Cool Uncle Mods: Gameboy Pocket Color - Tips, Tricks, and More

Let's build Bucket Mouse's Gameboy Pocket Color! I have been so excited to finally work on this mod and it's hands down my favorite result so far. I wanted to share my process with you along with things I learned along the way. This is absolutely no substitute for Bucket Mouse's instructions, but I hope it provides a bit of a supplement and gives you the confidence to work on your own. Whether that be today, tomorrow, or next year. Don't forget - anyone can learn to solder!

00:00 Introduction
01:15 Bucket Mouse's MGBC Board
04:00 Gauging your Skill Level
08:00 Hot Air vs Hot Plate - Uncle's Personal Technique
11:25 Tips for Prepping Your Space
13:46 Harvesting GBC Components with a Solder Sucker
15:50 Basic Soldering Workflow
18:39 Under the Microscope: Close-ups and Tips
24:25 Desoldering & Soldering IC Chips
30:20 Soldering the FFC Connector
31:54 Bridges on IC Chips
33:44 Soldering Large Components
35:58 Bridging for AAAs
36:18 Drag Soldering Compilation
38:40 Soldering Cart Slot
39:27 Display Options
42:24 Shell Choices & Issues
44:02 Trimming Shell for GBC buttons
44:56 AAA Battery Showdown feat. XTAR 1.5V AAAs!
47:42 Concluding Thoughts & Tips
50:38 Full Board vs Half Board - Which is easier?
53:01 My Final Build!
54:50 Conclusion

LINKS
Get your own XTAR batteries and play for longer: https://rb.gy/d5iv3o [non-affiliated]
Get your MGBC Cosmetics, Q5 Display, and more at Retro Modding and use code COOLUNCLE for 5% off: https://rb.gy/tqcemc
Get $5 off your first order at PCBWay: https://pcbway.com/g/mSy5k1
Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/yourcoolunclemarisa

RESOURCES
Buy your (unassembled) boards from Bucket Mouse: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mousebitela...
Gameboy Pocket Color Github: https://github.com/MouseBiteLabs/Game...
JackV_Makes:   / jackv_makes  
MGBC Board Comparison: https://www.rearvuemirror.com/reviews...
Frogulator: https://froggocustoms.com/ (Please note the frogulator's low battery indicator is not triggered by XTAR batteries)
Q5 Display from RetroModding: http://rb.gy/3afgvk
Q5 Display from AliExpress: https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtEGMsA
CGS 2.6inch Display: https://a.aliexpress.com/_msSkFkK

Find me elsewhere:
Join Cool Uncle's Discord:   / discord  
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/cooluncle.bs...
Art & Builds: www.instagram.com/smallfriendpeddler
Personal IG: www.instagram.com/marisamoureau
Tik-Tok:   / coolunclemarisa  

Music Credit: smooth cuppa from beats to chillout to © 2022 by foxxymulderr is licensed under Attribution 4.0 International.