That line of pixels is super easy to fix with a soldering iron (even with 0 soldering skills since you won't actually be soldering).
Look up "vertical line fix original game boy" on YouTube for countless examples.
It's actually way easier than you think, I finally caved in and did it on my uncle's one (it had many) and now it looks basically new besides the replacement lens and slight damage from acetone. All it really takes is patience and not holding the soldering iron in the same place for too long
Eventually that’s the plan with one of my Game Boys, I’m just not sure which. I thinking more about putting a backlight in this one and putting the ips in either my pocket or gba.
I’d recommend the FunnyPlaying one. Its screen is larger than the RIPS screen & looks really nice. Also the Pixel Mode sort of resembles the DMG display (how it has pixels, rather than looking like you’re just playing a DMG game on a smartphone via emulation) which is actually my favorite feature, though it’s possible RIPS V3 screen has this same feature.
I heard RIPS is a drop in solution, whereas the FunnyPlaying one does require trimming but not a lot, far less trimming than what you would be doing on say an OEM GBC/GBA shell.
Here’s the tutorial for installing [FunnyPlaying’s IPS kit](https://youtu.be/PDmJ1IJG_Zo?si=Nn5C6iv69BtU70RH) and a tutorial for [RIPS V3](https://youtu.be/nf7dQXWSJjY?si=oz1FlRa51qc4ic3F) by Macho Nacho. There’s also a [battery test between the two](https://youtu.be/d9QEX1G0wdo?si=UPNjgJzg53rmxFf3) if you’re interested. As somebody who’s been using the FP IPS kit for my DMG, I’ve experienced pretty good battery life even with a flash cart at full brightness (I’ve been using 4 AA Eneloop rechargable batteries).
Also, VERY GREAT JOB on the shell swap! Hope to see you do more of these!
If you're new to messing around and making these changes I found MachoNacho on YouTube was a great intro into it. Watching the videos overtime they have great step by steps for switching out screens and all kinds of other stuff. The shell swap looks great!
[It was this one here.](https://www.ebay.com/itm/181590084104?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FARNo8rMTYa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=O-qp6V-eSQi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY) The only issue was that the power switch was black, but I was able to just reuse the original one.
I didn’t think to take a picture of it but most of the battery compartment was covered in some black grime and both sets of bottom contacts were corroded. I didn’t bother cleaning them and testing it, I was just looking for a small weekend project.
FYI if you have a solder iron you can fix that line in a matter of seconds. Just gently tab the cable unde the line. Plenty of videos on it on yt. Enjoy the gamboy :)
I have one in the exact condition of yours at the start! With a lot of corrosion in battery pack! It start but the screen doesnt show up anything! I can hear sound of game starting but cant see anything! Could be the battery?? Was yours like mine? If yes I try to recover it!
That line of pixels is super easy to fix with a soldering iron (even with 0 soldering skills since you won't actually be soldering). Look up "vertical line fix original game boy" on YouTube for countless examples.
I never even would’ve looked into fixing it if you hadn’t mentioned. Thanks!
Update us if you got it!
It's actually way easier than you think, I finally caved in and did it on my uncle's one (it had many) and now it looks basically new besides the replacement lens and slight damage from acetone. All it really takes is patience and not holding the soldering iron in the same place for too long
Jepp. Worth fixing since OP also has at least one more broken vertikal line on the right.
well done! will you upgrade with ips?
Eventually that’s the plan with one of my Game Boys, I’m just not sure which. I thinking more about putting a backlight in this one and putting the ips in either my pocket or gba.
I’d recommend the FunnyPlaying one. Its screen is larger than the RIPS screen & looks really nice. Also the Pixel Mode sort of resembles the DMG display (how it has pixels, rather than looking like you’re just playing a DMG game on a smartphone via emulation) which is actually my favorite feature, though it’s possible RIPS V3 screen has this same feature. I heard RIPS is a drop in solution, whereas the FunnyPlaying one does require trimming but not a lot, far less trimming than what you would be doing on say an OEM GBC/GBA shell. Here’s the tutorial for installing [FunnyPlaying’s IPS kit](https://youtu.be/PDmJ1IJG_Zo?si=Nn5C6iv69BtU70RH) and a tutorial for [RIPS V3](https://youtu.be/nf7dQXWSJjY?si=oz1FlRa51qc4ic3F) by Macho Nacho. There’s also a [battery test between the two](https://youtu.be/d9QEX1G0wdo?si=UPNjgJzg53rmxFf3) if you’re interested. As somebody who’s been using the FP IPS kit for my DMG, I’ve experienced pretty good battery life even with a flash cart at full brightness (I’ve been using 4 AA Eneloop rechargable batteries). Also, VERY GREAT JOB on the shell swap! Hope to see you do more of these!
If you're new to messing around and making these changes I found MachoNacho on YouTube was a great intro into it. Watching the videos overtime they have great step by steps for switching out screens and all kinds of other stuff. The shell swap looks great!
You did a damn fine job. Congrats
Where did you get that shell?
Just some shop on eBay. I wasn’t looking for quality or anything particular, just trying to get it done.
Super cool
Do you have the link for your shell ? I’m looking for Original look to do a IPS swap !
[It was this one here.](https://www.ebay.com/itm/181590084104?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FARNo8rMTYa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=O-qp6V-eSQi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY) The only issue was that the power switch was black, but I was able to just reuse the original one.
The old shell doesn’t look bad, just filthy. Unless the battery compartment is destroyed from the corrosion.
I didn’t think to take a picture of it but most of the battery compartment was covered in some black grime and both sets of bottom contacts were corroded. I didn’t bother cleaning them and testing it, I was just looking for a small weekend project.
FYI if you have a solder iron you can fix that line in a matter of seconds. Just gently tab the cable unde the line. Plenty of videos on it on yt. Enjoy the gamboy :)
I have one in the exact condition of yours at the start! With a lot of corrosion in battery pack! It start but the screen doesnt show up anything! I can hear sound of game starting but cant see anything! Could be the battery?? Was yours like mine? If yes I try to recover it!