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SOMETHING COOL: Retro Gear Repurposed Makes Waves In Home Modern Art

Game Boy Pocket art piece provided by Xreart

Many of us grew up playing the classic handheld devices, filling in the time during road trips, doctor offices, and the countless times we found ourselves simply waiting. As the years have gone by, technology has expanded and grown to give us cell phones and full consoles that fit in the palm of our hands. Whether you look back at your childhood and think of the classic gaming devices or earlier cell phones, a team has dedicated their talents to providing a service that brings a unique retro splash to the modern art of your home or office.

Xreart has sent me one that I look back and think of personally - the Game Boy Pocket. This was the handheld gaming device that was made to be a slimmer version of the bulky original Game Boy before they came out with the Game Boy Color. As they do with their work, the Game Boy Pocket is put in a special frame that includes a backdrop explaining what each component that the device is comprised of, all displayed with familiar font styles fitting the age of the console.

Looking at the back of the frame, I found that they have it set up to be held up by two little hooks on either end of the frame. Given this isn’t a frame you want to fall off the wall, this is definitely a smart move on their end. However, the frame is thick enough that you can rest it on the wall with a single nail if you choose to do so. I went with the secure two-nail suggestion, based on the provided hooks, to ensure it doesn’t fall as this is not a frame that will be easy to replace. Right now, I have it hanging in my living room as a mantelpiece over my TV, but it would look just as good in my shared office room that my wife and I both use.

On their website, you will find that their console list options include a range from the classic bulky Game Boy up to the joy-con’s of the Nintendo Switch and even the Xbox 360 controller. For those that grew up on the various iPhone’s from Apple, their phone list options include a range from the classic iPhone first generation to the iPhone 8 - but they do have a few options for the Nokia and Samsung users.

As someone who only has a handful of actually nice art in the house, mixed with self-painted images and fan collector materials, this is definitely one of my favorite new additions. Not only does it provide something unique to discuss when guests come over, but it also gives a retro flare to my home design that both shows my love for games since I was a child and my belief that the past is important to reflect upon.