There’s something magical happening at the intersection of childhood nostalgia and adult engineering prowess. Two competing visions for transforming Lego’s decorative Game Boy set into a functional handheld have emerged, representing fundamentally different philosophies about what makes retro gaming authentic. On one side stands Natalie the Nerd with her Build A Boy kit, a purist’s dream that uses actual Nintendo chips harvested from Game Boy Pocket systems. On the other, the BrickBoy kit takes the emulation route, creating a more accessible but arguably less authentic experience. This isn’t just about playing games—it’s a philosophical debate about what constitutes the soul of retro gaming.
Natalie’s approach feels almost like digital archaeology. By carefully extracting and repurposing original Nintendo chips, she’s preserving the literal heart of the Game Boy experience. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that the same silicon that powered countless childhood adventures is now breathing life into a plastic brick recreation. Her $99 kit represents more than just functionality—it’s a bridge between generations, connecting the tactile satisfaction of Lego building with the authentic hardware that defined portable gaming. The fact that it requires no soldering makes this preservation accessible to enthusiasts who might not have technical skills but still crave that genuine connection to gaming history.
Meanwhile, the BrickBoy kit represents a different kind of preservation—one focused on accessibility and sustainability. At $220, it’s significantly more expensive, but it offers the advantage of not requiring scarce original cartridges. The emulation approach means you can play ROMs of games that might be physically impossible to find or affordably acquire today. There’s an ethical dimension here too—no Game Boy Pockets need to be sacrificed for the BrickBoy, making it a more sustainable option for those concerned about preserving original hardware. It’s gaming democratized, albeit through software rather than hardware authenticity.
What fascinates me most about this competition is how it mirrors larger debates in retro gaming preservation. The purists argue that only original hardware can deliver the true experience—the specific timing, the authentic sound, the tactile feedback that defined the original. The pragmatists counter that emulation makes gaming history accessible to everyone, not just collectors with deep pockets and extensive libraries. Both sides have valid points, and both kits serve different needs within the gaming community. Natalie’s creation is for the historian who wants to touch living history; the BrickBoy is for the enthusiast who wants to play without hunting down rare physical media.
As we look toward the 2026 launch of Natalie’s kit through Crowd Supply, I can’t help but wonder if we’re witnessing the birth of a new category—the authentic recreation. These projects represent more than just clever engineering; they’re about finding new ways to connect with gaming heritage. Whether you prefer the chip-level authenticity of the Build A Boy or the convenience of BrickBoy’s emulation, both represent a beautiful fusion of childhood building blocks and adult technological sophistication. They prove that sometimes, the most innovative creations come from honoring the past while building toward the future—one plastic brick at a time.
About the Author
