Ingenious Gamer Created a Doomsday-Ready GBA Frankenstein Console

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A gamer significantly upgraded a Game Boy Advance by installing a high-capacity battery. This custom modification provides hours of playtime on a single charge – enough to survive even a long emergency! The gamer shared photos and a parts list of their impressive project online.

The Game Boy Advance (GBA), first launched in 2001, was Nintendo’s follow-up to the classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color. It featured several improvements, including new shoulder buttons, a bigger screen, better sound quality, and smaller game cartridges. The GBA could play both new games designed specifically for it and older Game Boy games. Nintendo has added some popular GBA titles, like Mr. Driller 2 and Super Mario Advance, to its Nintendo Switch Online library for subscribers. In 2003, Nintendo released an updated version called the Game Boy Advance SP, which folded up for portability, had a lit screen, and used a rechargeable battery.

This Game Boy Advance Can Probably Outlive A Doomsday Scenario

The Game Boy Advance SP is a beloved console known for its design, but one gamer took customization to the extreme. Reddit user Bangooh modified their GBA SP to include a massive, heavy-duty battery – one that could probably withstand an apocalypse. They connected a rechargeable battery from a DeWalt power tool to the GBA SP using a device called a buck converter. This converter was essential because the DeWalt battery runs at 18 volts, while the GBA SP only needs 4. Without it, the powerful battery could damage the console. Bangooh claims this setup provides enough power to play an entire Game Boy Advance RPG on a single charge.

The original Game Boy Advance SP could run for up to 10 hours, and games like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Golden Sun typically lasted 50-100 hours on a single charge. Considering this, Bangooh’s claim of long battery life for their modified SP is ambitious, but believable. This is especially true when compared to the Nintendo Switch 2, which only lasts a few hours on a charge. If the DeWalt battery powering the Bangooh SP runs low, it can be quickly recharged with its special charger. However, adding the DeWalt battery makes the device much bulkier, reducing its portability despite the much longer playtime. It’s also worth noting that the L and R buttons were removed from this particular Bangooh GBA SP, though they haven’t finished the project yet.

Other Crazy Console Projects Gamers Have Made

Bangooh’s GBA SP isn’t the only impressive gaming mod created by fans. One Redditor, MaSaKee, cleverly combined an N64 controller with a Game Boy Advance. They fit the GBA’s screen above the N64’s Start button and replaced the Rumble Pak slot with a cartridge slot for GBA games. A speaker was added near the C buttons, and the GBA’s D-pad, A, B, and Start buttons remained functional. The system can even be charged via a USB-C port.

Content creator BigRig Creates designed unique cases for their Nintendo Wii, Wii U, and Switch consoles, inspired by the Porygon Pokémon. They playfully named them PorWiigon, PorWiigon U, and Porygon-Zwitch, each resembling a different Porygon evolution. These cases were made using 3D printing and various electronic parts. Now that the Switch 2 is out, it will be interesting to see what creative projects fans come up with for Nintendo’s newest system.

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2025-12-16 07:04