Modder Turns LEGO Sport Boy Into A Totally Playable Console Utilizing Unique Cartridges

A {hardware} fanatic generally known as @natalie_thenerd has amazed the modding neighborhood by changing the just lately launched LEGO Sport Boy set into a totally purposeful console able to working actual Nintendo Sport Boy cartridges—with out counting on emulation. The undertaking was accomplished in lower than a day after the official launch of the LEGO set and integrates genuine Sport Boy elements.

The LEGO Sport Boy, praised for its devoted design and nostalgic particulars, served as speedy inspiration for Natalie. Upon inspecting the mannequin, she seen a gap behind the display screen meant to carry an ornamental cartridge. This design factor sparked the concept to switch the toy in order that it may truly play video games.

In line with Tom’s Hardware, Natalie designed a customized printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a MGB CPU, the identical processor used within the unique Sport Boy Pocket, together with built-in RAM to avoid wasting house. The result’s a compact board—smaller even than a typical Sport Boy cartridge—but totally able to studying and working real Nintendo sport cartridges.

In movies shared on her weblog, Natalie demonstrates the modified LEGO console efficiently booting up Tetris, confirming that the system can acknowledge and cargo genuine sport cartridges. The undertaking additionally options what she describes because the smallest show equipment out there in the marketplace, changing LEGO’s ornamental display screen elements. To suit the digital elements, some unique LEGO items needed to be eliminated or adjusted.

Though the system can already energy on and skim cartridges, the mod stays a work in progress. Whereas the buttons might be pressed, they don’t seem to be but totally purposeful. In an interview with The Verge, Natalie defined that she plans to design and 3D-print customized elements to attach the buttons on to the PCB, guaranteeing correct enter response. She additionally promised to launch a full demonstration as soon as the construct is full.