The LEGO Group has released a construction set modeled after Nintendo's original Game Boy. The handheld console, which first came out in 1989, had a huge impact on the gaming market at the time, and LEGO has created a nearly 1:1 scale replica of it. The product consists of 421 bricks and is priced at $59.99 in the US. Pre-orders will be available from July 24, with an official release date of October 1.
The physical appearance is based on the actual device, including the A and B buttons, Start and Select buttons, directional pad, volume dial, contrast adjuster, power switch, ports, speaker grille, battery slot, serial number, etc. Most of the graphic elements are printed tiles rather than stickers, and the serial number on the back also includes a hidden message.
The device comes with two brick-built game cartridges, one based on Super Mario Land and the other on The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, which can be inserted into slots on the back of the device.
The screen uses a lenticular method, so different images appear depending on the angle you look at it. You can choose to equip it from the default Nintendo start screen and specific scenes from both games, including a scene from Dream Island where Link and Marlin are on the beach together.
This product is part of the 'Lego Icon' series aimed at adult fans, and comes with building instructions so even those who are not familiar with Lego can assemble it. It has a similar structure to the previously released Lego NES, and does not have any separate play functions.
The release will be made through the official LEGO website and some selected retailers, and the prices by country are set at $59.99 in the US, €59.99 in Europe, £54.99 in the UK, AU$99.99 in Australia, and CAN$79.99 in Canada.
