Can I Fix Either of These Castlevania NES Games? Open Cart Surgery

[@RetroSho]

A better idea for this would have been to create a "chip tester" PCB board -- brand new reproduction board that has been socketed. That way you can pop the ROM chips out, socket them on the tester and see what's going on before soldering them into place on the donors. I've created many of them in the past for NES, SNES & Genesis games and they work very well. If the ROM is in fact dead, I harvest the entire board for spare parts. Also if you're selling those Castlevania carts and the donors, I'd be interested in them!

[@godgrinder2219]

I’m glad you show us all outcomes, not just when everything goes perfectly.

[@jasonmuller1199]

The rom chips are the absolute last thing that would go bad or get corrupted, most of the time if a good cleaning doesn't fix it you can just reflow the solder on the chips and it will work again

[@mekarawr3229]

open cart surgery is my favourite part of your channel. love it

[@rfmerrill]

I had a Castlevania with a bad ROM chip (I even dumped it and it had a handful of wrong byte values at maybe a couple dozen addresses). I used Bucketmouse's flash adapter board to replace it, and left the original ROM chip inside the cart so if the cart ends up in someone else's hands they don't think it's a pirated copy or something.

[@ShawnBoyko]

Two games that are definitely worth resurrecting.

[@matthewlane518]

Damn right!

[@madhatter3640]

Part 1 & 3 are my favorites

[@apollolux]

Yep, definitely enjoyed some Top Gun and Jack Nicklaus Golf in my youth, top tier games! ;)

[@scottcaruso635]

Never commented on here before just wanted to say I really enjoy your content. Love when you rate games, share the clips and your opinion

[@MilkWasABadChoice17]

I never knew or heard Castlevania ROM chips are notorious for failing. I'm kind of nervous about that, is there a subset of games that are prone to failing? I absolutely hate holding onto things that are prone to failure for no reason at all.

[@RetroSho]

I wouldn’t worry about it. I’ve had tons of Castlevania carts over the years and they are just fine. ROM failure is more of a rare occurrence overall vs say… corrosion or bad traces. If they do fail that’s that, unfortunately. The only real fix would be to have a new chip copied. That would turn the game into more of a reproduction since the ROM chip is no longer authentic. 😬

[@destindude1978]

Yeah unfortunately these do but it depends on the version of the game the Rev A I have only seen one of those fail but I have seen a Rev A be glitchy when you use the whip 🤷‍♂️

[@Gigabyte1002]

They're not. John is only saying this because his experiment didn't work. Rom chips rarely go bad.

[@destindude1978]

@@Gigabyte1002 false, they do I've seen it happen

[@MrSolidtiger]

That sucks. That’s my second favorite Castlevania. I hope you find some boards for those shells.

[@Cincinnatijames]

Are you not using flux when soldering? That can lead to cold solder joints, i.e. not working.

[@mkfreak22]

You don't always need flux, there is also flux in the solder which is enough for this job.

[@Cincinnatijames]

@@mkfreak22 flux never hurts and as I said not using it can lead to cold joints.

[@Slowbird1989]

I love when you have the games mega close to your eyes. It reminds me of my mom.

[@hectormontalvo5565]

It's so sad but such is life sometimes you win sometimes you lose. You lost both patients Dr.Riggs!😭

[@JohnRiggs]

New to Open Cart Surgery? Binge the playlist! I have over 100 of these videos - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZvShKmKZbCjqbc

[@mjdf122]

Game Cart Surgery With Dr Riggs

[@mr.flex3017]

Nice smile on the desolder gun 😅

[@yepperdeedooda]

You could fix those games with a blow dryer.

[@joshysbrand3567]

Explain plz

[@bok3rnes425]

You're truly professional Game Cart Surgeon John 👍❤👍❤👍❤

[@MNSweet]

Convention: Come to Play On Con in Alabama at the beginning of July. It's not like the other conventions as they con is billed as a summer came for adults. 24/hr board gaming room, kayaking, Iron Bartender competition, archery, Unlimite Gamer competition, mini seminars, pool side karaoke, costume contest, etc. We bring the family. As its all ages with an kids actively track.

[@PoutingTrevor]

I'm sure Knorr-Witch will be happy to have you, but you probably want to head to Norwich (pronounced Norridge).

[@hdezn26]

Right at this point 12:13 the solder is bridged between 2 contacts... likely making at least one of the two inoperatable...

[@christopherdowling1478]

Is there a certain temp that you use on the desoldering gun? I’m thinking of getting one of those as I have a generic Amazon one and it sucks at pretty much any temp except max. Max on the one I have is 450c but I’m sure it’s not hitting that temp. Probably more than that.

[@themanboycave122]

I’ve never been to a convention but I’m going to the Midwest classic this year. I can’t wait!

[@R3troZone]

John you've been an absolute inspiration to me on my own channel. After years and years of doing my own versions of "open cart surgery" I decided (thanks to you) to start filming it in sort of an ASMR no speaking only background noise format. Keep gaming my friend and thank you!

[@game_master_rukia]

try sacrificing a copy of commando if you have the board cause that's an exact duplicate of the castlevania board

[@CarecaRetrogamer]

Hey, John!!! OMG, man... it was kinda sad in the ending, seeing neither of them worked... Oh, well... Anyways, like u said, at least u have 2 near mint Castlevania cases, if a beaten up one eventually shows up... "Days of fighting, days of glory ", I guess... Cheers, man!

[@SaulTNutts-no6js]

Great T-shirt!

[@midwestunicycle]

There’s a pizza place in Louisville called Spinellis it’s in an area of town called the highlands. It’s a pretty cool area of town. There’s a store over there called book and music exchange that sells retro games and in spinelllis. there is a hilarious picture of Burt Reynolds lying naked on a bare skin rug covering a wall in the restaurant definitely recommend both. I lived there for many years and still occasionally visit I also recommend doing a tour of waverly hills sanitarium if you’re into haunted stuff.

[@Nerdstillery]

Glad I got the chance to meet you at Multi-Con, but I guess I'll be seeing you again at Louisville. Louisville is always a good time!

[@cellularpeptidecake]

Don't think I've ever seen one of these where you got a game working. You actually broke and tossed the roms for the golf and silent service board so you're actually at -2 successes here.

[@HollywoodWick3d]

Shoving a chunk of meat into the cartridge is probably the best way to restore this game back to full health.

[@SophiaNyx]

open cart surgery!

[@karlgeesaman5504]

Happy too see you rocking the Electric Mayhem tshirt John

[@hydro_storm4527]

You should make some homebrews using the boards next, Castlevania Holy Relics is a great one.

[@THE_GIN_MASTER_]

Can’t wait to give ya a biiiig hug at MGC, Riggsy baby! Also, I loved the H and V solder information. I never knew that, and I know my way around. Good stuff!

[@scottg7660]

Love the surgery videos.

[@possumgrits825]

Awesome t-shirt. Great show also. Thanks.

[@antibishonen]

Hey Riggs, I believe you're supposed to transfer the rom and the security chip. Have you tried that?

[@Scyllinice]

The CIC chip does not matter for top loaders.

[@matthewlane518]

Love the electric mayhem t-shirt!

[@caseywilliams4145]

Thanks bud for everything you do

[@kevinmcbride4269]

As a Subscriber to your channel, your best stuff is reviews and your opinions. I love your points of view and exposes on certain games. The videos on cart repair are best summed up in a single episode for those who are looking for technical help. Can you create multiple channels for each side of the equation? Skip these every time, but again, love the other side of this channel...

[@Green.Blood.]

John Riggs MD

[@darylmoffat8057]

Just so you know, Norwich in the UK is pronounced Norich with a slient w. Glad to see you are coming across the pond. Enjoy those sausage rolls!

[@crazylegs1823]

Man.. It was bothering so much that I couldn't figure out the music you play during the removal of the chips (the de-soldering part). Double Dragon!

[@8bitslasher]

What’s your success ratio on these open cart surgeries?

[@TheShiftyShitShow]

i still have my original castlevania from when i was a kid and it still works! at least the last time i tried it anyway

[@rfmerrill]

Do all UNROM boards have the same size CHR RAM? I imagine if you put a ROM into a board that expects 8K but it only has 4K, that would not work.

[@richfutrell753]

You should make a unrom test board out of one of those boards to save time and solder.

[@antibishonen]

3:00 Couldn't land the plane, Riggs?

[@h2ohead1]

Hey John where did you get your shirt

[@jamiewallace9647]

When in England check out Greggs bakery .. The best sausage rolls EVER!!!

[@jarredcombs7603]

I’ll see you in Kentucky March 10-12.

[@emobassist]

Does swapping boards decrease value

[@AlvinMarin.]

Check your soldering just in case you bridged it by accident

[@hdezn26]

There is a solder Bridge at 12:13 .

[@jasonshiers5771]

Did you try them in the original NES ?

[@catholicactionbibleonlyist1813]

You should the northern state parkway the L.I.E a very bad road Acclaim's HQ was on long island ie Gelnn Cove not too far from garden city

[@retrobear9367]

Off topic here. Where'd you find the big Mario Cartridge?

[@ksredsfan]

Louisville is my hometown might see you there if not enjoy John

[@inrainbows1829]

Someone I know used to rent games switch the cases with games that person already owned

[@KenzenCrese]

You know the best pizza lol we have the best here

[@do0rkn0b]

these videos are super fun

[@cupheadandmaskedsinger3523]

Not making it to to many games?

[@giantlobsterboy644]

Are you willing to try to operate on my Fester's Quest, The Guardian Legend or Cobra Triangle? I will pay shipping both ways.

[@mikuneverdies6288]

"Both Caxtlevanias didnt wanna work for us today" ..omgwash imma cry how sad ,,I wanted them to live again" :O :O :O T--T;;;

[@mason4445]

When are you doing double dragon 2 and tecmo bowl?

[@spanellaful]

Real as life is

[@gratchseifer]

Honestly, I tried to follow this and got lost several times. I guess I'm not up to speed on the specs and terminology.

[@Status1985Quo]

I see you're struggling with your eyesight, and it's pretty small stuff to begin with. I can really recommend buying a magnifying glass stand with integrated light.

[@Dwight.Schrute69]

Why don't you use flux? Just curious.

[@nimrodlevy]

Hey Mr. Riggs, its time for you to have a good luminated mounted magnifying glass... Just saying.....😉

[@TheDisasterGarage]

Waa waa. Dang sucks. But now ya got two good boards that you tossed hah

[@williamabbott2230]

Shame about the roms 😢 Hope you enjoy the UK. Norwich is pronounced “norrich” the W sound is very soft.

[@jimmystancliff2843]

Did bright boy sponsor you yet

[@destindude1978]

Also John have you ever thought of buying a lot of games that no longer work just for Open Cart Surgery? Just curious luckily all mine still work great so far anyway

[@shanelamereux9878]

give it a little wiggle then give it a little. . bwhahahahahaha the facial expression at that frame. not writing it down watch it again if you need to lol

[@johnnyfatsacks5209]

Can you please fix my life?

[@jarredkrum9894]

Im watching castlevania anime right now and id love to play that on nes! So if ya got a spare hook a brother up lmao😂🤣always worth a try 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TurdFerg117]

You like NY pizza!? Come to NEPA ..best pizza on the planet

[@blazen2000208]

Hell yeah

[@christopherdecorte1599]

Can always burn new rom chips

[@M1nus_p]

RIP

[@warligerdan9492]

No, no. If you put the two cartridges together, you get “Castlevania… in STEREO!” 😂 I don’t know. Have a great day.

[@i_GiveFRUITS]

I know i said it before but.... John Riggs is a LEGEND 🙌

[@ajquigg93]

Most UK people don't pronounce the W in Norwich, so it's usually pronounced like Nor-itch. Good attempt though! English place names are so confusing 😅

[@launchedkode]

we tend to say snez or nez too instead of spelling each word

[@ibapreppie]

Who's going to Corgs Columbus Ohio May 13th?

[@XAlucardmoonX]

I don't know anyting about games or replacing but can you reprom the roms

[@michaeladams9807]

👍👍

[@mtshark7]

Nice try John. It's a shame both didn't work.

[@TurdFerg117]

Go MARINERS!!

[@shanelamereux9878]

I just hope you advertise swap outs as swap outs brother. I'm sure you do, but certain whelk reading this are like yes. 2$ to 200$ easy peasy nice n sleazy. knahmean jelly beans?

[@ProximoNovio]

You repeat yourself every video...