
If it's a well-used console that you want to play, the mod is very unlikely to cost you anything that matters. If it's a boxed collector's piece, you might prefer to leave it alone and pick up a second, everyday console to mod.
Original Game Boy or Pocket?
The two mods are the same price and do the same job, so it comes down to the console you love.
- Original Game Boy (DMG-01), £95. The big grey classic. A backlit screen makes it feel like a new console while keeping its size and feel in the hand. You can book the original Game Boy backlit IPS mod.
- Game Boy Pocket (MGB-001), £95. Smaller and lighter, it's easy to carry, and the mod makes it a handy everyday handheld. You can book the Game Boy Pocket IPS screen mod.
If your original Game Boy has vertical lines on the screen, the backlight mod replaces the screen and its ribbon, so it also does away with that fault. There's more on that in the guide to vertical lines. If you've got a Game Boy Color instead, the Game Boy Color IPS mod explainer covers the drop-in and laminated options.
Who it suits
- People who want to actually play their Game Boy again, rather than keep it on a shelf.
- Anyone whose original screen is faded, scratched behind the lens, or has lines.
- People who play in the evening or while travelling.
It suits collectors less, unless the console is already modded, damaged or a spare.
How it works
Book and pay online, and the confirmation email gives the address and packing guidance. Take out the batteries and any cartridge before posting. I fit the kit, test it on my bench, and send it back insured and tracked. You pay postage to me; the return is included. The mod comes with a 12-month warranty, and it's no fix, no fee: if I can't do the job, I refund what you paid, less return postage. Every service is listed on the Game Boy repairs page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get the classic green look after the mod?
Many kits offer colour palettes in the on-screen menu, often including a green-style palette, so you can keep a retro feel.
Will a backlight mod hurt my Game Boy's value?
For a well-used console it's very unlikely to matter. For a rare or boxed one, it may reduce its value to collectors, so think about that first.
Does the mod work if my Game Boy has other faults?
All mods need a working console. If yours has another fault, that needs fixing first, and it can usually be booked alongside the mod.
