Custom buttons are one of the most affordable and visually impactful mods available for the Gameboy Pocket — aftermarket button sets come in dozens of colours and finishes, and swapping them out is simpler than any other hardware modification. The silicone button membranes underneath are equally worth replacing if they’ve become sticky or unresponsive over thirty years of use. Together, new buttons and fresh membranes give the tactile feel of the controls a genuine improvement alongside the cosmetic change.
The Swap Process
The Gameboy Pocket’s buttons sit in the front half of the shell and lift out once the Philips screws are removed and the shell is separated. The A and B buttons, D-pad, Start and Select buttons, and the Power switch all come out easily. Behind the face buttons sit the conductive silicone membranes that register the presses — replacing these is recommended when they’re installed in a new shell, as the originals may have hardened or lost their conductivity. New buttons simply drop into the shell cutouts and the assembly closes over them.
Verdict
Custom buttons are the quickest win in Gameboy modding — ten minutes of disassembly, a set of buttons in whatever colour you prefer, and the result is immediately visible every time you pick the unit up. Combining coloured buttons with a new shell creates a personalised handheld that’s uniquely yours. An excellent first mod for anyone cautious about more complex electronic modifications.
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