Looking for a more 'retro' gameboy...

[ZakDendy]

I own a GBA SP (ags-001, looking to upgrade soon) but I am wanting a more retro device.

I have one problem... I'm not made up and I can't afford to go through lots of AA batteries so yeah

I am planning to mod the Gameboy so that it can be charged (like an SP) - which device would be the easiest for this?

Is this a good idea? Which Gameboy should I ultimately go for?


One more question.. I have browsed around and not sure if rechargeable AAs are recommended.. Do they work? Can I use them?

Thanks guys, love you all
Zak

 

[migles]

the original gameboy works with 4 batteries (AA)
the game boy pocket (and probably the light as well) got 2 batteries (AA too IIRC)
the colour had 2 AA batteries

there was several battery packs for each system, for example i had a battery pack that connected to the DC IN port on my colour
that battery pack also had come with a charger and also had a DC IN port for charging it. (it come from a pack with loads of accessories)
you could probably get one of thoose battery packs...
there is an official battery pack for the original DGM, from nintendo itself. but that thing was a monster and ugly xD they had released a official ac\dc adapter for the gameboy as well, but you can use a universal AC/DC transfomer (had one back in the days)

but i think thats the easiest way.. whatever system you purchache, you can get a third party battery pack sold at that time..
and if the batteries are old and probably almost dead, you can probably replace them. but you have to find a battery store that sells that type, or find information about the easiest and best way to replace them :/

or you can follow the easiest path, get twice the standarn rechargable batteries the device needs, then while you got a set of batteries charging, you play with the others and swap...

when i had the colour back in ~2000 i had rechargable batteries and they lasted much more than alkaline batteries..

i personally love the gba sp..

 

[RevPokemon]

the original gameboy works with 4 batteries (AA)
the game boy pocket (and probably the light as well) got 2 batteries (AA too IIRC)
the colour had 2 AA batteries

there was several battery packs for each system, for example i had a battery pack that connected to the DC IN port on my colour
that battery pack also had come with a charger and also had a DC IN port for charging it. (it come from a pack with loads of accessories)
you could probably get one of thoose battery packs...
there is a official charger for the original DGM, nintendo released a battery and charger for it, (and a AC DC adaptor as well) but that thing was a monster and ugly xD

but i think thats the easiest way.. whatever system you purchache, you can get a third party battery pack sold at that time..
and if the batteries are old and probably almost dead, you can probably replace them. but you have to find a battery store that sells that type, or find information about the easiest and best way to replace them :/

or you can follow the easiest path, get twice the standarn rechargable batteries the device needs, then while you got a set of batteries charging, you play with the others and swap...

when i had the colour back in ~2000 i had rechargable batteries and they lasted much more than alkaline batteries..

i personally love the gba sp..

Agreed as recharge able batteries with charger cost less than 20 USD and are much easier to get and they do work.
As for which to get I'd say a gameboy color for the extra games

 

[Digital.One.Entity]

Yeah whut Migles said....I still got this sucker sealed up wanting to put it to use

http://imgur.com/9w9tRiP
http://imgur.com/JIBK5iO

 

[raulpica]

Keep in mind that if you're used to the GBA SP which is backlight you might have a REAL bad time when playing on the GameBoy OG/Pocket/Color.

I found out I can't really play it without any kind of back/front light, so I intend on modding it asap. Actually I _did_ mod my GBC with a front light a long time ago, but I didn't like the end result.
...But I don't like the AGS-001 either (AGS-101 represent!), so that must be it

 

[migles]

Yeah whut Migles said....I still got this sucker sealed up wanting to put it to use

http://imgur.com/9w9tRiP
http://imgur.com/JIBK5iO

i love when an acessory box says "gameboy (or whatever the console is) not included"

 

[Joe88]

Just buy a ags101 since it plays everything?

 

[Arras]

Yeah, it may be not quite that retro, but the GBA SP is pretty great. Rechargable, support for everything up to gameboy advance, lit screen (the older ones are ass to play on if you're used to lit screens, it's a godsend).

 

[RevPokemon]

Just buy a ags101 since it plays everything?

Its is better than a 001 but I doubt he wants it since he has said no indication that his screen is what is bothering him

 

[migles]

hey ZakDendy
for retro-alternative, get a snes and a super game boy using a CRT tv
its still retro and much more cooler than using a wii\emulators.

Yeah, it may be not quite that retro, but the GBA SP is pretty great. Rechargable, support for everything up to gameboy advance, lit screen (the older ones are ass to play on if you're used to lit screens, it's a godsend).

i really wanted a DS with GB\C support and link cable... it would be the one of the greatest consoles

 

[raulpica]

(the older ones are ass to play on if you're used to lit screens, it's a godsend).

DAMN STR8 BRO

I hope that someday someone will come out with a backlight for the GBC. One man can dream.

 

[TecXero]

Could just take your SP and put in an original Game Boy housing. You get the retro look and feel, but the advantage of something with a proper backlight, not to mention it will be compatible with every Game Boy/Color/Advance game.

 

[raulpica]

Could just take your SP and put in an original Game Boy housing. You get the retro look and feel, but the advantage of something with a proper backlight, not to mention it will be compatible with every Game Boy/Color/Advance game.

Oh no, this kind of stuff makes my skin crawl. A system needs to be kept as authentic as possible - useful, non-intrusive mods are an exception. For example, the idea of overclocking the CPU using a dual oscillator to make Pokemon games less tedious during battles is a really nice mod

 

[migles]

Could just take your SP and put in an original Game Boy housing. You get the retro look and feel, but the advantage of something with a proper backlight, not to mention it will be compatible with every Game Boy/Color/Advance game.

that will probably be really hard to do... the gba slot is on the bottom.. for put it upside down he would had to remake the buttons..
find a place for the L\R buttons and put them..
also, the original GB slot must be modded so he doesn't get a gba cart stuck inside..

 

[TecXero]

Oh no, this kind of stuff makes my skin crawl. A system needs to be kept as authentic as possible - useful, non-intrusive mods are an exception. For example, the idea of overclocking the CPU using a dual oscillator to make Pokemon games less tedious during battles is a really nice mod

Ah, well you don't want to see most of the stuff I use then. I have no problem modifying something to fit more with what I want. Heck, if I think if I can get a better experience via an emulator, I'll go for it.

that will probably be really hard to do... the gba slot is on the bottom.. for put it upside down he would had to remake the buttons..
find a place for the L\R buttons and put them..
also, the original GB slot must be modded so he doesn't get a gba cart stuck inside..

That's true, didn't think about that. I generally just stick a flashcart in mods like that and never take them out, so not something I really think about.

 

[ZakDendy]

Its is better than a 001 but I doubt he wants it since he has said no indication that his screen is what is bothering him

Useful replies in general, so thanks everyone! And yes, RevPokemon you're right.. I have no problem with the 001 screen! If I had the spare 50/60 GBP then perhaps i would go buy the 101!

Thanks for your reply!

 

[ZakDendy]

Could just take your SP and put in an original Game Boy housing. You get the retro look and feel, but the advantage of something with a proper backlight, not to mention it will be compatible with every Game Boy/Color/Advance game.

Don't get me wrong, I've thought about this but I'd hate to mess it up!

Oh and frankly I have extremely limited soldering ability..

Unless you know how to learn soldering quickly I don't think that's something for me to plan for the near future!

Thanks for reply - and I like the idea!! I'm really not a fan of this emulator stuff.. Need buttons! Hahah!

 

[RevPokemon]

Don't get me wrong, I've thought about this but I'd hate to mess it up!

Oh and frankly I have extremely limited soldering ability..

Unless you know how to learn soldering quickly I don't think that's something for me to plan for the near future!

Thanks for reply - and I like the idea!! I'm really not a fan of this emulator stuff.. Need buttons! Hahah!

Soldering takes a while to learn to do it the right way.
Well I'd probably get a GBC if you want a more retro gameboy and also get recharge batteries as they both should cost less than a 101 and are more retro

 

[ZakDendy]

Keep in mind that if you're used to the GBA SP which is backlight you might have a REAL bad time when playing on the GameBoy OG/Pocket/Color.

What about the good ol' fashioned magnifying lens w/ light?

 

[TecXero]

You probably will mess it up your first few times. Luckily, if it's permanent damaged, original Game Boys are fairly common and cheap. Just have to learn from your mistakes and move on. I've ruined plenty of handhelds and consoles before. I just use them for spare parts after that, as I do a repair service, anyway, and spare parts are always handy.