Today, the Lego Game Boy officially goes on sale. It’s surprisingly good. But in Australia, one woman has already created a more amazing version. Natalie the Nerd, the self-taught circuit board designer and Game Boy modder whose gorgeous transparent Game Boy we featured in August, is doing what Nintendo and Lego didn’t: make it playable.
Let me be clear: this is not an emulator. Natalie did not stuff a Raspberry Pi in here. It’s far more impressive than that. What you’re seeing are real Game Boy cartridges, running on real Game Boy chips, soldered to a real circuit board of Natalie’s own creation. Working buttons, too.
To fit it into the Lego Game Boy, she had to create a complete Game Boy board smaller than a Game Boy cartridge itself — so she did. Adding “the smallest screen kit on the market” did require removing a few bricks, though, she tells The Verge.
It’s not complete — not just yet. The working buttons, for instance, aren’t yet mounted on a PCB; she tells The Verge they’ll fit on a custom 3D-printed Lego piece.
She’s already wired up USB-C for power:
And here’s a look at the insides and where they live:
Now, to answer your obvious question: is this a one-off, or something you might be able to do yourself? The chances are good that you might if you’re skilled! Natalie sells aftermarket components for Game Boy modding, shares circuit board designs, and is planning to share this too. “I am going to release it once I am happy with it,” she writes on X.
This Lego Game Boy sounds like a fun and creative twist on a classic! It’s impressive to see how innovative people can get with their builds. Excited to see how it performs in real gameplay!
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how Lego can blend nostalgia with modern technology. The ability to mod it for real gameplay really opens up a whole new world of creativity for both gamers and builders alike. It seems like a great way to engage with both Lego and classic gaming!
I agree! It’s impressive how Lego not only taps into that nostalgia but also encourages creativity in tech. The modding aspect really opens up new possibilities for gamers and builders alike, merging classic gaming with hands-on construction.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how the Lego Game Boy blends nostalgia with modern tech, allowing fans to experience classic games in a new way. Plus, the building aspect really lets players personalize their devices, enhancing the overall experience.
to experience classic games in a new way. Plus, the ability to customize it with different Lego pieces adds a whole new layer of creativity. It’s great to see how innovation can breathe new life into beloved retro systems!
Absolutely! The customization aspect really adds a personal touch to the experience. It’s also fascinating to see how the retro design resonates with both gamers and fans of Lego alike, bridging generations through nostalgia and creativity.
You’re right! The ability to customize makes it truly unique. Plus, it’s interesting to see how this Lego Game Boy bridges nostalgia with modern gaming trends, appealing to both older and younger generations.
customization opens up creative possibilities for gamers. It’s fascinating to think about how this could inspire more innovative designs in the future, blending nostalgia with modern tech.