Can't wait for the Game Boy? These are the best Lego retro console sets I've built so far

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Get that display shelf going ahead of October

Lego Pac-Man Arcade box with bags of bricks on a black table
(Image credit: Future)
Pre-order the Lego Game Boy

Full view of Lego Game Boy kit next to Zelda and Mario cartridges and swappable inserts.

(Image credit: Lego)

Lego Game Boy | $59.99 at Amazon

Release Date: October 6

The Lego Game Boy finally hit pre-orders last week, but if you've got the itch for more retro consoles you'll be glad to hear this is far from the first pixel-minded set on the market. From the wood panels of the Atari 2600 to the cool gray tones of the classic Nintendo Entertainment System, Lego has spent plenty of time in the dusty cupboards of retro consoles.

PSA: Check your shelf dimensions

Building these displays is fun, but then you've got to put it all somewhere. These Lego retro consoles are much larger than the Game Boy model, and some - like the Atari 2600 - need additional space for extra peripheral models as well.

I started off with the Pac-Man Arcade and that was fine, it's got a large footprint but everything's pretty self-contained. Don't make the same mistake I did with the Atari, though. The wider base of the console itself already takes up a lot of space, and then you've got the joystick, cartridges, and three game tableaus to show off on top.

Is Lego releasing more retro console sets?

The thing about Lego is, nobody ever really knows what's coming up. The brand releases designs and kits based on in-house creations, but there's also a thriving Ideas section that can always bring surprises to the shelves. It's highly likely that more Lego retro console sets are on their way, the store has a whole page dedicated to kits based around nostalgia, but none are announced right now.

We've also been building all the best Lego Star Wars sets or take a look at the best retro consoles for the real deal.

Tabitha Baker
Tabitha Baker
Managing Editor - Hardware

Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector. 

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