We've been waiting on this for a while, and it's finally happening. Renowned GAME BOY modder NatalieTheNerd has been working relentlessly on her latest project, the Build A Boy.
A working LEGO GAME BOY modified with official GAME BOY parts, allowing seamless integration with official GAME BOY cartridges, making it feel and play like the original.
This hasn't been done before. Other projects, such as the BrickBoy is using emulation and have yet to ship to their backers.
"Build A Boy is a retro gaming handheld you build from scratch, brick by brick. The shell, the electronics…all of it! This DIY kit turns the Lego Nintendo Game Boy replica into a playable system using carts from your childhood, with a few modern twists.
What’s more is that this isn’t an emulator. Build A Boy uses genuine vintage chips, making it a fully authentic console. While other solutions use microcontrollers and single board computers, Build A Boy’s use of original hardware will bring you the true experience of playing original Game Boy cartridges" states Natalie.
Features & Specifications
- Compatible with LEGO Super Mario Game Boy set (#72046), not included
- Authentic DM/SGB/MGB CPU
- Compatible with original Game Boy and backwards-compatible Game Boy Color games (not compatible with Game Boy Color or Advance cartridges)
- Optional link port for multiplayer gaming
- Optional display-out functionality
- 2.73-inch, 320 x 320 TFT backlit display, with 2x integer scaling and built-in color palates
- 800 mAh Li-Po battery
- USB Type-C port for charging, with battle-tested charging circuitry design
- Panasonic tactile buttons with 0.8 mm travel rated for 100,000 cycles
- PCB footprint: 52 x 42 mm (2.04 x 1.65 in)
It comes with some modern enhancements, as you can see, such as a TFT backlit display so that you can actually see your games, unlike the original, alongside a lithium battery, a USB-C port and tactile buttons to make this a long-lasting, enjoyable device.
I'm excited for this and will try my hardest to get hold of one to test. It mixes my love for LEGO and GAME BOY in a very unique way, although I do worry the day I take it out my house and drop it... I can already picture myself picking up 400+ pieces of LEGO in pure panic.
You can sign up for updates on NatalieTheNerd's crowdsupply, all we know is that it's coming "soon", so be sure to sign up to be notified.
