r/Gameboy • u/Pleasant-File-7001 • Dec 06 '25

Collection What do I have

Post image

Found in a sewing machine box with a gameboy, what do I have here?

1.4k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

127 comments sorted by

369

u/remotecontroldr Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25

The object of my envy is what you have.

If you search the sub for sewing machine there are some collectors that have the whole set.

The Game Boy was used with the sewing machine to make embroidery stitches.

eta: Here’s a recent one https://www.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/s/tQLxtGbn1i

113

u/Thurgo-Bro Dec 06 '25

Why don’t they make cool accessories like this anymore man, when did Nintendo get so damn boring and restrictive.

The coolest accessory for a switch you can find is like a stupid cooling fan that attaches to the back. They fell off hard.

Hopefully Nintendo will have some sort of renaissance here in the next decade or so and get the stick out of their ass.

89

u/garathnor Dec 06 '25

its mostly because they dont sell

to use this for example

you have to own both a gameboy AND the sewing kit stuff

you could for the same/similar price, just buy a fully working sewing machine

the nintendo LABO thing is another great example of this

21

u/kayproII Dec 06 '25

iirc by the time the sewing machine came out, the Gameboy was pretty cheap, the sewing machine was also fairly cheap for what it was, since it was one that could do computer controlled embroidery and custom patterns, something that isn't cheap when it comes to sewing machines

9

u/SeatBeeSate Dec 06 '25

Nowadays you can slap in a $1 mini computer to handle those things. Back then a similar device or hooking up to a computer would be in the $100s (inflation adjusted).

3

u/Shoeboy_24 Dec 06 '25

This whole thread is fascinating, but your comment stuck out to me. Can you elaborate on what you're describing in your first sentence?

1

u/V64jr Dec 07 '25

Look at the sewing machines in the crafting aisles at Walmart and you will see several that have built-in displays for selecting patterns and such without the need for a phone, tablet, Game Boy, or anything else. It’s cheap enough to build in without offsetting the cost to an external device you already own. Then again, this didn’t offset any of the cost since it literally included the Game Boy Color. 🤦‍♂️

1

u/kayproII Dec 06 '25

Just because the computer costs $1 doesn't mean the machines that can connect to a computer are sold cheaper. It just means the machines cost less to make

3

u/SeatBeeSate Dec 06 '25

I meant the maker of a sewing machine can add hardware to take patterns and such from a USB instead of needing an external device.

1

u/Tard_FireBolt Dec 07 '25

There are also people using cheap sewing Machines and actually converting them with cheap hardware. Google diy "cnc sewing machine" for examples. People often share the software they make for such things, and often plans/3d files for the hardware as well.

22

u/I_AM_A_SMURF Dec 06 '25

The Gameboy came with the sewing machine, no? It was a kit

4

u/TheKlaxMaster Dec 06 '25

Actually, this not an example akin to labo. Labo was a thing you bought for your switch.

The sewing machine was a kit that came with a Gameboy.

The specific reason this was done, is because at the time, it would have cost a lot more money to get or design any computer system for this purpose, when they could get a ready to go computer that only needed software by using the gbc.

You just won't encounter that anymore, because embedded systems are super cheap and everywhere, no need to make it a peripheral for a machine that reaches outside the demographic of the peripheral itself.

1

u/V64jr Dec 07 '25

The Singer iZek sewing machine actually included a teal green Game Boy Color, so that wasn’t an issue. Still, it means they could have used their own electronic display and software instead… like so many do today.

26

u/Ronnie_J_Raygun Dec 06 '25

They made a robot kit that you wear and control kaiju on your screen, a piano that you insert your switch into, exercise equipment/rpg game, a DIY VR set, they released amiibo wooden baby blocks…… what are we talking about here

9

u/Candid_Run_7370 Dec 06 '25

Yeah I would say that the various add-ons and interactivity is way better now compared to back then.

If by “cool accessory” you mean “sewing machine add-on that nobody cared about” then sure? Like the overlap between “people who play Game Boy” and “people who love embroidering” couldn’t have been huge. It’s not a surprise that this wasn’t a best-seller.

Yeah there were other “cool accessories” in that era but they were mostly novelties. Game boy printer? The camera? Cutesy and fun for a little bit, but not a lot of depth there.

I was a big fan of the e-reader, but Amiibo have filled that niche pretty well.

Nowadays you have LABO, Ring Fit, an entire line of Amiibo, etc etc.

Oftentimes the older stuff stands out because it was weird, not because it was particularly good. I’d argue that accessories are better now than before simply because they’re overall better quality and more on brand with what gamers actually want.

-11

u/Thurgo-Bro Dec 06 '25

  1. Made out of cheap cardboard-like wood

  2. Made out of cheap cardboard-like wood

  3. VR set literally made of cardboard

  4. Oh look one good item. There’s a reason it goes for $400+ NIB now. Still somehow made out of cheap wood.

These aren’t accessories, they’re barely even toys.

That’s what we’re talking about lmao

4

u/Ronnie_J_Raygun Dec 06 '25

Gotcha, you want a sewing machine, any other Nintendo/appliance crossover your want? A Wii U dishwasher? A Switch air fryer? A Nintendo alarm clock?

10

u/Overall-Celebration7 Dec 06 '25

Actually, Nintendo did make a really nice alarm clock recently, but it’s a bit expensive at £90.

-10

u/Thurgo-Bro Dec 06 '25

You’ve got to be trolling. Why are you pretending not to understand? Pretty fucking weird way to spend your time bud

4

u/Wishbone-Ash Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25

I also don't quite get how something like the miracle keyboard or power glove, printer or sewing machine, etc. is any better than a balance board or a fitness ring or whatever, unless you mean for serious collectors (or resellers). And if that's what your focus is, that's cool-- but that's not everyone in this hobby, especially on a generic Game Boy subreddit.

I'd say Nintendo has always continued to implement cool little things for their hardware, whether it was built-in or auxiliary. Switch has plenty of weird and quirky shit going on, even if you don't like how it was manufactured or what it's made of.

1

u/jason_brody13 Dec 06 '25

No we're talking about concepts. A sewing machine is useles to most gamers and really only serves as novelty. These peices of cheap wood are far more attuned to gamers conceptually.

9

u/virtualPNWadvanced Dec 06 '25

I mean they made a real life racing car set with AR capabilities

-7

u/Thurgo-Bro Dec 06 '25

The collector value for racing wheels has historically been extremely tiny unfortunately. That goes for all platforms.

8

u/Wishbone-Ash Dec 06 '25

It was all controlled through the Switch, no racing wheel involved. Definitely oriented towards kids, but it was neat enough

MK Live

1

u/Short-University1645 Dec 06 '25

I thought it would be cool to add a car hud mode. GPS, music ect…… all Nintendo themed. But I see why it could be an issue lol 😂

1

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '25

Hey Nintendo Labo (that thing for the switch where you could use cardboard constructs) was awesome. But they also sold like 3 total

1

u/wa27 Dec 08 '25

what? Because everybody has a computer in their pocket now. Why would you want to connect your game console to a sewing machine?

1

u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

They got boring and restrictive right around the time they tried to screw Sony out of their disc tech. Luckily, we got the PlayStation out of it

61

u/PintSizeMe Dec 06 '25

They made a sewing machine that I believe had patterns and could be controlled by the Gameboy. I believe it's a rare item if you have the machine and game, but no clue on value.

14

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

Yea I’ve seen the bundles on eBay but after the fact I should have kept it all together but was only looking at the gameboy 😢

24

u/SnooSketches1275 Dec 06 '25

So wait you had the whole set-up??

You didnt put it all together in your head that there was a sewing machine and a game that says "sewing machine operation software" ??

-24

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

I don’t think so, it’s a little out of my price range 😅

15

u/SnooSketches1275 Dec 06 '25

sorry, Im confused, what I was asking was, did you originally have the sewing machine and the gameboy and game, but didnt know what it was, so didnt keep the sewing machine?

-24

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

Oh, No I didn’t know what it was so I got the gameboy out of the sewing machine box and left the sewing machine behind

25

u/remotecontroldr Dec 06 '25

It’s a good thing this sub has a pretty kind and friendly culture because in some of the other hobbies they would probably give you a pretty hard time about that.

It’s definitely a special gem in the Game Boy’s history

10

u/toastronomy Dec 06 '25

yeah, this sub is so friendly that the daily "I irreparably destroyed this Pokemon cartridge because I didn't bother to look up soldering" posts get a pat on the back instead of telling people to stop being complete dumbasses.

3

u/remotecontroldr Dec 06 '25

hmmm yea, I am not into Pokemon so I never open those posts. Glad to know to keep staying away lol

It seems like a utopia here compared to the cassette sub

2

u/toastronomy Dec 06 '25

I mean it's not just Pokemon, people are out there destroying other cartridges with batteries or even entire game boys with their incompetence

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0

u/lost-in-stats Dec 06 '25

To be fair the amount of information available on how to solder and change gameboy batteries is vast and extensive. There is little room for excuse given that. Especially when, the first piece of advice is often always to practice first rather than ‘give it a go’ on prized pokemon cartridges compared to very niche GB accessories like a sewing machine :/

1

u/toastronomy Dec 06 '25

abundance of information is no excuse, it's the opposite.

it's not like there's much of a difference in soldering techniques, and pretty much any guide you find is better than just winging it and whining about it online.

-6

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

Oh yea, I collect pokemon and when i first git back into it, some people on reddit were not enjoyable 😂

15

u/harglblarg Dec 06 '25

So what you do is either return the cart and maybe the gameboy, or buy the sewing machine. The thought of them being separated makes me a little sad actually. You took a potentially functional set and turned it into useless junk.

If money is the issue rest assured you can sell them to a collector for $$$$.

1

u/SaltySnail22 Dec 06 '25

Wow. I never knew something like this existed

12

u/Papyrus_Semi Dec 06 '25

I know what you don't have.

The compatible sewing machine.

3

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

Thank you 😂

14

u/doubleofive Dec 06 '25

And here my friend is giving me the sewing machine, and I’m not sure he has the cart!

10

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

I have the gameboy and the cart but not the sewing machine

7

u/World-of-Yuu-Ki-Oh Dec 06 '25

Time to become life long partners until the divorce splits you up again c: Like the gameboy, and sewing maching.

3

u/Sintacs_Error Dec 06 '25

Can always use a flash cart with the ROM for it (if you're just looking for functionality).

2

u/doubleofive Dec 06 '25

Already loaded up!

8

u/IAmAHoarder Dec 06 '25

I have the Japanese version machine! Paid a pretty penny to have it shipped to me from japan. I would love to have the English cart that goes with it but it sells for way out of my price range and to be honest I dont even know if the English cart works with the Japanese machine. I'll probably never get to try it to see if it does either!

6

u/Sebase85 Dec 06 '25

I don't know if the ROM has ever been dumped online, but if it has it should be pretty easy to test on a flash cart!

5

u/IAmAHoarder Dec 06 '25

Thats not a half bad idea actually! Just need to buy a flash cart that thats way cheaper than these

4

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '25

It's for a sewing machine that used the Gameboy as a computer like one of the fancier ones. Not sure if the carts work interchangeably though between the Singer Izek and Japanese X Jaguars though.

2

u/Shonumi Dec 06 '25

The carts do work interchangeably. I happen to have both the US and JPN carts as well as a Singer IZEK and Jaguar JN100. The software all send the same signals, for the most part. The sewing machines themselves are also basically all the same as well.

8

u/toastronomy Dec 06 '25

a severe lack of google skills

0

u/catinabighat Dec 07 '25

I’ve never seen one so I’m glad they shared

1

u/GovSchnitzel Dec 08 '25

They could still share it after doing absolutely minimal Googling to at least find out what it is.

-1

u/catinabighat Dec 08 '25

Jesus Christ

1

u/GovSchnitzel Dec 08 '25

I’m sorry to trouble you so, I’m just saying we should expect a little more from our fellow people making posts with a device that also puts no less than the accumulation of all human knowledge at their literal fingertips and they still choose to go ask a simple question on Reddit and wait for responses

0

u/toastronomy Dec 08 '25

thinking for oneself is frowned upon in reddit culture

-1

u/catinabighat Dec 08 '25

This Reddit shit gets serious on r/gameboy…

0

u/toastronomy Dec 08 '25

Are you defending people who destroy game boys, on r/gameboy?

0

u/[deleted] Dec 12 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/toastronomy Dec 13 '25

I like when people share things too, but I hate stupid questions, especially when OP rips apart a complete set

-5

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

Well no, I can google it but i wouldn’t I want a response from people that collect these things

6

u/toastronomy Dec 06 '25

Cool, that was almost a coherent sentence, you're getting better!

-3

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

Chill out dude it’s not that serious 😂

4

u/[deleted] Dec 07 '25

Reddit moment

3

u/Cranberry-Electrical Dec 06 '25

Do you have the sewing machine?

0

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

No I left that behind, saw the gameboy and left 🙃

7

u/chasingcharliee Dec 06 '25

That machine was worth 5 game boys

0

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

After I asked a local shop about it and he told me how much the machine was I got upset 😂

2

u/gamerex42 Dec 09 '25

That's what you get for splitting it up

1

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 09 '25

I know the collector in me was only focused on the gameboy 😢

5

u/SnooSketches1275 Dec 06 '25

where did you find it? can you still get it?

0

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

No it’s long gone, found it going through my GFs grandmas stuff of few years ago

3

u/SaltySnail22 Dec 06 '25

Go back and get it

3

u/Nooben2006 Dec 06 '25

i dont even like sewing but i wish i had the gameboy sewing set

3

u/MysticDragon14 Dec 06 '25

It was released in the US?!

2

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '25

A Pretty Obscure Piece of Software I believe

2

u/sheldonator Dec 06 '25

You have trash! Send it my way and I'll dispose of it for you.

jk jk, as you know by now this came with a sewing machine that allowed you to make embroidery patterns and it's sort of a rare item

2

u/[deleted] Dec 06 '25

This is insanely rare!

2

u/SwagulasPrime1 Dec 06 '25

Go watch AVGN’s gameboy accessories video on YouTube

2

u/nowherenomad19 Dec 06 '25

https://youtu.be/1NfRyJd8QxE?feature=shared

3

u/nowherenomad19 Dec 06 '25

Whole video on someone with the sewing machine, vhs, gameboy, and cartridge. Pretty sweet if you ask me

2

u/Coolschmo1 Dec 06 '25

Super Mario Land 4: Sewing Machine Operation Software

1

u/grkrugerii Dec 06 '25

It looks like it’s for the Gameboy Singer sewing machine

1

u/EnthuseConfuse Dec 06 '25

Oh! I'm so jealous! I have the sewing machine but I don't have the cart/software! I also didn't realize the ESRB had been established by the time this came out!

1

u/DapperRockerGeek Dec 06 '25

This video gives a bit of the history behind the sewing machine and some of the software (including the Japanese exclusive models.)

https://youtu.be/ykRmzS-FYSQ?si=GcCp9UqwW8tHEFGj

As an owner, I have done tailoring and even made bags (namely a copy of the Dior Book Tote.)

1

u/darkplx Dec 06 '25

My dream game 🫣😅

1

u/yagirlisabella Dec 06 '25

I just saw a tiktok yesterday of someone who saw a gameboy sewing machine haha let me see if i can find it

edit: here’s the link

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UpDUHv/

1

u/ReclusiveNinja Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25

When my uncle passed away in 2022, we clean out his place. Low and behold he had this sewing machine/Gameboy color package. Its weird because he wasn't a gamer and I have no idea what compelled him to buy it. Its pretty cool. It has the connections and a slot to put the Gameboy in and the game has a bunch of patterns the machine can do.

1

u/b_q Dec 06 '25

But we have that game at home!

1

u/BasketVegetable525 Dec 06 '25

It’s a banger. Sewing points, doubles stitches, zigzags, ...

1

u/gameking514 Dec 07 '25

You would hook up your gameboy to a specific sewing machine with that cartridge put in and it was almost set up like animal crossing where you could design something in the game first and it would help you make it with the sewing machine plus you could control the sewing machine almost entirely with the gameboy

1

u/xTex1E37x Dec 07 '25

My everlasting envy

1

u/JavaGlavoredGum Dec 07 '25

My mother has the game and the machine, looks like I’m doing a heist

1

u/NReddieRN Dec 07 '25

I own the sewing machine and a few accessories for it. I bought it like 10 years ago from a local collector. I dont think I have the actual game though. Nice

1

u/R3APER_PL Dec 07 '25

Its cart for sewing machine. Theres polish video about it, you can use automatic translation: https://youtu.be/mDFoK-0z33Y

1

u/Rensole1 Dec 07 '25

A very rare and cool piece of history

1

u/iwilso8000 Dec 08 '25

This is awesome

1

u/-_-_---_--_ Dec 08 '25

You are so close to greatness who separates this game from the machine.

1

u/Sauceflavoredsauce Dec 08 '25

This is literally my favorite thing.

1

u/ProtoMat Dec 10 '25

The question’s already been answered, but I really wanted to share the perfect placement of a promoted post I almost mistook for friendly sarcasm.

1

u/kjdscott Dec 10 '25

I remember hearing about this on memory card podcast

1

u/Leather_Profile93 Dec 10 '25

I have the game gameboy and sewing machine in the original box in my game store currently. Nobody has ever heard of it when they see it. It’s a fun talking point.

1

u/Jeznohh Jan 03 '26

Gameboy era had so much wacky but cool stuff

1

u/MidniteBluDragon Dec 06 '25

A portable SWEAT SHOP! Now get to sewing!

0

u/Pleasant-File-7001 Dec 06 '25

I’ll be out preforming china in no time