Modder turns Lego Game Boy into real working handheld

The Lego Game Boy set officially launched on October 1, 2025, but one enthusiast has taken it even further than Lego and Nintendo. Natalie the Nerd, a creator from Australia, has modified the Lego-built handheld to actually work as a playable console.

Lego initially revealed the 421-piece Game Boy model at San Diego Comic-Con in July, and preorders became available that same month.

This set costs $59.99 and comes with interchangeable cartridges designed to look like games from Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. It also features lenticular screens which create the illusion of movement. Although the buttons feel like they work and the cartridges fit in, Lego has confirmed that this model isn’t actually meant to play games. It’s a display piece only.

Recently, a modder successfully transformed the popular Lego set into a fully functional gaming device reminiscent of the 1990s.

Modder makes Lego Game Boy play actual games

Rather than relying on an emulator or a Raspberry Pi, she created a unique circuit board using original Game Boy components. This board was compact enough to be housed within the Lego shell.

The most significant update is the backlit screen, which greatly improves visibility when playing games on the device.

I am a woman of my word.

The Lego Game Boy – with a working Game Boy inside (not an emulator)

— natalie (@natalie_thenerd) October 1, 2025

This handheld console plays actual game cartridges, has fully functional buttons, and is charged using a USB-C port with a built-in rechargeable battery. The Verge reports that the creator had to take out some internal components to fit the smallest possible screen, and is now designing a 3D-printed, Lego-compatible piece to securely mount the buttons.

The project is ongoing, and Natalie has stated she’ll share the design as soon as it’s complete. She’s already well-known in the modding community for creating custom Game Boy parts, and this Lego version will eventually be added to her collection of shared circuit board projects.

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2025-10-02 19:18