InfoSearched
Published -
- February 13, 2020
- 5:20 am
After a while of searching, I was able to find a bad enough Game Boy for my restoration videos only for $2.
Usually, I have to pay a little extra for the worst items. The console was sold as junk and for spares but pretty much everything except the speaker is broken. The mother board doesn’t power on. The shell is badly yellowed. Stickers are in terrible condition and the screen is badly burned. I will try to restore this fully rather than use it as spares for easier projects because I’d still have to fix most of the parts.
I started the restoration by trying to get the power on. First I tried to clean corroded contacts but that was of no use. The power switch was working fine which meant the board was bad. Luckily I was able to find the broken part with a second GB color I have. The connection from one battery terminal had broken quite near the terminal I soldered a wire between the spots that were supposed to have a connection and it worked. This might not always work because it might leave something out of the circuit.
The corroded terminal was had to clean while it was on the board so I desoldered it and removed the corrosion with rust remover, after which it was plated with nickel. Nickel will protect it from corrosion to a certain extent.
Now that I had power I could fix the screen. To fix “screen burn” I need to remove the burn polarizing filter and replace It with a new one. A sharp blade can be used to get the start but after that, the filter will peel off by hand. Some of the glue will stay on the screen. I removed it with Isopropyl alcohol. All glue must be removed or the new polarizing filter will have bubbles. When putting a new polarizing filter on one must figure out which way the polarizing filter works best on the screen. It will only work at a certain angle.
I also removed the yellowing from the plastic shell which was supposed to be colorless. For this, I used the same retro lighting method as always. H2O2 and UV-light
How has the resurgence of retro consoles and games impacted the gaming industry as a whole?
The world of video gaming is more sophisticated than ever before, with cutting-edge graphics, advanced artificial intelligence and complex storylines available at our fingertips. However, in the midst of this technological revolution, there is a growing trend for gamers to revisit old-school consoles and games, finding a charm and simplicity that cannot be matched by modern machines. One such gamer is YouTuber ‘He Restored This’, who has gained a significant following through his videos documenting the restoration and repair of classic consoles. In this article, we will explore his work in restoring a $2 eBay junk Game Boy Color, and the appeal of retro gaming in the modern era.
The Game Boy Color was released by Nintendo in 1998, building upon the success of the original Game Boy with a colour screen and improved processing power. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with millions of children and adults alike engrossed in timeless titles such as Pokémon, Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. However, as with all technological products, the passage of time has seen many Game Boy Colors fall into disrepair, or become victims of neglect.
In steps ‘He Restored This’, who saw an opportunity to bring a forgotten machine back to life. After purchasing a broken Game Boy Color from eBay for just $2, he set to work dismantling and cleaning the device, painstakingly replacing corroded parts and testing circuits to ensure functionality. It was a laborious process, but with his carefully honed skills and knowledge of electronic repair, he was able to restore the Game Boy Color to its former glory.
What is perhaps most remarkable about the restoration, however, is not the technical feat itself, but the appeal it holds for nostalgic gamers. The Game Boy Color is a potent symbol of a simpler, more innocent time, where children could lose themselves for hours in imaginary worlds without the distractions of smartphones or social media. The resurgent popularity of retro consoles, and the efforts of people like ‘He Restored This’, speak to a longing for experiences that are accessible, intuitive and fun – values that may be seen as lacking in some modern games.
Furthermore, the restoration work has a practical benefit, in that it prevents valuable pieces of gaming history from being lost forever. Even if certain games or consoles are no longer available on the market, the ability to restore them means that future generations can appreciate their design, innovation and cultural significance. It is a testament to the resilience of technology, and the creativity and passion of those who seek to keep it alive.
In conclusion, ‘He Restored This’ has revived a Game Boy Color from the depths of obscurity, and in doing so, has tapped into a powerful sentiment that transcends mere nostalgia. The appeal of retro games lies not only in their playability, but in the connections they evoke with our past selves and our shared culture. The restoration and repair of classic consoles is a vital and fascinating pursuit, preserving memories and experiences for years to come.
