Lego Fans Are Building the Nintendo Game Boy Set Wrong

▼ Summary
– The Lego Game Boy set, released last year, has become popular, but many builders are incorrectly assembling the cartridge piece by placing it in the center.
– The correct assembly requires offsetting a piece on the cartridge to mimic the original Game Boy games’ indent, designed for easier insertion and removal.
– This common mistake is being highlighted and corrected by die-hard fans in online forums, even among those who owned the original console.
– Some builders admit to the error, noting a lack of familiarity with the original hardware as a reason for the incorrect placement.
– The Lego set’s own packaging contributes to the confusion, as it shows the cartridges assembled incorrectly in one of its images.
It seems a surprising number of people are assembling their new Lego Nintendo Game Boy set with a small but significant error. The popular 421-piece model, a hit gift this past season, includes two detailed cartridges. A common mistake involves placing a specific long piece directly in the center of the cartridge top, when it should actually be offset to one side. This detail replicates the distinctive notch found on original Game Boy game paks, which was designed to make inserting and removing them easier. For those unfamiliar with the vintage hardware, the centered placement feels intuitively correct, leading to widespread confusion.
Social media platforms are now filled with posts from seasoned fans gently correcting builders who proudly display their finished sets. Dedicated Lego and gaming communities on Reddit and Facebook have seen numerous threads where users admit to the initial error, often only noticing the proper alignment when building the second cartridge. The issue transcends generational lines, affecting both those who grew up with the iconic portable console and newcomers who have never held one.
One builder commented online, explaining they placed the piece in the center for their first cartridge before spotting the correct offset during the second build. They noted that not having owned a Game Boy left them without that specific visual reference. Another passionate fan expressed frustration, stating that on every post they had seen showcasing the set, the cartridges were assembled incorrectly, and pleaded with others to stop centralizing the top tile.
This recurring mistake isn’t entirely the fault of the builders. Adding to the confusion, the official Lego packaging for the set features at least one product image that incorrectly shows the cartridge with the piece centered. This discrepancy between the instruction manual, which shows the proper offset, and the box art has undoubtedly contributed to the mix-up. For collectors and purists, getting this aesthetic detail right is part of the authentic building experience, turning a simple assembly step into a minor point of communal correction and shared knowledge.
(Source: Polygon)





