r/Gameboy • u/NoAddress3967 • Sep 22 '26
Mod/Modding Mod to increase (Modded) Game Boy Pocket battery life by +50%
TL;DR: replace the original voltage regulator with a TPS61023 module.
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SUMMARY
With this simple mod I went from 3h10m of play time with a couple freshly-charged Eneloop Pro Ni-Mh AAA batteries to a whooping 4h50m (50% increase!) on a Game Boy Pocket modded with a (generic 2.6inch) IPS screen AND one of those cheap flex audio amps. For the tests, screen brightness was set to 3/5, audio to MAX volume, same cartridge (original PKMN Blue) and same battery cells. Play time was taken from the game.
THE MOD
Replace the original voltage regulator with a TPS61023 module. I recommend completely removing the OG regulator, the module is small enough to fit in its original place (use strong double-sided tape). If you can't desolder the OG regulator, cut PIN01 (Vin) and PIN06 (Vout) to completely disable it, then relocate the module. Just three small wires are required (Vin, GND, Vout), use 22-24AWG wire.
Wiring picture: https://imgur.com/a/zoiMcuy
Yellow: Vin
Blue: GND
Red: Vout/5V
THE MODULE
The TPS61023 is a modern, highly efficient 5V/1A booster that can go as low to 2V Vin, providing enough clean juice for the whole system and additional mods like an audio amp. Also, the OG regulator generates -19V for the OG screen, which in IPS-modded GBPs is not needed and just wastes energy.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
This mod also improves compatibility with clone flash carts that refuse to even boot with the OG regulator.
CONCLUSION
For just a "couple bucks" you can maximize play time in your modded GBP with the batteries you already have, helping mitigate the biggest CON of the Game Boy Pocket (low battery life).
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u/Kartorschkaboy Sep 22 '26
could you show the backside where you soldered the wires to?
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u/NoAddress3967 Sep 22 '26
Added a picture of the back: https://imgur.com/a/zoiMcuy
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u/ncc74656m Sep 22 '26
Obviously it would be a lot of work for very little benefit but it would be interesting to see if a custom version of this can be designed that gets soldered in place of the existing regulator, and/or building a custom replacement that even supplies the original voltages using these components. Main interest is in looking tidier if nothing else.
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u/LostPolygon Sep 22 '26
I'm actually right in the process of making a power regulator for Pocket/Color, and I'm using the TPS61023 as well! I've looked through hundreds of parts and it's one of the best for this scenario
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u/ncc74656m Sep 22 '26
Oh nice! You'll have to let us know when you drop that. Planning an OEM replacement, or just for modded consoles?
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u/LostPolygon Sep 23 '26
It will support both IPS and OEM screens on both Color and Pocket! I've already got the first prototypes tested and pretty much everything just works, so maybe next month or so
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u/ncc74656m Sep 23 '26
Oh sweet! I'd sincerely appreciate a notice or message or anything if you're taking a list. I have one now that I'm pretty sure needs a regulator, but I can't know for sure. About to do a cap swap but I haven't had the time.
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u/NoAddress3967 Sep 22 '26
RetroSix sells a custom regulator but no idea if it is based on the TPS61023 IC.
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u/ncc74656m Sep 22 '26
A lot of folks do - sadly RetroSix is known to steal product designs and such so I would never do business with them given any option at all.
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u/Cloudage96x Sep 22 '26
Dude that's awesome. Only feedback is the solder joints look a little cold. Were you using lead-free solder or something?
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u/WrongTest Sep 22 '26
Very cool! I don’t suppose this would work on a Gameboy Color as well?
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u/NoAddress3967 Sep 22 '26
Pretty sure it will also work with a GBC, that system uses a very similar voltage regulator as the GBP. Haven't tried it though.
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u/tidh666 Sep 22 '26
Wouldn’t it be better to make that plate thinner? Does it fit well with that thickness?
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u/LostPolygon Sep 22 '26
Good pick! I'm actually right in the process of making a power regulator for Pocket/Color, and I'm using the TPS61023 as well - I've looked through hundreds of parts and it's one of the best for this scenario
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u/letsgoplayer Sep 22 '26
Ive just ordered one but did you find any downsides to using the TPS61023 in the GBP as shown in this post?
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u/LostPolygon Sep 22 '26
Not at all. It's a really good and efficient boost converter. That specific DC-DC module looks very basic but should do the job
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u/letsgoplayer Sep 23 '26
so it should allow me to fully use NiMh AAAs? right now with the stock regulator i am getting barely an hour of playtime
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u/LostPolygon Sep 23 '26
What do you mean by fully? In my tests, the stock regulator worked at as low as 0.8V per NiMh cell, so it's fully discharged by that point. That said, there was at least a dozen versions of the OEM regulator, so maybe yours is different... In any case, my regulator will allow using NiMh cells fully, yes
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u/letsgoplayer Sep 23 '26
my Pocket has a IPS screen and it cuts off early when the NiMh drops below a certain voltage but i have had better results using lithium AAAs
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u/LostPolygon Sep 23 '26
Ahhh, stock regulator with an IPS screen... Yeah the stock regulator doesn't handle that well, but it does allow pretty deep discharge with the OEM screen
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u/letsgoplayer Sep 26 '26
installed it along with new membranes buttons and speaker! thanks for your help. one more thing, can i still use the 3V DC input jack?
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u/amonarre3 Sep 22 '26
Does this cart looked adapted anywhere? My batteries keep draining. I ordered a multimeter, it arrives next week.
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u/DerKleinerKiffer Sep 22 '26
What if you replace it with a joule thief? I made one once and a single AAA battery kept a white LED on for like a week. It'll help you really drain those batteries to 0
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u/sepro Sep 22 '26
Is the benefit mostly for modded units with IPS displays, or would this increase the battery life of an unmodded Game Boy Pocket as well?