Recommended Retro Handheld Mods

GBC, GBP, GB, GBA etc

Semi-Stock

I have a few GBC that I keep “semi-stock,” just with a few quality-of-life things that make it easier to get an “authentic” GBC experience.

Glass Lens

The most noticeable wear on my childhood GBC is the scratches on the lens. Replacing the lens with a tempered glass one is cheap and simple to do, and helps make it feel more like you can safely pocket one.

Make sure you get one that’s appropriate for the screen you use. This one from RetroGameRepairShop is for the stock screen.

Rechargeable Batteries

Replaceable batteries is a huge part of the GBC experience, but one-time-use ones are a literal waste. I like these EBL batteries.

New Speakers

These are cheap and easy to do. The old ones deteriorate over time. I don’t think it’s a sin to replace it.

Fresh Capacitors

This is a pain to do, and isn’t worth it unless you can tell that the specific issue you’re seeing is because of the capacitors.

Modernized

Nobody can pretend that a backlit GBC is stock. Once I install a backlit screen I allow myself more creature comforts.

OLED Screen

The OLED mod like this one from Boxy Pixl or this one from Hispeedidomakes for a really beautiful experience and is my preferred screen for a “modernized” GBC. It’s expensive, but unparalleled.

IPS Screens

Pre-laminated replacement screens like this oneare so infinitely easier to install than the ones you have to carefully adhere that it’s not worth discussing non-laminated ones.

Third-Party Shells

I think printed ones are tacky, but I like solid colors that could conceivably have been real. You almost always need to buy a shell that is compatible with the screen mod you’re using so I’m not going to even suggest one. Do your research.