The GlitchMod knowledge base
WonderSwan modding wiki
Explore WonderSwan modding, repairs, homebrew, hardware upgrades, and technical references. Find a guide for your console and follow the steps.
The Bandai WonderSwan is a handheld console from the fifth generation of video game consoles. The console was released in Japan on March 4th, 1999. The WonderSwan was unique in that extra buttons were present on the hardware that allows for games to support tate orientation. Two model revisions were later released: the WonderSwan Color — which sported a color screen — and the SwanCrystal — which included an improved LCD screen. The WonderSwan also had an official software devlopment kit for amateur programmers — the WonderWitch — that allows games to be developed in the C programming language. The WonderSwan could also connect to the internet through a mobile phone network using the WonderGate add-on for downloadable game content, email, and web browsing. An adapter also was created to allow use of headphones, as the console lacked a headphone port.
The WonderSwan Development Wiki is a great supplemental development-focused resource to this wiki.
General Information
Technical Information
General Mods
Video Mods
- Video Capture Mod
- IPS Screen Mod
Backlight Mod- Frontlight Mod (Color/Crystal)
Accessories
Flash Carts
Replacement Parts
Extension Port Devices
All guides
23 tutorialsWonderSwanWonderSwan:Button Repair PadThe power, start, and select buttons on the WonderSwan Color and WonderSwan Crystal often become quite unresponsive. This is due to th…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Connector PinoutsCartridge Pins are numbered left to right, cartridge label up. Pin Function Pin Function Pin Function Pin Function 01 GND 13 Address B…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Consolization ModA WonderSwan Color board can be modified into a home console using a consolizer board. DIY projects swancolorHD Created by zwenergy; p…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Creating Game BackupsUnlike the Game Boy, there are very few flashers/dumpers for the WonderSwan. GameBank used to make a WS adapter for their retro dumper…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Frontlight ModHistorically, a frontlight mod has been performed to the WonderSwan Color and SwanCrystal using the GBA Afterburner. Original guide by…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Glass Screen CoverReplacement Glass lenses for the WonderSwan. Often, IPS screen kits come with one, though they might not always be a match for your sp…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Headphone Jack AdapterThe WonderSwan series of devices do not come with a headphone jack. Similar to the Game Boy Advance SP, a headphone jack is added by a…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:InsideGadgets WS 8MB/256k FRAM Flash CartThe insideGadgets WS 8MB cart is a relatively recent singlerom flashcart. It supports games with up to 8MB roms, and 32KB saves. It us…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:IPS Screen ModA full backlit screen replacement exists for all three consoles. Installation is relatively simple. No shell trimming is required, but…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Link CableThere exist many replacement options for official WonderSwan link cables. DIY projects WS LinkC Created by zwenergy; notably, it uses …Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:List of WonderSwan Games with Save BatteriesThe below list of WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color games that use a save battery in the cartridge to retain save data. This list was co…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Playing Game BackupsTo play your game backups you will need a flash cart such as the Flash Masta USB or the insideGadgets cart. WS Flash Masta USB Connect…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Rechargeable Battery PackThe WonderSwan is typically powered by a single AA mounted in a carriage. While this lasts quite a long time when using stock parts, o…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Region InformationUnlike other popular handhelds such as the Game Boy, the WonderSwan was only ever released inside of Japan. There are no region locks …Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:RetroOnyx WonderSwan E-Ink Flash CartYet to be released, the RetroOnyx WonderSwan Flash Cart will have a programmable e-ink screen built into the cart. There is no informa…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:RS-232 Serial CableThe WonderSwan extension port supports 9600 and 38400 baud UART transfers - it is used for connecting two consoles together, as well a…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Save Battery ReplacementSome WonderSwan games contain a non-rechargeable lithium battery. It may be used for save memory or to run a clock. The rest of this a…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:ShellWonderSwan replacement shells require a Torx T6 driver to remove the factory screws. It is recommended to use the replacement screws t…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:SpeakerA replacement speaker exists that is the same size as the original. It is worth noting that the WonderSwan sound quality is quite terr…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:USB-C Power ModThere are a few modern power replacement options for the WonderSwan. Since it also takes AA batteries by default, rechargeable AAs are…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:Video Capture ModConsolizers can and are often used for video capture. This page, as such, lists solely the products which do not double as a consolize…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:WonderSwan Model DifferencesPage content & researching collaboratively taken from io55.net's WonderSwan page with permission. There are three WonderSwan models. M…Updated Oct 9, 2026WonderSwanWonderSwan:WS Flash Masta USBThe WS Flash Masta USB is one of the oldest multirom flashcarts available for the WonderSwan. Instead of being microSD based, this car…Updated Oct 9, 2026