See Through Game Boy Becomes Art Crafted by Natalie the Nerd

A working see through Game Boy Color shows a transparent circuit board designed from scratch by Natalie the Nerd, highlighting hardware modding as art.

See Through Game Boy Becomes Art Crafted by Natalie the Nerd

Australian modder Natalie the Nerd has built a working see through Game Boy Color with a circuit board made from clear plastic. The build exposes copper traces and RGB lighting, all designed by the creator herself. Natalie lives in Australia and supports her work with modding kits and repair services, plus Ko-fi donations from supporters.

Colleagues describe the project as museum-worthy and unbelievably beautiful, even as Natalie notes it is fragile and not practical for daily use. The piece invites reflection on how hardware culture blurs the line between tool and display.

This build pushes the idea that hardware can be both tool and art. It shows how maker culture blends technical skill with design sensibility, turning a consumer device into a gallery piece. The effort also highlights a broader trend where communities around hacking and modding elevate craft, not just performance.

The fragility Natalie points to is not a flaw but a boundary. Such works raise questions about lasting value, accessibility, and what it means for a community to invest in artful hardware that may not endure everyday use.

Highlights

Craft and tech meet at the edge where function becomes display.