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The LEGO Game Boy set is a handsome tribute to the classic handheld, rebuilt entirely from bricks. It is purely a display piece, because nothing inside lets you play a game.
The BrickBoy Kit is a do-it-yourself upgrade that fills that gap. It supplies the electronic parts you need to bring the toy model to life.
One thing to know up front: it does not run real Game Boy cartridges. Games load as ROM files through emulation software, which likely suits most people better today anyway.
What Every Kit Includes
The kit is built from several custom electronic modules that fit inside the LEGO model. Together they turn it into a working handheld.
Every edition has a 2.4-inch display and a built-in mono speaker, plus actuators and sensors that handle the buttons. The buttons that come with the LEGO model stay in place.
A cartridge module slots into the back and holds the rest of the electronics. Exactly what it holds depends on which of the three editions you pick: Essential, Gamer or Collector’s Edition.
Essential: AAA Power and Classic Games
The Essential kit has everything above but no rechargeable battery. It runs on two AAA cells instead.
The cells go into a compartment that sticks out of the back. This edition only works with Game Boy Classic titles.
Gamer: Rechargeable and More Capable
The Gamer Kit drops the AAA slot and uses a rechargeable module instead. That removes the big bump on the back and gives the build a sleeker look.
It also supports Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance titles. A faster processor and customizable backlighting come with it too.
Wireless features round out the package. Wi-Fi handles new game downloads, and Bluetooth connects headphones, which makes it feel like a more modern retro console.
Collector’s Edition: Made for the Shelf
This top tier includes everything in the Gamer Kit. It then adds an Exposition Mode that keeps the display always on, a USB port and a USB power supply.
The power supply lets the console run continuously. The maker says this edition is meant for showing off the build as much as for playing, with the console running on a shelf the whole time.
Keep in mind that none of the kits include the LEGO Game Boy itself. If you do not own one already, you will need to buy it separately.
Installation and Pricing
According to the maker, installing the kit takes no soldering and no screwing. You mostly fit parts into place and attach the wiring, and most builders can be done in about 10 minutes.
As far as we can tell, the emulator is preinstalled on the cartridge, so you only need to add your own ROMs. The maker does not mention how much storage the kit offers.
A Kickstarter campaign for the BrickBoy Kit is running now. Reservation pledges start at €99 (Essential), €119 (Gamer) and €159 (Collector’s Edition).
David Chen
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