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06 Lego Game Boy (2)
Game Reviews

The Lego Game Boy Is A Masterpiece

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I’ve rather given it away with the headline there, but I couldn’t help myself. Lego’s recently launched Game Boy is the most extraordinarily satisfying build, with results that feel uncannily realistic. It looks and feels perfect, complete with a just-too-murky screen to thoroughly emulate the real thing.

Announced back in July and immediately up for pre-order (which I did as soon as I’d written the article), the Lego Game Boy was clearly a labor of love, and in some ways a compromise for Lego given the number of bespoke pieces made just for this set. From the curved and grilled panel to the fuchsia caps for the A and B buttons, a few plastic liberties have been taken to make this such a stunning replication of the 1989 handheld. And wow, it nails every element, from the bizarrely realistic-feeling d-pad (despite being so ostentatiously a Lego cross) to the spongy A and B buttons, all made complete with the epic and satisfying “CLICK!” of the on-off switch.

By my count, there are at least 12 pieces unique to this set, and wonderfully this includes a large number of pre-printed pieces with distinctive Game Boy designs and fonts. Where these would usually be stickers, Lego has saved people like me who live in fear of such operations, and I’m so very grateful. Placing stickers, especially long, thin ones, requires the steady hands of a surgeon, and not the shaky incompetent flippers on the end of my arms. Still, for those who enjoy the adrenaline rush of the completely irredeemable moments, both the game cartridges you build require a large sticker be placed.

© Kotaku

Another aspect that makes this build so special is that—and I realize how pretentious this sounds, but it’s definitely true—the instructions are put together with wit and timing. The first thing you’re asked to build is one of the two cartridges, along with a display stand for it that contains a slot for storing the spare lenticular cards. But rather than going straight onto the second, you instead are launched into the Game Boy itself, building it from the inside out. This means that you’re constructing its green network board first, then adding the base below, before putting in the mechanisms for the buttons and the buttons themselves, and only after that’s all in place putting together its complete shell. It’s so delightful that it’s constructed just as a Game Boy would have been, and those button mechanisms are just so smart. The d-pad uses a concealed rubber tire to provide the push-back when you press it in any of its four directions, while the A and B buttons get their exact sponginess from a cunningly placed rubber band pegged around three c-arm clips. The results feel so realistic, making these super-smart tricks feel all the more remarkable.

Further, it’s only after you’ve finished the main Game Boy that you realize you were unwittingly adding amazing details like a realistic-looking DC inlet at the bottom, a headphone jack on the left side, and the scrolling contrast and volume wheels. Oh, and the unexpectedly hefty click of the on-off button is still making me happy.

The smart nature of the instructions is completed by ending on the second cartridge, which you then slide into the back of the Game Boy, where even here it slots in with a satisfying clunk. It’s an incredibly rewarding way to finish, and you don’t have that moment of ending with the boring fiddly bits that so often marks the finish of a Lego build. There’s no putting the side-character together, or wedging flowers on all the plant stems here; that other cartridge and both display stands are already completed, and inserting that cartridge is your final moment.

© Kotaku

Now, the one criticism I have here is the last thing I thought I’d be saying, but there are a couple of flaky moments in the instructions. One piece type in particular is always shown such that you can’t see that it has an L-bend, and there are three or four odd moments where it obfuscates where a piece should be placed underneath what you’ve already built. Nothing disastrous, nothing I couldn’t quickly figure out, but unusual for Lego. But that’s it.

OK so, I swear this is true: As I was writing this review my ten-year-old son came into my study and saw the Lego Game Boy on its Lego stand next to me on my desk. “Oh, a new device!” he said. I handed it to him, and he muttered, “Game Boy.” He’s never held a real one. “Look more closely,” I told him, and he read bits of the writing, pressed some of the buttons, and said, “What?” So I took it from him, flipped it over, removed the back panel and took out the Zelda cartridge, revealing some of the Lego innards. “OH, IT’S LEGO!” he declared. I switched the lenticular out and put it back together, and he exclaimed, “This is SO COOL!” So there you go, a second opinion.

© Kotaku

It’s worth noting that the lenticulars are splendid. There’s the main loading screen one, which has the word “Nintendo” scroll up and down just like it should. Then there’s one for Zelda and one for Super Mario Land, to match the two carts. The Zelda one is perhaps the more disappointing, given the only movement is Zelda turning to look at Link while some V-like birds move about in the sky. Mario‘s is far better, showing Mario jump up to hit a ? block and reveal a star, with a couple of Goombas moving below. Both only have two images, but the Mario version feels a lot more dynamic. Meanwhile, the Nintendo logo screen has seven panels, such that you get a weirdly smooth scroll. And as I mentioned up top, once they’re in the Game Boy behind the plastic screen (it’s a Lego window frame with the plastic glass inserted, repurposed), it really gives that authentic dullness that’s dramatically improved by holding it in direct light.

I realize I’ve just totally nerded out here, and I’m good with that. I wasn’t even a proper Game Boy kid, my primary experience being a splendid summer vacation when a school friend lent me hers for a full six weeks and I just obsessed over it. But even that established a lifetime’s nostalgia for me, that’s duly met and respected by this perfect Lego recreation.

For the quality here, and the real pleasure gained from both the build and the finished result, $60 feels like a fantastic price. I usually find Lego’s prices egregious, often offensive, but the company could have been a lot more greedy here and wasn’t. Yes, you could also spend $60 on a handheld device that’ll emulate every Game Boy game and more beside, but honestly, this Lego brick (pun so very much intended) just feels very special.



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Marlon Wayans has his hands on the Him protagonist's shoulders.
Esports

Does the dog die in Good Boy?

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Good Boy is one of the most acclaimed and talked about horror movies of 2025, but with an adorable dog taking center stage in the movie, this is your guide to if the canine dies, should that be information you need before deciding to watch.

Good Boy has been making waves since it debuted at SXSW in March, with critics and audiences blown away by the horror movie‘s clever central conceit.

That’s because it’s a haunted house movie told from a canine’s point-of-view, with Indy the dog – played by Indy the dog – our eyes and ears for much of the movie, and the only character who realises that something supernatural might be afoot.

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You can read our Good Boy review here. But we also know some animal-lovers won’t watch a movie if they know a dog dies, so that information can be found below. Meaning SPOILERS ahead (though please avoid if you can, as it’s best to go into this one knowing nothing).

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Does the dog die in Good Boy?

IFC Films

No, the dog does not die in Good Boy, with Indy surviving through to the end of the movie.

The story concerns dog Indy and master Todd moving to a house in the woods, where the pet pooch immediately detects something supernatural within those four walls.

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There’s creepy noises and shadows in the attic and basement, doors creak and open of their own accord, and Indy even sees another seemingly spectral dog creeping around the house.

But Indy’s owner seems blissfully unaware of the nightmare his dog is witnessing, and trying to protect him from. Though to be fair, Todd, has problems of his own, in the shape of a serious illness that’s affecting both his body and his brain.

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IFC Films

That mind fog sees him treating Indy pretty poorly towards the end of the film. But it also means he banishes his best friend to under the house when the paranormal activity appears to really kick off.

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Which might just save Indy’s life, as while he’s scared down there, he doesn’t die, and makes it to the end of the movie. At which point he’s found and rescued by Todd’s sister Vera, who drives him safely away from the haunted house.

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So be warned – while the dog doesn’t die in Good Boy, he is in danger for much of the movie, and thanks to Indy’s incredible acting chops, appears to be stressed and frightened throughout. All of which was achieved not by scaring him senseless, but through audio cues, hand gestures, and food, though definitely not carrots.

Director compares Indy to Mission: Impossible’s Ethan Hunt

IFC Films

As the release of Good Boy has been approaching, search for whether Indy dies has spiked, prompting writer-director Ben Leonberg to speak out about the issue.

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“Were we surprised by the reaction? I mean, yes, I think so,” Leonberg tells CinemaBlend. “It’s all been delightful. We certainly think our dog is really compelling. I think everyone thinks their own dog is the cutest, most compelling dog in the world. So maybe my wife and I are gonna be a little warped now. But no, it’s been delightful to see that people are this invested in Indy, his story and outcome.”

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Leonberg says he’s also fine with audiences knowing in advance what happens to Indy, even comparing the dog to Ethan Hunt: “It’s probably not so different from what I think people know when they go and see a Mission: Impossible movie,” says Leonberg.

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“Tom Cruise isn’t gonna die, but the filmmaking still has to let you think he might fall off that airplane and die potentially for real, when you’re watching Mission: Impossible. So, it’s a different way to solve a kind of similar problem.”

Good Boy is in cinemas now, while you can head here to learn about the celluloid inspiration for the movie, or here to find out where Good Boy will be streaming first.

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Call of Duty Black Ops 7, Borderlands 4, and Ghost of Yotei
Esports

Modder turns Lego Game Boy into real working handheld

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The Lego Game Boy set was officially released on October 1, 2025, but one modder has already gone further than Lego and Nintendo. Australian creator Natalie the Nerd has turned the brick-built handheld into a functioning console.

Lego first announced the 421-piece Game Boy replica at San Diego Comic-Con in July, with preorders opening the same month.

The set, priced at $59.99, includes swappable cartridges styled after Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, along with lenticular screens that simulate motion. While the buttons press and the cartridges slot in, Lego confirmed the model was never intended to play games.

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Now, one modder has managed to turn the sought-after Lego set into a playable device straight out of the ’90s.

Modder makes Lego Game Boy play actual games

Instead of using an emulator or Raspberry Pi, she designed and built a custom circuit board with genuine Game Boy chips, small enough to fit inside the Lego shell.

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The biggest change is that the screen is backlit, making it a lot easier to see while playing a game on it.

The build plays real cartridges, supports working buttons, and charges via USB-C with a rechargeable battery. She told The Verge she had to remove a few bricks to fit in the smallest available display kit, and is currently working on mounting the buttons to a 3D-printed Lego-compatible piece.

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The project is still in progress, but Natalie confirmed she plans to release the design once it’s finalized. Already known in the modding scene for aftermarket Game Boy components, she said the Lego version will eventually join her shared circuit board projects.



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Lego Nintendo Game Boy review: a brick masterpiece just shy of perfection
Product Reviews

Lego Nintendo Game Boy review: a brick masterpiece just shy of perfection

by admin


Is there a word that describes the feeling of “I want something to be just a bit better because it’s already so good it only needs one last kick in the pants”?

Because that’s how I feel about the $60 Lego Nintendo Game Boy. It’s better than the fan-made Lego Game Boy that I asked Nintendo to make. It’s even better than I hoped when Lego officially revealed the set. This isn’t just a statue that looks like my original 1989 Game Boy; it’s a joy to build and feels fantastic in the hands. You can press every button, spin every dial, roll the D-pad, and throw a satisfyingly snappy power switch.

Though it doesn’t light up one bit, its lenticular moving images were enough to momentarily surprise friends and family into asking: “Does it actually play games?” The set even has a few hidden Easter eggs.

And yet, I can’t help wanting more.

Let’s do something different for this review: Let’s make it a show and tell. If you’re a video person, start by tapping on my Instagram embed above, or TikTok, or YouTube, or Facebook, or perhaps my Bluesky. If you prefer photos and words, scroll down and I’ll tell you all about it!

Here it is, the photograph I’ve wanted to stage for months: the Lego Nintendo Game Boy next to the pristine 1989 original you might have seen in many a Verge photo before. It was my wife’s childhood Game Boy, though I had one just like it — and Lego designer Carl Merriam absolutely nails the size, shape, and look. It does overcompensate slightly with the Off-On switch and headphone jack labels that are gray instead of molded, three of the four corners of the gray screen bezel are square instead of slightly rounded, and the A and B buttons seem almost pink rather than purple.

It’s also clearly made of a mosaic of Lego tiles rather than a single smooth surface, but that’s part of the charm: it’s a wonder to realize the Game Boy can be re-created 1:1 out of Lego bricks!

Here, I have both displaying the exact same cutscene from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. If you’ve never played the original, you may not realize just how specific a moment this is — a bittersweet, heartstring-tugging scene you can only watch once per playthrough, so I had to save my game before a certain quest to get this photo.

Lenticular tech is still rad.

The Lego Game Boy comes with three of these little lenticular panels to make it look like the screen’s turned on and give it a sense of motion. If you tilt the handheld up and down, you can watch Mario jump, see the Nintendo logo fall, or watch the waves and seagulls fly above the Link’s Awakening beach.

But the one thing I don’t understand is printing on a gray background rather than a green one, so the Lego Game Boy’s screen doesn’t look green like the original’s. It feels like a bizarre miss to me.

A closer look at gray versus green:

I threw in an Easter egg of my own.

It’s not the only nit I could pick with the Lego Game Boy’s screen, which is recessed quite a bit more than the original, which in turn makes it even harder to light up than the original (and, like the original, you need an external light source to do that since it didn’t have a light of its own!).

But I don’t blame Lego for that — it’s because Lego’s using a regular Lego window frame and windowpane for the screen instead of creating new custom parts, which make it feel more authentically Lego. I just wish Lego would start protecting its big windowpanes better so they don’t come scratched right out of the box.

You need a lot of light to see the “screen” well.

Comparing the Lego Game Boy to the original from every angle, you can see lots of places where there are slight gaps between the tiles, sure. But you can also see that almost every complex curve and label is represented, and while it weighs a few ounces less than the original, it’s almost the exact same size.

Image slider: volume and contrast wheels, external connector port (though there’s no port underneath Lego’s cover) and the AC adapter jack. No AC adapter label on the Lego version.

That power switch may seem placed too high, but it’s worth it for the satisfying snap of its Technic peg action.

Headphone jack.

You shouldn’t take that for granted, because it’s not easy even for skilled Lego creators to build a dense real-life object to scale with moving parts. As an example, see how much thicker and blockier Lego Masters Australia finalist Nick Lever’s creation is below?

From left to right: Lego’s Game Boy, Nintendo’s Game Boy, and my attempt at Nick Lever’s fan creation.

I still love the Mario hat buttons, though.

BTW, both of the Lego Game Boys can technically squeeze in a real cart, but it stretches the build uncomfortably.

But as the Lego Group showed and told me in 2023, the thing that truly separates a great official Lego set from a fan creation is the incredible amount of thought that goes into making the set playable and fun to build, not just fun once you’re through.

You can get a better sense in my video, but after a certain point the whole set is built out of modular parts. You create a set of springy face buttons that slide into place, a D-pad that drops in, a screen that needs attaching. It contributes to the illusion you’re building electronics instead of just piling bricks together. And there are details you’ll only appreciate if you’ve seen inside — like how the springy Start and Select buttons are actually Lego car tires.

The rubber nub brick under the D-pad makes for a surprisingly good action.

Or how the springy “membrane” under the D-pad and A and B buttons are colored similarly to their real-life counterparts, even though you’ll never see them once it’s closed:

One rubber band makes both buttons springy.

Image: iFixit

Or how there’s a brick-built “speaker” underneath the Lego speaker grille, complete with yellow “wires,” at the lower right-corner of the build:

Image: iFixit

Or how Lego’s Link’s Awakening cartridge even features a “battery backup” for its save games, like the original, while the Mario cartridge appropriately does not.

Button battery!

Not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, since my real cart is the Player’s Choice reprint from 1996.

The Lego cart can technically fit in an original Game Boy cartridge case if you remove the top tile.

It all takes such passion and attention to detail that I have to wonder: why stop short of doing everything you can when you’ve already come this far?

Here’s the back of the Lego Game Boy, and the real Game Boy, showing off one final Easter egg: the “serial number” that’s actually the date the original Game Boy first came out on April 21st, 1989. That part’s great. But it also contains two completely blank spots where the original Game Boy had an info panel with model numbers and regulatory markings, and the US version had a service sticker.

At $60 — I got mine early for $50 at Costco — I can understand why the Lego Nintendo Game Boy doesn’t have light or sound or actually play games just yet. (Fans will make it do all those things before long.) But the top panel is already a printed piece, and the set already comes with a small sticker sheet.

Just like my real copy of Link’s Awakening fixes bugs that Nintendo originally accidentally shipped, might I suggest Lego ship future copies of the Game Boy with greener screens and a few more lines of text?

Photography by Sean Hollister / The Verge

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You Can Get The $60 Lego Game Boy Early From Amazon
Game Updates

You Can Get The $60 Lego Game Boy Early From Amazon

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The Lego Game Boy officially launches this Wednesday, October 1, but Amazon started shipping preorders on September 26. At the time of writing on September 28, Amazon still has the 421-piece Game Boy in stock with overnight delivery for Prime members. Amazon is the only online retailer delivering the Lego Game Boy before October 1, but if it sells out, preorders are back in stock at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. The Lego Game Boy remains sold out at the Lego Store and GameStop.

The brick-built Game Boy is almost exactly the same size as the handheld that quickly became a worldwide sensation when it hit store shelves in Japan and North America in 1989. This looks like an awesome display piece, and retro Nintendo fans are sure to appreciate the nostalgic interactive elements.

Lego Game Boy (72046)

Part of Lego’s display model series geared toward adult builders and collectors, the Game Boy building kit was teased in January and fully unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in July. The Game Boy is tied with the Super Mario Piranha Plant as the most affordable display model in the Lego Nintendo lineup. It will be the eighth Nintendo-themed kit designed for adults since the pair kicked off their partnership with a replica of the Nintendo Entertainment System.

$60 | 421 Pieces

Lego’s Game Boy looks like an authentic homage to the Game Boy DMG, all the way down to the font of “Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound” on the screen lens and the colors of the A/B buttons, D-pad, and Start/Select buttons. The switches and dials on the top and sides of handheld are located right where you’d expect them: power switch on the top left, contrast wheel on the left side next to the battery indicator light, volume dial across from it on the right, and the 3.5mm audio jack on the bottom.

The brick-built Lego Game Boy measures 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches, which is very close to the dimensions of the real Game Boy DMG (5.8 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches). Lego’s Game Boy can be displayed at an upright angle by connecting it to the buildable black stand shown above.

Along with the Game Boy itself and a buildable stand, the set includes replica Game Paks (cartridges) of two timeless classics: Super Mario Land (1989) and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993). The cartridges can be loaded into the Game Pak slot just like a real Game Boy. You can display the other cartridge on a second buildable stand.

The Game Boy doesn’t have any electronics, so it won’t interact with Lego Super Mario figures, but it does have a cool trick that makes it appear like a functioning Game Boy. The set comes with three swappable lenticular screens: the boot screen that greets you each time you flip the power switch, a still from World 1-1 of Super Mario Land, and the cutscene in Link’s Awakening where you sit next to Marin on a log and have a pretty strange (one-sided) conversation. Tilting the Game Boy creates the illusion of movement, so the the Nintendo logo slides down the screen just like the real boot sequence; Mario moves across the side-scrolling level; and the memorable Link’s Awakening cutscene (briefly) comes to life.

Load Super Mario Land or Link’s Awakening into the Game Pak slot.

The Lego Game Boy’s interactive features such as loading carts and displaying scenes from actual games is reminiscent of the Lego Nintendo Entertainment System. Released back in August 2020 to launch Lego’s partnership with Nintendo, the 2,646-piece set included the console with a functional top loader, a Super Mario Bros. cartridge, a wired NES controller, and a CRT TV with a stand. There’s a crank on the side of the TV that moves Mario through a side-scrolling level. Even five years later, the NES is arguably the coolest gaming-related Lego set.

Unfortunately, the Lego NES was officially retired late last year, and it’s sold out at every major retailer. A couple months back we noticed Amazon restocked the discontinued set but with an extra $60 added to the price. When Lego Game Boy preorders opened, we wrote here that we wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon sold out of the Lego NES at the inflated $330 price. And that happened within days. At the moment, the Lego NES is only available via resellers, and some of the prices make $330 look like a deal.

Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi launched last October.

Speaking of deals, Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi is on sale for a steep discount at Amazon and Walmart. Released last October, the 1,215-piece build features pixel art versions of Mario and Yoshi based on their 16-bit sprites. Yoshi walks when you turn the crank on the side, and twisting the dial on the back recreates the animation of Yoshi sticking out his tongue.

The most recent addition to the Lego Nintendo “for adults” lineup is the 1,972-piece Mario Kart set with a large buildable Mario and his famous red kart. It launched in May on the Lego Store for $170 and arrived at major retailers in July. Check out our Mario & Standard Kart review for more details on this charming display piece.

While you wait for your Lego Game Boy to arrive, you could warm-up by building the 540-piece Piranha Plant from Super Mario Bros.

Lego Retro Gaming Hardware

Lego Arcade Machine (40805)

Lego has created a few other display model sets based on retro gaming hardware. The other big one is Lego Icons: Atari 2600, a wonderful 2,532-piece build that authentically captures Atari’s legendary home console. Unfortunately, Lego discontinued the Atari 2600 last year–but Amazon restocked it this month for retail price, so grab one while you can.

The impressive 2,651-piece Pac-Man Arcade is in stock at Amazon for $260 (was $270). It has a bunch of cool interactive features that make it a stellar collectible for Pac-Man fans. But if you’re looking for a cheaper set in the vein of the Game Boy, check out the adorable 468-piece Lego Arcade Machine. As you can see in the picture above, this isn’t based on a real arcade machine, but it still looks awesome. Plus, the Lego Arcade Machine only costs $40 and includes a gamer-themed minifigure.



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Chris Tilly
Esports

Good Boy review: Doggie horror that’ll have you on the edge of your seat

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Good Boy is a haunted house movie quite unlike any ever made, as the slight story is told through the eyes of a dog, which makes for an unbearably tense viewing experience.

They say you shouldn’t work with children or animals on film, and while there isn’t a single kid in Good Boy, the entire movie revolves around a cute canine called Indy.

That dog belongs to co-writer (with Alex Cannon) and director Ben Leonberg, and he draws a remarkable performance out of his pet pooch – also called Indy – who appears heroic one minute, and terrified the next.

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And while the story itself doesn’t quite live up to the furry star’s central turn, that clever conceit – and the brilliance with which it’s executed – makes Good Boy one of the most unique and original horror movies of the year.

What is Good Boy about?

IFC Films

The movie begins with Indy stressing over master Todd, who has clearly fallen ill in his apartment. Todd survives the medical emergency, but decides to move to the country for the sake of his health, so the pair of them up sticks and head to his late grandfather’s isolated house in the woods.

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They arrive on a dark and rainy night, and it’s clear that Indy immediately has a problem with the place. You can’t blame him either. There’s plastic on the furniture, taxidermy on the shelves, plus creaky doors open of their own accord, to a creepy attic and even creepier basement.

“The cursed family house is a great place to relax,” jokes Todd’s sister Vera. But Todd seems blissfully unaware that something might be very wrong, even asking Indy “Am I crazy? It’s nice here, right?”

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The dog doesn’t answer, for obvious reasons, but Indy starts witnessing shadows move, as well as a four-legged phantom only he can see roaming around the house.

The mystery deepens  

IFC Films

While Indy is dealing with that paranormal threat, red flags also come Todd’s way, which he ignores, but we can use to try and piece the puzzle together.

Through old home movies – and conversations between the siblings – we learn that grandpa had a bunch of dogs, but they kept running away.

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We also discover that no one ever stayed in the house for more than a few weeks aside from him, while a neighbor expresses surprise that Todd is staying there, after the way his grandpa died. Which Vera describes as “rotting from the inside out.”

The rest of the family hasn’t fared much better either, as the clan is buried in a nearby cemetery with one thing in common; they all died young. So what does it all mean?

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Don’t expect every question to be answered

IFC Films

Unfortunately, while Good Boy poses multiple questions about the history of Todd’s relations and their cabin in the woods, the film is less interested in answering them.

There are useful details buried in throwaway lines, but just as much remains ambiguous, meaning those hoping for explanations and resolution will be frustrated by the third act.

But Good Boy is less about plot specifics, and more concerned with creating a mood. Human faces are rarely seen, being kept in the dark, or just out of frame.

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Meaning it’s just us and the dog for most of the movie, a truly unique point-of-view from which to view events, and one that put me on the edge of my seat for the duration.

Is Good Boy good?

IFC Films

When Good Boy is a mystery movie about a house filled with secrets, it doesn’t really work, due to the scarce information on offer, and the amount that’s open to interpretation.

But when the movie focusses on Indy and that unseen force, it’s remarkable, thanks to superb framing, sound design, and shot choice, as well as that magical canine performance. I’ve never been more fearful for a character in jeopardy, and I’ve never been more proud when Indy does something selfless or brave.

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Good Boy score: 4/5

Indy is a very good boy, and when the action revolves around him, Good Boy is a very good film.

Good Boy is out on October 3 in the US and October 10 in the UK, while you can head here for our list of the best horror movies ever made.

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Netflix and Guillermo del Toro Team on 'Boy in the Iron Box' Film
Product Reviews

Netflix and Guillermo del Toro Team on ‘Boy in the Iron Box’ Film

by admin


After partnering with Netflix on Pinocchio and Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro is reteaming with them on a third film project.

Per the Hollywood Reporter, this’ll be The Boy in the Iron Box, a series of short stories the filmmaker co-created with Chuck Hogan. (Their second collaboration, following their Strain trilogy that was adapted into an FX series.) del Toro will produce the adaptation to be directed and written by David Prior, writer/director/co-editor of the 2020 cult classic The Empty Man. The upcoming film has also found its three leads in Rupert Friend (Jurassic World Rebirth), Jaeden Martell (Y2K), and Kevin Durand (Abigail). Production for the film will begin in October.

The Boy in the Iron Box tells the story of mercenaries who crash land on a remote snowy summit. In their efforts to find shelter, they stumble across a mazelike stone fortress deadlier than the wolves and freezing wind. The six novellas released for Kindle in 2024 via and each earned a solid reception. Friend will play mercenary leader Liev and Durand one of the men under his command, while Martell plays the titular Boy in the iron box found by the guns for hire.

We’ll have more on The Boy in the Iron Box as news emerges. Until then, you can read the books for yourself here, and see Frankenstein in theaters on October 17 before it hits Netflix on November 7.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.



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Two Namco classics join Nintendo Switch Online's Game Boy Advance library
Game Reviews

Two Namco classics join Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy Advance library

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Two Namco classic Game Boy Advance games are joining the Nintendo Switch Online catalogue.


First up is Mr. Driller 2, the iconic puzzle game that started life as an arcade game before being ported to the GBA for the Japanese launch. It was later released worldwide, and was previously re-released for the Wii U Virtual Console.


The second is Klonoa: Empire of Dreams, a 2D platformer spin-off of the console games that began on the PS1. By comparison, it has more puzzle-like gameplay and introduced a new realm to the ongoing series.

Game Boy Advance – September 2025 Games UpdateWatch on YouTube


Both games will be available from 25th September for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with the Expansion Pack.


Earlier this month, Nintendo added an Easter egg to the Game Boy Advance app, which adds the classic bootup sequence if you twiddle the analogue stick.


And at last week’s Nintendo Direct, the company announced Virtual Boy games will be coming to Switch Online too, along with a dedicated accessory to play them in 3D – it comes in both plastic and cardboard varieties.


For more on Nintendo Switch Online, check out our list of all the games available to subscribers.



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Somehow, Virtual Boy Is Returning And Joining Nintendo Switch Online
Game Updates

Somehow, Virtual Boy Is Returning And Joining Nintendo Switch Online

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Nintendo has a rich history of beloved consoles, from the Super Nintendo to the 3DS, that have filled generations of children with joy. They also released a console called the Virtual Boy. To call this console before its time is an understatement; the Virtual Boy is a retro attempt at virtual reality that left many complaining about strained necks and headaches. Despite that, Nintendo is honoring its legacy and bringing the lineup to the Switch Online Expansion pack for Switch 1 and 2.

The new collection comes with a physical Virtual Boy that you slot your Switch 1 or 2 into. after setting it on a table in front of you, you’ll press your head against it to see the screen. If you don’t want the big plastic Virtual Boy sitting on your table, Nintendo is also releasing a cardboard model, presumably for cheaper than the big one, and in the style of the Labo VR it experimented with a while ago.

The collection will eventually have 14 games, but in Nintendo fashion, they’ll be drip-fed to us slowly over time. The first batch launches early next year, on February 17.

Are you excited for the Virtual Boy to come back? Let us know in the comments!



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The Switch Nintendo Classics app just got a cool, hidden Game Boy Advance Easter Egg
Game Updates

The Switch Nintendo Classics app just got a cool, hidden Game Boy Advance Easter Egg

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Nintendo recently released an update for Switch Online, which among other little tweaks adds a nice, nostalgia infused Easter egg to the Game Boy Advance app.

This Easter egg can be found by twiddling with the analogue stick while booting up the Game Boy Advance app. If you do this, you will be met with the classic GBA bootup sequence.

You can see how the Easter egg looks via the video I took this morning.

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To compare, this is how the app booted up when I left the analogue stick alone.

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This is not the first time Nintendo has added a nostalgic start up on its Switch Online Classic apps. Back in June, it also added the iconic GameCube startup screen to the Switch.

For more on the service, you can check out our handy guide to all of the games currently available on Nintendo Switch Online here.

This is a news-in-brief story. This is part of our vision to bring you all the big news as part of a daily live report.



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