The highly anticipated Lego Nintendo Game Boy model has repeatedly sold out since pre-orders opened at San Diego Comic-Con last month. So far, Amazon remains the only retailer that hasn`t run out of stock at least once. This 421-piece Lego set, priced at $60, is set to launch on October 1. As of August 20, pre-orders are available at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Target and the Lego Store have already sold out of their pre-order allocations.
The brick-built Game Boy is almost exactly the same size as the original handheld console that quickly became a worldwide sensation upon its release in Japan and North America in 1989. This makes for an impressive display piece that retro Nintendo fans will undoubtedly appreciate for its nostalgic and interactive elements.
The Game Boy set, part of Lego`s display model series aimed at adult builders and collectors, was teased in January and fully unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con. Alongside the Super Mario Piranha Plant, the Game Boy is the most affordable display model in the Lego Nintendo lineup. It marks the eighth Nintendo-themed kit designed for adults since Lego and Nintendo initiated their partnership with a replica of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
The Lego Game Boy model serves as an authentic homage to the original Game Boy DMG, down to the “Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound” font on the screen lens and the color scheme of the A/B buttons, D-pad, and Start/Select buttons. The switches and dials on the top and sides of the handheld are located exactly where expected: the power switch on the top left, the contrast wheel on the left side next to the battery indicator light, the volume dial opposite it on the right, and the 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom.
In addition to the Game Boy itself and a buildable stand, the set includes replica Game Paks (cartridges) of two timeless classics: Super Mario Land (1989) and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993). These cartridges can be inserted into the Game Pak slot just like a real Game Boy. The second cartridge can be displayed on a separate buildable stand.
While the Lego Game Boy contains no electronics and therefore won`t interact with Lego Super Mario figures, it features a clever trick that makes it appear like a functional Game Boy. The set comes with three interchangeable lenticular screens: the boot screen that appears upon power-up, a still from World 1-1 of Super Mario Land, and the cutscene from Link’s Awakening where you sit with Marin on a log engaging in a rather strange (one-sided) conversation. Tilting the Game Boy creates the illusion of movement: the Nintendo logo slides down the screen just like the real boot sequence; Mario moves across the side-scrolling level; and the memorable Link’s Awakening cutscene (briefly) comes to life.
The completed model measures 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches, which is very close to the dimensions of the original Game Boy (5.8 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches).
Lego Nintendo Display Models for Adults
The interactive features of the Lego Game Boy, such as loading cartridges and displaying game scenes, are reminiscent of the Lego Nintendo Entertainment System. This 2,646-piece set, released in August 2020 to inaugurate Lego`s partnership with Nintendo, included the console with a functional top-loader, a Super Mario Bros. cartridge, a wired NES controller, and a CRT TV with a stand. A crank on the side of the TV moved Mario through a side-scrolling level. Even five years later, the NES arguably remains the most impressive gaming-related Lego set.
Unfortunately, the Lego NES was officially retired late last year and has sold out at all major retailers. A few months ago, Amazon restocked the discontinued set but with an additional $60 markup. When Lego Game Boy pre-orders opened, it was speculated that Amazon would quickly sell out of the Lego NES even at the inflated $330 price, which indeed happened within days. Currently, the Lego NES is only available through resellers, and some prices make $330 seem like a good deal.
Another nostalgic Lego Nintendo build still available is Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi for $128 (originally $130). Released last October, this 1,215-piece set features pixel art versions of Mario and Yoshi based on their 16-bit sprites. Yoshi walks when you turn the side crank, and twisting the dial on the back recreates the animation of Yoshi sticking out his tongue.
The latest addition to the Lego Nintendo `for adults` lineup is the 1,972-piece Mario Kart set, featuring a large buildable Mario and his famous red kart. It launched in May at the Lego Store for $170 and arrived at major retailers in July.
While awaiting the Lego Game Boy`s arrival, you can warm up by building the 540-piece Piranha Plant from Super Mario Bros. It`s currently the only Lego Nintendo display model available with a discount. Most of the sets listed below almost never receive discounts, but the Piranha Plant is an exception in this regard.
- Lego Game Boy (421 pieces) — $60 | October 1
- Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart (1972 pieces) — $170
- Super Mario: Piranha Plant (540 pieces) — $48 (
$60) - Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi (1215 pieces) — $128 (
$130) - Super Mario: Mighty Bowser (2807 pieces) — $270
- The Legend of Zelda: The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 (2500 pieces) — $300
- Lego Nintendo Entertainment System (2646 pieces) — Retired, MSRP $270
- Super Mario 64: Question Block (2064 pieces) — $255 | Retired, MSRP $200
- $270 with Frustration-Free Packaging
Lego Retro Gaming Hardware
Lego has also created several other display models based on retro gaming hardware. A prominent example is Lego Icons: Atari 2600 — a superb 2,532-piece build that authentically recreates Atari`s legendary home console. Unfortunately, Lego discontinued the Atari 2600 last year. Amazon recently restocked it at its normal price, but it disappeared as quickly as the NES.
Lego Icons: Pac-Man Arcade is still available at major retailers for $270. This impressive 2,651-piece set boasts many cool interactive features, making it a stellar collectible for Pac-Man fans. However, if you`re looking for a more affordable set in the vein of the Game Boy, consider the charming 468-piece Lego Arcade Machine. As shown in the image above, it`s not based on a real arcade machine but looks fantastic nonetheless. Additionally, the Lego Arcade Machine costs only $40 and includes a gamer-themed minifigure.
- Lego Arcade Machine (468 pieces) — $40
- Lego Icons: Pac-Man Arcade (2651 pieces) — $270
- Lego Game Boy (421 pieces) — $60 | Releases October 1
- Lego Icons: Atari 2600 (2532 pieces) — $260 | Retired, MSRP $240
- Lego NES (2646 pieces) — Sold out | Retired, MSRP $270
While not a Lego product, there`s also an official brick-built Xbox 360. This 1,342-piece Xbox 360 building set, part of Mega Bloks` Collector Series for adults, is exclusively available at Target for $150.