This mod turns your Lego Sport Boy into an actual ...

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 traditional handheld console in Lego kind. Whereas the set is eye-catching for avid gamers and collectors alike, the unlucky half is that it’s Lego in any case, so you possibly can’t truly energy it on and play video games on it as a lot as you’d want too. Nevertheless, 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 Sport Boy into a totally purposeful system that may play video games, making a small PCB that matches contained in the Lego set and performs precise Sport Boy cartridges. She is at the moment engaged on making a package 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 Sport Boy to life and makes it playable. Nevertheless, the distinction in comparison with Natalie the Nerd’s mod is that BrickBoy’s design depends on emulation, reasonably than truly working video games from a Sport Boy cartridge. The staff behind BrickBoy says putting in the mod takes “lower than 10 minutes” and that each one the elements are custom-made, however did not dive into specifics on how its emulation system truly works.

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

BrickBoy can be accessible by means of Kickstarter

Pricing has not been revealed but

Substance Labs uploaded a YouTube video demonstrating the BrickBoy mod, which you’ll be able to watch above. The video reveals that putting in the mod requires attaching a 2.4-inch LCD display to the Lego set and including magnetic sensors for the D-pad and motion buttons. Probably 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 can be accessible by means of a Kickstarter campaign launching on October 28, with three kits accessible: Important, Gamer, and Collector’s Version. The Important Package can play Sport Boy Basic titles in greyscale, has mono audio system, and depends on the AAA battery pack I discussed earlier. The Gamer Package can play Sport Boy Shade and Sport Boy Advance video games, in addition to traditional 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 regularly on the display for show functions.

Though Kickstart launches in just some days, pricing for any of the kits hasn’t been revealed but. It is also price noting that not one of the kits embrace the Lego Sport Boy set itself; you need to purchase it individually. Substance Labs says as soon as the Kickstarter marketing campaign ends, it’s going to start meeting and begin transport to backers by December.

So, for those who’ve received a Lego Sport Boy set and need to convert it right into a playable handheld, both the package from Natalie the Nerd or BrickBoy ought to do the job. Nevertheless, a phrase of warning: Kickstarter campaigns do not at all times come to fruition, so maintain that in thoughts for those who’re desirous about turning into a backer for the BrickBoy.