Update

I made a new batch of TCPoke shields. The good news is that this batch comes completely assembled. The bad news is that this is probably the last batch. Order while stock lasts! Future iterations will be either a finished product or a detailed guide how to make your own from scratch. For more updates please check my blog or send me a message.

What is it?

TCPoke is a project that lets you connect you Game Boy to the internet and trade or battle other trainers.

This shield allows you to connect the Game Link Port of your Game Boy to a Teensy. The Teensy then connects to a PC running the TCPoke Chrome app to establish a direct connection to another player anywhere in the world.

The software works with all first and second generation Pokemon games (Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal) and all Game Boys supporting those games (Classic, Pocket, Color, Advance), and both the Teensy 2.0 and 3.1.

This shield is compatible with the Teensy 2.0 and Game Boys using the second generation Game Link Cable (Pocket, Color, Advance).

Why did you make it?

To catch all the Pokemon in the game, you need to trade with friends. But not a lot of people play these games anymore, so other trainers are hard to find.

What makes it special?

The internet has a very high latency compared to the Game Link Cable. And since the Game Link Cable is synchronous, it is impossible to proxy the connection across the internet.

At least, for the Game Boy in general. There is a small loophole in the way the Pokemon games are programmed that allows me to trick them into an asynchronous connection.

What's inside?

• The PCB
• 3x 1kOhm resistor
• 330Ohm resistor
• LED
• 2x header pins
• Game Link Cable

What else do I need?

• Game Boy
• Pokemon game
• Teensy 2.0 with female headers
• Soldering iron
• TCPoke Chrome app