+Y workshop: Gameboy modding

An original Game Boy becomes your own creation here: you choose the colors, open the console, clean its motherboard, and put it back together with new parts. The workshop begins with a short history of the Game Boy and other retro consoles, with time to play from the shop’s collection.

I like two things in particular: the kit includes the original DMG-01 and the replacement parts, so you leave with a complete project rather than a list of things to buy. I also like that the team has spent decades modding Game Boys and enjoys talking games with participants.

The main consideration is the price, from US$378.39. It buys a hands-on project and the hardware, but it is a steep choice if you mainly want a quick look at retro gaming. The workshop also isn’t wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

At a glance: what makes this workshop different

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• You mod an original DMG-01: The Game Boy itself is included, along with a replacement case, buttons, IPS screen, and speaker.
• Your color choices shape the project: Pick combinations for the case, buttons, and screen cover from a wide range of parts.
• The session starts with retro gaming: Expect a brief history introduction and a chance to play games from the workshop’s collection.
• The staff are hands-on enthusiasts: The team has decades of Game Boy modding experience and welcomes questions and game talk.
• You take home a few extras: The package includes one free cassette and a small gift.
• It’s in Akihabara: Find the workshop on the second floor of the Wakita Building, a short set of stairs above street level.

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Start with the Game Boy’s story

The workshop opens with a short introduction to the Game Boy and other retro consoles. That context gives you more than a list of old machines: it helps explain why the original handheld remains such a satisfying object to work on. The session is built around making, but its opening nod to gaming history makes the hardware feel less like a pile of parts and more like a piece of play culture.

You’ll also get to play from the workshop’s retro game collection during the introduction. That is a useful change of pace before the careful work begins, and a chance to chat with the team about the games and systems you know. All members of the staff are described as gamers or retro-gaming fans, so this should suit you if you enjoy asking how older machines work as much as playing them.

The introduction is brief, not a long lecture. If you’re hoping for an in-depth history course, this isn’t that. The value is in getting enough background to set the scene before you start handling the console.

Choose a color combination that feels like yours

After the introduction, you choose the colors for the case, buttons, and screen cover. There’s a broad range of parts and many possible combinations, which means your Game Boy needn’t look like a standard replacement unit. If you’re unsure where to start, ask the staff for ideas. They have seen plenty of combinations and can help you think through options.

This choice is one of the most personal parts of the workshop. You’re not simply following a fixed set of steps to rebuild a machine in its original form. You’re deciding how the finished console will look, then doing the work that brings that choice to life.

It may help to take a moment before settling on colors. The range of options is a plus, but having many choices can also slow you down if you arrive without a plan. You can keep it simple or mix colors for a more distinctive result. The important point is that the final design is yours.

Take apart, clean, and rebuild an original DMG-01

Once you’ve made your selections, the hands-on work begins. You take apart the original Game Boy, clean its motherboard, and reassemble it with the new components. The included parts are an original DMG-01, a new case, buttons, an IPS screen, and a speaker.

That package matters when judging the price. You aren’t paying only for access to a workbench or a demonstration. The original console and the main replacement parts are part of the activity, and the point is to leave with a modded Game Boy you have worked on yourself. The listing does not specify the duration or the exact amount of instructor assistance, so don’t assume a particular session length or one-to-one support.

The team says it has been modding Game Boys as a hobby for decades, before launching the workshop in 2024. That background is useful for a project involving small components and careful reassembly. The activity is presented as fun and safe, but the specific tools and technical steps are not laid out in advance. If you’re curious about the process, ask questions as you go. The staff are there to share their enthusiasm, not just hand over parts.

A recent rating gives the staff and instructors particular credit for making the experience better. There is only one review in the available rating data, so it’s too little to establish a broad pattern. Still, the comment points to a quality that suits this workshop: the people leading it are part of the appeal, especially if you enjoy a friendly conversation about retro games while you work.

What the included extras add

The package includes one free cassette and a small gift in addition to the Game Boy components. The details of the cassette and gift are not specified, so think of them as pleasant additions rather than the main reason to book.

The more meaningful inclusion is the hardware itself. Building a modded handheld can otherwise mean sourcing an original console and compatible parts separately. Here, those essentials are gathered for you, which makes the workshop a simpler way to try the hobby without first assembling your own shopping list.

If you already own a Game Boy and have experience modding consoles, the included original unit may be less valuable to you. In that case, compare the price with what you want from the guided session and the chance to choose from the workshop’s parts. For a first project, having the core materials provided is a stronger part of the value.

Is US$378.39 worth it?

At a starting price of US$378.39, this is a premium activity. The cost makes more sense if you want the full combination: an original DMG-01, new parts, a hands-on build, a short retro-gaming introduction, and time with a team that has extensive modding experience. It is less compelling if you’re mainly after a casual gaming session or a basic tour of Akihabara.

Think of it as a workshop with a substantial take-home object, rather than an inexpensive entertainment stop. The included console and components account for much of the practical value. You’re also paying for a structured chance to work on the machine, with staff who share the hobby and can offer ideas while you choose your design.

No duration, group size, or detailed breakdown of what tools are used is provided. If any of those factors matter to your decision, ask the operator before booking. The workshop’s contact details are [email protected] and @plus.y_gbmod on Instagram.

Find the workshop in Akihabara

The address is 2F Wakita Building, 2-17 Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo. The entrance has a sign, and you reach the workshop by climbing the stairs to the second floor. Keep the building name and address handy; the meeting point is the workshop itself.

There are no child seats, and the activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible. Children under 15 must come with an adult, but the adult does not need to buy an extra ticket as a chaperone. Infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount, and the activity has no age limit.

The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified. Arriving late matters: participants who are 30 minutes late or more are not eligible for a refund. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time. For a supplier cancellation due to extreme weather or another unforeseen event, you can reschedule or request a full refund.

Who should book this workshop?

This is a good fit if you love retro games, enjoy making things with your hands, or want a Tokyo activity that leaves you with a personal souvenir you helped build. It may also work well for families with children old enough to take part, provided an adult accompanies anyone under 15 and you plan for the stairs.

You don’t need to arrive as a modding expert. The session is designed around taking apart and rebuilding the console, with the staff’s experience and enthusiasm as a helpful part of the process. But if you have no interest in the hardware or the build, the price is hard to justify for the gaming introduction alone.

Book it if the idea of choosing your own Game Boy colors and working on the console appeals as much as playing old games. If you’re mainly looking for a low-cost activity or need step-free access, this is likely not the right choice.

FAQ

What is included in the Game Boy mod workshop?

The package includes an original Game Boy DMG-01, a new case, buttons, an IPS screen, a speaker, one free cassette, and a small gift.

What will I do during the workshop?

You’ll hear a brief introduction to the Game Boy and other retro consoles, play from the workshop’s retro game collection, choose colors for your parts, then take apart, clean, and reassemble the Game Boy.

Where is the workshop?

It is at 2F Wakita Building, 2-17 Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo. Look for the sign on the door and climb the stairs to the second floor.

Do children need an adult with them?

Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The adult does not need to buy an extra ticket as a chaperone. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount.

Is the activity wheelchair- or stroller-accessible?

No. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and child seats are not available.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, based on destination local time. Participants who are 30 minutes late or more are not eligible for a refund.

What happens if the workshop is cancelled because of extreme weather or another unforeseen event?

The operator may cancel the activity. If that happens, you can reschedule or request a full refund.