WonderSwan Color IPS Screen Mod

Welcome to Pannda’s Marvelous Mods!

I decided to write up reviews of some of my Mods, Hardware or any interesting items. So Enjoy


First is a Mod that I just did today. Around a 2 weeks ago, I found a video with a really nice IPS screen for the Wonderswan. I have seen older mods that don’t look clean or needed case cutting. I really like my Final Fantasy edition WonderSwan Color and did not want to run the risk to ruin it but not an issue anymore.
This mod is really easy to install and looks really clean. I cost me about $50 and took 15minutes to complete.

It can from China in less then two weeks. Really nicely packed with plastic case and Anti Static shielding bag. No worries that it would of been damaged during shipping

The Kit really has everything you need. (LCD screen, PCB, cable, tape, wires and screwdrivers. And a really nice Glass Screen replacement.

Since my WonderSwan’s screen has a design and not to bad shape I won’t be replacing it.
Start by Making sure that any game and battery case is removed.

The WonderSwan Color is just being held together by 6 torx screws, carefully remove the back plate and then disconnect the screen ridden cable.

Remove the four foam pegs (try to remove any residue with some rubbing alcohol)

Solder the each of the red wires to the points pictured. ( The left wire tuck in the hole right on the battery connector. The right wire just goes over the side.)


P.S. Ignore the horrible solder Job…

Flipping the motherboard over. Solder the wire on the A+B button side to GND on the PCB, and the wire from x buttons to Bat on the PCB. Connect the Cable (blue side up) to the PCB.

Now let us work on front of the shell, remove the buttons. CAREFULLY remove the original LCD from the Front panel and I mean “carefully” as my original screen just popped looking at it, lol. You can keep the tape that was hold the original screen as it can be reused to the new LCD.

Stick on one of the Insulating film on the back of the new LCD screen and Connect the new screen to the PCB.

Stick on the other Insulating film on the back of the Motherboard and place the new LCD in the front shell (make sure to place the screen as low as you can)

Remove the film from color and brightness touch buttion and attach them to the shell.

This is the only part that I was a bit nervous to do. The cable ribbon included is just off the shelf and its not really meant for the fix, so it is extremely long and awkward to place. Attached with blue side down and do a fold as you twist the ribbon. Fold any excess ridden on the other side of the motherboard. The next part is that the ribbon is decent quality so it was not damaged with all this folding.

Close it up and before you place the screws, test it as you might need to adjust the screen if crooked. Now Look at your Wonderful WonderSwan Color in all its Bright GLORY!

Here is a screenshot before the mod and after!


With the additional touch buttons installed, you can change the brightness and color platte (more for Black and white games)

Its amazing what 5 years can do. I remember installing one of the first LCD backlights for Gameboy that involved replacing the reflective film from the screen and it would mess up 9/10 times. New Mod are either plug and play or only requesting 1/2 wires to solder.


Thanks for reading till the end.

 

let know some if there's productive feedback or stuff you want in the next one.

 

their not that expensive and there's a couple of decent Eng translations and list of games that don't require reading
http://videogamekraken.com/list-of-english-friendly-wonderswan-games
and of course WS Flash Masta (bit pricey but nice) I got one of the first betas and works fantastically
https://www.flashmasta.com/product/ws-flash-masta-usb-cartridge-for-wonderswan/

 

I ordered couple of them last week. I plan to keep one of everything untouched and mod my extra handhelds