BrickBoy kit on Kickstarter Brings the LEGO® Game Boy to Life as a Fully Playable Console

The BrickBoy kit on Kickstarter begins with a fantasy every retro-gaming fan has had at least once: what if the LEGO® Game Boy on your shelf could actually turn on? What if those grey bricks, those iconic buttons, that familiar shape could do more than sit inside a display case? What if it could play real games?

BrickBoy turns that dream into a functioning piece of hardware. Built by a small creator team and engineered entirely in-house, this electronics upgrade kit slides into the official LEGO® Game Boy set and transforms it into a working handheld capable of running classic titles. No soldering, no tools, no modding expertise — just a clean, clever conversion that makes the build feel like magic.

A Kit Designed for Retro Fans and LEGO® Purists

The BrickBoy experience starts with the philosophy behind the product. This is not a resale, clone, or re-packaging of LEGO® bricks. It’s an entirely original electronics kit that uses only components designed, prototyped, and assembled by the BrickBoy team. The LEGO® Game Boy itself remains untouched, as the creators emphasize full respect for LEGO®’s construction system and aesthetics.

Inside the BrickBoy kit, players will find the parts that bring the replica to life: a custom cartridge module, an integrated control board, a compact display, and audio hardware — everything needed to convert the build into a functional gaming handheld without ever cutting, gluing, or modifying the LEGO® shell.

What Makes BrickBoy Kit on Kickstarter Unique?

BrickBoy’s personality comes from how seamlessly it blends into the official LEGO® Game Boy structure. Slide the control board into place, attach the screen, slot the cartridge, and the system boots like a tiny retro museum piece that suddenly pulses with light and sound. The creators built every element with a single purpose: preserve the LEGO® look while enabling real gameplay.

Combined with low-voltage electronics and CE-tested safety, BrickBoy manages something rare in both the modding and LEGO® communities — transforming a display model into a daily-use gadget while keeping the build fully reversible.

Three Kit Versions for Different Types of Collectors

The campaign offers three options, each tailored for a specific kind of fan. The Classic Kit focuses on Game Boy titles, giving builders a straightforward, nostalgia-first experience. The Gamer Kit expands compatibility to Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance titles, using remapped controls to handle the extra GBA inputs. And for collectors, the Collector’s Edition introduces exclusive features such as Exposition Mode, a looping demo display perfect for shelves, showcases, or convention setups.

These versions share the same base philosophy but differ in how much functionality they unlock. Retro fans, GBA players, and collectors all find a tier tuned to their expectations.

A Build Process That Feels Like a LEGO® Experience

A No-Tools Transformation

BrickBoy’s creators designed the installation to mimic the feel of LEGO® building. Everything fits, snaps, and connects cleanly. No soldering, no coding, no special skills required — just follow the steps, place the module, and power up. The entire process takes under 10 minutes, meaning you can go from sealed kit to playable console in a single sitting.

A Custom Cartridge That Finishes the Look

The included cartridge is more than a decorative block. It houses functional electronics and acts as the heart of the kit. Slotting it in completes the illusion: the finished LEGO® Game Boy behaves like the real handheld, only built from bricks instead of plastic shells.

The Authentic Retro Feel

BrickBoy doesn’t attempt to simulate thousands of systems. Instead, it focuses its compatibility on the Game Boy family alone — the platform that inspired the iconic LEGO® build. This tight focus keeps performance polished and controls intuitive inside the limited button layout of the LEGO® model.

Game Compatibility That Respects the Original Hardware Spirit

Play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and GBA (Gamer & Collector Kits)

All BrickBoy kits support Game Boy Classic titles. The Gamer and Collector tiers extend that to Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance titles, using smart remapping for GBA shoulder buttons. It’s a solution that preserves the LEGO® shell while granting access to a broader library.

Freeware Included, Your Own Games Supported

Each kit includes freeware titles on the SD card to get players started immediately. Users can add their own compatible games, offering both starter content and long-term value.

Display Options for Nostalgia Lovers

The stretch goals unlocked the nostalgic Classic Green Mode, a single-click color filter inspired by the original Game Boy screen. It’s a small feature, but one that taps directly into the emotion of early handheld gaming.

Built for Safety, Stability, and Everyday Use

BrickBoy uses CE-tested, certified components and runs on low-voltage electronics. Magnets and small parts mean it’s intended for hobbyists aged 14 and above, but within that range it operates with the reliability you’d expect from a serious electronics kit — not a toy improvisation.

Everything about the design emphasizes durability: stable power, rhythmic inputs, safe thermal output, and a display bright enough for comfortable play without overwhelming the LEGO® aesthetic.

Why BrickBoy Kit on Kickstarter Matters

In a world full of handheld clones and generic emulation sticks, BrickBoy stands out because it doesn’t try to imitate a console — it elevates a LEGO® build into one. It is the first project to treat a LEGO® set as a real functional shell, respecting both the retro gaming community and the collector display world at the same time.

It speaks to builders, modders, retro fans, and anyone who loves seeing a static object suddenly spring to life.

For LEGO® collectors, it’s a showpiece. For Game Boy fans, it’s a tribute. For hobbyists, it’s a clever engineering flex. For everyone else, it’s simply delightful.

Campaign Update — November 23, 2025

The BrickBoy Kit on Kickstarter is continuing its impressive run, now at $635,107 pledged of its $115,388 goal, with 3,182 backers and 9 days remaining.

The team is preparing a live BrickBoy AMA, where they’ll address backer questions and share the next steps for the project. Because the community spans multiple time zones, Substance Labs is asking supporters to vote on the most convenient date.

Backers can fill out the short survey to indicate availability and suggest topics they’d like covered during the session. The final AMA date will be announced on Sunday evening, after the results are tallied.

More news from the BrickBoy team will follow soon as the campaign heads into its final stretch.

---

FAQ about BrickBoy Kit on Kickstarter

What exactly is BrickBoy?

BrickBoy is a creator-made electronics kit that transforms the official LEGO® Game Boy set into a functioning handheld. The kit includes a custom cartridge, display, speaker, and control board — all designed and assembled by the BrickBoy team without using third-party components.

Does BrickBoy include the LEGO® Game Boy set?

No. BrickBoy is an upgrade kit only. The LEGO® Game Boy model must be purchased separately through official LEGO® stores or authorized retailers.

Is BrickBoy affiliated with LEGO® or Nintendo?

No. BrickBoy is an independent project and is not endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by LEGO® or Nintendo. Trademarks are referenced solely for compatibility.

How long does assembly take?

Installation is fast and beginner-friendly. The full build takes less than 10 minutes and requires no tools, soldering, or technical experience.

What kind of games can I play on BrickBoy?

All kits support Game Boy Classic titles. The Gamer Kit and Collector’s Edition also support Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games, using smart remapping for missing GBA buttons. Freeware titles come preloaded, and users may add their own compatible games.