This mod turns your Lego Recreation Boy into an actual handheld console

If there’s one firm that has not too long ago been betting on nostalgia, it is Lego. Earlier this month, the corporate launched an official Lego Game Boy set that precisely recreates Nintendo’s traditional handheld console in Lego type. Whereas the set is eye-catching for avid gamers and collectors alike, the unlucky half is that it’s Lego in spite of everything, so you possibly can’t truly energy it on and play video games on it as a lot as you’d want too. Nevertheless, because of the efforts of modders, that dream is turning into a actuality.

Natalie the Nerd was one of many first modders to efficiently flip the Lego Recreation Boy into a completely purposeful system that may play video games, making a small PCB that matches contained in the Lego set and performs precise Recreation Boy cartridges. She is at the moment engaged on making a equipment in order that anybody can do that, however within the meantime, one other modder has entered the scene, providing an alternate.

A bunch of Swiss modders who name themselves Substance Labs not too long ago introduced the BrickBoy, which brings the Lego Recreation Boy to life and makes it playable. Nevertheless, the distinction in comparison with Natalie the Nerd’s mod is that BrickBoy’s design depends on emulation, moderately than truly working video games from a Recreation Boy cartridge. The crew behind BrickBoy says putting in the mod takes “lower than 10 minutes” and that each one the elements are custom-made, however did not dive into specifics on how its emulation system truly works.

“BrickBoy is an easy-to-assemble equipment that transforms the Lego Recreation Boy set right into a playable console. It’s an unbiased, creator-made improve equipment, constructed fully from our personal {custom} elements, together with the cartridge, buttons mechanism, display module, and management board,” Substance Labs defined.

BrickBoy will likely be accessible by means of Kickstarter

Pricing has not been revealed but

Substance Labs uploaded a YouTube video demonstrating the BrickBoy mod, which you’ll be able to watch above. The video reveals that putting in the mod requires attaching a 2.4-inch LCD display to the Lego set and including magnetic sensors for the D-pad and motion buttons. Probably the most visually impactful change, nonetheless, is the BrickBoy’s battery pack, which requires two AAA batteries and protrudes from the again of the cartridge module.

The BrickBoy will likely be accessible by means of a Kickstarter campaign launching on October 28, with three kits accessible: Important, Gamer, and Collector’s Version. The Important Equipment can play Recreation Boy Traditional titles in greyscale, has mono audio system, and depends on the AAA battery pack I discussed earlier. The Gamer Equipment can play Recreation Boy Shade and Recreation Boy Advance video games, in addition to traditional titles, helps Bluetooth audio and wi-fi updates, and is powered by a chargeable lithium battery. The Collector’s Version features a USB energy provide and charger so you possibly can run video games regularly on the display for show functions.

Regardless that Kickstart launches in only a few days, pricing for any of the kits hasn’t been revealed but. It is also value noting that not one of the kits embrace the Lego Recreation Boy set itself; it’s a must to purchase it individually. Substance Labs says as soon as the Kickstarter marketing campaign ends, it is going to start meeting and begin transport to backers by December.

So, in case you’ve acquired a Lego Recreation Boy set and wish to convert it right into a playable handheld, both the equipment from Natalie the Nerd or BrickBoy ought to do the job. Nevertheless, a phrase of warning: Kickstarter campaigns do not at all times come to fruition, so hold that in thoughts in case you’re excited about turning into a backer for the BrickBoy.