3D Printed Gameboy Color

The Game Boy Color holds a special place in the hearts of many, including myself. It was a cornerstone of my youth, a companion on long car rides, and a gateway to countless adventures. Inspired by my fond memories and a desire to blend nostalgia with modern design, I’ve created a custom 3D-printed housing to give your beloved Game Boy Color a fresh and contemporary look.

In this Instructable, I’ll guide you through the process of transforming your original Game Boy Color using a 3D-printed housing that I’ve redesigned. This project allows you to rebuild your Game Boy Color by reusing its original motherboard and other internal components, breathing new life into your classic device.

The new housing is designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, providing a modern touch while maintaining the charm of the original console.

To complete this project, you’ll need:

• An original Game Boy Color (you'll be reusing the motherboard and other internal parts)
• The redesigned 3D-printed housing STL files, available at https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/gameboy-color-bryanu
• Tools for disassembly and reassembly

The STL files include detailed components tailored to fit perfectly with the original hardware, ensuring a smooth and precise rebuild. https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/gameboy-color-bryanu

By the end of this guide, your Game Boy Color will be encased in a unique, custom-designed housing that not only protects it but also turns it into a stunning piece of art. Whether you're a retro gaming enthusiast or just looking to preserve a piece of your childhood, this project is a fantastic way to combine nostalgia with creativity.

Ready to embark on this journey of transformation? Let’s bring your Game Boy Color back to life with a fresh, new look!

Tools

• Tri-wing tip screwdriver 2.5
• Cross tip screwdriver 0
• Opening plectrum
• Pliers
• 3D printer
• Heat gun (optional)

Materials

Gameboy Color

parts that will be reused:

• Mothorboard and LCD
• Screen
• Start/Reset button
• Plastic part on the right top
• 4 cross-head screws
• 6 Y-head screws
• Rubber parts from A, B and cursor button
• Battery clip
• Metal plate

parts that are printed with PLA

• Housing front and back
• A and B button
• Cursor button
• On/Off button

Flip the Game Boy:

• Place your Game Boy Color face down, with the screen facing downwards.

Remove the Back Screws:

• Using the tri-wing screwdriver, remove the six screws from the back housing.

Unscrew the Metal Plate:

• Use the Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the metal plate from the back housing.

Detach the Battery Clip:

• Carefully remove the battery clip from the housing using a small flat-head screwdriver.

Remove Motherboard Screws:

• Unscrew the three screws holding the motherboard to the front cover using the Phillips screwdriver.
• Remove the On/Off button.

Remove the Internal Components:

• Gently lift the motherboard, LCD screen, and all buttons (A, B, directional, Start/Select) away from the housing.

Remove the lens

• The lens is glued on the front cover. Use the opening plectrum to separate the lens from front cover. A heat gun would help but in my case it was not necessary.

Parts to Print:

• Front cover
• Back cover
• A button
• B button
• On/Off button
• Directional (cursor) button
• Battery cover

Download STL Files:

• Access the necessary STL files from https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/gameboy-color-bryanu

Printer and Material:

• Printer: Bambu Lab X1-Carbon or P1P with 0.4 mm nozzle.
• Material: Regular PLA provided by Bambu.
• Print Bed: High-temperature plate with Bambu glue applied.

Settings for Front and Back Covers - 6hrs - 90 grams

• Orientation: Covers positioned at a 45° angle from vertical.
• Layer Height: 0.12 mm (Fine)
• Wall Loops: 3
• Supports:
• Tree support, slim
• Threshold angle: 35°
• Raft layers: 2
• First layer expansion: 5 mm
• Top Z distance: 0.4 mm
• Other: No brim

Settings for Battery Cover, Cursor, A/B Buttons, and On/Off Button - 1.5hrs - 13 grams

• Orientation:
• Battery cover: Vertical position.
• Cursor: Arrows facing downwards.
• A and B buttons: Letters facing upwards.
• On/Off button: Horizontal position.
• Layer Height: 0.12 mm (Fine)
• Wall Loops: 3
• Supports:
• Tree support, slim
• Threshold angle: 35°
• Top Z distance: 0.4 mm
• Other: No brim

Post-Printing:

• Once printing is complete, carefully remove all support material using pliers

Install Buttons:

• Insert the directional (cursor) button, A button, B button, and Start/Select button into their positions on the printed front cover.

Install Rubber Pads:

• Place the rubber pads over the A and B buttons and the directional (cursor) button.

Position the LCD Screen:

• Carefully fit the LCD screen into the designated area of the printed front cover.

Install the Motherboard:

• Gently place the motherboard onto the front cover, ensuring proper alignment with the LCD screen and buttons.

Secure the Motherboard:

• Fasten the motherboard to the front cover using three screws.

Attach Metal Plate:

• Secure the metal plate to the back cover using four screws.

Install On/Off Button and Plastic Part:

• Place the On/Off button and the small black plastic piece on the top of the front cover.

Assemble Housing:

• Align the back cover with the front cover and secure them together using the six screws.

Insert Battery Clip:

• Position the battery clip in the housing.

Insert Batteries:

• Insert 2 AA batteries into the battery compartment.

Install Lens:

• Install the lens on the front cover to protect the LCD screen. you can use a small amount of glue in this step.

Ready to Play:

• Your Game Boy is now assembled and ready for use.