A retro handheld that runs for more than two weeks on a single charge? That’s exactly what one creative Redditor built by grafting a Game Boy Advance SP onto a power tool battery. The result looks like it belongs on a construction site—and it can theoretically keep gaming for nearly 17 days straight.
The Game Boy Advance SP typically lasts around 10 hours on its original battery, and used units now go for roughly $180. That wasn’t enough for u/Bangooh, who skipped the usual lithium-ion upgrade and instead wired the handheld to a power pack normally used in cordless drills. The battery is rated at about 162,000 mWh—roughly 45,000 mAh at 3.6 volts—turning a nostalgic pocket console into a marathon machine.
To make it work safely, the modder built a custom adapter and tucked a budget-friendly voltage converter into the battery compartment to step the output down to a level the GBA SP can handle. Aesthetics weren’t an afterthought either: the yellow-and-black color scheme is perfectly matched, complete with branding details that had commenters joking it could pass as an official, jobsite-ready edition.
The theoretical runtime is the headline-grabber. At around 404 hours, it’s enough to “play most RPGs from start to finish” on a single charge. It’s still a work in progress—the L and R shoulder buttons are yet to be fitted—and endurance tests are ongoing using the Play-Yan music player. Even so, the community response has been equal parts awe and amusement. One top comment summed it up: “This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. That being said I want one.”
Is it practical? Maybe not for your commute. But as a DIY proof of concept, this Game Boy Advance SP mod nails what retro hardware enthusiasts love: outrageous battery life, a clean execution, and a look that turns heads. It’s an unforgettable blend of nostalgia and over-the-top engineering—and a great reminder that with enough creativity, even a classic handheld can be recharged for the modern age.
