A clever new Kickstarter project called ArcadeBoy is live, promising to transform an original Nintendo Game Boy (DMG-01) into a fully playable tabletop arcade cabinet without soldering or permanent mods.
Instead of emulation, the actual Game Boy hardware drives the system, with a custom board capturing its video and control signals and scaling them up to a larger screen and classic arcade layout. In some ways, it is similar to the mod kits for the LEGO Game Boy — but this is on a totally different scale.
What ArcadeBoy actually is
At its core, ArcadeBoy is a DIY arcade kit that takes your real Nintendo Game Boy and turns it into something closer to the arcade experience many of us grew up with. A custom PCB handles video capture and scaling from the Game Boy’s native output to a 12.1-inch LCD panel at 800×600 resolution, while arcade-style joystick and button controls give you a vastly different way to play your favourite cartridges.
The whole thing is housed in a 3D-printed cabinet with a marquee and stereo speakers, and you can plug in your Game Boy without cutting or soldering to the handheld itself.
Kickstarter tiers and pricing
The Kickstarter campaign has already launched, with multiple reward tiers designed to appeal to different kinds of builders and collectors:
- Adapter board only (~$189) – This tier gets you the custom board for hooking up your Game Boy and driving external displays or alternative builds. It’s aimed at modders or custom projects.
- Full DIY cabinet kit (~$499 early bird) – The core offering for most backers, this includes the board, 3D-printed enclosure parts, LCD panel, wiring harnesses and arcade controls. You supply your own original Game Boy.
- Fully assembled units (~$699 early bird) – Limited quantities of ready-to-go arcade cabinets for those who want the finished experience without assembly.
All tiers are expected to ship in early-to-mid 2026, and the project only funds if it reaches its goal by the end of the campaign. At the time of writing, this is £2,695 pledged so far of the £8,948 goal, and with just 9 backers, it needs some support.
Will you back this Game Boy arcade Kickstarter?
What makes ArcadeBoy stand out in the retro hardware scene is that it doesn’t rely on software emulation. The original Game Boy logic is preserved, so you’re literally playing your cartridges on the same silicon — just in a new form factor. Its reversible design keeps original hardware intact and the build is pretty accessible even for people who aren’t hardcore electronics hobbyists.
If you’ve ever wanted a Game Boy experience that feels more like an arcade than a tiny handheld — and enjoy hands-on DIY projects — ArcadeBoy is one to watch as the Kickstarter progresses.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
