Hi there,
No it does NOT require the Battery to test with just USB will get it done.
There is a DRAG and DROP Uf2 file posted on here, it’s in a zipit has the build with all the correct LIBs, that is the issue, The BSP has to be a certain one as well.
If you use the TFT_eSPI lib run the Usersettings.ino first or after you made your edits to see if they are what you expect.
If it turns on! it’s NOT defective. Fix the software part…
HTH
GL 
PJ 
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