The LEGO Group just surprised fans and collectors at San Diego Comic Con 2025 by unveiling a brick built replica of Nintendo’s original Game Boy handheld system. This new model, identified as set number 72046, reimagines the iconic device at almost a 1:1 scale using 421 pieces. The reveal at LEGO’s SDCC booth came alongside other high-profile announcements but quickly became a showstopper as enthusiasts crowded around to get a closer look at this nostalgic throwback.
Constructed to faithfully capture the look and feel of the 1989 Game Boy, the LEGO model includes the signature +Control Pad, A and B buttons, and the SELECT and START keys. Designers painstakingly recreated the volume slider and contrast dial, ensuring they actually turn just as on the original. The brick-built replica also boasts an authentic Game Pak slot, complete with a hinged flap, giving builders a tactile recreation of that classic cartridge-loading experience.
To heighten the nostalgia, the set comes with two interchangeable Game Paks rendered entirely from LEGO bricks: one replicates The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and the other mirrors Super Mario Land. Owners can choose which cartridge to “insert” and swap between three lenticular screens: the standard Nintendo start screen or screens representing each of the included games. These screens slot seamlessly into the display, offering a customizable showcase piece once construction is complete.
Price and availability details underscore LEGO’s strategy of making this collectible both accessible and timely. Priced at $59.99 in the United States, €59.99 in Europe, and £54.99 in the UK, the LEGO Game Boy set is now open for pre-order as of July 24, 2025. The model will begin shipping on October 1, 2025, to LEGO stores, LEGO.com, and select retail partners worldwide, aligning perfectly with the holiday shopping season for maximum impact among gift givers and collectors.
Targeted at adult builders aged 18 and up, this set expands LEGO’s growing portfolio of offerings intended for mature audiences. By emphasizing the creative and commemorative aspects of the build, LEGO underscores how this project isn’t meant for play but rather as a display piece that embodies a pivotal moment in gaming history. Step-by-step instructions included in the box (and on the LEGO Builder app) make it approachable for newcomers to the hobby, while long-time fans will appreciate the attention to vintage hardware details.
Reaction on the show floor was palpable, with attendees noting how the LEGO Game Boy managed to evoke the same rush of excitement once felt when powering up the original device. At Comic-Con, the reveal was staged within a vast LEGO-built recreation of the convention center itself, highlighting just how much effort the company invests in crafting immersive fan experiences. Many joked that LEGO’s faithful design soothes the itch for retro gaming in an era dominated by digital emulation and modern handheld consoles.
For those who have already displayed LEGO’s Nintendo Entertainment System set or the PAC-MAN arcade model, the Game Boy marks a natural next step in building a brick-based gaming shrine. Whereas the previous NES release arrived with its own functional cartridge-loading feature, the Game Boy set leans into an even more interactive feel with its working dials and swappable elements. Collectors are calling it a must-have companion to the growing lineup of gaming-inspired LEGO Icons sets, cementing LEGO’s status at the nexus of toy design and pop culture memorabilia.
Beyond its play-along features, the LEGO Game Boy taps into a broader cultural trend: tangible nostalgia. As digital media increasingly dominates entertainment, objects that can be held, displayed, and admired gain emotional value. By transforming a seminal gaming device into a creative building exercise, LEGO offers fans a hands-on way to revisit personal memories while adding a striking décor piece to their living spaces. It’s a celebration of gaming history that bridges generations, inviting both seasoned players and newbies to engage with a landmark platform through the universal language of bricks.
This announcement follows several recent releases that highlight LEGO’s focus on adult designers and pop culture icons, from cinematic landmarks to innovative gadgets of yesteryear. The LEGO Game Boy set stands as both a tribute to Nintendo’s enduring legacy and a testament to LEGO’s ability to reinterpret beloved intellectual properties in new, interactive forms. With pre-orders already live and the official launch set for October 1, 2025, enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up to add this retro masterpiece to their collections