The Pocket Color — Modding a GBC to Fit Inside a GBP Shell

May 13, 2026

There exist many options to build a Game Boy Pocket Color, which is putting a Game Boy Color into the shell of a Game Boy Pocket. In order to do this mod it requires desoldering and resoldering at minimum the CPU and RAM of a GBC onto a new custom motherboard and some or all of the GBC components. JackVMakes, a very well known modder in the community, who also makes custom MGB boards, wrote up a very helpful review in 2023 on these boards. I’ll summarize the findings here with some brief updates since.

  • Bucket Mouse - Game Boy Pocket Color (Etsy, Github PCB, PCBWay)

    • All new modernized components (approx $40USD) with mainly GBC CPU, RAM, cartridge reader transfer; NO IR support

    • Tactile buttons (optional), new amplifier, thumbwheel toggle for IPS kits

  • n64freak - Pocket-Color (Email purchase info)

    • Direct 1:1 faithful transfer of a GBC board to fit on a MGB size board retaining the same features retaining IR support

    • Additional features for IPS kits of added VIAs to solder for A, B, Start, Select; and Navigation wheel solder points for Common, GND, Up, Push, Down

  • Skimzor - SZ-POCO (Ko-fi message creator to purchase)

    • GBC donor transfer board that does not use all the components, optimized for Q5 IPS screen, components are spaced out, sold as a 4-layer board; retains IR support

    • Tactile buttons (optional) has solder points for IPS screen kits Select/A/B

  • NatalieTheNerd - YAPoCo (NTN Store, Github PCB, PCBWay)

    • GBC donor transfer board that uses most but not all components; NO IR support

    • Feb 2025 update includes BATT+ and 5V solder points as well as Select/A/B for IPS kits, thumbwheel toggle for IPS kits

    • Board pairs well with her Safer Charge DC + Safer Charge Battery Indicator mods

    • Her website has a helpful interactive BOM tool

The Build Materials

  • Super OSD Q5 IPS LCD Kit - For all mods it is generally recommended to use a kit that has an on screen display enabled to allow for vertical/horizontal position adjustment

    • PCB Only - Should you only need the PCB if you already have a Q5 screen or have gone through the hoops to get yourself a taobao/superbuy proxy laminated screen. I have purchased from this link before and received both the PCB with the GBC ribbon cable even though it states it is the PCB only (some other reviewer noted this too). However, I can’t say that will be true in the future.

  • Q5 Ready GBP Shell - These shells are ideal they come in solid and translucent colors. No trimming, headache free.

    • FunnyPlaying’s RetroPixel GBP Shell - Same as above

    • “Original IPS” GBP Shells - These are the older “water transparent” and glossy color shells require trimming for Q5 OSD screens and will leave a mark at the top for clear shells if using conventional craft knives. If you use these I would recommend the opaque colored ones if you want to avoid the cut at the top of the screen for clear shells.

    • Joseph Tompkins POCO Laminated Display compatible files - 3D print GBP front shell that is compatible with laminated GBC screens. You still need a back shell. I have not tested this yet but plan to in the future. It looks very promising in my fitment tests!

  • GBP Buttons “IPS Ready”, GBP Buttons Gamenaissance - Look for buttons that are similar to these kinds. I’ve noticed that the higher quality feeling ones have a rounded D-Pad edged corner. Lower quality feeling and looking buttons have a more sharper edged corner for the D-Pad. Perhaps this is just a matter of opinion.

  • DigitalDanceHall High Quality Speaker GBC
  • FunnyPlaying Clear GBC Speaker

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