Remember the thrill of holding a Game Boy for the first time? The click of the buttons, the glow of the screen, the promise of adventure in your hands. For many, that feeling is synonymous with childhood. Earlier this year, Lego beautifully captured that nostalgia with its Lego Nintendo Entertainment System and the buildable Lego Game Boy set. It was a perfect, static display piece—a loving tribute to a bygone era.
But for a community of tinkerers and retro gaming enthusiasts, one question remained: what if it could play?
Enter the BrickBoy, a brilliant Kickstarter campaign that has taken that iconic Lego set and done the unthinkable: they’ve made it come alive. Since launching at the end of last month, the project has exploded in popularity, rocketing past its initial funding goal and capturing the hearts of over 5,000 backers.
From Display Piece to Playable Powerhouse
The core concept of the BrickBoy is elegantly simple. It’s a conversion kit designed specifically for the official Lego Game Boy set (currently $59.97 on Amazon), which provides all the internal components to transform your static model into a fully functional, handheld gaming emulator.
Instead of simply admiring your Lego creation, you can now boot it up and play thousands of classic Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and even NES titles on its vibrant, backlit screen. It’s the marriage of two beloved worlds: the tactile joy of Lego building and the timeless fun of retro gaming.
Massive Backing Leads to Two Major Upgrades
The response has been nothing short of phenomenal. With the campaign now boasting over €500,000 in backing, the team at Substance Labs has announced the unlocking of two exciting stretch goals, significantly enhancing the value and functionality of the BrickBoy.
The first is a feature many backers were hoping for: built-in Bluetooth support. This means that every Gamer and Collector Kit will now ship with the ability to connect wirelessly to controllers right out of the box. No longer are you limited to the device's built-in buttons. For those seeking an authentic feel, Substance Labs itself recommends pairing the BrickBoy with the 8BitDo SN30 Pro controller for a true retro wireless experience.
The second, and perhaps more visually striking, upgrade is the BrickBoy Arcade Edition. Designed by the award-winning Lego Fan Designer known as Lego7, this optional add-on kit completely reimagines the device. For an additional €89 (approximately $102), you can transform your handheld BrickBoy into a charming, tabletop arcade cabinet.
This isn't just an aesthetic change. The Arcade Edition packs serious features, including:
- HDMI TV Output: Plug into your modern television and play your favorite classics on the big screen.
- Local Multiplayer Support: Connect multiple controllers for head-to-head or cooperative gameplay sessions.
- Boosted CPU Performance: Enjoy smoother emulation for more demanding titles.
- Expo Mode: A dedicated mode perfect for displaying your device at conventions or on your shelf.
For all the latest details, including a full video demonstration of these new features, be sure to check out the official campaign update on the BrickBoy Kickstarter page.
A Community-Driven Project with a Bright Future
The success of the BrickBoy highlights a growing trend of community-driven projects filling the gaps left by major manufacturers. While Lego created a beautiful shell, it was the passionate inventors at Substance Labs who breathed a soul into it.
With the campaign still running for a little while longer, the excitement is only building. The BrickBoy has proven that there's a massive audience eager to not just build their dreams, but to play with them, too.
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