The LEGO Game Boy goes from model to working game console.
The LEGO Game Boy is, at least from a gamer’s perspective, one of the most exciting models from the Danish toy manufacturer in recent months. A tech tinkerer has now started a project to turn the model into a working handheld device.
The LEGO Game Boy becomes a Game Boy
The tinkerer is Natalie the Nerd, who can be found at X shortly after the LEGO model was unveiled, that he wanted to turn it into a “real” Game Boy. What started as a bit of fun actually turned into a project.
In a blog article, Natalie the Nerd recently shared her initial progress.
Initially, she worked mainly with product images, but she has now purchased the model twice and has already modified it.
Her plan is to replace the model’s dummy display with a real display and a custom PCB. The PCB will also be connected to an adapter so that the original games can be used.
Since the hardware needs to be as compact as possible, she opted for the MGB CPU from the Game Boy Pocket instead of the original. One advantage of this is that the VRAM is already integrated and not placed next to it. She had also planned to use the LEGO buttons from the model, but then had to replace them with 3D-printed ones so that they could be used properly. In a recent X-post, she presents her progress:
I am a woman of my word.
The Lego Game Boy – with a working Game Boy inside (not an emulator) https://t.co/IKORWOhaO4 pic.twitter.com/teMcLtrVLX
— natalie (@natalie_thenerd) October 1, 2025
In fact, real Game Boy games such as Tetris and Pokémon can already be played on the LEGO model. Once the project is complete, the hobbyist wants to share the plans with anyone interested via Discord.
However, she also makes it clear that it is more of a “presentation object” and not a full replacement for the Game Boy. It is also a hobby project, so she only works on it in her spare time and therefore cannot say when she will actually finish it.
