How to Turn a Game Boy Color Into a Retro Speedometer for Your Car (and Why It’s So Much Fun)

As a purveyor of all things retro, I was immediately intrigued by the original viral post about Zaku Mods’ Game Boy speedometer and knew I had to figure out how to make one. I’m a lifelong car enthusiast and 90s kid who grew up glued to a Game Boy screen playing Pokemon Yellow in the back of my parents’ 1993 Ford Escort. Fast forward about 20 years and I own two Foxbody Mustangs, host a vintage-themed Mustang & Ford event called Retro Meet, and am the co-owner of LUE Creative, a motorsport-centric design agency with a heavy focus on all things retro.

With all of this put together, I’ve always had the spark to create and make things my own, especially when it comes to things automotive! I’ve done everything from working at a Mustang parts company to being part of the creative team at NASCAR, but my favorite thing by far is the freedom and creativity that our Retro Meet event inspires.

Over the years we have spent a lot of time creating and building unique trophies for our costume and burnout contest winners. Our trophies range from skateboards based on the Back to the Future II hoverboard, to fully functional mini arcade machines that play Pac-Man And Dig Dig and the process of creating it has become our favorite part of planning the event each year. Coincidentally, the grand prize at our fourth meetup happened to be custom gold chrome Game Boys with backlighting and our event artwork on the screen, so I was no stranger to modifying these shells for another purpose. After seeing Zaku’s Game Boy Speedometer mod, I knew my experience would come in handy again soon.

The above mentioned post planted an idea that kept popping into my head every time I glanced at my Game Boy Retro Meet trophy. One night, after staring at it for a bit too long, I decided to hop on Google to research what it would take to make my own and see if anyone had written an article like this. I couldn’t find much, but it led me to Erebor Creative Co. on Etsy, who sell a Game Boy Color build in their shop. After looking at their build and weighing my options, I knew I wanted to make my own and immediately set my wheels spinning. After building the Game Boy trophies in 2021, I knew I could make sure the buttons still seemed to work properly and I was confident I could find a better mounting solution while still retaining the GPS speedometer function.

How to build this yourself

That research led me to Amazon, where I quickly found the parts I thought would work and began putting my plan together. After choosing the appropriately colored shell to match my car and all the tools and accessories to fill my cart (don’t worry, I made a list, so you don’t have to), I clicked buy and began gathering my materials.

To get started, you’ll need a few tools, including a Dremel (or similar rotary tool), an X-Acto knife, small Game Boy screwdrivers (included with the replacement shell), and a cutting mat. Next, you’ll need your replacement Game Boy shell in the color of your choice, the GPS digital speedometer, a roll of 3M tape, a foam board (black or white), and alternate colored buttons if desired. I’ve also created my mounting system that uses the battery cover as a base for a threaded suction cup mount. The mount requires additional materials, including the 3M tape, the camera shoe adapter, and the RAM-style suction cup mount.

Once everything is compiled and ready, we can unpack all our parts, grab our tools, and start building:

Step 1: Use your wire cutters to cut the proprietary mounting tabs on the back of the GPS speedometer. Remember to remove the protective film from the speedometer screen during this step. Sand the area if necessary.

Step 2: Grab the back of the Game Boy shell and place the front of the GPS speedometer on the flat area where the game is inserted.

Center the front in the area about 1/4 inch from the top and mark the outline of the speedometer with a pencil or the X-Acto knife.

Step 3: Use your Dremel tool to cut and clear the marked area until it is complete.

Step 4: Place the speedometer in the cleared area. Turn the shell over and mark a rectangular area around the power jack to insert the supplied power cord.

Step 5: Drill starter holes in the four corners of the marked area and run the Dremel through to outline the marked area.

Step 6: Once the hole is made and the area is clear for your speedometer, double-check that the fit is correct and make sure the cord plugs in properly.

Step 7: Apply a piece of 1/2″ 3M tape over the removed mounting holes on the back of your speedometer and apply it to the flat part of the back of the Game Boy. Press to secure.

Step 8: Take your foam board and tape the tension board template. Using your x-acto and a mini screwdriver, drill the marked holes, trim the edges, and hollow out the area for the battery cover location.

Step 9: Place it around the speedometer in the back shell of the Game Boy. Press until it is flush with or below the edges of the shell.

Step 10: Grasp the front shell of the Game Boy and install the buttons and rubber contacts. Install the IR sensor assembly and power switch into the back shell of the Game Boy.

Step 11: Assemble the front and back, making sure to align the power button. Screw the two halves together until the proper tension is achieved.

Step 12: Peel off the protective film and adhesive film from the Game Boy screen glass and install them onto the completed Game Boy shell.

Step 13: Grab the battery compartment cover and a threaded disc from the cold shoe adapter. Apply 3M tape to the cold shoe adapter, cut around the circular disc, and stick the disc to the center of the battery compartment cover.

Step 14: Screw the suction cup mount into the circular disc now attached to the battery cover and install the battery cover onto the Game Boy.

Step 15: Mount the suction cup in the desired area, plug in your Game Boy speedometer and make sure everything works.

Please keep the following information in mind:

The tension plate is not 100% necessary, but it helps tighten the installation and make button presses more natural. Also, be sure to check your speedometer manual to set the required speed setting, warning alarm speed, and distance measurement.

Once you’ve got all the loose ends sorted out, it’s time to hit the road in retro style and add the perfect touch of nostalgia to your daily commute. If you’re anything like me, this mod will surely take you back to a simpler time when beating the next gym and trading Pokemon with your friends using a link cable was all that mattered. If only there was a rare candy bug to power up!

I hope you have as much fun as I did building your own Game Boy speedometer. I can’t wait to see the color combinations you create on the different vehicles. Be sure to tag me in your results on Instagram at @luecreative and join us at the Retro Meet (@Retro_Meet) during Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach every September. Until then, stay retro and keep creating!

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