Introduction

The Game Boy series produced countless masterpieces. Among them, the Game Boy Color (GBC) is beloved as the first model to support color display.

However, it has one fatal flaw:
The screen uses an unlit LCD without a backlight. This makes it extremely hard to see—not only in the dark, but even under bright light.

That’s where the IPS LCD mod comes in.
It gives you modern visibility without losing the nostalgic charm of the original.

What You’ll Need

• A Game Boy Color console

• IPS LCD kit (available on AliExpress and similar sites)

• Special IPS-compatible shell (recommended)

• Y-shaped screwdriver and Phillips screwdriver

• Nippers and a craft knife

• Double-sided tape and insulating stickers

• Soldering iron (only if you want OSD menu functionality)

Steps

1. Shell Modification

The IPS LCD is about 25% larger than the stock display.
Because of this, the original shell requires modification.

1. Prepare an IPS-compatible shell

2. Cut away the gate area so the screen can fit

3. Remove unneeded plastic posts with nippers (keep screw mounts intact)

4. Smooth the surface with a craft knife

2. Test Fitting the Screen

• After trimming, place the screen temporarily to check alignment

• Install the buttons at this stage for easier assembly

👉 Some shells are designed so the “GAME BOY COLOR” logo lights up. With clear shells, no extra work is needed, but with opaque shells, you’ll have to cut out that section.

3. Installing the Screen and Board

1. Secure the screen with double-sided tape

2. Apply insulation to the metal back of the screen

3. Connect the ribbon cable to the motherboard and lock it in place

4. Add insulation to the LCD control board as well

5. Fix the touch sensor to the inner top of the shell

6. Arrange the wiring neatly, close the shell, and screw it together

7. Attach the front lens screen

4. Enabling the OSD Menu (Advanced)

• Solder the “TP” pad on the control board to points near A/B/SELECT on the motherboard

• This enables the OSD menu for brightness and color adjustment

• High difficulty—mistakes can cause malfunctions

👉 Even without soldering, the touch sensor handles basic adjustments. Don’t attempt this unless you’re confident.

Finished Results and Impressions

• With the IPS mod, the GBC transforms into a system with an astonishingly bright, vibrant screen

• Games like Tetris DX and Pokémon Gold & Silver finally look like their promotional images

• Unlike modern emulation, you still keep original hardware features like link cable communication and RTC (real-time clock)

But there are trade-offs:

• Shorter battery life due to higher power consumption

• Risks involved in shell modification and soldering

Conclusion

• The IPS LCD mod is the best solution to fix the GBC’s biggest weakness: the dim screen

• It offers modern clarity while retaining retro authenticity with optional pixel-effect modes

• Shell cutting and soldering are optional—do them only as needed

• Remember, this is a DIY modification at your own risk

👉 If you’ve ever thought, “It’s too painful to play old Pokémon games on such a dark screen…,” this mod is highly recommended!

Would you like me to also make this into a blog-ready Markdown version (with headings, bold, and emoji just like the Japanese one), so you can copy-paste directly into your site?