Game Boy Pocket/Color: USB-C Charging Kit

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SKU: GB2 Category:

Description

2023-09-22: The boards have been manufactured incorrectly, and their sale is going to be delayed 🙁

The Game Boy Pocket/Color: USB-C Charging Kit, or GB2 as I like to call it, is a circuit that replaces the original power board of the Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color.

This circuit is a multi-device and versatile board with multiple installation options. This means that this kit can be used for both Game Boy models, and you can decide whether you want to power your console with AA/AAA batteries or a rechargeable li-ion battery. You can also choose between using the original 2.5mm DC power connector or replacing it with a USB-C. Additionally, you have the option to install a light board that will indicate the status of the console and battery, all from the original hole on the console, next to the screen.

FEATURES

  • Exact shape for Game Boy Pocket & Game Boy Color.
  • Power DC converter of 5V output. (1)
  • External power through 2.5mm DC jack or USB-C. (2)
  • Li-Ion battery charger with overvoltage and undervoltage protection. (2)
  • Safe charge and play.
  • Integrated LED indicators on the main board, next to the battery connector for charging battery (red) and full battery (green). It can be disabled by the jumper SJ1.
  • External LED indicators board for playing (white), charging battery (red) and full battery (green). Optional installation.

(1) Provides stable power to your Game Boy, IPS screen, and flash card. However, it doesn’t supply the -19v rail, which means the stock screen or GBP IPS screen, which adjusts brightness through the contrast wheel, will not be able to change the brightness level and will remain at its maximum level.

(2) The USB-C and li-ion battery require trimming of the shell. Please refer to the PDF installation manual for more information.

INCLUDED

  • 1 frame panel which includes the four boards:
    • Main board.
    • Light board.
    • GBP USB-C board.
    • GBC USB-C board.
  • 2 headers of 1 pin & 2 pins.
  • 1 Battery cable (with connector JST SH1.0)
  • 2 Short cables for li-ion battery charger feature.
  • 1 Cable of 2 wires for connecting the light board.
  • 1 Light diffuser pipe.

REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED)

NOTES

  • The stock screen is not compatible with this module; only IPS screens will work with it.
  • The contrast wheel doesn’t function because the -19v rail is not provided for this kit. This implies that the GBP Retro Pixel IPS screen is unable to adjust its brightness. This board is recommended for IPS screens with a touch sensor designed for brightness control, for example this one.

PRODUCT FEATURE OVERVIEW

Charger Power Conv. 5V Power Conv. -19V Audio Amp Light board AAA/AA batteries USB-C DC Jack
GBP
GBC
 ✔ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✔ ❌ ✔ ❌
This product ✔ ✔ ❌ ❌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
GBP PRO
GBC PRO		 ✔ ✔ ❌ ✔ ✔ ❌ ✔ ❌

 

DOCUMENTATION

Additional information

Circuit color

Black
Circuit version

v2.1

Compatibility

This board is compatible with the following version boards of GBP / GBC:

GBP:

  • MGB-CPU-01
  • MGB-ECPU-01
  • MGB-LCPU-01
  • MGB-LCPU-02

GBC:

  • CGB-CPU-01
  • CGB-CPU-02
  • CGB-CPU-03
  • CGB-CPU-04
  • CGB-CPU-05
  • CGB-CPU-06

Some third party modules which people have tried and work well together this kit:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the original screen?

No, you cannot. This board is only compatible with screens which work at 5V (IPS screens). The original screen needs another voltage.

Can I use the IPS screen: GBP Retro Pixel IPS?

No, you shouldn’t use it with this module. The contrast wheel doesn’t function because the -19v rail is not provided for this kit. This implies that the GBP Retro Pixel IPS screen is unable to adjust its brightness. This board is recommended for IPS screens with a touch sensor designed for brightness control, for example this one.

Why are there two red and green lights?

The board include lights next to the USB-C and in the small light board. This small board is optional, you don’t need to install it if you don’t want or it’s too difficult for you. But if you do, my recommendation is removing the small resistance called SJ1 with your solder iron, that is going to disable the lights next to the USB-C. If in the future you want to active it again, you just need to put a drop of tin because the resistance has a value of 0, it’s just a jumper/cable.

Does the white led indicate the battery level?

Yes, it works as before, when the battery is decreasing the capacity, the light is going to be less brightness. However, I think this effect is more appreciable with the original led because the red color. You have a video demonstration in the “Additional content (videos)” tap.

Can you use type-c to type-c cables with this board?

Yes, you can. All the products in this shop accept USB-C to USB-C cables and can be charged with any charger, including fast chargers, although at a normal speed.

Can I play and charge the battery at the same time? (Safe charge-and-play)

The electronic board support this feature since the first released version: v3.1.

Do I need to solder the extra power cable of my IPS screen?

As far as I know, all GBP screens require an additional power cable. Follow the installation manual of your display and the manual for this product for any doubts regarding how and where to solder this cable.

Changelog

  • 2023-03: v1.0
    • Initial version with IP5310
  • 2023-04: v1.1
    • Modified the battery connector polarity.
    • Modified the light board shape
  • 2023-07: v2.0
    • Modified the whole circuit and copy the one from the GBC PRO and GBP PRO except the audio amp.
  • 2023-08: v2.1 (The first commercialised version)

    • Fixed the GND plane of the GBC USB-C board.

Gallery of customer's installation

If you are happy with your installation result, you can send me the photos and I can publish here, other clients will see the result!

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