Image Credit: LCLDIY

Published 3 minutes ago

Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family’s go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech.

Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he has been working with it and its sister website, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity topics.

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Summary

• Giant playable Game Boy: 3D‑printed shell, pushable buttons, external controller support
• Uses an electroluminescent screen to give games a soft, CRT‑like retro glow
• Build files and details posted on Hackaday.io for anyone to print and assemble

After covering a lot of DIY electronic projects, one thing I’ve realised is that people really, really like recreating the classics. Sure, there are companies out there that try to replicate the exact look and feel of old gaming hardware, but DIY enthusiasts often put a really cool spin on it. Like, for instance, a really big Game Boy that still tries to capture that old-school feeling.

Such is the case of the Super Game Boy, a giant, playable version of Nintendo’s famous handheld console. Not only that, but it uses an electroluminescent screen to give the visuals that soft, retro vibe.

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The Super Game Boy is perfect for those who wish the Lego one actually worked

And was, like, ten times bigger

As spotted by VideoCardz, this amazing project was the idea of LCLDIY over on YouTube. They’re often tinkering with some cool retro hardware on their channel, but this time around, LCLDIY was doing something a little different. They wanted a really large version of the Lego Game Boy, but with pushable buttons, a proper screen, and the ability to add external controllers. So that’s just what they did.

Before you ask: no, they didn’t get really big Lego bricks to make the console. Instead, they created the shell with a light-curing printer, which took them about a week. Once it was ready to build, they put all the pieces together to create this awesome Super Game Boy.

The most intriguing part of this build is the screen they use to play their games on. It’s called an electroluminescent screen, and its primary use is to soften out those harsh pixels like a CRT screen would:

The electroluminescent screen has a unique glow effect and is the predecessor of OLED. However, it uses organic substances to emit light, and long-term use will leave residual shadows, so it was replaced by liquid crystal. But the electroluminescent effect can cover up the rough mosaic picture, making old games look softer and more comfortable. It is an excellent alternative to monochrome cathode ray tubes.

If you’d like to read more about LCLDIY’s work, pop over to their Hackaday.io page for more information, including the files they used to print out that huge Game Boy. And if you’d like more like this, be sure to check out these retro gaming projects you can build with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2.