The folding GBA SP was an enormous improve over the unique Game Boy Advance, if solely as a result of it launched a side-lit display you might truly see. It wasn’t good—Nintendo nonetheless included some bizarre design quirks—so the staff on the YouTube channel Macho Nacho Productions gave the GBA SP a much-needed upgrade, which incorporates some modern technological conveniences.

With only a 600 mAh pack inside, the battery life on the unique GBA SP wasn’t wonderful. The modders at Macho Nacho Productions created a spacious 3D-printed alternative backshell to suit much more upgraded junk within the trunk, bumping that capability to 1,600 mAh to supply hours of additional gameplay. The new shell provides about 10mm of additional thickness to the underside half of the GBA SP, however what the console loses in portability, it features in added performance.

Instead of counting on the GPA SP’s proprietary energy adapter, the upgraded battery could be recharged utilizing both a newly added USB-C port or a wi-fi charger. The modders managed to squeeze a Qi-compatible coil contained in the add-on, too. Over the years, varied third-party firms have created USB charging cables that work with Nintendo’s varied handhelds, however the change to USB-C means you possibly can simply use the ever-growing pile of cables you’ve in all probability already obtained sitting in a drawer.

If there was one factor value complaining in regards to the GPA SP, moreover the lackluster side-lit LCD coloration display that Nintendo finally changed in later fashions with a backlit panel, it’s the shortage of a built-in headphone jack. Players had to make use of a headphone adapter that plugged into the GBA SP’s energy port, which meant that you just couldn’t cost the hand held and use headphones on the identical time. It was a weird design resolution on Nintendo’s half, which this expanded mod solves with each the addition of a headphone jack (finally) and a Bluetooth module that allows the handheld to work with wi-fi headphones.

Macho Nacho Productions has shared a reasonably detailed breakdown of how the GBA SP THICC mod got here collectively, together with an intensive record of elements and instruments utilized in its creation. The solely factor that seems to be lacking is the 3D mannequin for the expanded alternative backshell that may allow anybody to 3D-print their very own. The video additionally doesn’t go into particulars about methods to set up the three.5-millimeter headphone jack, as a result of incorrect half being ordered, so there’ll seemingly be a follow-up that (hopefully) consists of every part wanted for anybody to carry out this improve themselves.

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