I love the Game Boy. I grew up with the Game Boy Color and I have so much nostalgia for those games. Those sprites from that era just do something for me. I just missed the cutoff for having the good ole’ DMG though. I decided this year that if I saw a beaten-up one, I would restore it and give it a try.
Building the DMG
I had the game collector’s dream come true when I was going to garage sales looking for baby stuff for our soon-to-be-born girl. A DMG that looked like it had been through the ringer. The screen was destroyed, it was grimy, but it turned on. I was sold. I asked the old woman how much and I got it for $5.
After this, I decided to order an aftermarket shell (this one was not looking any better after scrubbing), new buttons, membranes, and a Hispeedo IPS V5 screen. After this all arrived, the mod went along very smoothly. Everything worked and it looked brand new. I was now beaming with excitement for one of the few Game Boy models that I have never tried.
Using the DMG
First impressions, the DMG feels really great in the hands. I am a bigger guy with large hands and this felt so much better than my GBC and GBA SP. It just had a good weight to it and I did not feel cramped at all using it. I did not realize how small the DMG screen was when using one. It is rather small.
This IPS screen is gorgeous. I am using the classic green color that I have seen in videos and it just looks so great. Using 4 of the Ladda batteries from IKEA along with a Flash Cart, I do not notice a huge battery drain. I have been using this thing for days and have not had to recharge the batteries once.
Game Boy games still hold up so well for me because of the nostalgia factor. I was gladly playing through Pokemon Yellow again and having a blast. I was also enjoying my time with Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle, James Bond 007, Mole Mania, and so much more.
Using the DMG just felt good to use for the last week. I got so many compliments from friends to whom I showed it. These are the same friends who usually roll their eyes at me talking about the next great emulation handheld. Something about that original hardware we all had still shines in our inner child.
Overall
Is the DMG still worth it in 2024? I can’t speak to that fully as I used a backlit screen on mine. I am also extremely blinded by my nostalgia for Game Boy games, but I would say yes. The DMG is a great handheld that is timeless. It is great for us with larger hands and with those core memories of enjoying the games. Also, it is a fun project to bring new life into an old Game Boy.
If you want some Game Boy game suggestions, check out my homebrew article here!
What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.