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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYes: an original Nintendo Game Boy can run software that performs Bitcoin-style proof-of-work hashing. In a March 2021 demonstration, YouTube creator stacksmashing used a Game Boy, a Raspberry Pi Pico link-cable adapter and a PC to process mining work. The video includes a “Testchain” segment; the available evidence does not show that the Game Boy found a Bitcoin mainnet block or earned spendable bitcoin. Watch stacksmashing’s project.
What the Game Boy did—and what it did not do
The handheld ran custom software that performed SHA hashing on work supplied by a host computer. That is the calculation at the heart of Bitcoin mining, but performing hashes is not the same as winning a block or receiving bitcoin. stacksmashing described the project as an attempt to mine Bitcoin, and the video description includes a test-chain section. Neither fact establishes a mainnet block or payout.
So “mined bitcoin” is best understood here as a demonstration of mining-style computation, not evidence of a successful, spendable Bitcoin reward.
How the setup connected the handheld
An original Game Boy cannot connect to the Bitcoin network by itself. In this build, the PC handled network communication while the Game Boy did the hashing. A Raspberry Pi Pico and a level shifter linked the handheld’s modified Game Link Cable path to the PC. The Game Boy ran custom software from a flash cartridge.
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- Game Boy: ran the hashing software and processed incoming work.
- Modified link-cable path: carried data between the handheld and the adapter.
- Raspberry Pi Pico: acted as a link-cable-to-USB communications bridge; it was not the mining processor.
- PC: communicated with the Bitcoin network and passed work to the Game Boy.
Tom’s Hardware reported that the cable used 5 V logic levels while the Pico operated at 3.3 V, so the project used a four-channel bidirectional level shifter. Those are details of the reported 2021 build, not a guarantee that other cables or boards can be connected the same way. Recreating it requires compatible hardware and careful attention to wiring and signal levels.
How fast was it, and could it make money?
Tom’s Hardware reported an estimated rate of about 0.8 hashes per second for the Game Boy processor in 2021. That figure is the publication’s reported estimate, not a result of independent testing here. It illustrates the scale of the experiment: this is a retrocomputing project, not a practical way to earn bitcoin or compete with purpose-built mining equipment.
Rank #2
![Nintendo Game Boy - Original (Gray) (Renewed) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hTQ10ouWL._SL160_.jpg)
- Unlike modern handheld consoles, the GB Original does not have a back light and is best used in a well lit room or under a lamp.
The value of the project is educational. It shows how a familiar old handheld can perform the core hashing calculation when custom software and a host connection supply the surrounding infrastructure. It does not turn the Game Boy into a commercially useful miner.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What you would need to recreate the demonstration
- An original Game Boy or compatible handheld.
- A Game Boy-compatible flash cartridge for the custom software.
- A modified Game Link Cable, Raspberry Pi Pico and appropriate level shifting.
- A PC to handle the network connection and communicate with the handheld.
The cited coverage does not establish a specific compatible flash cartridge or cable model, so check hardware compatibility rather than assuming a generic accessory will work. The original video’s chapter labels cover hardware setup, Game Boy firmware, the link-cable protocol, Pico firmware, the host computer, mining and a testchain: stacksmashing’s video. Hackaday’s technical account and Tom’s Hardware’s 2021 coverage describe the architecture and reported speed.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Original Game Boy
Rank #4
- Unlike Modern Handheld Consoles, The Gb Color Does Not Have A Back Light And Is Best Used In A Well Lit Room Or Under A Lamp.
- Product Type-Video Game Hardware
- Package Quantity-1
- Package Weight-0.440924524 Lbs
Rank #3
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