Sony’s PSP Go arrived as a sleek digital-only handheld with a sliding screen and a design that slipped easily into a pocket. Years later its built-in 930mAh battery remains the one feature that still limits how long people actually play. Tito from Macho Nacho Productions recently installed an open-source solution created by Slystral that swaps in an 8000mAh cell and a custom rear shell. The result stretches play sessions from a few hours into the range of 25 to 50 hours while adding noticeable bulk.
The kit includes a powerful lithium-ion battery pack and a 3D printed back cover designed by Slystral from free Hipcat models available on Printables. The new shell comes in three attractive colors: black, white, and red, and it adds a significant thickness to the PSP Go, nearly doubling it from 16mm to about 30mm overall. New larger screws keep everything in place, and you also receive a handy M2-to-microSD converter to boost storage beyond Sony’s initial Memory Stick Micro cards.
No products found.
If you’re familiar with opening a console, installation is rather simple. First, turn off the PSP completely, then remove the four screws in the back and two shorter ones in the top, carefully prying the original rear panel open. Carefully remove the warranty sticker from the battery connector using a plastic tool, then carefully lift the old connector and tuck the warranty sticker away. Then, pry the old battery out, and once the new shell is in place, use double-sided tape to secure the new larger battery and plug its connector into the board. If desired, reinstall the microSD adapter and use the longer screws to hold the thicker new shell in place. The basic kit version does not require any soldering.
Once you’ve closed it again, the PSP continues to charge via the original port and cable, but it takes somewhat longer. Full charges should sustain continuous play for more than a day, allowing the device to lie inactive for days or even weeks without running out of juice. If you have larger hands, the added depth will also make it much more comfortable to handle during long gaming sessions, since the thicker back allows you to rest your fingers against it rather than continually rubbing against the narrow edge.
Of course, there are certain drawbacks, such as the loss of pocketability because the handheld is no longer compact enough to fit into a pants pocket like a conventional PSP Go and will not fit in the original dock. Getting your hands on the whole equipment also needs some work, as you must contact Slystral via Discord or Reddit rather than purchasing from a traditional retailer, and the ready-made box costs $88. If you need to access the microSD card later, you will need to reopen the shell. A slimmer 4500mAh version of the same shell is available for those who desire a little less thickness while still getting a significant increase in runtime.
