The 421-piece set is up for preorder now, and while it’s not playable, the attention to detail is still pretty striking
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The Nintendo Switch 2 was widely seen as a “huge leap forward in terms of power” in the fierce arms race for the most powerful handheld gaming console, but Nintendo’s next release is decidedly less high tech. That’s because the gaming giant is teaming up with LEGO to release a building set inspired by the original Game Boy. It’s available for preorder as of today, and will be released on Oct. 1.
According to LEGO, it’s a “near 1:1” replica of the original, replete with pressable buttons and volume controls on the side. The set even includes replicas of Game Pak cartridges, which can be inserted into the console. The set also comes with a display stand.
LEGO Super Mario Game Boy
All told, the set has 421 pieces, making it a relatively modest build compared to some adult LEGO sets. The blocky, plastic build of the original Game Boy lends itself to being LEGOfied, but the replica Game Boy looks strikingly realistic, even by LEGO’s high standards.
It’s still worth noting that this is a collectible replica, not a playable Game Boy — don’t expect to set any Tetris records with it. Still, LEGO added an extra layer of realism with swappable lenticular lenses that capture scenes from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Super Mario Land, which move when viewed from different angles.
This isn’t the first time LEGO has released a Nintendo set; in 2020, the Danish toy company released a 2,646-piece replica of the NES, which included a controller, console, and even a CRT TV.
