Gameboy Pocket AliExpress IPS Screen /w USB-C Battery Mod
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been on a mission—buying up various old, broken Game Boys to give them a new lease on life. It all started with a Game Boy Pocket that had some sort of screen cancer and a bad habit of turning itself off at random.
I was planning on replacing the screen anyway, so the faulty display didn’t bother me. The power issue? Easily fixed with a deep cleaning of the power switch and some corrosion removal from the battery terminals with vinegar. But what I really want to talk about today are the IPS screen and battery mods that are now available for the Pockets and Gameboy family.
I won't go into too much technical details about these kits, rather I'm going to link to an excellent video by Macho Nacho.
Why an IPS Screen?
The Game Boy Pocket's original screen wasn’t much better than the original Game Boy’s—dim, hard to see, and definitely not up to today’s standards. So, when I set out to revive my Pocket, installing an IPS screen was a no-brainer.
IPS displays bring a whole new level of brightness, rich colors, and vastly improved viewing angles. My goal wasn’t just to repair the handheld; I wanted to transform it into something that made gaming genuinely enjoyable, without the constant struggle of squinting at a dull screen.
AliExpress Adventure
As with most Game Boy mods these days, I bought my IPS kit off AliExpress, specifically from the YiYiMerci Game Store. I’ve had good experiences ordering from them in the past, and this time was no different. Originally, I was planning to use an original shell, but after reading online and watching a few Youtube Videos and realising how difficult it is I decided to buy a pre-cut shell instead. The IPS screen and IPS screen costs $73.66 which includes shipping to Australia.
The USB-C 700mAH battery cost $59.67, do not that this took almost 2 months to arrive, I believe that this is due to not being able to ship battery by air so if you purchase please be ready to wait awhile for it to arrive. The specific one I bought was "USB-C 700mAH lithium battery Rechargeable lithium battery module For Gameboy Pocket For GBP No welding required" - Please note the names on these products change all the time.
Installation: Easier Than I Thought
The IPS kit required only one wire to be soldered, and if you opt for a pre-cut shell, it's essentially a drop-in replacement. The seller included all the necessary screws and even a tri-wing screwdriver, though the quality of the screwdriver was a bit lacking—be careful, as it can easily strip the screws if you're not gentle.
The kit came with everything you need, including a ribbon cable and pre-tinned wires. While the ribbon cables were a bit fiddly to work with, they were manageable. If you're unsure of the process, Tito’s video is an excellent guide for visual learners.
The USB-C battery mod requires you to cut the plastic nubs in the battery compartment for a proper fit. I used a portable electric dremel to remove them and applied some Kapton tape afterward for insulation.
I was able to get around 4-5 hours battery life out of a full charge with the brightness set to about 4.
Screen Quality: The Night-and-Day Difference
So, let’s talk about the real star of the show: the IPS screen. Once installed, I fired up Bonk's Adventure, and the difference was immediate. The screen was crisp, bright, and vibrant—exactly what you’d expect from an IPS display. Whether I was in a dark room or out in broad daylight, the screen was visible without having to find that “perfect angle.”
Having dealt with the backlit mods of the past, I can confidently say this is the way to go. The colors popped in a way that the old mods never quite achieved, and the adjustable brightness was a game-changer. Plus, the viewing angles made it easier to game without holding the device at a weird angle, something anyone with experience using the original screen will appreciate.
There are a few drawbacks to note. To adjust the brightness and switch display modes, the kit uses a conductive metal piece taped inside the shell. I found it’s easy to accidentally trigger, especially when using the soft reset function on the Everdrive GB. Unfortunately, the kit I purchased didn’t offer the option to mount it in a different location.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
After months of buying up broken Game Boys and giving them new life, I can confidently say that the AliExpress IPS kit is worth every penny. It’s a relatively affordable way to make your old Pocket playable again, with vibrant visuals and modern functionality. And with the addition of a battery mod, you won’t have to worry about constantly feeding it AAA batteries.
For anyone who loves to play their games (and not just display them on a shelf), this mod is a must-have. If you’ve been on the fence about modding your Game Boy Pocket, now’s the time to take the plunge.