Developer creates real-time 3D shader demo for the Game Boy Color — you can download the ROM or interact with the 3D teapot online

February 9, 2026 - 15:41

In a feat of programming wizardry that defies the hardware's humble origins, a developer has successfully rendered a real-time 3D object on the Game Boy Color. This demonstration is particularly astonishing given the console's severe limitations, powered by an 8 MHz Sharp SM83 8-bit processor that lacks even basic multiplication support.

The demo features a classic computer graphics test model—the Utah teapot—rotating smoothly in a simulated three-dimensional space. To achieve this, the coder meticulously crafted custom shaders and algorithms that work within the extreme constraints of the 8-bit system, bypassing the lack of dedicated 3D hardware or mathematical instructions typically taken for granted.

Enthusiasts can now experience this technical marvel firsthand. The project is available as a downloadable ROM file for use on original hardware or emulators. For those wanting a quick look, an interactive online version also exists, allowing users to manipulate the 3D teapot directly in a web browser. This project stands as a brilliant tribute to the creativity of the demoscene, continually pushing obsolete technology to perform seemingly impossible visual tricks. It redefines what is considered possible on a piece of gaming history.