

Full Light Color PCB using the original parts
- Size
- 72 × 121.9 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 97
- Nets
- 188
- Pads
- 536
- Tracks, vias
- 955, 139
- Pours
- 31
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 22 Dec 2024
- Updated
- 1 Jan 2026
Overview
LoCo is an open-source printed circuit board by nataliethenerd, from the nataliethenerd/LoCo-Light-Color repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 72 × 121.9 mm with 97 parts on 188 nets, routed with 955 tracks and 139 vias.
It is built around the 1SS355 and 2SC4081-R. Its parts include 35 capacitors, 9 switches, 7 resistors, 6 ICs and 6 connectors.
Main components
2README
README.mdLoCo (Light Color)
LoCo = Light Color. This project allows you to put a Game Boy Color in a Game Boy Light shell. Full Light colour PCB using the original parts. This board is made with modern screen kits in mind meaning it does not have the voltage rails for the original screen.
ORDER AT 1MM WITH ENIG
You can support me on Ko-Fi or by buying the board directly from me my store
I also occasionally sell pre built PCBs on my store.
Building
[!WARNING] I am not responsible for your skill issues!
This board uses all the parts of an original Game Boy Color minus the IR and original screen circuit. Most parts are in the same spot, however if you are having trouble you can check the interactive BOM
The thumbwheel circuit can be connected to an OSD screen to control brightness. The two touch pad wires and be connected to the pads labelled ↑↓ on the back top left side of the board. The select, A and B pads are easy connection pads for the screen also.
My recommendations
- New power regulator like my Safer Charge DC
- Q5 OSD Game Boy Color screen. The OSD allows you to move the screen
New parts
Update log:
Jan26: changed the CPU footprint to be a bit more forgiving
| Before | After |
|---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
Thanks
- Hozy for the pushing me to do the first ever Light Color
- Console and Casks for the thumbwheel circuit
Follow me
If you are into Game Boy modding or retro gaming, please consider using code "NatalieTheNerd" at:
My socials
• BlueSky
• Modded Gameboy Club - a club dedicated to the modification of Game Boys, freely sharing resources
License
Please do not remove my logo, website and name.
The CC BY-SA 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International) license allows you to:
- Share - Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt - Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Conditions:
- Attribution - You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- ShareAlike - If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
Parts
97| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | , , , , , , , | ||
| 7 | 10nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C9, C10, C13, C29, C33, C41, C45 |
| 7 | 1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C17, C18, C19, C25, C26, C27, C39 |
| 6 | BLM11B102S | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | EM1, EM2, EM3, EM4, EM5, EM9 |
| 5 | 100nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C24, C28, C40, C43, C44 |
| 3 | 100pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C5, C6, C7 |
| 3 | 47nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C14, C15, C16 |
| 3 | BLM21PG221SG | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | EM6, EM7, EM8 |
| 2 | 1SS355 | Diode_SMD:D_SOD-323_HandSoldering | D2, D5 |
| 2 | 27pF | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | C3, C8 |
| 2 | 750 | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R1, R7 |
| 2 | ICP-S1.0TN | Fuse:Fuse_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.42x1.75mm_HandSolder | F1, F2 |
| 2 | R_Pack02_SIP_Split | Resistor_SMD:R_Array_Concave_2x0603 | RA1, RA2 |
| 1 | 1.5M | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R25 |
| 1 | 100R | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R27 |
| 1 | 100uF | Capacitor_SMD:CP_Elec_5x5.3 | C38 |
| 1 | 100uF | Capacitor_SMD:CP_Elec_6.3x5.4 | C32 |
| 1 | 150pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C47 |
| 1 | 18K | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R3 |
| 1 | 18pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C1 |
| 1 | 22pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C4 |
| 1 | 270 | Resistor_SMD:R_Array_Concave_4x0603 | RA3 |
| 1 | 27pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C2 |
| 1 | 2SC4081 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-323_SC-70 | Q2 |
| 1 | 4.7uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C31 |
| 1 | 47K | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R8 |
| 1 | 4W601 | Resistor_SMD:R_Array_Concave_4x0603 | FB1 |
| 1 | 5.6K | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric | R26 |
| 1 | A | CGB:AB CGB | SW6 |
| 1 | ACM4532-801-2P | Crystal:Crystal_SMD_EuroQuartz_MJ-4Pin_5.0x3.2mm | EM10 |
| 1 | B | CGB:AB CGB | SW7 |
| 1 | Battery | CGB:Battery CGB | BT1 |
| 1 | CGB CPU | CGB:CPU CGB | U1 |
| 1 | Cart Connector | CGB:Cart CGB | P1 |
| 1 | Conn_01x04 | customsym:Thumbwheel toggle switch | J1 |
| 1 | Conn_01x05 | POCO:HPjack | P5 |
| 1 | Conn_01x05 | CGB:Volume wheel CGB | VR1 |
| 1 | Conn_01x06 | CGB:Serial CGB | P3 |
| 1 | Crystal_Small | CGB:Crystal CGB | X1 |
| 1 | DC-DC | POCO:DC | U5 |
| 1 | Down | CGB:Dpad CGB | SW3 |
| 1 | Jumper_2_Open | Jumper:SolderJumper-2_P1.3mm_Open_RoundedPad1.0x1.5mm | JP1 |
| 1 | Left | CGB:Dpad CGB | SW5 |
| 1 | MGB AMP | CGB:Amp MGB | U3 |
| 1 | PST9135N | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-5 | U6 |
| 1 | RED | LED_THT:LED_D3.0mm | D4 |
| 1 | Right | CGB:Dpad CGB | SW2 |
| 1 | Select | CGB:Select CGB | SW8 |
| 1 | Speaker | TestPoint:TestPoint_2Pads_Pitch2.54mm_Drill0.8mm | SP1 |
| 1 | Start | CGB:Start CGB | SW9 |
| 1 | Up | CGB:Dpad CGB | SW4 |
| 1 | ~ | POCO:DCJACK | P4 |
| 1 | ~ | Package_SO:TSOP-I-28_11.8x8mm_P0.55mm | U2 |
| 1 | ~ | CGB:Screen CGB | P2 |
| 1 | ~ | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-5 | U7 |
| 1 | ~ | CGB:Switch CGB | SW1 |
| 1 | ~ | Capacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric | C46 |
The 96 most common of 97 parts.
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Questions
How big is the LoCo PCB?
It measures 72 × 121.9 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the LoCo use?
97 parts, built around the 1SS355 and 2SC4081-R. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the LoCo KiCad files?
From the nataliethenerd/LoCo-Light-Color repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is KiCad/LoCo/LoCo.kicad_pcb and its schematic KiCad/LoCo/CGB_IR.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the LoCo design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask nataliethenerd before reusing the design.

