Lego’s Game Boy Replica Modded Into a Real Working Console

Lego’s Game Boy replica launched this week, designed as a near-exact toy brick model of Nintendo’s iconic handheld. By default, the set is non-functional, but one day after release, a modder has already pushed it further. Known online as Natalie the Nerd, she converted the Lego version into a working Game Boy by fitting original hardware inside the brick-built shell.

Natalie had been planning the project since Lego first revealed the set back in July. She confirmed her intentions months ago, telling followers, "I will make a pcb for this." — Natalie the Nerd. Using the official images and dimensions provided before release, she prepared most of the work in advance. Once the set became available, she combined her prebuilt components with LEGO’s kit, transforming it into a playable handheld system.

Unlike an emulator tucked into a decorative shell, Natalie’s build uses actual parts from an original Game Boy. That means the Lego version can only run cartridges designed for the hardware. Lego’s set included a slot on the back for brick-built cartridges, and Natalie repurposed this slot for its intended function. Insert a real Game Boy game, and it plays on the Lego unit just as it would on the original console.

To achieve this, she swapped out the lenticular decorative screens included in the Lego set with a real display. The process also involved adapting the working buttons already built into the set, which Lego had designed to be pressable for authenticity. This detail streamlined her modifications, allowing the Lego shell to support genuine handheld controls.

The end result is a unique hybrid between Lego’s design accuracy and Nintendo’s classic hardware. Images of the project show it running Pokémon Red, highlighting how seamlessly the Lego model now functions as a legitimate console. Natalie has detailed the process and ongoing refinements on her personal blog, where she continues to share updates about the build.

The project stands as one of the most immediate and striking fan modifications tied to a Lego gaming collaboration. For collectors and enthusiasts, it also demonstrates how Lego’s design choices allowed room for inventive uses beyond display. While most buyers will build the set for nostalgia and decoration, Natalie’s mod shows it can also serve as a fully operational piece of gaming history.