Modder Turns LEGO Sport Boy Into A Absolutely Playable Console Utilizing Unique Cartridges

A {hardware} fanatic generally known as @natalie_thenerd has amazed the modding neighborhood by changing the just lately launched LEGO Sport Boy set into a completely useful console able to operating actual Nintendo Sport Boy cartridges—with out counting on emulation. The mission was accomplished in lower than a day after the official launch of the LEGO set and integrates genuine Sport Boy parts.

The LEGO Sport Boy, praised for its devoted design and nostalgic particulars, served as rapid inspiration for Natalie. Upon analyzing the mannequin, she observed a gap behind the display screen meant to carry an ornamental cartridge. This design ingredient sparked the concept to change the toy in order that it may truly play video games.

In accordance with Tom’s Hardware, Natalie designed a customized printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a MGB CPU, the identical processor used within the unique Sport Boy Pocket, together with built-in RAM to avoid wasting area. The result’s a compact board—smaller even than a typical Sport Boy cartridge—but absolutely able to studying and operating real Nintendo recreation cartridges.

In movies shared on her weblog, Natalie demonstrates the modified LEGO console efficiently booting up Tetris, confirming that the system can acknowledge and cargo genuine recreation cartridges. The mission additionally options what she describes because the smallest show equipment obtainable in the marketplace, changing LEGO’s ornamental display screen elements. To suit the digital parts, some unique LEGO items needed to be eliminated or adjusted.

Though the system can already energy on and skim cartridges, the mod stays a work in progress. Whereas the buttons may be pressed, they aren’t but absolutely useful. In an interview with The Verge, Natalie defined that she plans to design and 3D-print customized elements to attach the buttons on to the PCB, making certain correct enter response. She additionally promised to launch a full demonstration as soon as the construct is full.