This see-thru Game Boy is a work of art — because she designed a transparent circuit board

7 hours ago 3

Sean Hollister

is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.

Have you heard of Natalie the Nerd? She’s a pillar of the Nintendo Game Boy modding scene who taught herself to reverse engineer and design Game Boy circuit boards.

Now, she’s put her skills to work in probably the most beautiful build I’ve ever seen: a working see-through Game Boy Color where even the circuit board is made of clear plastic. Because she designed and created that board herself from scratch, you see.

Photo: Natalie the Nerd

I’ve been floored by console mods before, but I’d typically limit praise to saying they’re “damn clean.” But this thing, to paraphrase Indiana Jones, belongs in a museum. “Damn that’s lovely,” says one of my colleagues. “It’s such a delight,” says another.

Photo: Natalie the Nerd

Another reason why it’s probably a museum piece: she agreed with one commenter that it’s likely too flimsy and fragile for extended use. “Yeah not practical at all, just art work TBH,” she wrote.

Natalie lives in Australia, where she sometimes sells RGB lighting kits and other aftermarket components for Game Boy modding and offers repair services. You can also support her work at ko-fi.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.