BrickBoy Lego Game Boy Uses Floating Magnets, Not Switches

For anyone backing the BrickBoy Lego Game Boy on Kickstarter, the surprise might be bigger than expected. This custom build, which adds a functional screen and controls to a Lego model, uses a magnetic button system rather than traditional physical switches. While the campaign’s promotional images consistently showed domed switches beneath the buttons, the actual mechanism relies on rare earth magnets embedded inside the Lego bricks themselves.

The magnetic approach is undeniably clever from an engineering standpoint. Instead of carving out significant space for a printed circuit board, designers only need to remove a few extra bricks to fit an additional magnetometer between the D-pad and face buttons. Components like the Start and Select keys, crafted from rubber tires, and the A and B button posts are easily popped out to insert magnets. This design aims for a seamless, almost magical, building and playing experience.

However, the Kickstarter campaign concluded with minimal mention of this magnetic technology. It wasn’t until a recent Ask Me Anything video, which had very few viewers, that the developers clarified how the buttons function. Even journalists who had previously covered the product were taken by surprise, having assumed the use of conventional rubber domes.

In practice, the prototype’s performance has been inconsistent. Pressing the A button can make Mario jump, and the D-pad can make him run, but the responsiveness is unreliable. During testing, simple tasks like avoiding the first Goomba in Super Mario Bros. became frustratingly difficult due to unregistered or delayed inputs. Wireless multi-magnet sensing is an ambitious technical challenge, and the current implementation struggles with precision.

Adding to backer concerns, a promotional video claimed a “playable Lego Game Boy in 5 minutes,” but omitted the additional time required for wiring the extra magnetometer, removing bricks to house it, and calibrating each magnet. This discrepancy raises questions about the transparency of the campaign.

The founder of Substance Labs, Thomas Bertani, defends the approach, stating the team is committed to creating the most magical experience possible. He notes that if the magnetic system proves unworkable, they are prepared to fall back on wired buttons. According to Bertani, feedback from early backers indicated that the building process was their primary interest, with many planning to display the finished model rather than use it for regular gameplay. He emphasized that customers care more about the device working well and the Lego experience being enjoyable than the specific technology inside.

Bertani has promised to update all backers before the campaign closes to provide clearer details about the product’s design. He maintains that transparency was always the intention.

In a related development, another creator, Natalie the Nerd, recently shared an update on her competing “Build a Boy” Lego Game Boy project. Her design incorporates actual physical switches for the buttons. She was careful to manage expectations, noting that while her model is functional, it’s still made of Lego and isn’t intended for daily use as a handheld gaming device.

Ultimately, the BrickBoy situation highlights a common crowdfunding dilemma. Backers must decide whether they are funding a precisely defined product or supporting a team’s effort to solve complex problems. While the magnetic concept is innovative, the gap between initial impressions and the actual prototype’s performance underscores the importance of clear communication between creators and their supporters.

(Source: The Verge)