How To Repair and Clean a Nintendo Game & Watch

In this video I explain how to clean and repair a Nintendo Game & Watch.
Enjoy!

[@Chris-wq3pe]

thank you mate. took my DK Jr apart to fix a warped reflector. I put the reflector between the pages of a thick book and put a whole pile of books on top of it. Promptly forgot about it. about a year later i found all the bits of my Dk Jr. The books had all been put into a bookcase and I couldn't remember which book i put the reflector in. went through a stack of books before i found it. re-assembled with your video playing :)

[@StalinBrosef]

I'm so grateful you made this video. There's not a ton of G&W repair stuff on KZbin, so this helps a lot!

[@Stevie2468]

You're welcome! ~Game Man

[@ramzi2762]

thank you so much for making this video! I have fixed my game and watch manhole from the gold series it had unresponsive buttons I cleaned it and there was alot of black stuff and i put it back together, no it works like it was back in 1981 thanks :)

[@frankc6873]

Thank you so much mate. My jump button was inconsistent and needing to be pressed quite hard to jump. Now after your tutorial working perfectly!! A great great tutorial and for all the other components too!

[@davidbacktothe90s94]

Super nice video. I bought the game fire yesterday and my buttons were not responding when I put in new batteries. You made me super happy. When I did like this it now works perfect! greetings from Sweden

[@Stevie2468]

You're very welcome! :) ~Game Man

[@ClintHalliday]

Thanks for the tutorial! My Donkey Kong Jr is back up and running!

[@Phlow]

Thank you for this great in detail explanation. I like how carefully you handled the old gaming console. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Dan40049]

Thanks for this post. I have a Donkey Kong Jr with unresponsive buttons. So I'll give this a try.

[@oliverraban5458]

Hi, I have also one with unresponsive buttons. I opened and cleaned, but the buttons still not working. I ve checked the circuit and at the end there is a capacitor. Could this be the problem, because the voltage would‘nt be correct?

[@stevetucker962]

Thank you, I've just done the button clean on a Snoopy Tennis, it's now working perfectly. I had the white figure screen issue too as it was the wrong way round but thanks to this I could reset it, thank you so much for your help!

[@chap64]

Many thanks. I've just brought my (children's) Fire back to life. Put the reflector back the wrong way round first time but now all fine!

[@TreadTheDonutDuck]

In 2020: How to clean Game and Watch: Super Mario Bros

[@unknownscientist1530]

Thank you kind sir! I had recently got a hold of a Game & Watch Manhole and I have a reproduction model of Ball coming in the mail and this helped immeasurably, I intend on replacing the reflector in due time and clean the polarized film but for now they stay as is until I get the reflector. Cleaned up the buttons and works flawlessly.

[@nintendonerdjoseph]

Thanks for this video. Your warning about the teeth probably saved my Octopus from me destroying it accidentally!

[@Stevie2468]

Happy to help ~Game Man :)

[@WH250398]

I fixed my Mario's Cement Factory by simply flipping around the reflector. Someone had already taken it appart and incorrectly put it back together. Before flipping it the characters where completely white and very hard to see. Hope this helps someone!

[@LemmyKoopaVGA]

Awesome video. I repaired 2 of mine so far. My Super Mario Bros has a repair like this. Cleaned the polarizer film, cleaned the buttons and terminals with contact cleaner. I also fixed my Popeye Panorama which had LCD characters disappear when opening the screen with some contact cleaner and tape to make the ribbon cable sit flush against the LCD terminals.

[@gameman898]

Thanks Lemmy. Glad I helped!

[@LemmyKoopaVGA]

Game Man No problem. I got a Fire and Helmet with left triggers that just wouldn't respond very well, but cleaning them helped improve them. Fire works nearly flawlessly. Helmet is a bit fishy sometimes but it works nicer than before. I tried cleaning my SMB and Bombsweeper but they didn't react the best. I believe these are a bit different. The terminals on these units are black instead of copper, so contact cleaner/rubbing alcohol doesn't react well. I ended up lightly sanding the back of the buttons to get a better response on my SMB, and replacing the Dpad membrane on my Bombsweeper via Ebay. I think the best way to clean, is to try to use a dry Qtip on the terminals first. If that didn't help, then on the back of the buttons as well. If that didn't work, then a bit of rubbing alc/cleaner on the terminal, and then again, if it didn't work well, cleaner on the back of the button. Also keep note, that I think that some of these units, especially the newer ones, have graphite on the back of the button to help make button presses more solid and accurate. I've heard using soft pencils on the buttons can help, but It has to be soft. I might try on my SMB and I'll report back if I do. Cleaning the buttons seems to make it so you don't have to dig in as hard to get a button press to register, but seems to sometimes make random button register failure go up, again, probably because of rubbing off graphite. In the long run, if it really doesn't need to be cleaned and it just takes a very slightly harder press, don't clean it. If it takes ridiculous presses, then clean it.

[@LemmyKoopaVGA]

Game Man Also, my Fire seems to have a very darkened reflector, so I'm trying to get that replaced. There's also some slight stains on the screen but they're barely noticeable. By the way, do you think you'll do anymore videos?

[@LemmyKoopaVGA]

***** If the black lines are worn out, there's not much you can do without making alterations. The black lines are the conductive material to transfer the LCD messages to the LCD. Maybe try to buy some conductive solder glue or graphite glue and paint the lines back is the best thing to do. For your Donkey Kong, you can actually buy a repair kit with the LCD cable on ebay. www.ebay.com/itm/NINTENDO-GAME-WATCH-REPLACEMENT-CONNECTOR-STRIP-MULTI-SCREEN-SPARE-PARTS-/321789714758?hash=item4aec296146

[@Guadaloopz]

+Game Man I was wondering if you can give me a website to buy polarizing lens. I cant find any and i really need one for my donkey kong 2 multiscreen.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Pro tip. Take a photo of the screws before you take it apart.

[@johanterpoorten1925]

Great to see your repair video. Unfortunately the two red playing buttons still do not react after a good clean with alcohol. Do you have other suggestions or will it no longer work? The game seems to function properly except for the buttons. Thanks an regards Johan

[@antonscubadive6833]

Same problem here, if anybody know a solution ?

[@jannep6772]

I have a Donkey Kong JR and the same issue. Four direction buttons don’t work. I cleaned them and the circuit board with alcohol.

[@JASTV-qd9md]

Excellent work. I have a game and watch that works well, but only if I press the unit together. In other words, there are no sounds or visuals, but if I put my finger on the front of the game, my thumb on the back and apply pressure, it works. I opened it up and cleaned it well, also thinking perhaps it just hadn't been screwed back together firmly...nope. Then I put some thin cardboard inside the unit and got partial visuals & sound. Something inside is just not touching something else as it should, but I can't figure it out. Any suggestions?

[@imzimansvideos]

Great info thank u

[@jaemckella3898]

Nice video!Can you make a video on how to fix a game and watch that won't power on??

[@javicuesta5248]

thank you very much mate, I was going crazy with the black rubber piece that centers the polarized on my OC-22, when I disassembled it I found the piece out of its original place, and can you imagine my WTFFF face?!?

[@jannep6772]

Hello and thanks for great video! I have a Donkey Kong Jr (DJ-101) and the four direction buttons don’t work at all. I cleaned the buttons and circuit board with rubbing alcohol. What could cause this issue?

[@keriewells3376]

thanks for the video. I did this but my buttons are still not working. Any tips?

[@vincegratton6520]

Hello, thanks for your video. I do have a A question. I have the game parachute, and I’ve done the cleaning, but the guy in the boat boat Isn’t Visible but some of the other characters are visible does this mean I need a new polarizer?

[@rubberwoody]

so I have a lot of less than optimal game and watches but i will use my fire attack as an example since it's widescreen this game when looked at directly, you can barely see any characters at all but if you tilt the game back, almost like you are looking at the bottom of the game case, then the characters appear black and very clearly. is this a problem with a polarizer? I swapped in a new polarizer and it didn't change anything I took the polarizer completely out and turned the game on, then put the polarizer in front of the screen, the characters did show up but only at a certain angle. Is there maybe something wrong with the reflector? it did have a little dirty spot on it but nothing major

[@SP_Sour]

I had a copy of Fire a little like this. No guarantee it'll be the same for you, but the issue with mine was that the previous owner had tried to replace the reflector but had put in a cheap aftermarket one made of this weird shimmery paper. If this isn't the problem, and replacing the polarizer doesn't help, and the batteries are new, then it might just be an LCD problem, which is a lot harder to fix

[@orbitalsatellite]

excellent tutorial, thanks. i have four g&w and hope to add to my collection. i was lucky enough to be given two donkey kong II games. however, one is missing a line of pixels (the entire line where the top birds fly). all other pixels are fine. do you know what's causing this? also, do you know of a cost friendly place to buy a donkey kong II battery cover? one is missing. also, watching popeye really took me back. i must buy that g&w someday. there's so many i've never even seen in action since my parents struggled a lot. i was 10 years old in 1982. i'm originally from melbourne by the way.

[@LemmyKoopaVGA]

Could be the LCD screen isn't getting proper contact with the motherboard. I'm not sure if the LCD can come off the motherboard, but if it does, clean the terminals. There's most likely rubber pads that go between the LCD screen and the motherboard to transfer the signal to the LCD. Clean that area if you can, with either rubbing alcohol or contact cleaner.

[@johnp1787]

Hi! I got a couple of them with some screenbleed..that won't change if I change the reflector to a new one?..Thanks!

[@JSTag72]

Great video, well done! Is there anywhere on the net or otherwise where you can purchase a replacement front plate/sticker for double screen version game and watches?

Thanks for tutorial. Where can I find a reflector to buy? I have a Fire Attack Game & Watch and I want to repair it.

[@DebraEganDesigns]

I would like to know same thing, I'm in Australia

[@SP_Sour]

@@DebraEganDesigns There's an eBay seller who has them. They also have polarizers in several sizes. www.ebay.com/itm/NINTENDO-Spare-Part-REFLECTOR-Game-Watch-New-6x4-cm/153501738416

[@brianswift2706]

Great video. I recently found my old Chef Game & Watch. With new batteries, there's sound but no display. Any tips would be much appreciated.

[@envision136]

Sick vid, you made me rich

[@kyliedeane9211]

Any chance you’d take a look at mine if I sent it to you from Brisbane? It’s not in great shape...

[@darrencen6934]

What I can do , when the screens ( I have the multi screen model ) get separated from the contacts ?

[@Stevie2468]

This is a tricky problem to fix. You can try using an electrical conductive glue very carefully. ~Game Man

[@javierfernandezestelrich2346]

I have the Super Mario Bross and have the glass broken. Is there a replacement for that?

[@houseofsolomon2440]

Thanks for the vid- It helped very much in restoring my 1981 'Parachute' game & watch. 35 yrs. unused: after the main button terminals and silicone button 'boots' were cleaned thoroughly, it worked like new! I wonder if replacement 'front' polarizer lenses are available anywhere in new condition. Is there an aftermarket source for these which you know of? Thanks again for the helpful vid. p.s. I got this particular game at the 1981 Toy Fair in New York. Rad!

[@houseofsolomon2440]

+RonnieMund Pacecar Update: I located a source on ebay for new polarizer lenses (Parachute, wide-screen). Any search referencing 'new polarizer nintendo game and watch' should get you there. With control terminals cleaned and new polarizer, this game functions like new-

[@Megadriveanos]

hello my friend. thank you very much and congratulations by the video. like of it do a question. here in my country not i found the film polarizing for my game watch "parachute". knows say if i with you adapt a film of game boy classical in it?

[@Stevie2468]

Hey everyone, just so you know, the guy in the video is my dad in real life. He planned to continue uploading with some more videos to do with game & watch but forgot the email and password to this account. We tried contacting KZbin to somehow be able to login but they never responded. Unfortunately that means that this account is unable to be used and therefore has been idle for about 5 years. So if you want to ask a question I suppose you can reply to this comment and ask and I will ask him and respond to you through this account :)

[@ClassicAustralianTV]

:)

[@HarleyMars.]

Hey, tell your dad that his video is awesome. I have a question too: Is there a way to fix Bleeding LCD screens? (Black 'blotches' appear on screen) from what I understand its hard or impossible to do so, but maybe your dad has some advice.

[@aaronmilic7530]

Thanks for the video, unfortunately the issue I have wasn't covered. Just bought a used Tropical Fish unit and the polarizer and scenery screen are warped - probably from sun damage. I took them out, cleaned them and used hot water, hoping to make them flat again. Didn't work. Is that even possible? Or is there another way to flatten those?

[@lisaharry3920]

Hi there Game man, just wondering where you based? I’m in Melbourne and wanting to pay someone to train me up on maintenance of the game and watches from Nintendo. Weird ask I know but I’m wanting to be taught in person. Are you or do you know anyone who would be interested in taking on a paid “apprentice?

[@f2pscaper4lyfe93]

Hey I actually just bought this same Popeye game and watch today. The faceplate is falling off, what glue can I use to fix that?

[@declancrowley2155]

Hi, I have an Oil Panic dual screen G&W which has dark area on both screens. I'm not sure if this is screen bleed or the reflector showing signs of moisture. Can you help? The top half of the top screen is dark and the upper left of the bottom screen are affected.

[@gogol1st]

hi i replaced some poralizer and the image looks great but only at a certain (inconfortable) angle. what can be wrong ?

[@Dirrtydeano]

I've got a Game a and Watch question for you. My Game and watches as far as I know work fine. (I've not been on them for years though) But because they're so old the face plates have come off. Whats the best way of sticking them back on. So they stay on and look good again lol I'd appreciate the help.

[@funkykoval2099]

Hello sir! Where can I get rubbers that connect lcd to board?

[@jeffreyamazing7043]

I could use some help here with a DK Multi Screen; Is there a way to get the two small plates on both sides of the lower screen (the ones covering the buttons) off without damaging them?

[@santiagobernabeu7620]

Hello do you have any advice on fixing the magnetic strip on the double screen versions? I have a Donkey Kong one that needs fixing. Thank you.

[@Royalbigness]

I had a crack at replacing my "Chef" Game and Watch. The reflector was the bad bit as usual. One thing though, when I pulled the game apart there was a tiny black plastic sleeve that was I found and wasn't sure where it is supposed to be. Do you know what this tiny sleeve is and where it's supposed to go ??

[@SpeedwayV8]

Game Man I have a PARACHUTE Game & Watch and I was wondering if you have done a clean and repair video for my parachute, my buttons are not responding quick enough, I'm desperate to fix it asap please, also might need to put a new film lense in, can you please send me a good link for buying parts like lenses and buttons. Please

[@artphanto]

Awesome video-thank you!

[@rebeccacause7751]

Any tips for how to get scratches out of the metal on the front of Green House?

[@blazing_aura4940]

Just wondering, is there any way to prevent the LCD screen bleed? My Game & Watch has the reflector moisture issue and I have the components to fix it, but now I am paranoid that I will break it somehow. I thought the screen bleed would be the most prominent threat, so I am scared. Thanks.

[@TheTraveller777]

I think I have screen bleed, can I send a pic for you to take a look? Maybe I'll pull it apart anyway and replace the other bits, I dunno.

[@kjelfred]

Thanks!

[@marcelomendez9758]

Know anything about warped screens?

[@pcm2012]

There seems to be a specific screwdriver for the Nintendo Game & Watch series. I've been trying to find it for sale all over the internet to no success. All I can find is crewdrivers for more modern Nintendo consoles. Anyone knows where to find one? Thank you!

[@alexpratt4610]

Where can I purchase politer film for game & watch. I’ve purchased it few weeks ago but it’s too thick and does not work.

[@kellycollins7626]

Fitted new batteries to my Parachute game....no images and no sound. Given everything a clean as you have shown in your video...still nothing. Any advise to get it going again would be welcome...thank you

[@Stevie2468]

As a guess,, battery terminals may not be connecting with battery properly. Try bending the metal battery connectors a bit, to get a better connection and see if that works. If not, then my next guess would be that the integrated circuit on the board has died and this cannot be fixed. ~Game Man

[@BigChief1529]

I tried cleaning the buttons because they were not working. But the cleaning didn't seem to help, what else could be the problem? It is on a fireman fireman timeout version.

[@fityouhaffefit]

Great video!

[@akhilrai]

Do you have any G&W Parachute to sell?

[@freund333]

He could you tell me how to fix broken "pixels" that weren't there before the cleaning?. I tried cleaning the zebra stripe and apply pressure to it, but they still won't come back.

[@Stevie2468]

lol this is my dad

[@ClassicAustralianTV]

lol mine too!

[@sunsetbandit]

Wtf

[@Stevie2468]

@@sunsetbandit ?

[@puckbradley3760]

Is it possible to somehow extract the game data to program it into a playable version on PC?

[@benedictveloso2399]

Hello, nice tutorials. One question, some of my wide screen G&W even the multi screened ones, do not show the images anymore. Although I know that it still works because when I press the game a and game b button it works. Unfortunately, you cannot see the images from the screen. What could cause those problems? is it the reflector? This is specially for the mario bros maroon colored multi screened G&W, and Lifeboat. Thank You and hope to hear from you. :)

[@benedictveloso2399]

+benedict veloso Follow up question, in case some parts needs to be replaced? are there sites you recommend where we can buy the parts of the wide screen, gold, and multi screened G&W? Thanks.

[@logenchen4806]

Hi,my reflector is broken. Pls let me know where can I buy a new .Thank you.

[@mixsetup]

Thank's heaps for this video. I have a dual screen Mario brothers which the characters will not move so I will try your tips out. i think it will be cleaning the buttons. Well I hope.

[@andrew12111211]

Thanks so much!!!

[@marcodeangelis4535]

hi, i hope you can help me out; yust to know how to disassemble the LCD glass side of G&W widescreen (i'd like to clean the inside side of it(where you place the the Silver Reflector); is it possible to do that? I notice that is stuck or somthing like that..... thank you

[@gameman898]

There's no easy way to do it. Your best option is to get a thin cloth and thread it between the screen and the board and use that to clean it.

[@danielsoutan1023]

Hey Game Man, I recently found my Mario Cement Factory after 30 years. Fresh batteries in but no sound or screen. Any ideas?

[@rubberwoody]

could be bad battery connections, bad saudering in the speaker along with busted crystal

[@vintage888]

thnx you saved 1 game and watch. buttons did not work :)

[@cristianlocicero9570]

hi, where I can buy the display ?

[@iloveny0971]

how about mattel burgertime, mine has stopped working

[@RafzCampz]

Got a donkey Kong junior and Mickey Mouse one ordered from eBay today and no way I’m playing that without cleaning it and getting a protective grip while playing

[@robbieavenaim]

any know what the blotchy stuff on screen is?, its blotchy like no visual movment but all buttons work.

[@Stevie2468]

This is screen bleed, it cannot be fixed. ~Game Man

[@zsewqthewolf1194]

i always wonderif it can be moded with AA battery

[@cor1128]

hello i have A Donky kong jr game and watch it works fine but there are lines missing in the game you can see them when you press on it . can you tel me wants rong with it and hou to fix it ?

[@jamirandar]

How can I repair a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong JR Panorama? How can I open it? The problem is: the ACL button has been blocked and the machine does not start properly...

[@misfitsthe8253]

Does anyone know how to fix if the right and left buttons do not work. Everything else is working perfectly.

[@Stevie2468]

Watch the video from start to finish, it explains how to solve this problem ~Game Man :)

[@nendousgoat8920]

how can i fix my bleeding screen

[@nathanhorne1]

My Donkey Kong Jr Characters are upside down 🤷🏼‍♂️😳

[@lesliegibson5964]

How do you fix a panaroma game and watch some of my pixels are missing on the popeye one

[@rossdag4232]

HI TO FIX THE MISSING PIXELS ON LCD TAKE LCD OUT CAREFULLY CLEAN THE CONTACTS ON THE PCB WHERE THE LCD SITS ON THE PCB OK..IT WILL FIX IT IF IT DOESNT THEN YOU NEED A NEW LCD SORRY.....

[@gabrielabarrera141]

which is the model batteries?

[@SP_Sour]

Most Game & Watches use LR44\SR44 batteries, including this one.

[@gabrielabarrera141]

@@SP_Sour thank you very much for answer me :D

[@SP_Sour]

@@gabrielabarrera141 You're welcome!

[@KevinArcade87]

How about repairing a Tabletop?

[@gameman898]

Sorry! :)

[@mirabilis]

I had to replace the electrolytic capacitor in my Donkey Kong.

[@martinbauer5301]

Hello Game Man. I really like your video. Thanks a lot. Is it possible to contact you by mail? I have a picture of a G&W I want to mail you. I´m not sure it is possible to fix and I only want you to see and tell me what you think about it. It would be great hearing from you :-)

[@palmygurl]

For screen bleeds, this actually works. I have a few on mine and saw this on another page. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKm1c6KemtWtrcU&ab_channel=VintageDigitalWatches

[@Royalbigness]

***repairing*** not replacing

[@DanMorelle]

Some polarizers on eBay right here: bit.ly/GWpolarizer