The SEGA Game Gear may not have reached the same level of popularity as the Nintendo Game Boy, but since its release in 1990, it has been a favorite among modders and retro collectors. The modding community has had a strong desire to see the Game Gear do more than its intrinsic capabilities. And one of the most passionate enthusiasts amid them is Tito Perez, the creator of the YouTube channel, Macho Nacho Productions.
Tito has worked on several Game Gear mods in the past, but this one, where he has been able to provide a new-age charging system, better audio output, and a finer screen to relish the gameplay, might be his most impressive and intriguing modification of the handheld yet. Dubbed the Ultimate SEGA Game Gear, it gives the portable console another chance in the spotlight almost 35 years after its launch.
Designer: Macho Nacho Productions
For this, the SEGA Game Gear has been retrofitted with a new motherboard, which is connected to stereo speakers, USB-C charging, an HD screen, and an HDMI port within a specially created shell that’s very 2025, as the Game Gear innards themselves. The refreshed classic started with the picking of some integral components – CPU or ASIC chip, link port, and cartridge reader – from the original motherboard brought off of eBay. These components were then soldered onto a brand-new board, specially designed by SYF.
The SYF motherboard provided a power slot for USB-C charging. This allowed Tito to solve the problem of finding new AA batteries for the handheld in the middle of an immersive game. The custom board also ensures placement of dual aftermarket speakers for stereo sound, and the SYF GGFM, which features an authentic FM chip from Yamaha to enhance sound when playing compatible Master System games on the retrofitted Game Gear.
The USB-C charging port can power the two rechargeable batteries – 2,000mAh each – while the LED light indicator highlights charging and charged status in yellow and green colors, respectively. The real fun on the Ultimate Game Gear is the upgrade of the screen from an 8-bit, 3.2-inch backlit LCD with 160 x 144 pixels resolution to a 640 x 480 IPS LCD screen and support for HDMI output, possible with the BennVenn GGHD LCD kit from High Score Tech Supply.
These innards are encased inside a customized, matte gray shell by Retro Gear. Tito informs, if you’re attempting the Game Gear modification, you can get a shell tailored by Andrew of Retro Gear. He also adds, the modification is not a cheap rip-off; Macho Nacho has spent roughly $303 for this rig, and if you attempt it, you’re looking at an even steeper tag.
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