Introduction Game Boy Modifications by Boxy Pixel

Photo by @gb.Retrospect
April 2022

New to modifying Game Consoles? In need of guidance in determining which modifications are available? We are here to help! Our products are designed around brighter screens, larger batteries, aluminum housings, and other upgraded components. Our intention is to make modifying and upgrading easier, more precise, and with the premium feel of aluminum. 

We currently offer parts for the following consoles: 

• Game Boy (Original or DMG)
• Game Boy Pocket
• Game Boy Color
• Game Boy Advance
• Game Boy Advance SP
• Nintendo DS Lite
• Nintendo Switch
• Freeplay

Game Boy (Original)

Boxy Pixel Game Boy: Original CAD Image 

The first member of the Game Boy console family, known as the DMG, is bulky, durable, and iconic. Released in 1989, it had a long play life from four AA batteries and featured a small screen that required good lighting to see.

There are currently several aftermarket screens available for purchase from other retailers. Boxy Pixel is currently working on a metal shell for this console that will fit some aftermarket screen options. Stay tuned for our aluminum shell in June/July 2022.

If you would like someone to build an updated Game Boy for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

 

Game Boy Pocket

Boxy Pixel completed Color Pocket build: Original Photo

The Game Boy Pocket, released in 1996, was a redesign of the original Game Boy (DMG). The Pocket was smaller, lighter, and required two AAA batteries. It did not have a backlit screen, so users still needed an external source of light in order to play in low lighting.

Boxy Pixel does not (yet!) offer a direct replacement shell to contain the Pocket electronics. We do, however, offer a hybrid Game Boy Pocket. This has the same Pocket styling on the exterior, but it is designed to use Game Boy Color electronics-- these drop in with very minimal changes to your Game Boy Color components. If you like the look of the Pocket, but want an aftermarket backlit Color screen, then this is an excellent choice. It requires installation of a rechargeable battery, type-C charge board, and a plug-and-play backlit screen.  The required laminated backlit screen kit is sourced from Funnyplaying. It has the front glass pre-attached to the backlit screen, and our included metal bezel fits over the GBC glass screen to cover the GBC logo.

Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build a Game Boy Color Pocket for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

Game Boy Color

 
Completed Game Boy Color Build with Boxy Pixel Parts: Original Image

Released in 2001, this handheld console ran its 8-bit processor using two AA batteries. It was a bit thicker and taller than the Pocket, with a slightly smaller viewing window. While it still did not have a backlit screen, this was the first of the Game Boy family to sport a vibrant color display. 

This is the product that started it all for us at Boxy Pixel. The first aftermarket modifications years ago involved using a large backlit screen (known as the AGS-101 screen)-- it was being retrofitted in the plastic Game Boy color shells with extensive cutting and plenty of hot glue. We created the first Game Boy Color Boxy Aluminum shell that would fit the large screen without needing to modify the plastic housings. Today we now have a shell that fits a wide variety of newer IPS screens that suppliers have developed. We have also added an opening on the side to use a type-C battery charge board, allowing players to upgrade to a rechargeable battery.  

There are two main backlit screen options.  One was known as the "IPS" Funnyplaying screen. It packages easily in many aftermarket housings and is a nice, simple design. This will fit in our shells with the inclusion of foam supports to hold the screen in place.

The second common option today is the Q5 screen, designed by Retropixel. This has the front glass laminated to the backlist screen. Although we do not sell these screens as this time, our latest housing do fit this screen nicely.  They require that you solder a wire to the Nintendo power switch to function and utilize touch sensors for brightness.

Boxy also offers a front-only aluminum shell option for the GBC, for use with a stock plastic back. Not only is this option less expensive, it allows you to use AA batteries if desired.

Build parts available

Aluminum Shell
Aluminum Buttons
3.7V Battery (if residing in the United States)
Type C charge board
Battery Housing

All other optional parts can also be found here.
Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build an updated Game Boy Color for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

Game Boy Advance

Boxy Pixel Completed GBA: Original Photo

Released in 2001 by Nintendo, this 32-bit handheld console ran for up to 15 hours on a pair of AA batteries. It did not have a backlit screen, but sported a new landscape orientation and added shoulder buttons. 

Boxy Pixel offers a backlit replacement screen and a rechargeable battery with type-C charging port. Our aluminum shells have extra room to fit a wide range of backlit aftermarket screens and also have a cutout on the bottom for adding a type-c charge board with a lithium battery.

Build parts available

Aluminum Shell
Aluminum Buttons
3.7v Battery (if residing in the United States)
Type C charge board
Battery Housing
Glass Lens
IPS backlit screen

All other optional parts can also be found here.
Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

Game Boy Advance SP

The Game Boy Advance SP– SP standing for “Special”, was released in 2003 as an upgraded version of the Advance. It had a rechargeable lithium ion battery and a distinct clamshell design. The initial version had a front lit screen. A second version of the SP came to market in 2006. This upgrade had a backlit screen, known as the AGS-101.  We do not yet offer a folding SP metal shell, however we do have a very unique version - known as the "unhinged" Advance SP. See below.

Game Boy Advance SP Unhinged

 

Boxy Pixel Aluminum USP Shell: Photo by @modnationstudio

Boxy Pixel offers parts for a modified version of the SP, doing away with the clamshell in an “Unhinged” design. The SP required a proprietary charging cable, and used the same proprietary port for audio headphones. The Boxy design is meant to provide flexibility and more choices for builders. This metal shell front and rear aluminum set has space for a much larger battery if desired, conventional 3.5mm headphone jack option, and Type C charging option. If you'd rather keep it simple, you can easily use an OEM stock battery and an OEM stock screen for an inexpensive solderless design.

A second option is our to use our front-housing-only "budget" option to decrease costs even further. This budget unhinged version uses the original plastic rear housing while still offering the aesthetic appeal of an aluminum front.

Build parts available:

Shell
Buttons
Battery (if residing in the United States)
Laminated IPS screen (glass included)

Optional Parts:
Type C  Only if you plan to add type C charging port
3.5 mm audio jack option
Battery Housing - only needed if you use a stock size battery
3.5mm plug - only needed if you do not add the 3.5mm jack
Type C plug - only needed if you do not add a type C charge board.

All other optional parts can also be found here.
Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build an Unhinged SP for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

 

Nintendo DS Lite

Game Boy Macro Machined Aluminum Shell: Original Photo

Released in 2006, the DS Lite was a two-screen handheld console, brighter and more lightweight than the Nintendo DS. Certain multiplayer games are supported, and it was backwards compatible with GBA games. 

The DS Macro is a fan-made modification that removes the top screen and hinged top panel of a Nintendo DS Lite. So many DS Lite consoles are found broken due to damage to the hinge, so this was a creative use of otherwise discarded DS lite parts.  A small resistor is installed to trick the unit into functioning as though a top screen is present. This can be used for playing Game Boy Advance games or emulations of any games that do not require a top screen. We offer a metal front that gives the Macro the classic Boxy look. The front allows the use of a custom Macro glass lens and gives a place in the top corner for a front facing speaker.  

Build parts available

Aluminum Shell
Glass Lens
Resistor

All other optional parts can also be found here.
Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build an updated DS Macro for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

Nintendo Switch

Assembled Switch Build with Boxy Pixel Aluminum Shells: Original Photo 

The Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, designed for use both as a home system and a portable handheld console. Its many modes of play and array of games has made the Switch incredibly popular. 

Boxy Pixel offers machined aluminum housings and buttons to replace the plastic front and rear parts of the Switch Joy-Cons.  Our left Joy-Con is custom in that it replaces the 4 buttons with a D-pad.  

Build parts available

Aluminum Shell
Aluminum Buttons
All other optional parts can also be found here. 

Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build upgraded Switch Joy-Cons for you, here is a list of builders who can help.

Freeplay CM3

The Freeplay allowed users to hand-select their software and game options, building a gaming platform based on Raspberry Pi 3 while retaining the external look and feel of a classic console. It came from a culture of “homebrew”-- independently modifying consoles-- and vastly simplified it for users without backgrounds in electronics or engineering. 

Boxy Pixel designed the first shell specifically for these parts-- these electronics were now perfectly contained in a more versatile housing than the Game Boy Advance shell, which had to be modified slightly to hold the Freeplay electronics. The Boxy Pixel shell has pre-existing space for X and Y buttons and a larger viewing area to accommodate the larger LCD. 

Build parts available

Aluminum Shell
Aluminum Buttons
Glass Lens
All other optional parts can also be found here. 

Assembly guides are found here

If you would like someone to build a Freeplay console for you, here is a list of builders who can help.