GBA SP Modded with DeWalt Battery Delivers Unprecedented Playtime for Retro Gamers

Ever since the birth of handheld gaming, battery longevity has been a persistent concern for players and developers alike.

From the original Game Boy, which relied on packets of AA batteries, to the 2003 release of the Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) featuring a built-in rechargeable battery, Nintendo has led the hardware evolution for portable play.

Even now, modern systems like the Nintendo Switch 2 struggle to balance performance and battery life, making creative power solutions a hot topic among enthusiasts. One inventive modder, Reddit user Bangooh, has attracted widespread attention in the retro gaming community by modifying the classic GBA SP to run on a colossal 162,000mAh DeWalt rechargeable battery—originally intended for high-drain power tools.

This ambitious project dwarfs the original GBA SP’s internal 600mAh battery, increasing overall capacity by an astounding 270 times. To put this modification’s impact into perspective, Nintendo's initial estimates suggested the GBA SP could deliver roughly ten hours of playtime per full charge, though real-world usage often saw less.

With Bangooh's oversized battery, users are theoretically looking at approximately 2,700 hours—or just over 112 days—of continuous gameplay on a single charge.

As Bangooh succinctly summed it up, "Most RPGs can be played from start to finish on one charge." This statement highlights the staggering improvement in battery life made possible through innovative tinkering. The Reddit post showcasing this mod quickly generated buzz.

One of the top responses—reflecting the community's mix of shock and admiration—rephrased the general sentiment: "This might be the most over-the-top thing I’ve ever seen, but honestly, I’d love to own one." Such remarks underline both the novelty and desirability of the mod, despite its cumbersome form factor. While the mod is clearly unwieldy compared to Nintendo's own slim and portable designs, it demonstrates the enduring passion of the gaming community for pushing hardware beyond its intended limits.

These inventive projects shine a light on the enduring legacy of Nintendo’s handhelds and the thriving culture of retro gaming hardware modifications.

As battery technology continues to improve, projects like Bangooh's serve as both homage to classic platforms like the Game Boy Advance SP and inspiration for modern innovation in portable gaming. Whether for nostalgia or sheer technical curiosity, the community’s appetite for extended playtime remains as strong as ever.

As Nintendo and the broader gaming industry look ahead, such fan-driven ingenuity keeps the conversation alive for retro and modern hardware alike.

Nintendo Game Boy Game Boy Advance GBA Game Boy Advance SP DeWalt Bangooh Reddit RetroDeadFred Nintendo Switch 2