This week saw the official release of the long-awaited Lego Game Boy set, and already, a modder has created a version that runs real games with real Nintendo hardware.
Natalie the Nerd, an Australian modder and electronics blogger, shared Thursday that she had used authentic Nintendo chips to make the Lego build playable. Natalie designed a custom circuit board smaller than a standard Game Boy cartridge, which she fit into the Lego build after adding one of the smallest screen kits on the market. She had to make adjustments to the Lego bricks to accommodate the display.
Though the build is playable, it’s not totally complete. The working control buttons, not yet mounted on a PCB, are set to go on a custom 3D printed Lego component, which will finalize the tactile interface. She’s already wired the device for USB-C power, so charging is sorted.
For anyone wondering if this is only a one-off piece, Natalie says the project “will be released in full” once she’s happy with its performance and design. It’s unclear whether she plans to open-source the project or sell modded sets directly, though the former is more likely.