Retro-styled Mice, Modeled after Game Boy, Are the Nostalgic Tech Accessories We Lack in Modern Times
Tech designer TLTB has created two unique wireless mice that pay homage to the iconic Nintendo Game Boy, blending retro aesthetics with modern functionality. The mice are built using the Bambu Lab Wireless Mouse Components Kit, providing the necessary electronics for a fully functional peripheral.
Features and Design
The first mouse, inspired by the original Game Boy shape, has been redesigned for better ergonomics. It features a "kink" to give it volume similar to old-school mice while retaining the iconic Nintendo color scheme. The design integrates buttons where the original console screen would have been, and its form is ergonomic for comfortable use.
The second mouse, described as an "upside down Game Boy," is blockier, more compact, and playful, mimicking a caricature of the console with details like grip lines and even a cartridge-like back. Uniquely, this model uses a "fuzzy skin" texture produced by 3D printing settings to give a tactile finish that also hides minor print imperfections.
Both designs include Game Boy-style buttons crafted from similar materials, so the feel during use echoes the original handheld. The electronics such as PCB, battery compartment, and mouse wheel encoder slot neatly into the 3D printed shells, secured with minimal hardware.
Assembly and Availability
The electronics kit can be purchased from Bambu Lab or other 3D printing retailers. The 3D print files for both mouse designs are available on Cults 3D as paid downloads, offered at a discount for a limited time due to the amount of effort put into detailed modeling and engineering.
Users with a 3D printer and the necessary kit can build these mice at home, merging nostalgic design with wireless mouse functionality.
Additional Notes
TLTB previously designed a Game Boy-inspired keyboard shell called the Key Boy, making these mice perfect companions for a cohesive retro setup. The designs have been praised for their faithful homage to the original Game Boy’s aesthetics and tactile experience, with clever adaptations to ensure ergonomic comfort and printing practicality.
[1] Bambu Lab Wireless Mouse Components Kit: https://www.bambulab.com/products/wireless-mouse-kit [2] TLTB's Game Boy-inspired Key Boy keyboard: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/home/key-boy-game-boy-keyboard [3] First mouse design on Cults 3D: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/tltb-gameboy-mouse-1 [4] Second mouse design on Cults 3D: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/tltb-gameboy-mouse-2
- Product design enthusiasts might be interested in the events surrounding the release of TLTB's retro-inspired home-and-garden items, such as the Nintendo Game Boy-inspired wireless mice, which are available for purchase alongside the Game Boy-inspired Key Boy keyboard, both showcasing a fusion of technology and lifestyle.
- In addition to wireless mice, the TLTB-designed Game Boy-inspired products also encompass gadgets like the Key Boy keyboard, adding a touch of family-friendly charm and relatable nostalgia to one's home design.
- For tech-savvy individuals, DIY home-and-garden projects like building the Game Boy-inspired wireless mice from TLTB provide opportunities to merge techniques in product design, event management, and technology, creating a unique gadget that complements their personal lifestyle.
