A rechargeable battery mod fits a rechargeable battery pack and a USB-C charging port to a Game Boy Advance (AGB-001), so you charge it with the same cable as your phone instead of buying AA batteries. It costs £55. If you have a GBA SP, you don't need this mod: the SP already has a rechargeable battery, and the SP USB-C mod is the one to look at.
What the mod is
The original Game Boy Advance runs on two AA batteries. The GBA USB-C rechargeable battery mod replaces that setup with:
- a rechargeable battery pack;
- a small charging board;
- a USB-C port, so you can top it up from a standard USB-C cable and plug.
Depending on the kit, the battery compartment may be used for the pack. From the outside, the console looks much the same, apart from the new port.
How charging works over USB-C
USB-C is the small, reversible connector used by most modern phones, tablets and laptops. Once the mod is fitted, you plug a USB-C cable into the console and the other end into a USB plug or a spare USB port. The charging board looks after the battery while it charges, so you don't need a special charger.
How long a charge lasts depends on the kit, the game and how bright your screen is. If you also have an IPS screen fitted, which is a modern backlit panel, turning the brightness down will help the battery go further.
Pros of the rechargeable mod
- No more buying AAs. You charge it like everything else you own.
- One cable. The same USB-C lead can charge your phone and your GBA.
- No battery leaks. AA batteries left in a console for years can leak and corrode the battery contacts and nearby tracks. A rechargeable pack removes that risk from the battery compartment.
- Tidier for daily play. If you play a little every day, topping up is easier than keeping a stock of fresh batteries.
Cons and things to think about
- It's a mod. Mods can't be undone easily. If your GBA is boxed, rare or a special edition, it may be worth more to collectors unmodified.
- No quick swap. With AAs, you can drop in a fresh pair and carry on. With a rechargeable pack, when it's flat you need to charge it.
- Batteries age. Rechargeable packs slowly lose capacity over the years, just like a phone battery. AA batteries don't have that issue, because you replace them each time.
- It needs a healthy console. All mods need a working console. If your GBA won't turn on, that needs sorting first.
If you only play occasionally and like the simplicity of AAs, there's nothing wrong with sticking with them. Just take them out between sessions to avoid leaks.
If your GBA already has battery corrosion
A lot of GBAs have sat in drawers with batteries inside. If the battery contacts are green, crusty or the console won't power on reliably, that corrosion needs cleaning up before any mod goes in. That's the battery corrosion repair, and whether it's repairable depends on how far the corrosion has spread. My guide on what to check when a GBA won't turn on walks through the basics.
What about the GBA SP?
The SP is different. It already has a built-in rechargeable battery, so it doesn't need this mod. What it does have is an old-style Nintendo charge port rather than USB-C. The SP USB-C mod swaps that port for USB-C.
If your SP won't charge at all, that's a different problem, covered in why a GBA SP won't charge.
Other Game Boys
The original Game Boy and Game Boy Color can have a similar mod. That's the Game Boy USB-C rechargeable mod, on the Game Boy & Game Boy Color hub. For everything GBA and SP, see the Game Boy Advance & SP hub.
How it works with me
You book and pay online, then post the console to me with the batteries and any cartridge removed. I fit the kit, test the charging and play on my bench, and send it back insured and tracked. The mod comes with a 12-month warranty, and if I can't do the job, there's no repair fee: no fix, no fee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use AA batteries after the mod?
It depends on the kit. On kits that use the battery compartment for the pack, the console runs from the rechargeable pack rather than AAs.
Do I need a special charger?
No. A standard USB-C cable and a USB plug or port will do, much like charging a phone.
Is this the same as the SP USB-C mod?
No. The GBA mod adds a rechargeable battery and a USB-C port to a console that runs on AAs. The SP already has a rechargeable battery, so its mod only replaces the old charge port with USB-C.
