+Y workshop: Gameboy modding

A Game Boy modding workshop is a good way to leave Akihabara with more than a bag of electronics: you get to work on an original DMG-01, choose its new colors, and learn how the classic handheld comes apart and goes back together. The session begins with a short history of retro consoles, with time to play from the workshop’s collection.

I like that the core parts are included, so you are not asked to source a console, screen, or case before you arrive. I also like the chance to pick your own combination of case, buttons, and screen cover, with staff on hand to talk shop and suggest ideas.

The main consideration is the price, from US$378.39. That is a substantial spend for a single activity, so it makes most sense if you care about retro gaming and want a guided, hands-on project rather than a quick look around Akihabara.

• Start with a retro-console introduction: Hear about the Game Boy and other classic systems, and play from the workshop collection.
• Choose a custom color mix: Select the case, buttons, and screen cover from a wide range of parts.
• Work on an original DMG-01: Take apart the Game Boy, clean its motherboard, and reassemble it with the new components.
• Parts are included: The package includes the original console, a new case, buttons, an IPS screen, a speaker, one cassette, and a small gift.
• Expect a friendly, nerdy setting: The team are gamers and retro-gaming enthusiasts, and the only available review especially praises the staff and instructors.
• Check access needs before booking: The workshop is upstairs, with stairs to the second floor, and it is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

What the Akihabara workshop is really about

This is not a shop visit where you point at a finished custom console and buy it. The point is to take part in the transformation: choose the look, open up an original Game Boy, clean its motherboard, and put it back together with new components. If you have ever wondered what goes into a screen or case upgrade, this gives you a practical look at the process.

The workshop began in 2024 as a way for its team to share a long-running interest in retro gaming. They describe modding as a decades-long hobby, which matters here: you are spending the session with people who enjoy the subject, not simply following a generic craft activity. You can ask questions and chat about games and hardware as you work.

The available feedback is limited to one rating, so it cannot tell you how every session goes. Still, the sole reviewer gave the activity five stars and singled out the staff and instructors as a big part of the experience. That matches the workshop’s emphasis on conversation and shared enthusiasm, though no individual guide names are provided.

A short history lesson, with consoles you can play

The session opens with an introduction to the Game Boy and other retro consoles. The workshop also has a collection of systems you can play while the team introduces them, giving the first part of the activity a hands-on feel rather than making it a lecture.

That opening is useful even if you already know the broad story of Nintendo’s handheld. It sets the scene for the hardware you will handle, and it gives you a chance to ask questions before the tools and components come out. If you are coming with a friend or family member who knows less about retro gaming, this is also an easy way to share the interest without expecting them to arrive as an expert.

The information provided does not specify how long this introduction lasts or which games are available. If a particular title or console is the reason you want to book, ask the operator before you go rather than assuming it will be on the table.

Picking the colors is part of the fun

Before opening the console, you choose the colors for the case, buttons, and screen cover. The workshop says it offers a wide range of parts and combinations, and its staff can offer inspiration if you are stuck between a few ideas.

This is more than a cosmetic warm-up. You will spend the rest of the activity working on a device whose appearance you have helped shape, so the color choices give the project a personal touch. If you like a clean, coordinated look, you can aim for a matching set. If you prefer a playful mix, the stated range of combinations gives you room to experiment.

You do not need to arrive with a finished design in mind. The team has seen many combinations and can help you think through the options. I would still take a moment to consider what you want before choosing: a case, buttons, and screen cover are the visible parts you will notice once the build is complete.

The exact colors and selection may vary, so do not count on a particular shade without checking in advance. The important point is that color choice is part of the session, not an upgrade you have to arrange separately.

Taking apart and rebuilding the original Game Boy

Once you have chosen your parts, you take apart the original DMG-01, clean the motherboard, and reassemble it. The replacement components listed for the project are a new case, buttons, IPS screen, and speaker. In other words, you are working with the actual handheld’s internal board while updating both its appearance and key hardware.

That makes the activity more involved than simply decorating a shell. You get to see the console opened up and take part in the careful sequence of dismantling, cleaning, and rebuilding. The workshop says the process is designed to be fun and safe, but it does not publish technical details about the tools, exact steps, or how much of the work each participant completes independently. If you are looking for a detailed electronics class, ask the team what level of instruction is included.

The package includes the original Game Boy and all the stated parts needed for the mod. It also includes one free cassette and a small gift. These extras are pleasant additions, but the main value is the guided project and the chance to handle the hardware yourself.

The description does not spell out whether you need any previous repair experience, nor does it state the finished console’s ownership arrangements. The activity is presented as building your modded Game Boy, but if taking the completed unit home is essential to your decision, confirm that detail directly with the operator before booking.

The people are part of the appeal

The workshop team describes itself as a group of gamers, retro gamers, and nerds. That is a useful signal about the atmosphere: you can ask questions, trade favorite games, or simply enjoy a shared interest while your hands are busy.

The one available five-star review specifically credits the staff and instructors for making the experience better. That is encouraging, though one review is a small sample and cannot establish how every session will feel. No instructor names are given, so you cannot request a particular person based on the information available.

This activity is likely to suit you best if you enjoy making things and like the story behind older hardware. It can also work for a curious beginner, since the session includes an introduction and staff guidance. If your main aim is to buy a finished retro console, rather than spend time building one, the workshop may not be the best use of your money.

Is US$378.39 good value?

At a starting price of US$378.39, this is not a casual, low-cost stop between shops. The price includes an original DMG-01, the new case, buttons, IPS screen, speaker, one cassette, and a small gift, along with the workshop itself. You are paying for materials and a guided activity, not just for entry to a room.

For someone who already values retro hardware, the combination of a hands-on build and time with a team that shares that interest may justify the cost. You also avoid sourcing the console and compatible parts yourself, which makes the project simpler to begin. The workshop’s individualized color choices add to its appeal if you want a device that feels personal.

For a casual visitor with only a passing interest in Game Boy history, the price may be hard to justify. The available details do not give the session length, group size, or a breakdown of how much the components would cost separately. Those gaps make it difficult to compare the fee with building a modded system on your own, so consider the price as payment for the complete supplied project and guided experience.

Finding the workshop in Akihabara

The meeting point is the Gameboy Mod Workshop at 2F Wakita Building, 2-17 Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo. The address is also written in Japanese as 東京都千代田区神田泉町２-１７脇田ビル２F. Look for the sign on the door, then climb the stairs to the second floor.

The workshop is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and child seats are not available. Keep that in mind when planning, especially if you are visiting with a young child or need step-free access.

The booking voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, where a time applies. Confirmation is usually sent within minutes; if it does not arrive, contact customer support. Children under 15 must attend with an adult, but the accompanying adult does not need to buy an extra ticket. Infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount.

Should you book this Game Boy workshop?

Book it if you want to spend time making something, enjoy retro games, and are happy to pay for a complete, guided project. The original console, replacement parts, color choices, and access to staff who share the hobby give the session a clear focus. It is a more personal use of an Akihabara visit than simply browsing shelves.

Think twice if you are mainly after a budget activity, need wheelchair or stroller access, or want a lesson with published technical specifications and a set duration. Before paying, confirm any details that matter to you, especially the session length and whether you take the finished console home. For the right kind of Game Boy fan, this is a chance to turn nostalgia into a project you can work on yourself.

FAQ

What is included in the workshop?

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

Do I need to bring a Game Boy or parts?

No. The workshop includes the original Game Boy and the parts listed for the mod.

What will I do during the session?

You’ll hear a brief introduction to the Game Boy and other retro consoles, choose colors for the case, buttons, and screen cover, then take apart the Game Boy, clean its motherboard, and reassemble it.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult does not need to buy an extra ticket.

Do infants and children need to be included in the booking headcount?

Yes. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount.

Where is the workshop?

It is on the second floor of the Wakita Building, 2-17 Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo. There is a sign on the door, and you reach the workshop by climbing the stairs.

Is the workshop 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, using destination local time. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund.

What if I arrive late?

Refunds are not available for participants who are 30 minutes late or more. Contact the operator at [email protected] or on Instagram at @plus.y_gbmod to ask about rescheduling or a refund.