OLED vs FBGBC vs IPS Game Boy Color Showdown!
Any comparisons I didn't check that you'd like to see?
Let me know in the comments!
There are some great upgrades and kits for Game Boy Color at the moment and it's hard to tell which one is best for you. In particular, the Q5 laminated IPS displays, the FPGBC all-in one kit and the amazing new OLED display kit have us spoiled for choice!
In this video I'll offer my thoughts on the pros and cons of each and marvel at what we have available to us as a community.
All the kits featured in this video available from Zedlabz (discount applied automatically):
www.zedlabz.co...
Visit my Amazon store front:
www.amazon.co....
Affiliate link disclaimer: I may receive a commission if you use the above links to purchase items - you will be supporting this channel at no additional cost to you, so thanks!
Music: Joe Bleeps
www.joebleeps.b...
/ joebleeps
Camera: Sony ZV-1F
Mic: Rode NT USB+
Hardware: MacBook Pro M3 Pro
Software: iMovie/Keynote
www.joebleeps.com
Пікірлер: 103
12:18 Why didn't you update it to the newest 1.08 where they added muted colors to bring down the saturation?
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Thanks for bringing that to my attention, I will check out the latest update now. That said, the saturation on the FPGBC doesn't bother me it's the OLED that could do with toning down a little. Still, looking forward to seeing what the update offers!
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Just done it! Love the much more legible font in the menu and I'm glad they added the muted colours as additional options rather than replacing them altogether. I've pinned your comment as it should be helpful to anyone else watching this, thanks!
@jackipiegg
4 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps Maybe a shorts video comparing with the oled or before/after would be great!
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
@@jackipiegg I was thinking the same thing!
@atpstudios8075
4 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps Joe! what do you think of the speaker on your FPGBC? Mine is very bass heavy and low on the treble, it sounds washed out, does your speaker sound like this? the sound on any regular gameboy or even anbernics sounds way better to me, theres more treble, this FPGBC one sounds like its muffled or something
My Funny Playing FPGBC is on the way.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
you're going to love it.
Those screens/colors are gorgeous!
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
All so good, really!
Some fab content lately Joe, bought an OLED screen off the back of your vids. Please keep it coming!
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!
Hey! A little tip for the flickering of the screens. Try and adjust the shutter speed of the camera to a different value. If you're filming on a phone that can in some cases be difficult but most if not 99% of cameras let you adjust that and get around the flickering. Another thing that might actually help is using an ND filter so that your change in shutter speed doesn't affect the brightness too much. (if you're going down in shutter speed.) Otherwise great video! (BTW I recently recreated your Green translucent xbox controller and it looks amazing. So thanks for the inspiration)
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! I'm using a camera so I'll definitely explore that further. And I'm glad to hear about the green controller! Doesn't it look awesome?
I just built one with the amoled kit and the screen is amazing. I end up using the horizontal scan lines filter on it most of the time and I think it looks really cool, almost like a crt.
@JoeBleeps
2 ай бұрын
Nice to have all those options to suit different tastes
Cinematographer here. You need to adjust your shutter speed to prevent the banding on the screen. It is not a lighting issue, it's a refresh rate issue.
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
Thank you! I'm trying to explore it further. I was just wondering if it was a conflict with the refresh rate on the lights too. I'll try different shutter speeds and see what works
@AsianWithHat
3 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps if you're shooting in 30FPS, the normal shutter speed you'll be at is 1/60s. For this case you may have to go towards 1/50s and that banding should go away for that camera angle.
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
@@AsianWithHat fantastic advice. I was indeed in 30fps
@AsianWithHat
3 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps lemme know if it does work. Best of luck.
Subscribed, great content - I'm currently stockpiling on Gameboys to mod myself.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! Much appreciated
I feel like you can't go wrong as long as it's backlit and laminated. And on the subject of buttons and membranes, you can definitely find new ones that are good. I've always had good luck with the Retro 6 Prestige and the funny playing. They can also be a little stiff at first but they break in nicely over time. Also, when it comes to DMG buttons, I recommend either the prestige Retro 6 or any brand that has a perfectly round d-pad. I had one with the mold point flat spot and while I've never had an issue with the same thing on a GameBoy Advance, it did cause problems on my DMG and I had to switch it out. It was wanting to go down or up when I pushed right
@ChewyChicken589
4 ай бұрын
Add one more membrane story: I built one of those Funnyplaying LED Game Boy Advance motherboards that you solder the CPU and Ram to. The only membranes that wanted to work properly with it were the Funnyplaying ones.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I definitely think the FunnyPlaying buttons and membranes are really good. I just got another OLED kit and I might test out the supplied butttons and membranes this time just to see how they feel.
@ChewyChicken589
4 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps The Funnyplaying ones are very nice. I just usually prefer the Retro Six ones because they feel firmer
I actually still have my loca glue front-lit gameboy color, alongside my new OLED mod. The frontlit GBC was the very first mod I did and is dear to me just for that reason
@JoeBleeps
Ай бұрын
@@BlackKraya loca glue! That's what it was called. Horrible messy stuff 😅 totally understand those reasons for keeping it
Pixel effects 4 is legit. I have this 2.45 inch ips display because I wanted to use OEM parts, and I love that effect. That drop-in screen, though, burns my eyes for some reason. I use the red tint and lowest brightness in a room that's entirely dark, and it's much nicer on the eyes
@JoeBleeps
Ай бұрын
@@LumbyMcGumby I get that sometimes, usually with the power LEDs next to the display. What's great about all the new screens is that we have the option to tweak all the settings
Interesting comparison video - thanks! I'm leaning toward the analogue pocket tbh for the residual/resale value and native compatibility with other handheld systems
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
That makes sense. It looks like a fantastic system and if you don't mind about the form factor it's a wonderful means to play original GBC games and more. I think if I was in the US I'd have bought one by now but exchange rates, import duty and their high shipping rates have made it too expensive for me to justify really. And yes, I'm well aware what I've spent on the main three consoles in this video would comfortably cover that cost but I'll conveniently ignore that fact ;)
I like the screen real-state on fpgbc
@JoeBleeps
2 ай бұрын
Same here, really nice to play on
My AMOLED screen is on the way, I really want to make the mod. Nice video Joe.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! It really is an amazing screen. And a very straightforward installation too!
Firmware 1.10 of the FPGBC has perfect Everdrive support.
@JoeBleeps
8 күн бұрын
I'll be updating this week!
The issue I have with the newer screens will always be battery life. Even with extra mods for larger capacity cells, you just aren't getting the mileage out of them. Pretty much charging after every single session otherwise it will die next session.
just got the FPGBC (fpga), and must say that I prefer it to all other options, because it a) gives us an actual option to have a completely new GBC, and more importantly b) lets us play original GB games in actual GB mode, where they just look so much nicer than what the GBC tried to do with its strange colorisation options.
@JoeBleeps
Ай бұрын
@@fryke that's a very good point and I agree
@FM4ever
29 күн бұрын
You can simply put the GB color in black and white in the boot screen by pressing left + B.
@fryke
28 күн бұрын
@@FM4ever In that mode, it looks _far worse_ than what GB mode on the fpgbc looks like and gives us 24 different monochrome colorisation options.
The OLED screen is astonishing ❤. I'm in love with that screen mod😅 Why does the oled show that shadow?? In the assembly video I didn't notice them🤔
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I think it's something to do with the refresh rate of the screen and the frequency of the led lighting I was using. Possibly even my camera. I'm going to have to investigate further, was very frustrating to discover!
@centurioneyt9235
4 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps let me know if you discover something
@johnzar1794
4 ай бұрын
My take on this is that the OLED screen uses PWM which makes the screen flicker at a higher speed to dim the brightness. It cannot be noticed by the naked eye but can be caught on camera. This may cause eye strain during longer sessions, and it’s the only potential downside of this type of screen. Have you experienced that?
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
@@johnzar1794 I haven't experienced that but to be fair, I haven't had any extended play sessions on it yet. I tend to swap between "quick fix" games on Game Boy and longer play sessions are on things like the GBA with its excellent Metroid games.
The current Funnyplaying Q5 laminated kits now have a OSD menu, so you don't need to use the touch sensor or deal with the weird GBC logo "menu".
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Oh that will be so much better! Makes it a superb option in that case
It's good to see a northerner making it on YT. Keep it up mate!
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! 😁 Not sure about making it just yet but it's going in the right direction!
the new oled is pretty, but something with the logo looks a little off :(
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
The light up logo or the nintendo logo on the shell? I've just got another kit so I'll investigate it more closely.
That OLED bugs me on cam I can see the scan lines like a CRT TV I bought one for some reason but my FPGA screen is amazing imo plus for only $150 CAD it's perfect considering a GBC these days is $120 average.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I'm in full agreement. The FPGBC really is a fantastic option. Thankfully there's no strobing on the OLED in the flesh but if you're photographing or filming it, it can be tricky
I think it's worth mentioning, how much better battery life does the OLED and FPGBC have compared to the IPS?
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I have heard that this is the case and I know there are a lot of other videos out there making the comparisons, with time lapse cameras and timers etc. I haven't the patience or time to do that and it seemed unnecessary when other people have done it already. But I appreciate it's something missing from my comparison here. I am a fan of using rechargeable AA batteries and this is something else I didn't mention. I like the weight and the balance of the console, the light weight of the LiPo battery is taking some getting used to!
thanks for real detail LCD screen comparison. I have Analogue Pocket, GBC with LCD mod, GBC with front lit, GBC original. I was wondering if I need to get OLED screen kit. now I will buy one more :) I wish they make OLED upgrade for GBA.. that would be perfect. BTW, any significant change with battery drainage ?
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
Not that I've noticed! Seems to be pretty good
Wish you could set the color logo to the original 5 colours
@JoeBleeps
8 күн бұрын
I agree, it should technically be possible too
Why can't you just put the OLED panel on the FPGBC?
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
I did think to try it but didnt want to risk damaging expensive components. I would rather someone else tried it first!
You must have been in touch with Elliot, with all those copies of Tetris.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I've just accumulated them over the years!
Now after a few months what’s your honest opinion oled or q5? I hear rumours the Oleds are getting screen burn very easily on these now so I’m torn on q5 or oled
@JoeBleeps
21 күн бұрын
@@steveothehulk not had any screen burn but I don't think I've used them enough for that. They are both great screens. If you want the wonderful deep blacks the OLED really delivers. If you want the colours less saturated the IPS is a good alternative. I've used my FPGBC more than the OLED largely because of the size of the display. Fortunately there's not a "wrong" option and I'd struggle to identify a best choice.
I was hoping this video would cover what screen looks the best compared to the original when sunbathing. As I mostly use my original GBC when it's sunny outside in the garden or on beach or buy the pool on holiday?
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
The original screen is hard to beat in those situations! Don't get much sunshine here so a backlit screen is best for me. Your batteries will last a lot longer!
@timbaker5353
3 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps Thanks for getting back to me. I have the back lit modded IPS GBA that I also use for indoor GBC and GB games but hate how you only have the option of stretched or small windowed views of my GB and GBC games. So if I wanted to build a new GBC with a bigger screen and had to choose just one GBC with a modded screen to take on holiday. What screen type OLED or IPS would you say gives the best image in bright sunshine?
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
@@timbaker5353 it's torrential rain here right now but when it's next sunny I'll give both a try, although I'd expect the stronger contrast of the OLED to give it the competitive edge
They now need to make a FPGA Gameboy Advance so they can call it the "FPGBA".
@JoeBleeps
14 күн бұрын
That would really be fantastic. I hope they do.
Thank you!
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
You're welcome
Brilliant video mate! What is your preferred screen for the DMG?
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
The FunnyPlaying Q5 IPS with the retro pixel grid and the oversized display for DMG is pretty fantastic.
@ashgunshorn7497
4 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps thanks I’ll check that out
@drivenbyfate
4 ай бұрын
As a person that has been trying like all the DMG screens out there, the funnyplaying retropixel q5 is the best. I actually like the look of the hispeedido q5 screen the most, however the bracket design makes it so that there is a pressure spot where the screen connects to their PCB...always makes a bright spot on the screen when displaying black colors. Also the contrast wheel is large so you have to leave the shell a bit loose for it to work. The funnypmaying screen has a better bracket design that evenly spreads pressure across the screen, so not bright spots. Contrast wheel is also smaller and works well. Do not get cloudgamestore DMG screens. They have a lot of graphical glitches.
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
@@drivenbyfate very helpful information, thanks!
What about the transflective display I have one they work in sun and in the dark great
@JoeBleeps
2 ай бұрын
I'll have to do some research into those!
@adamstone4261
2 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps I think this is the same one I had I have to check but it’s one that fits the oem case
How would you compare to the analog pocket screen?
@JoeBleeps
3 ай бұрын
Alas, I don't have an analog pocket but from what I've seen and heard, none of these are as good as that one.
Great video, just what the doctor ordered :)
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I am really glad you liked it!
Do we know if the OLED plugs into the FPGBC
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I haven't tried it yet because I don't want to risk damaging my FPGBC or oled screen or both! I'll wait for someone else to try it. Although I did hear the FPGBC works with other Q5 screens so that's encouraging
I'm still not finished watching the video, but I really want to use FPGBC display to mod an OG GBC. Is it compatible to original hardware?
@JoeBleeps
4 ай бұрын
I don't think it is, at least you wouldn't get the larger display if you connected it
Oled is best.
@JoeBleeps
Ай бұрын
It's really good isn't it
34:47 Is that really oled's minimum brightness? Wow, what a dealbreaker.
@JoeBleeps
2 ай бұрын
Yeah, it doesn't drop very low
@jackipiegg
2 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps Wow, is it playable in a totally dark room? Or will you blind yourself. Let me put it this way, is it safe for an 8 year old to play it in a dark room without destroying his eyes.
@JoeBleeps
2 ай бұрын
@@jackipiegg that's a good point. I've never played in a totally dark room but I'll try it later. Can't see it being a huge issue, it looks brighter on the camera I think
@jackipiegg
2 ай бұрын
@@JoeBleeps Really? I'm on the fence on getting it, tbh the only thing that worries me is the minimum brightness. Example, I can only use my iphone 13 at 5% brightness in bed, anything more it will be uncomfortable. Do let us know if its comparable to 5% brightness to phones.
@JoeBleeps
2 ай бұрын
@@jackipiegg will do