Power Grip Advance
Score: 70% Developer: Pelican Accessories
Function: I sometimes wonder how the battery people view the rechargeable market. I mean, there was a time when a rechargeable unit was a weird oddity, and I remember being totally skeptical, like 'well, that's all right for you, but I'll stick to my trusty battery.' Mostly, I remember the rare experiences I had with rechargeables being frustrating, because they would crap out after a little time had gone by, and take forever to recharge. The first real success I can remember was a battery pack that slipped into my walkman, taking the place of 2 AA's and providing a much needed release from the constant battery purchases I had been making. Rechargeables have come a long way, and the integral 'pack' idea goes hand in hand with Game Boy. Instead of relying on 2 rechargeable AA batteries, companies like Pelican Accessories build nifty little units like the Power Grip Advance to not only hide a tucked away rechargeable battery pack, but provide some functionality beyond power, like better grip or augmented controls. Power Grip Advance bulks up the Game Boy Advance and makes it easier to hold, but also offers a 12-hour charge that keeps on chargin'. That's right. Plug it in for a mere 8 hours, and you're set to go for another 12!
Performance: Hardware like this for GBC was generally made to augment the slim horizontal profile or give side-grips to assist in those action or platforming titles. Where the GBC was tall and thin, GBA is long and even more slim. You've probably noticed already that frantic, high-speed titles like Iridion require some fast maneuvering and can tend to slip out from under your grip when the sweat starts pouring down. Okay, so you weren't sweating bullets for that game, but you get the general idea. Where the Power Grip Advance fits in is to clip onto the back of the GBA, snapping into the battery case after you remove the AA batteries. Once successfully clipped, you get the benefit of having a more non-skid surface behind your fingers to hold the GBA, but also a little more depth to get a grip if you've got big hands. Since the Power Grip Advance is made to be recharged or run from an AC adaptor, there is a small plug built into the unit that takes an included power adaptor if you happen to be close to a wall plug. I would assume that as with most similar units, plugging and playing will charge the unit as if you had it plugged into the wall at night or in downtime. That's a nice feature, if you get somewhere and can plug in before a long play session, or play plugged in to a wall. The battery-pack is shipped and fitted separately from the backing, which hopefully means that if you play this thing to death, replacing the battery recharge unit won't mean replacing the complete hardware. The profile of Power Grip Advance hugs the sides of the GBA, sits just below the shoulder buttons, and extends beyond the bottom corners. All of this seems designed to give a better hold, but not necessarily to look pretty. A belt clip is part of the unit, whether you want it or not, which I found annoying, but the idea is that this gives you portable power without making a big clunky box of your new little toy.
Features: Up to 12 hour of play per charge Provides better grip and comfort Built-in belt clip UL Approved AC adaptor Plug-in port lets you charge while you play Separate battery pack lets you replace even the rechargeables without scrapping the unit
Drawbacks & Problems:: I do like how portable this charger is, since nobody can really admit they don't want to walk around playing GBA or tuck it in a backpack bound for school or work. Several of the GBC rechargeable units were cool looking, but far from practical when it came to packing and using them outside a big sofa. Power Grip Advance fits into small spaces, and doesn't weigh enough to keep you from moving around with your GBC, but it does have a boxy profile that ruins some of the nicer lines the GBA has to offer. Holding onto it, you'll forgive a lot and play better, and some people may not even realize you're using an attached piece of hardware. The unit's belt clip doesn't do anything for me, but you may like the idea of attaching your GBA unprotected. Not that it was a bad idea, but why make a piece that can't be removed? More than being a problem or annoyance, Power Grip Advance really helps the feel and playability of GBA, without adding needless heft or size to the system. I'd advise taking a look if you need more unit to hang onto in F-Zero's curves or just have big hands. If you like huge add-ons that turn your GBA into a home entertainment system, this might leave you a bit cold, but minimalists: Rejoice!
-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock
Code Breaker GBA Wet Suit