LEGO’s Nintendo Game Boy Leaves Everyone Speechless

When even the harshest critics are impressed, you know you’ve stumbled upon something special…

LEGO Nintendo Game Boy peeking out of the author’s pocket. Photo by author.

While I generally write about sets I buy and therefore love, that doesn’t mean every new release doesn’t come with a lot of controversy. Heck, I’d argue, LEGO has more critics than Apple, and the Danish toymaker’s critics are at least as loud. The pitchforks are always sharp and ready to go, the fuming comments always in the back pocket. Until now, I even thought LEGO simply cannot possibly release a set that would universally be loved by critics and fans alike. I was wrong. LEGO did pull off the impossible of pleasing everyone with a small but mighty set — the Nintendo Game Boy.

Nostalgia cash grab?

See, that’s what critics would usually say: “Sure, let’s make happy all the nostalgic adults who have more money than common sense”. If I had a brick for every time I heard this, I’d have a few sets’ worth of extra to build with. But, that’s not the case. Not this time.

Retail box design of the LEGO Game Boy set. Photo by author.

While an 18+ set meant for the generation that has a childhood or teenage…