Trying to Save These Rare Broken Pokémon Game Boys!
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
► ifixit.com/tronicsfix
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Broken Pokémon Game Boys - But Can I Fix Them?! I bought 3 broken Game Boy Color Pokémon Editions to see if I could get them fully working again. Issues include: won't power on, distorted screen image, bad sound, corrosion from the batteries, and possible drop damage.
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Tools I Use:
-Protech Toolkit: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/90il5y
-Torx Security T8: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/AEcBvZL
-PH00 Phillips: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/YGVSSv
-Tweezer Set: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/t0VrlcX
-Electric Screwdriver: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/2wbHzJ
-Thermal Paste: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/q2Prd
-Canned Air: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/CPYy
Equipment Used:
-Hakko Hot Air Station: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/y2JDR
-Nozzle for hot air station: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/zpEWlT
-Hakko Soldering Station: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/MTL0qb
-Hakko Air Filter: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/Gqznh
-Digital Microscope: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/fAw8d4Q
-Stereo Microscope: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/WBO3b
-Kester Solder: Amazon (paid link) geni.us/ETXUh
→Business Inquiries Email: steve@tronicsfix.com
TronicsFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. All material provided within this KZread channel is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.
TronicsFix does not make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this channel and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this channel. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not TronicsFix. Please do not attempt anything contained in this video unless you accept personal responsibility for the results, whether they are good or bad.
(*We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.)
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The music used in this video does not require attribution.
Пікірлер: 312
Want more Gameboy fixes? I bought every (US) color of original Gameboy to see if I could fix them: kzread.info/dash/bejne/o3V9wZhxpcjRoqQ.html
@A7mag3ddon
Жыл бұрын
Oh.. just got to the cart slot part and you mentioned vinegar lol. Why don't you use it on boards too?
@subspecs
Жыл бұрын
19:40 Bruh, try replacing the screen, had a kid once bite into the thing and cracked the screen internally. :p
I had one of these as a kid. Dropped it in the toilet while I took a leak. When we took it back to walmart I said I dropped it in the toilet out loud but the clerk still gave us a refund, what an OG
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Lol, that's hilarious! Definitely a generous clerk. Returns were a lot harder back then.
@PunchKickBlog
Жыл бұрын
Nobody plays portables outside. Portables are for the crapper and the nightstand. Period.
@revengenerd1
Жыл бұрын
@@Tronicsfix The UK was no better, I had a broken OG Playstation took it back to store within a hour of purchase and the staff told me to go to manufacturer (the go to thing stores tell you to do in the UK) when by law the contract is who you purchase it from, and if you go to manufacturer direct you lose your rights. I stood my ground and was told I must of intentionally broke it for a refund, swapped it around with a broken one, and even because I knew my rights I was a scammer, I had to phone head office. Another time was a DOA 360 Elite and same issue and the staff even tried shouting at me as there was a queue forming and of course tried to make the customers angry at ME for holding up the queue, there was staff standing about and walking about who didn't go on a till on purpose.
@GoofyPoptart
Жыл бұрын
@@PunchKickBlog Wrong I play my Steam Deck outside all the time what are you on about?
@GoofyPoptart
Жыл бұрын
@@PunchKickBlogLiterally had it at the park with me yesterday while I was waiting on someone.
I've bought and fixed up a few broken lots of GBCs as a hobby business. In general, the capacitor labeled C38 is related to audio grounding and is pretty much always the cause of speakers no longer working. This capacitor should get replaced when the speaker has visible rust. If you replace the speaker without the capacitor, you just invite a newly broken speaker in short order. For GBC #2, the screen issue most likely due corrosion around capacitor C35. That one connects power to the screen. While the cap itself looked okay, the contacts looked like they were corroded. Fix might need quite a bit of work with jumper wires, so I'd definitely put this one in my "fixable in spare time" pile. GBCs are so old at this point that replacing all three of the larger capacitors (C32, C35, and C38) in every single system, working or not, is recommended since they're at end-of-life. I make sure to do so for every system I fix up and resell.
@thestevecalisshowpodcast8924
6 ай бұрын
Be great if you could make some vids about it, im trying to learn as much as I can about fixing up gbcs
@walterwhite8477
4 ай бұрын
I agree
Pokémon Gameboy #1 (#2 overall) was mine! I was pretty excited to see you were the buyer last summer/fall and I’ve been looking for the repair for months! Super cool to see it on the channel. I bought it at a yard sale with a copy of Pokémon blue still inside it, and I had high hopes. Too bad to see the original board fall to corrosion, but I’m pumped someone gets to keep that shell alive! You’re the GOAT!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
That's awesome! Thanks for the back story. Bummer you didn't throw in that game with it when you sold it, lol.
@tonymarcella2077
Жыл бұрын
@@Tronicsfix I needed to sell off both to cope with the pain of not being able to revive the Gameboy.
Those game boys look super cool. Also congrats on getting to 1.4 million
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Yes, these are super cool handhelds
If you need to clean battery corrosion first use white vinegar with a soft toothbrush it will neutralise the alkaline, works for burst / leaky caps too. You know if its working as it will start to fizz slightly. Then you go do the IPA to clean the vinegar.
@ianriot1578
11 ай бұрын
I use coca cola
@ItsGamingFancy
11 ай бұрын
I'm pretty sure he used apple cider vinegar and that's why he didn't want to say what kind he used lol. The q-tip looked brownish at one point when he said he soaked it in vinegar
I watch so many gameboy repair videos, but this is the first one that explains your train of thought more. I think I am learning stuff! 😅 Maybe I could do this myself one day.
Definitely need more retro repair videos! Thanks again Steve!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
More coming!
@alyssareilly6138
Жыл бұрын
@@Tronicsfix I really appreciate your videos about fixing broken electronic devices because you're able to save anything that doesn't work. DS Lite, DSi XL, 3ds, Xbox one, etcetera. I found my old blue DSi XL in September of 2022. Unfortunately, it was totally dead. It did absolutely nothing. As much as I would have loved to save it after taking it apart, I couldn't because I am not a repair technician. Also, the game slot and charging port needed to be replaced on it which requires a soldering iron. My brothers do not have that equipment. It was unfixable. I had to throw it away Just curious if I would have mailed my dead DSi XL, would you be able to fix it? Not sure if you accept broken consoles from someone mailing them to you for repair I can't remember
This was right up my alley! Been working on gameboys for a few months now, it’s been great for getting into electronic repairs and mods. Thanks for the awesome video!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
These are pretty fun to work on. I enjoy them. Glad you're getting into repairs! We need more people fixing this old stuff.
Hello new subscriber here, i don't know why but it's just very satisfying to watch a teardown of a system and then see if a repair worked at the end of every video :)
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Welcome to my channel! So glad you're enjoying these!
@James-gj8rn
Жыл бұрын
@@Tronicsfix thanks man i appreciate that :)
Sweet camera work, upper level. Big love! ❤
Every single time I watch your videos the quality gets better and better, Keep up the good work! 😁👍
Love your videos, man! Fixing retro gaming systems is a definite W! Keep up the outstanding work 👏😎
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoy these!
I have that driver set and there's definitely a bearing between the shaft and little blue top part that makes it buttery smooth
Love your videos. They inspired me to take out my GBA SP and all my GBC games, and fix all the ones that weren't working. It was a lot of fun 😊
Loving the retro love 😎 great repairs, replacing those pin connectors is always a task 😂 Sooome folks make replacement PCBs for Gameboys! If you ever need any more power boards I have a bag full of them 😅
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
That was my first time messing with the pin connectors. I probably would have bought a replacement board for it but unfortunately, I was crunched for time on this vid.
thank you for the amazing content, keep up the great work steve ❤
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Will do.
Really enjoying the gameboy & cartridge repairs surprisingly😊
If I had to guess you used apple cider vinegar 😂😂 awesome video Steve thanks for the retro junkie fix
@williamharris8367
Жыл бұрын
Everyone knows that malt vinegar is the proper way to go!
@TheBoboTheIceMan
8 ай бұрын
Thats what I thought too.
I'm chuckling at your comment about using the wrong kind of vinegar. Whatever works! :D
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Lol, it didn't work great but it did work. I have the right kind now.
@adamstewart247
3 ай бұрын
I'm guessing you used Red Wine Vinegar. Am I right?
Thx for the video, this kind of content is relaxing. Especially on soldering and cleaning parts... Keep it up 👍. I hope u can do new 3ds xl again. 😸 or whatever i just love ur video.
Love these videos helps pass the time at work!!
Scored a Pikachu Gameboy color at a garage sale quite some years ago. Still working although I had to replace the speaker due to corrosion. Nice work
Love all your videos, you are awesome!
Hey! Being one of the best repairman in KZread and thanks to your videos, some of us get confident enough to do our own repairs.....you have the right to bragg if you wish to!
Just curious. Where do you buy all the damaged gameboys? I would like to get into fixing them and on eBay I am finding a lot of repaired or working condition auctions. Thanks
Awesome video as usual! You should do upgrades on these consoles!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Agreed! I might make some upgrade videos at some point.
As always..great job and video. 👍🏻 I’ll have to keep an eye on your eBay if you sell them. 👀
Nicely done Steve!
Lovely! Enjoyed this a lot 😊
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
That means a lot coming from such a legend!
@VashStarwind
6 ай бұрын
Wow, the only two people on youtube, that think swapping a whole board, is fixing a gameboy, coming together.. big surprise... lmao
It pretty wild how much handhelds have evolved.
Great video as always ❤❤
I have repaired many a Gameboy Color, and the easiest way to test whether your buttons work is using a regular gameboy game and then changing the color palate at the boot screen. With each button you hold, and use in combo with a D-Pad push, a different color pallete will pop up. Super quick, super easy.
You should look into some GBC mods. I think that would be a fun video coming from you
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Agreed
Kinda would like to see your parts storage. That thing has to be massive by now with alle those boards and spares
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
My parts storage is very disorganized. It's ridiculous. I need to find a good storage system for this stuff.
Oh man that takes me back. I left my first yellow GBC in a rental car as a kid and the second one we sold in a garage sale after I bought a GB Advance.
To remove battery corrosion from metal parts, I often use a very strong cup of hot tea. Best if you can drop the parts in. Use 3 bags or so, the stronger the tea, the better it works. Don't drink the tea afterwards 😂
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Lol, glad you added that last sentence!
@ericpode6095
Жыл бұрын
That's a very British solution....... But make sure you make a second cup to drink!
@MrJadiin
Жыл бұрын
milk 2 sugars?
@erinbuck129
Жыл бұрын
Interesting. Wonder why that works, from a chemical standpoint 🤔
Shot in the dark on a response but what’s your ideal soldering set up when dealing with handhelds? Like nib size, wicks and ribbons. I’ve decided to get froggier with my repair skills and have some F1/F2 fuses burnt out on some NDSLs. Love your vids btw super helpful
I think for the 2nd one, it looks similar to a common issue of the old GB models where the solder connections of the ribbon cable that goes from the board to the screen start getting loose; of course you can try cleaning the contacts on the point where it connects to the motherboard, but this actually happens on the connection point to the screen and it's harder to access, but to test it, with the console on (while open), press gently right along the bottom edge of the screen, if you see the lines filling up, that means that that is the problem, I haven't worked on a GBC yet but on a regular GB you can just use the soldering iron to reheat the contacts. Or since the screen can be released easily, you can just test a known working screen, but wouldn't completely discard the board to corrosion yet
For the second one I can see that pads were ripped off when the connector was removed. Most of them on that side of the board do not go anywhere but pin 1 does and I can't see if that has a trace that goes anywhere on the reverse side. Probably the best way to fix this without removing the connector again is to jump a wire from pin 1 to the 3 vias just above it (where the V is of the VDD on the silkscreen) Those vias look crusty to so might be worth running a wire though and repairing the traces to make sure there is a good connection.
For those curious, since it wasn't mentioned, I did a bit of digging. On the first Gameboy Color, the board he replaced was a "Regulator Board".
@hotrodchevy56
Жыл бұрын
From his previous videos, the motherboards in every SE is the same as a reg console. The case is the only difference.
@zeuss1353
Жыл бұрын
whats the difference if i may ask?
I use to have one of those Pokemon Gameboys as a kid, loved that thing. Got too tilted playing Warioland and my tiny kid fist smashed the screen. Something I regret all the time and I use it to keep my frustration in check on occasions.
I usually use kapton tape to protect other components when heating something off
White vinegar is what's required to clean off the corrosion on the battery contacts - it will desolve it and neutralise it at the same time, can be brushed on or even better remove them and submerge them in a small cup etc.
Never occurred to me I could just buy a broken limited edition gameboy, and just switch the innards with a working regular non expensive one. Big 🧠
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Yep, nothing special about the inside. They're all the same.
Where can I get the part that you put on the first game boy? Also I love your shirt! I feel like that saying has been true for me lately as I am just getting into soldering and repairing electronics. But I love it and won’t give up
Those are some really cool Game Boy colors.
well you learn something new everyday. I didn't know the Gameboy speaker was a battery. ^^ keep up the vids man.
When my Prusa MK4 kit comes in, I'll be building it with that ifixit kit. The mk3 I built with the allen keys they included with the printer. My hands hated me for that. lol
Hey! Nice Video! Can I suggest a usefull tecnique for dessoldering this kind of board? 4:00 Try to use low temp solder, like chip quik SMD, you save time and circuit integrity.
I don't know why, but I love when you take parts from a broken console/handheld game and fix another with it. Its like video game organ transplant. No games left behind
These are great! I have seen so many... (2023)... thanks again!! :)
Charging 75 dollars for a broken GameBoy should be punished by death.
I have never seen you do any nacon play station controllers! As someone that uses them regularly I would love to see you fix some!
One of my friends had this model way back in the day I think they bundled it with Pokémon : Pikachu Edition (yellow). I had one of the Purple colors and later on got the Gold and Silver edition. A few years back I got my hands on a lime green one as well before prices kinda went absurd. with retro games during the pandemic.
I keep seeing these videos of you fixing game boys, and I am sad that I lost mine 😢
@genericfootyfan
Жыл бұрын
Oh no.
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
That sucks! These are such cool, old devices.
8:20 the fact he does this with his hands is insane, that soldering iron is atleast 400-500f.
The 'battery' you keep talking about on the second fix is also called a speaker. Does a similar job, I understand.
My first GameBoy Color was one of these, that I got for Christmas. Came with Pokemon Yellow. Someone stole it out of my backpack from my locker in Gym class in High School. The Yellow one you repaired first was the replacement color I got eventually.
I love the iFixit tool kit but using the lid is not a great idea for the screws. It's super easy to flip it with your hand and have your screws go flying all over the place. I would suggest getting a little case that clips closed. They're super cheap, only a couple dollars and they keep your screws nice and organized. They even come with numbered tops so you know exactly which order you took them out
Hi, do you have an Ultrasonic Cleaner to clean different parts? Is it usefully at all?
Could you make a video installing the IPS screen on the Gameboy, that would be really cool!
Hi TronicsFix! Love your videos, I think I've started to get inerest in fixing stuff from your channel. But the thing I've noticed in the last couple of months is that you are getting to simple cases, and there's not much of fault finding mysteries. For me, the most interesting thing about this kind of content is trying to guess where the problem is by deep analysis of the device together with the author, which is not that much in your videos in recent times. Still love your videos. I hope the feedback will be helpful for you, otherwise just ignore it;)
Balsamic vinager works like a charm!!
Hey Tronics I bought a broken nintendo switch lite the screen backlight works but no display. Also you. An hear sound when you touch the screen. What you think it could be?
Lucky Luke needs to get a Pokemon of his own but great job fixing them.
For that super coroded one, honestly, might have just been a good idea to get one of those repro boards for it at that point.
Instead of the perfect amount of thermal paste we get the perfect amount of isopropyl alcohol in this video. :)
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Ha, ha...true!
Could be a chip issue on board number 2 or a cap so I would definitely check the caps and reflow the chips like Chips on gameboy games the solder could have cold joints
Wait when did you put the new inductor onto the board of the first GBC? I missed that? Did you just get a new board?
Great video! 👍🏻
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.
I didn't notice. Did you have the spare parts on hand from other game boys? Or were they new parts
A baking soda paste should clean up the battery corrosion. It's a hack used on car batteries too. 👍
When you're removing corrosion, I've found that just dunking the part in boiling hot water dissolves it almost instantly. It started with using it for my car's batter terminals, but then I thought I'd try it with a board I had to clean and was almost instant
Is battery corrosion pretty easy to clean? I have a electric fuel pickup and left the batteries inside. Unfortunately when I tried to use it I noticed lots of green stuff from the batteries. Idk how to clean it or if I can. It has a small board
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Vinegar works great most of the time
@antiricergt
Жыл бұрын
@@Tronicsfix Thank you I really appreciate it bud.
I’ve got one that still works!!!! Got it for my birthday when I was like 9? Had the carrying case for a while too! I lost the battery cover (obvi) but I still have it! ❤️ mine was the pikachu edition!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
What?! That's amazing! I never had one when I was a kid so it's super fun to repair them and get some special editions.
You know they sell that deoxide in spray can also. Works great for that battery corrosion.
Hey there, I solder quite a bit and if you want to make it easer to remove solder I recommend a desoldering heat pump. Its like a soldering iron but it also sucks solder
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
I have one. They work great. I just didn't want to get it all out for this.
@mebs791
Жыл бұрын
@TronicsFix yeah that makes sense. Congrats on 1.4 mil though! Here for 2 mil ❤️
I actually had one of these, but i lost it in a fire. I always meant to mod it, but im kinda glad i didnt get to it!
Stupid question time. Have you ever tried to clean the corrosion with white vinegar? I have used it on battery terminals, works well Then light rinse with distilled water and IPA last
@Tronicsfix Love your videos. Where do you get your silicone wedding ring? I work as a mechanic and a silicone wedding ring would be ideal.
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
I think my wife got it on Amazon, lol. It was in a multi pack. They do wear over time so it’s good to have a few. I do highly recommend them though.
I just Jason Paigemy signature pokemon gameboy last week in Rotterdam 😁
i still have mine from when i was kid still works fine
I have a question about the PlayStation 5, I watched you clean out and repair hundreds of them. This makes me think they are not built very well, but my question is can I cover the console with a fine mesh material to keep the dust out. If I loosely covered it, it should not be a fire hazard. Want do you think?
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Sure, just be sure to clean it often to remove any buildup
Let him Cook!! Amazing cheers! :)
Heat up the spring near red and it will come back into shape. Unless its not the right metal, in that case nothing will happen.
22:59 Instead o scraping the metal with a pick and scarring it, try some flux and then heat it up with a heat gun or hot air station until it evaporates. The heated flux will suck up all the bad stuff from the affected area. Of course do the vinegar solution first, as usual. ps. Your flux gets unusually black from normal soldering.
Dang those were some Clean broken gameboys!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Yes, really not too bad.
Great Video Steve
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Hey tronics fix you are a inspiration for me I was thinking if you could make a tutorial on how to do it
Did you try replacing the screen in the second one?
Vinegar on battery corrosion usually works like a charm for me
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Yep, that's why I used it
I love my Ifixit kit!
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Yep! They are really great tools!
as soon as i saw the corrosion in the vias like that, i knew it was a write off, the pokemon mini does that too, almost guaranteed to happen if it leaks, it just eats all the vias and destroys a good portion of the board which for a small item like this is ultimately irreparable
Hes a pro,.Dk needs someone like that
at wich Temperature should i set my soldering Tool at such a Job?
When you get a whole lot fixed, your smile double 😂
You can harvest the CPU and RAM and other components to make into a pocket color mod, or use those parts in a new MOBO by N64 freak
wow pokemon edition now... nice video
@Tronicsfix
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Yes, I love saving these old special editions.
'this one's got some bitemarks up here... not my favorite, but it is what it is' absolute lmao