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Yes—in a limited demonstration, YouTuber stacksmashing had an original Nintendo Game Boy perform Bitcoin-style proof-of-work hashing. But the 2021 project was not evidence of a mainnet block or spendable bitcoin reward: its video description labels a section “Testchain.” A Raspberry Pi Pico connected the handheld to a PC, which handled network communication; the Game Boy did the hashing.
What the Game Boy mining demonstration did
In a video published March 27, 2021, stacksmashing described an attempt to mine Bitcoin on an original Game Boy using a Raspberry Pi Pico as a link-cable-to-USB adapter. The video’s chapter list covers the hardware, Game Boy and Pico firmware, link-cable protocol, host computer, mining, and a testchain segment. Watch the original project video.
That distinction matters: performing the hashing work used in proof of work is not the same as proving that a device mined a Bitcoin mainnet block or earned a spendable reward. The available project description and technical coverage do not establish either outcome.
How the setup worked
The Game Boy ran custom software from a flash cartridge and processed incoming work by running SHA hashing. A modified Game Link Cable connected it to a Raspberry Pi Pico, which bridged the connection to a host PC. The PC—not the Game Boy on its own—communicated with the Bitcoin network. Hackaday’s technical account describes the division of labor.
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- Game Boy: ran the custom program and performed hashing.
- Modified link cable and level shifter: carried signals between the handheld and Pico.
- Raspberry Pi Pico: acted as the link-cable-to-USB communications bridge.
- PC: supplied the network connection and coordinated the work.
Tom’s Hardware reported that the build used a four-channel bidirectional level shifter because the article describes the Pico as operating at 3.3 V and the cable as using 5 V logic levels. Those are details of the reported 2021 build, not a guarantee that arbitrary cables or wiring can be connected safely. Read Tom’s Hardware’s 2021 report.
How fast was it?
Tom’s Hardware reported an estimated rate of about 0.8 hashes per second for the Game Boy processor. That figure is the outlet’s 2021 report, not an independent measurement here. The same coverage compared the result unfavorably with contemporary ASIC mining equipment; the comparison is historical, not a current hardware buying guide.
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At that reported rate, the Game Boy’s role is best understood as a retrocomputing and learning project. It demonstrates hashing and communication between old and new hardware, not a practical way to compete in Bitcoin mining or earn bitcoin.
What you would need to recreate the project
The cited coverage establishes the broad components, but does not identify a specific compatible flash cartridge or retail cable model. Compatibility and wiring matter, so the component names below are not a parts recommendation.
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- An original Game Boy and a compatible flash cartridge for running custom software.
- A modified Game Link Cable and a Raspberry Pi Pico.
- A level shifter appropriate to the actual signal levels and wiring in the build.
- A host PC to handle network communication.
Do not assume a stock link cable can be plugged directly into a Pico: verify the wiring and voltage levels for the exact hardware before connecting anything.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did the Game Boy actually mine Bitcoin?
It performed proof-of-work-style hashing in a mining demonstration. The creator’s video description calls the project an “attempt,” and its timeline includes a “Testchain” section. The sources establish neither a Bitcoin mainnet block nor a spendable payout, so it is more accurate to describe this as a test-chain demonstration than as a Game Boy earning Bitcoin.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Original Game Boy
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- 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
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- Package Weight-0.440924524 Lbs
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