LEGO Fans Are Building the Game Boy Set Wrong

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Many LEGO enthusiasts building the new Game Boy set are making the same error: they’re centering the top tiles on the game cartridges instead of slightly offsetting them to recreate the original console’s distinctive notch. This mistake is happening so often that veteran Game Boy owners are now pointing it out, especially since LEGO’s official photos also show the tiles centered, adding to the confusion.

The LEGO Game Boy set (number 72046) was revealed in January 2025, just before the 36th anniversary of the original Game Boy. It officially went on sale October 1st, and in the U.S., it seems like LEGO had enough available to meet most of the demand – shortages haven’t been a major issue, which isn’t unusual for LEGO sets based on Nintendo products. Pre-orders sold out quickly during the summer, and lots of people were able to get the set, likely helped by its popularity on social media and its appeal as a holiday gift.

LEGO Game Boy Owners Keep Centering the Top Cartridge Tile by Mistake

Throughout December, photos of LEGO Game Boy builds started appearing online, and a common error quickly became apparent: many builders were centering the top tile of the cartridge. However, the original Game Boy cartridges actually had that tile slightly to the left, creating a small gap that was filled by the console’s corner. This mistake is happening so often that fans are now sharing tips online to help others build the cartridges correctly.

What the Game Boy Cartridge Notch Tripping Up LEGO Builders Was All About

The original Game Boy cartridges had a small notch on one corner for a simple reason: to protect the system. When you inserted a game, a part of the power switch would cover this notch. This design made it difficult to remove the game while the Game Boy was on, preventing crashes and other problems. After more than 36 years, it seems some modern builders have either forgotten about this feature or weren’t around to learn about it back in the 1990s.

LEGO’s Own Promo Materials for the Game Boy Set Show an Incorrect Cartridge Build

LEGO Group

The problem is made worse by the fact that Nintendo is currently showing an incorrect version of the game cartridge in its official advertising. The top tile on the cartridge is centered instead of aligned to the left, and this inaccuracy appears in two photos on the LEGO Game Boy product page. One photo shows someone inserting a cartridge into the LEGO console, while the other shows the console being taken off a display—both images feature the incorrectly aligned cartridge. Notably, the packaging for the LEGO Game Boy itself does not show this mistake.

Despite a somewhat challenging build process for the cartridge, the LEGO Game Boy has been a hit with both millennials who remember the original and those wanting to recreate a classic console. Unlike many LEGO sets designed for adults, this kit offers creative building options. It includes two game cartridges – one to insert into the console and another for display – plus three special screens that change image depending on the viewing angle. These screens feature scenes from Super Mario Land and a touching moment with Marin from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The set also includes a Game Boy startup screen with the Nintendo logo.

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2026-01-04 08:04