Custom Built DMG-102
- Jesse Perez
- Oct 10, 2016
- 3 min read
I received a commissions request to build a DMG-102. So, what is a DMG-102? I will Explain. When the Original Nintendo Game boy was Released, it's model number was DMG-01, "Dot Matrix Graphics - version 1" It took the video gaming industry by storm! Portable, Battery Powered, Game Boy broke all records because of its low cost and later, its Huge range of game titles! One thing that it lacked, a back-lit screen. Because of this, you were able to get days of battery life instead of only hours like the color consoles at the time. Game Boy Color, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Advance, also did not have any light as well. It was not until the Game Boy Advance SP when a light was included with the screen.
The first Advance SP dubbed the AGS-001 had a front light. You didn't need the goose neck light anymore but it was still not so very clear as you can see, the right Game Boy in the picture. The Second Generation was dubbed AGS-101. This is the left game boy in the picture. you can see the image quality is drastically better. This is because the AGS-101 has an LED Back-lit display.
The Electronics inside the SP are small enough to fit inside the shell of the original 1989 Game Boy. Other Modders like me, (people who modify the shell and electronics to do something that originally was not meant to do) use the combined model numbers to denote a custom built Game Boy. DMG-101, and DMG-102. the 101 is the same as 102 in terms of modification and internal electronics. the difference is DMG-101 only has the original Game Boy color enabled, so the screen is smaller and functions exactly like an Original Game Boy or Game Boy color, just with the crisp LED Back-Lit screen! DMG-102 is the full Game Boy Advance SP enabled with the larger LED Screen and additional Shoulder buttons installed. This is the version I will be showing you today.
Here they are My Donors. Original Game Boy 1989 and the Advance SP 101! This is the process of taking the little console and custom building it into the bigger shell. but i need to get some parts to make this work. So here they are.
Instead of Hacking up an original Game Boy, they sell replacement parts such as Shells and button boards. Before, you used to have to saw the original board inside completely in half to get buttons, but now its easy to just order them already cut to size.
Now comes the fun part of prepping the components. You really have to be comfortable with electronics modifying and very precise soldering skills. Patience is definitely required when attempting something like this.
Now we must extend all the components to be able to place them in their proper locations. imagine soldering 32 wires to the game cart plug.
Black dots denote the trigger side of the buttons. everything else is common ground. Look at that pile of wires!
Button board installed now to wire up all 32 leads to the game cartridge plug. Once all is done, we should test it.
Success! Now we need to make this all fit inside the new shell. Time to bring out the rotary tool and start cutting!
Now we need to do finishing touches, adding ports and installing the shoulder buttons. but that will be for another time. Till then, subscribe to my page and check out all my social media. also click the "Twitch" logo
and follow my channel, you may be able to see some of this and other work "LIVE" on stream!
Thanks for Checking out my blog!
Comments