The Game Boy is one of the most iconic handheld gaming consoles ever made, there’s no debate about that. This simple but genius design of a directional pad, a handful of buttons and a dot-matrix screen has resulted in endless memories for gamers both new and old. Endlessly battered around by kids playing Pokemon during recess or adults fiddling with Tetris during a lunch break, the hefty Nintendo console was no slouch in reliability. However, thanks to a long-awaited metal shell mod, I now have the power to create my ideal Game Boy DMG.
Created by Boxy Pixel, this metal shell mod offers a clean look and improved resilience, which inspired me to put together a beast of an aftermarket Game Boy. It’s by far one of my most anticipated mods in recent memory and by most means, it lives up to the hype. As always, if you plan on installing this mod yourself, I recommend checking out my installation video tutorial for step-by-step instructions. Today, I’m digging into the latest creation from Boxy Pixel as I install this mod and use it to create the ultimate Game Boy DMG!
"Overall, the Game Boy DMG machined aluminum shell mod from Boxy Pixel is an easy-to-install product that turns a simple system into a sleek machine with a premium finish."
The Boxy Pixel Metal Shell Makes the Dream Game Boy DMG a Reality
The Game Boy DMG CNC machined aluminum shell is the newest mod released by Boxy Pixel, and it’s no surprise that it’s a decent product, as they’ve been a consistent source of great shells for years. I’ve covered their work on my YouTube channel several times in the past, and considering their positive track record and my love for metal shells, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. If you’re in the same boat and want to install the mod on your Game Boy, you’ll need a few parts to get started. In addition to the Boxy Pixel Game Boy shell kit, you’ll also need the top and bottom battery isolators, as well as three battery contacts. As far as buttons are concerned, you are free to use whatever you’d like, but I personally couldn’t resist the machined button set.
If you’ve got all the parts ready, you’re all set to begin the installation. I went all out with this mod, even adding in an OSD IPS kit and an IPS power booster, but these parts are entirely optional. Installing this mod is pretty simple, but before you drop your extracted motherboard and components into the shell, be sure to prepare your battery isolators first by attaching the three battery contacts (two on the bottom isolator and one on the top). Now, you can drop the top isolator into the shell, followed by the power switch cover, then attach the motherboard and audio board with the fasteners included in the kit. For the bottom battery isolator, simply snug it into the battery compartment and screw it in place, completing the rear shell.
For the front shell, simply drop in your chosen buttons and button membranes, then install your original dot-matrix screen or fresh IPS kit. After ensuring the ribbon cable between the screen and motherboard is secure, you can combine the two halves of the metal shell and screw them in place. Flipping the unit over, you’re now ready to install the glass screen lens, thereby completing the mod. All that’s left is to pop in some batteries and start playing!
The Pros, Cons, and Features of the Boxy Pixel Metal Shell Mod
I’m already a big fan of Boxy Pixel’s work and this machined aluminum shell for the Game Boy DMG only further solidified my opinion. The installation is ridiculously easy, requiring very little soldering or precision, even if you choose to add a fancy IPS kit like me. As soon as you pick up your new Game Boy, you’ll notice that it’s significantly sturdier than before, as the Boxy Pixel mod is approximately 30% heavier than the original Game Boy shell. I also really appreciated the traditional AA battery compartment as opposed to the internalized rechargeable batteries as seen with other Boxy Pixel shells.
Overall, the Game Boy DMG machined aluminum shell mod from Boxy Pixel is an easy-to-install product that turns a simple system into a sleek machine with a premium finish. It feels smooth and solid in the hands, can easily fit both custom IPS kits and original dot-matrix displays, and has been future-proofed to allow for both traditional and rechargeable battery solutions. The only real downside to this shell is the price, as it will run you upwards of $150 (not including the price of core components or additional mods and button sets). However, despite the higher price, this is still a fantastic mod that I wholeheartedly recommend.
