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

If there’s one firm that has just lately been betting on nostalgia, it is Lego. Earlier this month, the corporate launched an official Lego Game Boy set that precisely recreates Nintendo’s basic handheld console in Lego type. Whereas the set is eye-catching for players and collectors alike, the unlucky half is that it’s Lego in any case, so you possibly can’t really energy it on and play video games on it as a lot as you’d want too. Nonetheless, due to 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 totally practical gadget that may play video games, making a small PCB that matches contained in the Lego set and performs precise Recreation Boy cartridges. She is presently 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 gaggle of Swiss modders who name themselves Substance Labs just lately introduced the BrickBoy, which brings the Lego Recreation Boy to life and makes it playable. Nonetheless, the distinction in comparison with Natalie the Nerd’s mod is that BrickBoy’s design depends on emulation, moderately than really operating video games from a Recreation Boy cartridge. The staff behind BrickBoy says putting in the mod takes “lower than 10 minutes” and that every one the components are custom-made, however did not dive into specifics on how its emulation system really works.

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

BrickBoy might be accessible by Kickstarter

Pricing has not been revealed but

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

The BrickBoy might be accessible by a Kickstarter campaign launching on October 28, with three kits accessible: Important, Gamer, and Collector’s Version. The Important Package can play Recreation Boy Basic titles in greyscale, has mono audio system, and depends on the AAA battery pack I discussed earlier. The Gamer Package can play Recreation Boy Coloration and Recreation Boy Advance video games, in addition to basic 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 frequently on the display screen 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 embody the Lego Recreation Boy set itself; you need to purchase it individually. Substance Labs says as soon as the Kickstarter marketing campaign ends, it would start meeting and begin transport to backers by December.

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