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I know because I’m old enough to have used a Gameboy without backlight. There is, still, in 2022, a hardware modding scene that modifies old Gameboy, Color and

I know because I’m old enough to have used a Gameboy without backlight. There is, still, in 2022, a hardware modding scene that modifies old Gameboy, Color and Advance hardware to have active backlight. What do you reckon the reason for that is? Because the lack of backlight actively hinders the enjoyment of those products. But they were released decades ago, not in 2022. Is it your “take” that without testing just about every product out there, people are not allowed to form and opinion, and post about it on the internet?

ihuman 4y ago
Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. Edit: as for why there isn't a front light (like the first GBA SP): > So unlike an LCD, which has transparency to let a backlight shine through, ours is extremely reflective on the back and lets NO light shine through, so backlight isn’t possible! We tested a front light solution and it was… not great. But we’ll keep researching for future models! https://www.twitter.com/playdate/status/1131736869153017856 https://www.twitter.com/playdate/status/1131736869153017856
- layer8 4y ago
  I modded my original Gameboy in the early 90s to add edge LEDs (green ones), which was a significant improvement. Surely something like that would have been possible. Purely reflective LCD isn’t easy on the eyes, even if it’s super reflective. It was okay for PDAs (Palm Pilot) that you only use for a minute or so at a time, but for gaming it really isn’t very attractive.
  - ihuman 4y ago
    Did those LEDs reflect off the front of the display? They said they tried something like that, but it wasn't good enough. It looks like the reflectiveness is closer to epaper than a mirror.
    - LeoNatan25 4y ago
      The system described by the commenter sits between the LCD and the front plastic. There are no reflection issues as far as I am aware.
      - ihuman 4y ago
        That's what I assumed the person meant, and what the twitter link I posted talked about. I also mentioned the reflectiveness because the commenter talked about problems with overly-reflective screens.
      - layer8 4y ago
        That’s right. I actually had forgotten about the front plastic, but am remembering now that you mention it. The lighting from the LEDs wasn’t completely uniform (I had six LEDs, three on the right and three on the left, I believe), but good enough.
- nvrspyx 4y ago
  > Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. That's a good point, but how fair is the comparison really when the Gameboy's screen is at least 20 years old and has surely degraded during that time? With that said, neither look great under the dimmer lighting even if the Playdate is a step up.
simonh 4y ago
Fortunately the review has you covered: >"the contrast ratio on this screen is magnificent, which means ambient daytime light will generally do the trick, as opposed to needing a Game Boy-esque light bulb bolted over the screen"
MBCook 4y ago
GameBoys used a standard LCD screen, not the kind of screen on the PlayDate. It’s FAR more reflective so it should the a problem except in the dark.
- LeoNatan25 4y ago
  But my whole point is about playing at the evening/night. I had no issues playing a GB during the day.
  - philistine 4y ago
    Do you play video games in complete darkness? Are you a gaming vampire? Just one light in the room should be enough for Playdate, if the pictures are any indication.
breakfastduck 4y ago
No, they're clearly getting at the fact you're making assumptions which the review, which you're citing, specifically refutes.
reaperducer 4y ago
Is it your “take” that without testing just about every product out there, people are not allowed to form and opinion, and post about it on the internet? Informed opinions are awesome. Uninformed opinions are not. They're just noise. The fact that you think this is anything like the Gameboy screen shows that you not only didn't read the article, but that you haven't used the product. Therefore your "opinion" is uninformed, and therefore nothing more than what the children today call "a hot take."

ihuman 4y ago

Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. Edit: as for why there isn't a front light (like the first GBA SP): > So unlike an LCD, which has transparency to let a backlight shine through, ours is extremely reflective on the back and lets NO light shine through, so backlight isn’t possible! We tested a front light solution and it was… not great. But we’ll keep researching for future models! https://www.twitter.com/playdate/status/1131736869153017856 https://www.twitter.com/playdate/status/1131736869153017856

layer8 4y ago
I modded my original Gameboy in the early 90s to add edge LEDs (green ones), which was a significant improvement. Surely something like that would have been possible. Purely reflective LCD isn’t easy on the eyes, even if it’s super reflective. It was okay for PDAs (Palm Pilot) that you only use for a minute or so at a time, but for gaming it really isn’t very attractive.
- ihuman 4y ago
  Did those LEDs reflect off the front of the display? They said they tried something like that, but it wasn't good enough. It looks like the reflectiveness is closer to epaper than a mirror.
  - LeoNatan25 4y ago
    The system described by the commenter sits between the LCD and the front plastic. There are no reflection issues as far as I am aware.
    - ihuman 4y ago
      That's what I assumed the person meant, and what the twitter link I posted talked about. I also mentioned the reflectiveness because the commenter talked about problems with overly-reflective screens.
    - layer8 4y ago
      That’s right. I actually had forgotten about the front plastic, but am remembering now that you mention it. The lighting from the LEDs wasn’t completely uniform (I had six LEDs, three on the right and three on the left, I believe), but good enough.
nvrspyx 4y ago
> Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. That's a good point, but how fair is the comparison really when the Gameboy's screen is at least 20 years old and has surely degraded during that time? With that said, neither look great under the dimmer lighting even if the Playdate is a step up.

simonh 4y ago

Fortunately the review has you covered: >"the contrast ratio on this screen is magnificent, which means ambient daytime light will generally do the trick, as opposed to needing a Game Boy-esque light bulb bolted over the screen"

MBCook 4y ago

GameBoys used a standard LCD screen, not the kind of screen on the PlayDate. It’s FAR more reflective so it should the a problem except in the dark.

LeoNatan25 4y ago
But my whole point is about playing at the evening/night. I had no issues playing a GB during the day.
- philistine 4y ago
  Do you play video games in complete darkness? Are you a gaming vampire? Just one light in the room should be enough for Playdate, if the pictures are any indication.

breakfastduck 4y ago

No, they're clearly getting at the fact you're making assumptions which the review, which you're citing, specifically refutes.

reaperducer 4y ago

Is it your “take” that without testing just about every product out there, people are not allowed to form and opinion, and post about it on the internet? Informed opinions are awesome. Uninformed opinions are not. They're just noise. The fact that you think this is anything like the Gameboy screen shows that you not only didn't read the article, but that you haven't used the product. Therefore your "opinion" is uninformed, and therefore nothing more than what the children today call "a hot take."