A lovingly detailed 18+ display set that captures the magic of Nintendo’s first handheld
When I was young, I was rarely seen without my Game Boy Color. Pokémon Silver and 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue were among the first games I played on my lime-green Game Boy Color, and I loved them. I vividly remember playing Pokémon Crystal on long road trips, late into the night, illuminated only by a Game Boy Color Worm Light.
At the same time, I loved everything LEGO. I built LEGO everything—which meant my two biggest passions, Nintendo and LEGO, were constantly colliding in my imagination.
All of that is to say: the official collaborations we now have between LEGO and Nintendo are exactly what I dreamed of growing up. Today, we have full-blown The Legend of Zelda LEGO sets, including The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1—something a younger version of me would’ve lost his mind over.
Other modern Nintendo collaborations include Mario Kart LEGO sets (which I sadly don’t own), and the focus of this review: LEGO Set #72046 – Game Boy™. Notably, it’s not a Game Boy Color—but I’ll forgive that. The original Game Boy made handheld gaming history, and it absolutely deserves its own LEGO tribute. (That said… I wouldn’t say no to a Game Boy Color set.)
This set was a Christmas gift from my wife—thanks, babe! Marketed under LEGO Super Mario™, the LEGO Game Boy retails for $59.99, which feels very reasonable. With 421 pieces, you’re paying roughly $0.14 per brick, a solid value for an 18+ display build.
What's Inside the Box
For a medium-sized LEGO box, there’s a surprising amount packed inside: five bags of pieces, a brick separator, the instruction manual, three lenticular screens, and… a couple of stickers.
For a premium, 18+ set, the inclusion of stickers was disappointing. Stickers have long been a sore spot in modern LEGO sets, and while there are only two here—used for the game cartridge artwork—they still stand out. They adhere well, but as a perfectionist, placing a sticker even slightly off-center always makes me cringe.
The instruction manual, however, is excellent. The opening pages include roughly 14 pages of Nintendo history and fun facts that longtime fans will genuinely enjoy. Paired with the retro-style artwork, it immediately sets the tone and made me eager to tear open the bags and start building.
The Build
The build begins with the display pedestal, which holds one of the two included game cartridges. It’s a simple, straightforward start—but I loved that it also includes built-in storage for two lenticular screens. Functional and clever.
Next, you construct the first cartridge: Super Mario Land. This short build is more intricate than it looks, using many small pieces. What stood out most was LEGO’s attention to detail—green and black internal pieces subtly mimic the electronics inside real Game Boy cartridges. The same applies when building The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening cartridge, and both end up nearly perfect in scale.
Interestingly, instead of building the second cartridge immediately, the instructions pivot to the Game Boy itself—and this is where the set truly earns its 18+ label. The construction is complex and deeply satisfying, relying on unconventional techniques and layered internals. Once again, hidden green and tan pieces evoke internal circuitry, reinforcing the feeling that you’re assembling a real piece of hardware.
I especially appreciated the use of Technic elements and rubber bands that allow you to physically press the D-pad and A/B buttons—an inspired touch that elevates the entire build.
Printed pieces are used generously throughout the set, including the Start and Select labels, volume indicator, and headphone jack. This makes the two cartridge stickers feel even more noticeable by contrast. Maybe they’re meant as an homage to original cartridge labels—but personally, I would’ve preferred a completely sticker-free experience.
Once completed, the LEGO Game Boy is remarkably close to the size of the real thing, at least from memory. It looks fantastic on display and feels like a true celebration of Nintendo history.
The Verdict
The LEGO Game Boy™ set is an easy recommendation for anyone who grew up with Nintendo handhelds. It’s nostalgic, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely fun to build. While it’s nearly perfect, the inclusion of stickers keeps it from earning a flawless score.
That said, at Input Lag, we’re confident in giving the LEGO Game Boy™ a 9/10. It’s a standout display piece and a must-have for LEGO and Nintendo fans alike—and it looks incredible alongside other Nintendo LEGO memorabilia.
Input Lag Score: ★★★★☆ (9/10)
Input Lag Recommendation: Highly Recommended
About the Author
Scott (Scotty) Greenhalgh is the founder and owner of Input Lag, an independent Nintendo-focused publication. Scotty brings a player-first perspective informed by years of hands-on experience with Nintendo games to his reviews, rankings, and editorial coverage. His writing focuses on how games feel to play, their long-term value, and the impact Nintendo’s creative and business decisions have on players.
Outside of Input Lag, he also creates Pokémon-focused content online under the name Gr3atScotty.
