LEGO Fans Are Building the Game Boy Set Wrong
LEGO fans keep making the same mistake with the new Game Boy set: placing the top tiles on the two cartridges centrally instead of offsetting them to mimic the original notch. The error is becoming so common that some longtime owners of the iconic console are now sharing PSAs about it, especially after it came to light that LEGO’s own marketing materials have been adding to the confusion.
The LEGO Game Boy (#72046) set was announced in January 2025, a few months ahead of the 36th anniversary of the original console. It was officially released on October 1. Early supply largely met demand in the U.S., as there haven’t been any widespread reports of shortages, which are not unprecedented when it comes to Nintendo-themed kits. Still, with LEGO Boy pre-orders selling out fast over the preceding summer, it appears that plenty of people have already secured the replica, helped by its frequent appearance on gaming-related social media as a fitting holiday gift.
10 ‘Smart’ LEGO Pokemon Sets for Summer 2026 Detailed in New Leak
The latest leak detailing LEGO’s 2026 Pokemon sets includes some interesting tidbits, together with one detail that fans might find disappointing.
LEGO Game Boy Owners Keep Centering the Top Cartridge Tile by Mistake
As LEGO Game Boy set builds flooded online channels throughout December, one common mistake emerged: many users placed the top cartridge tile in the center. However, the original Game Boy cartridges had those tiles offset to the left, leaving a small gap where the console itself completed the right corner. The mistake is common enough that some fans are now posting public service announcements online, telling others that they have been building the cartridges wrong.
What the Game Boy Cartridge Notch Tripping Up LEGO Builders Was All About
The original Game Boy (DMG-01) cartridges featured a cut corner for purely practical purposes. When a game “Pak” was inserted into the device, a tab from the power switch would cover the notch when slid over in order to boot the console. This bit of industrial design heavily discouraged removing a cartridge while the Game Boy was powered on, which could have led to various issues, including system crashes. Over 36 years later, it appears enough time passed for some builders to forget that, or simply be too young to have learned it in the ’90s.
LEGO’s Own Promo Materials for the Game Boy Set Show an Incorrect Cartridge Build
The ongoing issue is exacerbated by Nintendo itself actively advertising the wrong cartridge build with the top tile centered instead of positioned to the left. Two lifestyle photos on the official LEGO Game Boy product page depict this inaccuracy, both showing the Link’s Awakening cartridge in an inauthentic configuration. In one image, the card pack is prominently displayed on a table as someone inserts another into the console replica. In another, the device is being removed from its display, with the misaligned cartridge visible in the background, slightly out of focus. The images used on the LEGO Game Boy packaging don’t make this mistake.
Its trickier-than-intended cartridge build aside, the LEGO Game Boy set has so far proven to be a popular choice among both nostalgic millennials and people wanting to build a fun rendition of one of the most influential consoles in the industry’s history. Compared to a typical display-focused set with an 18+ rating, the kit offers some inspired configuration options, including two cartridges—one of which can go in the console, while the other sits on a dedicated display—and three lenticular screens. The latter include depictions of Super Mario Land and one particularly heartfelt moment with Marin from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, with a Game Boy startup screen displaying the Nintendo logo also being part of the package.
Source: Polygon