A new LEGO Nintendo set is on the way from LEGO Super Mario – 72046 Game Boy, a nostalgic, brick-built recreation of the beloved handheld gaming system.
LEGO Super Mario 72046 Game Boy is set to release on October 1 with 421 pieces and a price of £54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99.
Nintendo 72046 Game Boy is the latest nostalgic set to come from LEGO Super Mario, following in the footsteps of 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System from 2020. But the welcome catch with 72046 Game Boy is that it’s significantly cheaper — the Game Boy’s pocket-sized dimensions allow for the LEGO brick version to be a smaller set that won’t break the bank for fans looking to add a splash of Nintendo nostalgia to their collections.
Having released in 1989, the Game Boy doesn’t have the sleekest or most colourful design, but the iconic status of the system gives even its solid-grey colour scheme a healthy bit of charm. The LEGO brick version holds true to the design of the real thing, featuring all the big details like the button layout and classic screen as well as the smaller things, from the battery light to headphone jack.
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Two game cartridges are included and can be slotted into the system — The Legend of Zelda Links Awakening and Super Mario Land get the honour of being made from LEGO bricks. Based on initial images, the design work for the cartridges appears to be strong, and perhaps better at tricking the eyes into thinking they’re the real deal than the Game Boy itself. But final verdicts will have to wait until the Blocks team gets the set in hand for review.
The screen can also be swapped out for three different options, adding an extra bit of character to the model. There’s one for each of the games, as well as one that bears the Nintendo logo for a simpler display. And for display, the set includes a stand for both the Game Boy and one of the cartridges.
It is worth noting that 72046 Game Boy, while featuring all the right bells and whistles and coming with two game cartridges, doesn’t have any light, sound or gameplay functionality — manually swapping the screen images is as close as it gets. So the set won’t satisfy any cravings for a fully functional Game Boy replica, but for fans of the system just wanting a cosy display piece to celebrate their childhoods, this appears to be a solid option that will allow the screen to be turned “on” while out on the shelf.
72046 Game Boy is slated for release on October 1. If you’re interested in adding it to your collection, consider purchasing it on LEGO.com via our affiliate links to help support the work we do at Blocks, online and in print.
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