Nintendo Chips Power This Authentic Lego Game Boy Kit
▼ Summary
– Natalie the Nerd created a functional Lego Game Boy upgrade kit called Build A Boy that plays real Game Boy cartridges using harvested Game Boy Pocket chips.
– The drop-in kit includes a custom board with a display, controls, speaker, battery, and USB-C port, requiring no soldering for the pre-assembled version.
– Optional features may include a glass lens to replace the plastic screen cover and potential video output for external displays, though video functionality is not yet finalized.
– Natalie plans to offer multiple kit versions, including a DIY option and a cheaper version for those providing their own CPU and RAM, with an estimated cost of around $99.
– Alternative projects like Hairo Satoh’s modified Game Boy Color and the BrickBoy emulator kit offer other ways to play games on the Lego Game Boy, though they differ in approach and availability.
The very day Lego officially launched its Game Boy set, a remarkable modification emerged that transforms the plastic model into a fully functional handheld. Natalie the Nerd revealed she had successfully engineered a way for the Lego kit to play genuine Game Boy cartridges using authentic Nintendo hardware. She is now advancing this project by developing complete, drop-in upgrade kits, which she plans to sell through the maker marketplace Crowd Supply. Her goal is to create a user-friendly experience that requires no soldering, making retro gaming accessible directly through the Lego build.
She has named her creation the Build A Boy. The fully pre-soldered version is designed to be truly “drop in and play,” featuring a custom-designed board that includes all necessary components. The kit comes equipped with an actual harvested Game Boy Pocket CPU, a 2.7-inch 320 x 320 display, functional switches that fit behind the Lego buttons and D-pad for real control, a speaker, a volume wheel, a rechargeable battery, and a USB-C charging port. For those dissatisfied with the Lego set’s plastic screen cover, Natalie is considering an optional glass lens. She is also exploring the possibility of adding video output to allow gameplay on a television, potentially even via a Wi-Fi connection if it doesn’t compromise performance.
The original Game Boy featured a 160 x 144 display with a 10:9 aspect ratio. Natalie’s solution uses a higher-resolution screen that upscales the original game graphics by two times, preserving their intended shape and proportions. A render of her custom board shows it connected to a flexible PCB that manages the button inputs.
Natalie does not intend to include a Link Cable port for multiplayer functionality, as she personally has little use for it. However, she plans to provide a pinout for dedicated modders who wish to add the feature themselves. Sourcing the necessary chips has involved buying damaged Game Boy Pocket units in bulk, which she describes as the “unloved sibling” of the Game Boy family. She anticipates that supply may not meet demand. For enthusiasts who have their own donor Game Boy Pocket, a version requiring only the CPU and RAM will be available for approximately $60. A completely DIY version for soldering experts will also be offered, and all design files will be released for free.
The final price for the complete drop-in kit is not yet fixed, with a target of $99, though international tariffs may affect this. Natalie hopes to begin sales in early 2026, with the first test boards expected imminently.
Natalie’s Build A Boy is not the only project bringing the Lego Game Boy to life. Modder Hairo Satoh has showcased an impressive Game Boy Color version on Instagram that also uses real cartridges. His build required significant modifications to the Lego shell, and he is uncertain about releasing it as a kit, typically creating one-off commissioned pieces instead. An image of his project reveals a substantially reduced Lego structure necessary to house the internal board.
Another alternative is the rival BrickBoy kit, which could be the most straightforward and sustainable option. It runs game ROMs on an emulator rather than using original cartridges and hardware, meaning no original Game Boys are dismantled. The cost for the BrickBoy kit is still undisclosed, with a Kickstarter campaign scheduled to launch on October 28th.
(Source: The Verge)
