Frequently Asked Questions

BlockBoy V3 is a drop-in electronics kit that turns the official LEGO Game Boy set (#72046) into a fully functional handheld console, with obsessive attention to keeping the original exterior intact. It runs a range of emulators, so you can play retro games from the Game Boy era and beyond. The 2.8" IPS display is software-adjusted to perfectly match the window of the LEGO set, and the original LEGO on/off switch controls the device. The once-printed red battery indicator is now a fully working LED, glowing while charging and gradually dimming as the battery drains during play.

Yes, this kit is specifically designed as an upgrade for the official LEGO Nintendo Game Boy set (#72046). The LEGO set is essential and is not included.

V1 and V2 are no longer sold. BlockBoy V3 is the current and only kit available on blockboy.nl.

Good news if you already own a V1 or V2: several features have been rolled out to older kits through updates, see the "V1 / V2 Updates" section below.

BlockBoy V3 supports Game Boy (GB), Game Boy Color (GBC), Game Gear, Game & Watch, NES, Mega Drive, Sega Master System, ColecoVision, native Doom, and Game Boy Advance (GBA).

GBA support is optimized for smooth Pokémon gameplay; other GBA titles are still experimental. WiFi, Bluetooth and USB audio are disabled during GBA gameplay.

No. The kit uses emulation with ROM files on a MicroSD card.

The LEGO Game Boy set comes with 2 LEGO cartridges, and the kit includes 2 small magnets. You build one magnet into each cartridge yourself and link its position to a ROM through the menu. BlockBoy then detects the magnet and automatically launches the linked game on startup. By using different magnet positions, you can pair multiple cartridges to multiple games.

Showcase Mode automatically plays through your library, or a favourites list you put together yourself. Each game runs for a set amount of time, so the game intros play out one after another. It's ideal for displaying your BlockBoy as a showpiece.

The USB-C port on the back lets you keep the BlockBoy powered while it does so, so the sides stay free of cables.

Yes. BlockBoy supports external Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) controllers.

Game Link lets two BlockBoys play together wirelessly, up to roughly 5 meters apart, without a physical link cable, for example wireless Tetris multiplayer or trading in Pokémon games. It's still being developed and isn't available for every game yet.

The kit includes everything you need:

• PCB with IPS display
• 3D-printed parts
• 3x button PCB (D-pad, A/B, Select/Start)
• 3x flat cables
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Screwdriver
• Rear USB port adapter for Showcase Mode
• 2x magnets for the LEGO cartridges
• 1x dark grey 1x2 brick
• 3x light grey 1x1 tile
• 2x black 2x2 tile
• 1x 1x1 battery brick

Not included:

• LEGO Game Boy set (#72046)
• MicroSD card
• Game files (ROMs)

No. Everything you need is in the kit. The yellow LEGO pry tool from the LEGO Game Boy set also comes in handy.

The full manual is on the manual page. Each step has a video that you can slow down, rewind and replay. The build consists of 15 steps, takes about an hour and requires no soldering.

Yes. You can remove all components and put the original LEGO bricks back to restore the set to its original state.

Via USB: connect BlockBoy to your computer with the included USB cable. Press Select + Start together to open the menu, go to System → USB Mode and press A. Once "USB Connected" appears, open the SD card on your computer, go to the ROMs folder, choose your console folder, and place your ROM files there. Press B to exit USB Mode and restart the BlockBoy.

Via WiFi: once BlockBoy is connected to your WiFi network, you can reach it from any device on that network at http://blockboy.local, using username "blockboy" and the password shown in the WiFi menu. This gives you access to the ROMs folder without a cable.

See the manual for detailed instructions and video walkthroughs.

Charging and data transfer go through the USB-C port on the side, using the included USB-A to USB-C cable. The USB-C port on the back is a power input, meant to power the BlockBoy on its stand during Showcase Mode so the sides stay free of cables.

Yes, through USB-C. The audio device does need to work at 3.3 to 3.7V. Devices that only support 5V will not work, and compatibility can vary between devices.

Roughly 2 hours. Actual battery life depends on the emulator used, screen brightness, volume, and whether WiFi or Bluetooth are active.

Yes, BlockBoy V3 supports over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates over WiFi, no cable or computer needed. Check the updates page for the latest firmware, and the manual for the step-by-step video.

Shipping goes via PostNL with Track & Trace. The Country/region selector at the bottom of the page shows which countries I ship to. If yours is not listed, shipping there is probably not possible, but you can always get in touch to confirm.

Delivery times range from 1-3 business days within the Netherlands up to 7-21 business days for some international destinations. See the shipping policy for full details per country.

No. Due to lithium battery shipping restrictions, the kit with battery can only be shipped within the EU and the United Kingdom. If you order from outside these regions, the kit ships without battery and you'll need to buy the battery locally.

BlockBoy V3 uses a Nintendo Joy-Con battery, type HAC-006. It is available separately as a spare part.

Please reach out via the contact page, join the Discord server, or send an email to ovitechprojects@gmail.com. Describe the issue and include photos or videos if possible so I can help you quickly.

Yes, you have 30 days after receiving your kit to request a return. The kit must be unassembled and in its original packaging, with proof of purchase. Reach out via ovitechprojects@gmail.com to start a return. Return shipping is at your own cost unless the item is defective or incorrect. See the refund policy for full details.

Yes, you are entitled to the statutory warranty. If your kit has a manufacturing defect, please reach out via the contact page.

V1 and V2 run the same shared firmware as V3, so several features have been added to older kits after purchase: WiFi file access (via http://blockboy.local), Bluetooth controller support, over-the-air firmware updates and Game Link.

If your kit hasn't been updated yet, you'll need to flash it once using the web flasher on the firmware page. Connect your BlockBoy via USB and follow the on-screen steps in your browser, no extra software needed.

After this first flash, your kit receives future updates wirelessly through the device menu, just like V3.

Need help? Reach out via the contact page or the Discord server.

Yes. The hardware kit and the emulator software itself are legal. Copyright applies to the game files: obtaining and using ROMs is your own responsibility. Rules differ per country, so check what applies where you live.

No. I do not supply, sell, or distribute any copyrighted game files. Users are responsible for legally obtaining their own games.

The BlockBoy runs on a custom fork of Retro-Go, an open-source firmware by ducalex, licensed under GPLv2.

The BlockBoy source code is available on GitHub. The hardware/PCB designs are currently not open source.

Check out the YouTube channel for build videos, gameplay demos, and the latest updates.

Yes! Join the BlockBoy Discord server and share your build there, I'd love to see your creations.