BrickBoy, the world’s first crowdfunded LEGO Game Boy expansion, has been a complete success from it’s initial conception to the Kickstarter campaign – fans of both retro handheld gaming and LEGO building have come together to back this idea, which has already surpassed the goal by 450%!
We here at The Brick Post were kindly given an early prototype to install, test and report back on, we’ve already installed and tested a second update and things are looking great. Not having any prior technical abilities we managed to install it with ease, getting it running was even easier, but it occurred to us that we know hardly anything about the team behind it, where the idea came from or more importantly how it all works. The guys behind the rapidly growing phenomenon, BrickBoy, agreed to an interview – below is what they had to say.
The BrickBoy Kickstarter campaign is still very much ongoing, so head over there now and see which kit takes your fancy the most, and why not back your favourite and watch this awesome slice of gaming history unfold. Don’t forget that we have a special reader link that may open up a special deal, at the very least it helps towards our server upkeep and more, click here to activate the code directly on Kickstarter – Thank you.
Left to right: Ludovico, Matteo, Thomas
1. To start off, could you introduce yourself and tell us how BrickBoy came to life
Sure! We’re a small team of three friends – Thomas, Matteo and Ludovico – based in Switzerland. We’ve worked together for years on creative and tech projects, usually for fun more than business. The idea for BrickBoy came right after LEGO revealed the official Game Boy set. Thomas joked about making it “actually playable,” and we decided to see if it could be done. One prototype led to another, and before long, it became something people really wanted to get their hands on.
2. What drew you to combine LEGO and retro gaming, two pretty different worlds?
Both have something in common: they’re timeless forms of play. LEGO lets you build worlds, and Game Boy lets you explore them. Mixing the two felt natural to us. We wanted to create an object that brings together creativity and nostalgia – something that makes you smile as soon as you turn it on. Also, we can’t deny that the entire AFOL community immediately thought “it would be amazing being able to play on it” and expressed it pretty clearly. 😆
3. How did the community react when you first showed BrickBoy online?
The response was incredible. Honestly, we didn’t expect it. When we posted the first working prototype on Reddit, it was met with positive reception from the start. People loved that it wasn’t just a display piece but a fully working console inside the set. That wave of enthusiasm convinced us to take the project seriously and prepare it for Kickstarter.
4. From a technical perspective, what was the biggest challenge in making BrickBoy work?
Space! The set doesn’t leave much room. We had to design every component to fit perfectly inside without altering the outside look. We used the Raspberry Pi ecosystem because it gives us flexibility and stability. Everything follows the original logic – modular, intuitive, and easy to replace.
5. What has the feedback from the AFOL and gaming communities been like so far?
Amazingly positive, and very different from what we expected. AFOLs loved the simplicity and the fact that it stays faithful to the original set. Gamers, on the other hand, were excited to see a fully playable experience built with bricks. Some even started proposing mods – new color themes, sound tweaks, or custom screens. We’re taking a lot of those ideas seriously.
6. Speaking of which: we heard BrickBoy just got a software update?
Yes! We recently replaced the boot sound and animation. It now features a fully original BrickBoy intro, and the screen is customizable too – so every BrickBoy can feel unique.
7. You’ve mentioned the Raspberry Pi ecosystem. Does that mean users can tinker or expand BrickBoy’s features on their own?
Exactly! That’s one of the most exciting aspects. We’re building around open, well-known components. Users can personalize the interface, add new emulators, or even develop small custom tools. BrickBoy is a tribute to DIY creativity as much as to gaming nostalgia.
8. How are you handling the production and delivery side? Many Kickstarter projects struggle there.
We’ve been cautious from the start. We’re manufacturing within the EU to reduce complexity, and we’re in touch with logistics partners to streamline global shipping. Our target is still Q1 2026 for first deliveries. Transparency is key: if anything changes, backers will be the first to know.
9. What’s next for BrickBoy after the Kickstarter campaign?
We’re already thinking about multiplayer and accessory modes. Some features depend on stretch goals and community feedback, but the long-term vision is to make BrickBoy a platform for playful creativity, maybe even a space for people to share their custom mods and themes.
10. Finally, what’s one thing you hope people feel when they build and play BrickBoy for the first time?
Joy, pure and simple. The same feeling you had opening your first set or switching on your first handheld console. That’s what BrickBoy is about: rebuilding that childhood magic, one brick at a time.
That certainly gave me a great insight about the chaps behind the idea, how it came to be and what goes into making it all work. We hope you found it fascinating too and inspired you to check out the Kickstarter campaign, if you haven’t already. Don’t forget that we have a special reader link that may open up a special deal, at the very least it helps towards our server upkeep and more, click here to be taken directly to Kickstarter – Thank you.
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