LEGO’s Game Boy Set is a Bittersweet Reminder of Nintendo’s Handhelds

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Over the past few weeks, numerous video game enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the official reveal of Nintendo’s long-whispered next-generation console, the Switch 2. Despite Nintendo confirming that the new system will be presented prior to March 31, 2025, their silence on the matter has left some feeling frustrated. To compound the issue, instead of disclosing details about the Switch 2, the company has been making various unexpected announcements, such as unveiling a $100 alarm clock called Alarmo, launching a Nintendo Music streaming service exclusive to Android and iOS devices, and offering more insights into the Super Nintendo World amusement park set to open at Universal Epic Universe this year.

Earlier this week, Nintendo unveiled another announcement not related to Switch 2, focusing instead on its classic hardware line. Specifically, on January 9th, they confirmed that LEGO is developing a Game Boy block set, with an expected release date in October 2025. This collaboration between LEGO and Nintendo isn’t entirely unexpected, given their past joint projects. However, the upcoming LEGO Game Boy set stands out as it harks back to a period in gaming history that has largely faded: the heyday of dedicated handhelds.

The LEGO Game Boy is a Callback to a Period in Nintendo History That’s No More

Nintendo Used to Release Consoles Designed Exclusively for On-The-Go Gaming

In the ’90s, ’00s, and ’10s, Nintendo specialized in producing their own handheld gaming devices. Unlike contemporary consoles, these couldn’t be connected to a TV or monitor; they were specifically designed for portable play only. One of Nintendo’s early offerings in this market was the Game Boy, which hit stores in 1989 at $89.99. This fourth-generation console was an immediate success for the company and went on to become one of their most popular products, selling over 118 million units by 2016, placing it among the best-selling consoles ever made.

After the Game Boy’s triumph, Nintendo decided to broaden their horizons in the portable gaming market rather than just concentrating on home consoles. In 2001, they unveiled the Game Boy Advance, a handheld device that boasted 32-bit capabilities, a sleeker design, and a more comfortable grip compared to the initial Game Boy model. Three years after this launch, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo DS, a dual-screen console characterized by its clamshell design, touchscreen, and integrated microphone. Lastly, in 2011, they presented the Nintendo 3DS, a system renowned for its stereoscopic 3D capabilities.

The Switch is Great, But It Lacks Some of the Charm that Nintendo’s Prior Handhelds Had

Surely, Nintendo continues to produce handheld consoles today, yet its latest generation device, the Switch, stands out as a versatile hybrid rather than a strictly portable system. The flexibility and convenience of the Switch allow users to play games comfortably while lounging in bed or enjoy them on a large-screen TV at home. This multi-functionality is impressive indeed, but it raises questions about the potential loss of charm that Nintendo hardware might have experienced during its shift from dedicated handhelds to hybrid systems.

Games developed for Nintendo’s DS and Game Boy systems were subject to more hardware limitations compared to contemporary games, yet these constraints provided developers with unique opportunities to innovate in their creations. Furthermore, the compact size of early handheld Nintendo consoles enabled users to carry them comfortably in their pockets. Regrettably, today’s hybrid handheld consoles tend to be larger and less diverse in terms of hardware capabilities compared to their predecessors from Nintendo, making it challenging to find a modern dual-screen device or one as compact as the Game Boy. Conversely, portable devices resembling the Switch are abundant in the market nowadays.

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2025-01-12 21:26