Gameboy Pocket Backlight Mod

I ordered a gameboy pocket backlight mod from the internets (ebay). I went for a white backlight and used the instruction video from “this does not compute” on ebay to guide me through. It was fairly easy to install (though I did break my screen at one point and I had to re-flow the connection). The video I used is below.

The images that follow were taken during the mod

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Setting my gear out ready to do the mod, making sure I have everything that I need to hand while I make the changes.

gameboy pocket backlight mod

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Removing the gameboy pocket case (again) and taking the logic board out to get to the screen.

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Screen removed and ready to peel off the reflective back and the polarizer below.

gameboy pocket backlight mod

gameboy pocket backlight mod

After the polarizer was removed there was a ton of glue left. This was near impossible to remove. While trying I also broke the connector at the bottom.

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Adding some flux and re-flowing the connection with a little solder.

gameboy pocket backlight mod

It was getting late by this point, so I decided to stop.

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Next evening, I attached the wires to the backlight

gameboy pocket backlight mod

And placed the new polarizer and backlight on the screen

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Then put them inside the gameboy pocket case

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Soldered the power for the backlight

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Added a little electrical tape to hold the screen

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Then I realised I had the polarizer the wrong way round. And there was a load of glue still there :|

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Damn. A ton of glue

gameboy pocket backlight mod

I opened the case again, removed the logic board and screen, then flipped the polarizer 90 degrees

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Final result looks not bad, except the glue spots (in the bottom leg of the 2 on the screen)

gameboy pocket backlight mod

So I had to open the case again

gameboy pocket backlight mod

Close up of the glue spots

gameboy pocket backlight mod

opened the case, ready to do more cleaning

gameboy pocket backlight mod

gameboy pocket backlight mod

After the second round of cleaning this is how my gameboy pocket backlight mod turned out. Its not perfect, but for me it will do!

The next mod I have to do is to install the bivert chip that came with the kit. I have a few things to get form ebay first (A scalpel, some alcohol to clean the glue properly, some 28 guage wire [I might just sacrifice an old USB cable], some new solder and a pair of wire trimmers [and maybe a new soldering iron] ). For now the gameboy is perfectly playable in the dark :D I’m waiting on a copy of pokemon yellow coming form ebay (and might bid on a copy of final fantasy legends for it too)!

Sources: Does Not Compute on Youtube

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