What was the first game console in space?
A Nintendo Game Boy became the first video game console in space, orbiting Earth over 3,000 times aboard the Mir Space Station in 1993.
Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov brought his personal Game Boy and a copy of Tetris to the Mir Space Station in 1993. Despite strict weight restrictions on the Soyuz TM-17 mission, the handheld device was approved for flight. During his 196-day mission, Serebrov played the console, proving that standard consumer electronics could withstand the intense vibrations of launch and survive the harsh conditions of space without specialized modifications. The historic device was later sold at auction as a valued piece of space memorabilia.
Nerd Mode
Cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov launched aboard Soyuz TM-17 on July 1, 1993, carrying his personal Nintendo Game Boy to the Mir Space Station. A veteran of four spaceflights with 372.9 total days in orbit, Serebrov spent 196 days on this mission and used the handheld console during his limited leisure time.The Game Boy proved ideal for spaceflight due to its durable construction and efficient power system. It ran on four AA batteries, a practical choice in the early 1990s before modern rechargeable technology became standard in space. While aboard Mir, the device completed approximately 3,000 orbits of Earth, demonstrating that its liquid crystal display and internal circuitry could function flawlessly in microgravity without any modifications.The choice of game held symbolic significance: Tetris was created by Russian software engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. Serebrov later reflected that the game provided essential psychological relief from the demands of orbital operations. After returning to Earth, the console was authenticated and featured in Bonhams' 'Space History' auction in 2011, where it sold for $1,220 with a letter from Serebrov confirming its spaceflight heritage.
Verified Fact
FP-0002560 · Feb 16, 2026