First Look at ArcadeBoy, a Mini Arcade Cabinet Powered by Real Game Boy Hardware

The ArcadeBoy is the realization of a childhood fantasy, or, more accurately, a full-fledged Nintendo Game Boy driving a proper arcade cabinet sitting on your desk. Chris Fletcher, an engineer, worked for years to make that notion a reality. It all began in 2019 when he was experimenting with early test circuits at his desk, lighting up an original Game Boy motherboard to send the visual signal through an FPGA and onto a larger screen.

He really wanted the gameplay to be authentic, with no emulation, therefore the actual hardware had to execute every cartridge exactly as Nintendo had built it from the start. After years of working on the project, he finally had the ArcadeBoy. All of the heavy lifting is handled by a custom PCB, which takes the Game Boy pixel data and neatly scales it up by a factor of three in each direction before slapping it onto a 12.1-inch LCD panel that has been upscaled to 480 by 432, complete with a classic bezel around the image for that authentic kiosk feel. The resolution is flawless; no unusual stretching or artifacts can be seen.

We’re now talking arcade-style controls, so a joystick replaces the lowly D-pad, and the A and B buttons are upgraded to beautiful tactile switches. Of course, Start and Select remain in situ, and sound is provided by a pair of stereo 3-watt speakers in the cabinet. Above the screen, there is an illuminated ArcadeBoy marquee. To add some flexibility, simply plug in an NES controller.

The entire system is now elegantly reversible, since you can connect everything using the original LCD connector on the Game Boy motherboard, eliminating the need for soldering and permanent cuts. All you have to do is pop the handheld’s screen open to insert an FPC cable for video out, then route the inputs back in, and your Game Boy is back to its original self, ready for pocket service whenever you want it. Fletcher designed a compact 3D-printed casing that looks just like a traditional arcade cabinet, complete with cartridge slot access on top. Historically, the project has focused on original black and white Game Boy titles using DMG-01 hardware, which means that Game Boy Color games are out for the time being; supporting them takes more than just a firmware switch.

The project is currently live on Kickstarter now, marking Fletcher’s debut crowdsourcing campaign. You can get in on the ground floor with options ranging from adapter boards to full DIY kits that include a Game Boy for $499 and pre-assembled cabinets for $699. Some tiers allow you to supply your own compatible mainboard. Shipping begins in March 2026, and there are the normal dangers associated with any first-time campaign, such as delays or problems, but at least you can participate while the project is still in its early stages.
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