It was only a matter of time. I remember covering the launch of the official LEGO Game Boy and my first thought was, “How long until someone makes it playable?” Well, the modding community didn’t disappoint.
One project — which slotted real Game Boy hardware inside the plastic shell — was a fantastic start, but now we’ve got something that looks ready for the masses: the BrickBoy kit. This is a slick, no-solder, no-code solution that turns a display model into a fully functional handheld emulator, and based on the early buzz, it’s poised to be a major crowdfunding success.
Why BrickBoy’s launch is perfectly timed
The timing for this Kickstarter, which is due to launch on October 28, is brilliant. The official LEGO set, which only arrived at the beginning of the month, has been an enormous hit, but the main critique from fans—especially those of us who grew up mashing those A and B buttons—is that it’s just a model.
The Swiss team behind BrickBoy, Substance Labs, has recognised that thirst for functionality and packaged a solution that keeps the building fun but delivers the payoff of gaming. The fact that the entire kit is designed to be as easy to install as continuing the LEGO build—less than 10 minutes for the full install—is a huge selling point that elevates it above a typical, soldering-heavy hardware mod.
In terms of popularity, the initial enthusiasm for the official LEGO Game Boy was massive. Media coverage and fan discussions on forums like Reddit have consistently highlighted the model’s non-functionality as its one drawback. This is why the early, proof-of-concept mod initially generated significant interest, and why BrickBoy’s polished, ready-to-ship kit is likely to explode. It’s an easy-to-assemble answer to the number one request of every fan who bought the set.
BrickBoy versus the competition
The demand for a playable LEGO Game Boy is so high that Substance Labs isn’t the only group in the game. The rising trend of LEGO mod kits is clear, but unlike the LED lights for the Millennium Falcon, this is about core functionality.
Another well-known modder, Natalie the Nerd, who was one of the first to get a working version together, is also planning a ‘Build a Boy’ kit. The key difference? The BrickBoy, focuses on emulation, which allows the high-end Gamer Kit to support Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games. Natalie’s approach, which uses salvaged Game Boy Pocket CPUs, delivers the authentic cartridge experience but is limited to classic Game Boy titles.
This gives BrickBoy a distinct advantage for those who want the full suite of retro handheld gaming—a huge segment of the market—and the fact that they’re ready to start shipping to backers by December gives them a crucial head start.
3 BrickBoy editions
The different editions—Essential, Gamer, and Collector’s Edition—also show a clear understanding of the retro-modding audience, catering to budget builders and serious collectors alike. The “Exposition Mode” in the Collector’s Edition, which keeps the console powered and lit for display, is a nice, premium touch.
This project is riding a massive wave of nostalgia and addressing the main issue with an already-popular LEGO set. I’d be very surprised if the Kickstarter doesn’t quickly surpass its funding goal.
I think the biggest question now is whether fans will prefer the authentic, cartridge-playing experience of Natalie’s kit or the broader emulation capability of BrickBoy. It’s a classic retro debate.
Learn more and sign up for a launch notification on the BrickBoy Kickstarter now. Remember, it’s just the mod kit — you need to buy the LEGO Game Boy on Amazon to build it.
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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.
