Original Game Boy Backlit IPS Screen Mod

£95

No fix, no fee · 12-month warranty · Insured, tracked returns

Reasons to book

  • You need a bright lamp or daylight to see the screen
  • The screen has vertical lines or missing columns that a reheat hasn't cured
  • The display looks faded or low in contrast
  • You want to play in the evening or on the move
  • You'd like adjustable brightness and palettes

The original Game Boy screen has no light of its own. It needs good room light, and on a dull day it's hard to see. This mod swaps it for a modern backlit IPS panel. IPS is a type of LCD that stays clear from most viewing angles, so the picture is bright and sharp.

It also deals with a well-known DMG-01 problem. Vertical lines or missing columns come from the ribbon connection between the screen glass and the board. Because this mod replaces the whole screen, that old connection is no longer part of the picture. If you'd rather keep the original screen, try the vertical lines repair first.

I open the console, remove the old screen, fit the IPS kit, and set up its on-screen menu (a small settings overlay for brightness and colour palettes, usually adjusted with a button combination or a touch pad). Then I test it with a game and send it back insured and tracked.

This service is for the original Game Boy, model DMG-01 on the label on the back. The Pocket and the Game Boy Color have their own screen mods on the Game Boy & Game Boy Color repair page.

Honest limits: the mod needs a working console, so if yours won't turn on or has another fault, book that repair first or get in touch. Mods can't be undone easily. On a boxed or rare DMG-01 a mod may reduce its value to collectors, so it's worth thinking that through first.

Not sure it's for you? Read whether a Game Boy backlight mod is worth it. The job is no fix, no fee, with a 12-month warranty.

Original Game Boy Backlit IPS Screen Mod

Frequently asked questions

Will this fix the vertical lines on my Game Boy screen?
The lines come from the old screen's ribbon connection, and this mod replaces the whole screen, so the old connection is no longer in use. The console does need to be working otherwise.
Can I get the classic green look back?
Most kits have an on-screen menu with a choice of colour palettes, so you can pick a look you like. I'll explain how yours works when it goes back.
Is this the same mod as the Game Boy Pocket one?
No. The original Game Boy and the Pocket take different kits, so they're booked as separate services.

Related repairs

About this service

How does your mail-in repair service work?
Three steps: book and pay for your repair online, post your item to me using the packing instructions I email you, and I repair it, test it, and send it back tracked. You'll get updates as it moves through each stage.
What is your no-fix-no-fee promise?
Payment is taken upfront at booking. If I can't fix your item, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you. Assessment bookings work differently: the £4.99 covers return postage and comes off the repair if you go ahead, but isn't refunded if you decide not to or it can't be repaired.
Do your repairs come with a warranty?
Yes. Every repair carries a 12-month workmanship warranty against the same fault returning. If it does, I'll put it right.
How long will my repair take?
Most repairs are completed within 3-6 working days of arrival, then posted back by tracked post. If a part needs ordering, I'll tell you as soon as I've diagnosed it and give you a realistic date. Diagnostic-led jobs take a little longer if I'm waiting on your approval of a quote.
How do I package my item safely to post it?
I send clear packing guidance when you book. In short: wrap the item well, use plenty of padding, and a sturdy box — the return leg is insured and tracked, and good packing on the way in protects your item too.
Where do I send my item?
Your postage address is included in the confirmation email after you book — you don't post anything until you've booked, so your item is always matched to your order.
Do you cover the whole UK?
Yes — I run a mail-in repair service, so you can send your item from anywhere in the UK. There's nothing local you need to find.
What if my item turns out to be unrepairable?
I'll tell you honestly and, where the fault allows, offer an alternative. If I can't fix it, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you.