Introduction:

This guide will walk you through the installation of the Backlit LCD kit for the Game Boy Pocket. Please kindly note that this is a DIY mod, and we can not accept any returns or offer refunds on backlight kits that were damaged in installation.

Required Materials:

• Game Boy Pocket
• MGB Backlit LCD Kit
• Tri-Wing and Philips head screwdrivers
• Kapton tape
• Soldering Iron & Solder
• Stranded 30 AWG insulated wire
• Wire strippers

Step 1: Disassembly

The first thing you will be required to do in order to install the LCD is disassemble your MGB (Game Boy Pocket). Be sure to keep all the small pieces, such as screws, together in a safe place to avoid losing them. You can also remove the old LCD at this point, by disconnecting the ribbon cable from the PCB. 

Step 2: Prepare the Bracket

The MGB backlight kit includes a laser cut bracket for the LCD that comes in three pieces. You will see the pieces are labeled top, left, and right, and should be positioned in the front of your MGB shell accordingly. This will allow you to position the LCD in the front of the shell, and provides a snug, centered fit for the LCD in the viewport of the shell.

Step 3: Install the LCD

As the first step of installation, we strongly recommend using Kapton tape to insulate the back of the LCD. Next, connect the ribbon cable on the LCD to the backlight PCB. You will see there are a pair of white lines on the ribbon cable to indicate how far a properly connected ribbon cable will be inserted; the connection should go up to these white lines. Fold the LCD ribbon cable up so that it is behind the LCD, and fold it a second time so that the backlight PCB is touching the back of the LCD. The end result should be similar to the photo below. 

Next, connect the ribbon cable on the backlight PCB to the console, where the old LCD used to be connected. Fold this ribbon cable, so that the LCD is now sitting on the front of the console, and the two solder points on the backlight ribbon cable are on the back. 

It's worth noting that the backlight PCB has an attached touch brightness controller. While the MGB does not have a spot for this brightness controller to be readily accessible, we have found that it can detect touch if slotted in the side of the shell, as shown in the photo below. With some creative modification to the MGB shell, this touch controller could also be installed in a more obviously-accessible way. Alternatively, this controller can be completely desoldered, and the backlight can be used at a static brightness. 

Step 4: Solder the Backlight

In order to draw the power required by the kit, two connections must be made. Solder the left pad (when looking at the console from the back) on the backlight ribbon cable to C28, and the right pad to the power switch, as seen in the photo below.

IMPORTANT: The most recent revision of this kit does not have a left solder pad, and no connection to C28 is required. If using a kit with only a single solder pad, only the connection to the power switch is required. 

Step 5: Reassembly

At this point, your backlight is installed! All that's left to do is reassemble your console, and enjoy your favourite DMG games on the Pocket regardless of the lighting condition!