Lego Game Boy Ships From Amazon a Week Early

A surprising development for retro gaming enthusiasts and Lego collectors has arrived, as Amazon has begun shipping the highly anticipated Lego Game Boy set a full week ahead of its official October 1st release date. Orders placed through the online giant are reportedly arriving as soon as today, September 26th. This early shipment comes after a month-long period where preorders were completely sold out, suggesting that available stock may vanish quickly once more. For those looking elsewhere, Walmart currently lists the set as available for preorder, though their shipments are not scheduled to arrive until next week. As of now, other major retailers including Target, Best Buy, GameStop, and the official Lego Store have all exhausted their preorder allocations.

This brick-built replica captures the iconic handheld’s dimensions with remarkable accuracy, mirroring the original Game Boy DMG that took the world by storm starting in 1989. Designed as a display piece for adult builders, the set is packed with nostalgic details that will delight fans. Officially known as set number 72046, the Lego Game Boy is part of the company’s display model series and stands as one of the most affordable options in the Lego Nintendo lineup, tied with the Super Mario Piranha Plant set.

The model is an authentic homage, meticulously recreating everything from the distinctive “Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound” text on the screen lens to the classic colors of the A/B buttons and D-pad. All the familiar switches and dials are present and correctly positioned, including the power switch, contrast wheel, volume dial, and even the 3.5mm audio jack. Measuring 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches, its size is nearly identical to the original device. The set includes a buildable black stand for upright display and comes with two replica game cartridges: Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, which can be inserted into the Game Pak slot.

While the Lego Game Boy contains no electronics and does not interact with Lego Super Mario figures, it features a clever interactive element. The set includes three swappable lenticular screens that create the illusion of movement when the model is tilted. One screen shows the iconic boot-up sequence with the Nintendo logo sliding down, another displays a scene from Super Mario Land, and a third brings to life a memorable cutscene from Link’s Awakening.

This interactive approach is reminiscent of the celebrated Lego Nintendo Entertainment System set from 2020. That massive 2,646-piece model, which included a console with a functional cartridge slot and a TV with a scrolling Mario scene, has since been officially retired. It is now only available through resellers, often at significantly inflated prices far above its original cost.

For builders seeking other options, several Lego sets with a retro gaming theme are available. The detailed Lego Icons: Atari 2600 was recently restocked at Amazon after being discontinued, while the impressive Pac-Man Arcade set remains in stock. A more affordable alternative is the charming $40 Lego Arcade Machine, which includes a gamer minifigure. Additionally, newer sets like the Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi and the large Mario Kart buildable offer more ways to engage with brick-built Nintendo nostalgia. For a quick build that fits the theme, the 540-piece Piranha Plant provides a perfect warm-up before tackling the Game Boy.

(Source: Gamespot)