Lego’s Nintendo Game Boy: A Brick-Built Masterpiece
▼ Summary
– The Lego Nintendo Game Boy set is highly praised for its authentic design, enjoyable building process, and interactive features like pressable buttons and a snappy power switch.
– It includes lenticular panels that create moving images on the screen, surprising viewers into thinking it might play games, and features hidden Easter eggs for added appeal.
– Minor flaws are noted, such as the screen’s gray background instead of green, a recessed display, and slight inaccuracies in labels and button colors compared to the original Game Boy.
– The set impressively replicates the original’s size and details using standard Lego parts, with thoughtful internal components like springy buttons and a brick-built speaker enhancing the build experience.
– Despite its strengths, the author feels it could be improved with a greener screen and additional details, reflecting a desire for perfection in an already excellent product.
The Lego Nintendo Game Boy set captures the spirit of the iconic handheld in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Priced at $60, this brick-built replica is more than just a display piece, it’s an interactive, surprisingly tactile homage to the 1989 original. Every button, dial, and switch works, delivering a building experience that mirrors the satisfaction of handling the real thing. While it doesn’t light up or play games, its clever lenticular screen panels and thoughtful internal details make it a standout set for fans and collectors alike.
Even so, it’s hard not to wish for a little more polish. The screen, for instance, uses a gray background instead of the classic green, which feels like a missed opportunity. And though the model is impressively accurate in size and shape, small details like slightly squared-off screen corners and off-color buttons remind you it’s a Lego interpretation, not a perfect replica.
Still, the build process itself is a delight. The set uses modular components that click into place, creating the illusion of assembling actual electronics. Springy face buttons, a responsive D-pad, and even a hidden “speaker” with yellow wiring all contribute to the charm. Under the hood, details like rubber membranes and tiny “battery backup” bricks in the included game cartridges show how much care went into the design.
One of the most impressive aspects is how closely the Lego version matches the original Game Boy in size and weight. While there are small gaps between tiles and the screen sits a bit deeper, these quirks don’t detract from the overall authenticity. The power switch, though positioned slightly high, delivers a satisfying snap thanks to a Technic peg mechanism.
Easter eggs are sprinkled throughout, including a printed serial number on the back that references the original launch date: April 21, 1989. Yet, there are also blank spaces where real regulatory labels would be, another area where a bit more detail could have elevated the set.
At its core, the Lego Game Boy succeeds by blending playability with precision. It doesn’t just look like the classic device, it feels like it in your hands. While it may not have every feature a purist might want, it stands as a loving tribute, built brick by brick with obvious passion.
(Source: The Verge)
