Retro Handhelds

Some of the collections I've seen blow my mind, and I remember saying 'I used to own that, and that, and that too!'

Fortunately, I always held onto my Gameboys.

With the exception of restoring one awhile back (DMG), I recently modified my GBA and replaced the shell on my GBC.

This is my Original Gameboy. Got it as a gift many years ago for Christmas, only for my sister to ruin the screen some time later (threw it in the bathtub). Fortunately, these are cheap to fix and parts are plentiful.

Put in a used LCD screen, new glass, and cleaned the insides including the membranes -



I got this one some time later after I moved. Got it used of course. These were the 'Play It Loud' variants offered in a variety of colors -



Next up are my Gameboy Pockets. I always thought it was odd that the silver model didn't have a Power On indicator -





Here's one you don't see everyday, considering it was only released in Japan, the Gameboy Light -



I don't really have a recent one of my Gameboy Color in its original shell with the exception of the few I took earlier when I replaced the shell so here you go -



There were two variants that were extremely limited in number if you wanted to get a 'Black' or 'Transparent Black' GBC. Rather than track one of those rare models and pay up the nose, I took my Lime shell and replaced it with a reproduction model.

Pictures for your enjoyment -







My two Gameboy Advance models, one stock and one modified -





If you couldn't tell, the Black one is modified. Mods done to this are a new shell, new buttons, and best of all, an IPS LCD display.

More pictures for your enjoyment -



The old shell with the old screen in place. If I could source a motherboard, I could have yet another GBA -



Have to test it out before adhering the display to the new shell -



All back together -



And finally my Gameboy Advance SP. Funny thing about this one is, I bought it for my younger brother new when it first came out. He let me have it as a means to add to my collection -



Be curious to see what handheld consoles everyone else here owns, whether modded or stock!

 

Besides a few game boy colors, anyone remember Sega Gamegear? I have a couple

 

I used to have one as a kid but man I hated how it ate through batteries like crazy!

I kind of want one again now

 

Man I used to have one of these bad boys! It was pretty ahead of it's time when it came to handhelds. Did kill batteries like @Kwikvette said and remember parking myself next to the outlet many times lol. I never kept any of the handhelds except for the Gameboy Advanced SP we have solely for Pokemon Pinball.

 

I know it's not a retro handheld, but it's a handheld throwback to the Original Zelda Part I & II (NES) and what is considered Part III (Gameboy).

So it was only fitting that I took a pic of my new handheld that my wife got me, with my old and complete Zelda games -





I do have Link's Awakening for Gameboy but I don't have an original box or literature so it doesn't make the cut.

 

Seriously cool how you modified these old handhelds!

I only have a Green GameBoy... not a color screen though. I think its a GameBoy pocket. Its packed somewhere in a bin with all my other old consoles i've collected over time.

 

I had the Game Gear with the TV tuner adapter. That thing was awesome as a kid- TV anywhere!

 

And think, you can bring it all up to snuff for just a few bucks.

They have battery packs available too that charge via USB-C and more.

 

I think these were from the 80's? I keep reminding myself to get batteries.

 

You're gonna make me dig out my Atari Lynx

 

Old school for sure!

Be surprised how quickly these sold out; I got one cause my wife pre-ordered it through Gamestop

 

I'm dating myself.

 

YES!!!! I loved that thing. My buddy had one growing up and I really liked the skateboarding joust game.

Edit: Skate or Die?

 

I missed this, lol. I was sick for a week over this time.

I kind of remember that game? I don't have it though. Only a few sonic and Fifa soccer games, and Last Action Hero, HA!. I had more but who knows where they went over the last 30 or so years

BUT, picked up one of these yesterday. Damn near perfect match for my Gameboy color and N64 controller.

 

Took a page out of your book and got back into some of my old handhelds.

Kept my GBC Atomic purple stock, replaced the lens, it was pretty jacked. Cleaned it pretty good too, my start button kept sticking and was gunked up pretty good.

GBC Green, replaced the speaker, lens and went with a backlit screen and cleaned. A bit smaller but wow, love this thing now. How did I grow up without the backlit screen?! The OG GB with the magnifier and light never really did it, but I managed. Wish I still had it though.





also fixed my NES. Cleaned and replaced the 72 pin connector. This easy $10-12 fix blew my mind. Fires up every time first try.



going through a lot of my GB / GBC games and replacing batteries. Some of the dates on them are from 1999. I have some CR1616 tabbed batteries, but I guess I need to pick up some CR2025 ones.

while on the binge, re-shelled one of my N64's to transparent purple (grape?) Not atomic like I'd like, but it'll do... for now.




EDIT: also thinking about picking up a GBA. Thinking of going with a non SP and modding it with a back lit screen and rechargeable battery. Thinking of going this route over an SP for comfort. Not too worried about the size and folding part.

 

also on the hunt for these games.

Currently playing Zelda: A link to the past on SNES.

 

I have my SP somewhere on my desk. The OEM battery died and I think I may have bought a replacement.

 

back lit or front lit one? AGS-001 / AGS-101