Exciting news for fans of retro gaming and Lego! The highly anticipated Lego Game Boy, a brick-built recreation of Nintendo’s original handheld console, is launching in just one week on October 1st. While preorders have been tough to find for over a month, with units at the Lego Store already gone, Walmart has thankfully restocked the Lego Game Boy! Currently, preorders are sold out at all other major retailers, including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop. This 421-piece replica is priced at $60.
This brick-built Game Boy is designed to be almost identical in size to the original handheld that took the world by storm in 1989. It promises to be a fantastic display piece, packed with nostalgic interactive elements that retro Nintendo fans will absolutely adore.
This Game Boy building kit is part of Lego’s special display model series for adult builders and collectors. First teased in January and officially unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in July, it stands alongside the Super Mario Piranha Plant as one of the most affordable options in the Lego Nintendo collection. It’s the eighth Nintendo-themed set designed for adults since Lego and Nintendo began their collaboration with a replica of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Lego’s Game Boy is a truly authentic homage to the original Game Boy DMG, faithfully recreating every detail. From the iconic “Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound” font on the screen lens to the precise colors of the A/B buttons, D-pad, and Start/Select buttons, it’s a nostalgic trip. The power switch is on the top left, the contrast wheel on the left side next to the battery indicator, and the volume dial on the right, just as you remember. Even the 3.5mm audio jack is replicated on the bottom.
Measuring 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches, the brick-built Lego Game Boy is incredibly close to the real thing (5.8 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches). It comes with a buildable black stand, allowing for an elegant upright display.
Beyond the console itself, the set includes replica Game Paks for two legendary titles: Super Mario Land (1989) and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993). These cartridges can be loaded into the Game Pak slot, just like on a real Game Boy, with an additional stand for displaying the second cartridge.
While it lacks electronics and won’t interact with Lego Super Mario figures, the set features a brilliant interactive trick. It comes with three interchangeable lenticular screens: the classic boot-up sequence, a scene from World 1-1 of Super Mario Land, and the memorable log cutscene from Link’s Awakening. Tilting the Lego Game Boy creates an illusion of movement, bringing these iconic moments to life!
Other Lego Nintendo Display Models for Adults
The interactive elements of the Lego Game Boy, like loading cartridges and displaying game scenes, are inspired by the incredible Lego Nintendo Entertainment System. This 2,646-piece set, released in August 2020 to kick off Lego’s collaboration with Nintendo, featured a console with a working top loader, a Super Mario Bros. cartridge, a wired NES controller, and a CRT TV with a crank to move Mario through a side-scrolling level. Even after five years, many still consider the Lego NES to be the ultimate gaming-themed Lego set.
Sadly, the Lego NES was officially retired late last year and is now completely sold out at all major retailers. A few months ago, Amazon briefly restocked the discontinued set but at an inflated price of $330, an increase of $60. Unsurprisingly, these units vanished within days. Currently, the Lego NES is only available from resellers, with prices often making the $330 tag seem like a bargain.
In other news, the Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set is currently enjoying a significant discount at both Amazon and Walmart. This 1,215-piece set, launched last October, impressively recreates pixel art versions of Mario and Yoshi from their 16-bit appearances. It even features interactive elements like a crank that makes Yoshi walk and a dial to animate his tongue-sticking action.
The latest addition to the adult-focused Lego Nintendo lineup is the 1,972-piece Mario Kart set, featuring a sizable buildable Mario and his iconic red kart. This set debuted in May at the Lego Store for $170, with a wider release at other major retailers in July. For a deeper dive, consider checking out reviews for this charming display piece.
While awaiting the Lego Game Boy’s arrival, you might consider getting warmed up with the 540-piece Piranha Plant set from Super Mario Bros.
- Lego Game Boy (421 pieces) — $60 | Releases October 1
- Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (1,215 pieces) — $104 (originally $130)
- Super Mario: Mighty Bowser (2,807 pieces) — $270
- Super Mario: Piranha Plant (540 pieces) — $48 (originally $60)
- Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart (1,972 pieces) — $170
- The Legend of Zelda: The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 (2,500 pieces) — $300
- Lego Nintendo Entertainment System (2,646 pieces) — Retired, originally $270 MSRP
- Super Mario 64: Question Block (2,064 pieces) — $260 | Retired, originally $200 MSRP
Lego Retro Gaming Hardware
Lego also offers other impressive display models inspired by retro gaming hardware. One notable example is the Lego Icons: Atari 2600, a fantastic 2,532-piece set that perfectly replicates Atari’s legendary home console. Although it was discontinued last year, it was briefly restocked on Amazon in September at its original retail price.
The Lego Icons: Pac-Man Arcade set, priced at $270, is still widely available. This impressive 2,651-piece build boasts interactive features that make it a fantastic collector’s item for Pac-Man enthusiasts. If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly option similar to the Game Boy, consider the charming 468-piece Lego Arcade Machine. While not based on a specific real-world arcade, its design is undeniably cool. Plus, it’s only $40 and comes with a gamer minifigure.
- Lego Arcade Machine (468 pieces) — $40
- Lego Icons: Pac-Man Arcade (2,651 pieces) — $261.66 (originally $270)
- Lego Icons: Atari 2600 (2,532 pieces) — $240 | Retired
- Lego Game Boy (421 pieces) — $60 | Releases October 1
- Lego NES (2,646 pieces) — Sold out | Retired, originally $270 MSRP