Ba-ding. Nintendo startup chime in your head yet? LEGO’s brick-built Game Boy is here to press the nostalgia button. It is compact, clever and very displayable. Let’s see if it earns a spot next to the real thing.
Set details
| Set number | 72046 |
| Theme | LEGO® Super Mario |
| Pieces | 421 |
| Age | 18+ |
| RRP | £54.99 |
| Size | Approx. 14 cm high, 9 cm wide, 3 cm deep |
| Release | 1 October 2025 |
Specs and price from the official listing and reviewer round-ups: LEGO.com · Jay’s Brick Blog · Brick Fanatics.
What’s in the box
You build a near 1:1 replica of the original Game Boy, complete with working A and B buttons, a tactile D-pad, contrast and volume wheels, a power slider and a proper Game Pak slot. You also get two brick-built cartridges - Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening — plus three lenticular screens that simulate the classic green display. A small stand holds the console and whichever cartridge is not in use. LEGO.com.
Build experience
This is small but mighty. Expect plenty of SNOT, neat brackets and a few “oh, that is clever” fixes to nail the rounded corners and ports. Reviewers consistently call out the advanced techniques and satisfying tactility, especially the buttons and D-pad. If you are new to modern LEGO, a couple of steps may feel fiddly, but the payoff is lovely.
Design and accuracy
From arm’s length it reads like the real DMG. The proportions, port placement and surface text are spot on, with most graphics printed on the bricks and only the cartridge labels using stickers for authenticity. The lenticular screens are a smart workaround to capture that crunchy, lo-fi look without electronics. Several reviewers praised how convincingly it recreates the feel of picking up a Game Boy.
Any drawbacks?
This is a display piece. It does not play games. Some fans would have loved an opening battery door or a sound brick, but that would have raised the price and complexity. A few reviewers noted that certain steps may challenge total newcomers, and that the tiny stand is functional rather than flashy.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Faithful near 1:1 look with tactile controls that invite handling | No electronics, so purely a display model |
| Clever build techniques in a quick, satisfying package | A couple of steps may be tricky for total beginners |
| Printed elements almost everywhere, stickers only on the cartridges | Battery door does not open and the stand is very simple |
| Great value at the price point | Small footprint means it is more showpiece than centrepiece |
Display value
On a shelf, this pops. The scale makes it easy to place, and swapping the lenticular screens is a fun mini ritual when you tidy the desk. Improve the stability with our setscape display and you have a match made if heaven. If you want the face to stay dust-free for the long haul, a fitted case is the smart upgrade.
Keep it pristine: BOXXCO display case for LEGO® Game Boy 72046.
Verdict
This is pure, concentrated nostalgia done right. Fast to build, great to handle and surprisingly accurate. If you owned a Game Boy, it will make you grin. If you did not, it is still a classy little display with loads of personality.
