Pokémon Ruby Rescue! Can I Save The Owner's Shiny Magikarp?

A Reddit user reached out and asked if I could save their Shiny Magikarp. They just caught their first every shiny Pokémon and decided to replace their RTC battery after. Can I recover their save and repair their game?
Need a repair? Reach out to me via e-mail: [e-mail]
I offer an affordable mail in game battery replacement service. $20 for the first game, $10 per game after that. The cost includes the return shipping. I will backup and restore your save (if available) and polish the edge connector. I will also seal any exposed traces caused by the game rubbing against the cartridge shell.
GBxCart used in this video: shop.insidegad...
None of my links are affiliate links.
Here are links to the tools that I use:
Soldering Station: www.diyfixtool...
Hot Air Station: www.aliexpress...
Miniware MHP30: www.aliexpress...
Fume Extractor: www.amazon.com...
Flux: store.rossmann...

[@Julieeevt]

Awesome video! Thank you for fixing my game! :)

[@imod.systems]

Thank you so much for sending it! It was a fun repair and I really enjoyed it.

[@_nukeohio]

Please don't attempt to work on any more GBA cartridges, there's only so many left in the world. @Julieeevt

[@tehjamerz]

​@@_nukeohiolmfao

[@purplegill10]

@@_nukeohio Yeah only a few 10 million. Odds are this video's gonna save a lot more cartridges by showing what not to do so I'd say it was worth the mistake and advice to avoid it.

[@Julieeevt]

@@_nukeohioyeah I will definitely be sending it to imod if I ever need it done haha

[@michaelbardock8675]

This guy is the hero gamers need but dont deserve. People that dont play games will not understand how stuff like this saves childhood memories.

[@imod.systems]

That’s honestly why I do it.

[@DrPeeper]

"That was super effective against the edge connector" had me roll out of my bed😂

[@Jackpkmn]

That mini hot plate is actually an insanely cool tool for very tiny projects like this.

[@cecillewolters1995]

This was surprisingly satisfying and wholesome at the same time, that Magikarp is clearly loved ^^

[@Bleachc15]

Ngl these are the type of videos I like. Trying to fix an old Ruby game, inspecting imperfections under the microscope❤ This video brings out the techy Pokémon side of me and I’m here for it😊

[@imod.systems]

Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoyed

[@Ozz465]

NGL too, this just hits the poke spot.

[@JoseLD1987]

Adamant shiny magikarp? Worth saving

[@popper03244]

That cart was in tough shape but you brought him back thank you its nice to see my childhood given so much care. Way to many hours playing this pair of games.

[@yearlingsun6820]

Thank you for linking all of the products you use! Of all the larger repair KZbinrs i watch none of them have ever linked the flux they use and I've been looking for a recommendation on flux from firsthand experience. That and your very detailed video earned a sub and like from me!

[@imod.systems]

Thank you! Flux is arguably more important than having a good iron. It’s critical to soldering. Glad I was able to help and thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@dragonkingoscurare1092]

This is really satisfying and wholesome to watch. Glad that you could save that person progress.

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@RaptinDinon-mn4ps]

A true credit to your people son. Godspeed & keep up the good work. Your a true champion helping people.

[@TheGameDisplay]

Wow, lots of crazy things going on with this one! Amazing job getting everything cleaned up and then transferred over. As someone who's still never found a shiny, I can only imagine how special your first one ever is. It's so wonderful that you could save it for them! Awesome video! :)

[@imod.systems]

Thanks for watching and thank you for the really kind comment!

[@leonhawkins1955]

I thought my shiny zubat was a glitch

[@bloink3511]

Been in the discord for a bit, just now getting to see your repair videos. Very well made. You make this stuff look effortless

[@imod.systems]

Thank you very much!

[@ztykowork]

What a sweet magikarp, also sweet that the game and save were able to be restored.

[@haikaido]

I **love** this content, you seriously deserve a larger audience.

[@imod.systems]

Thank you very much!

[@konman10000]

Absolutely can't get enough of your content man! Keep up the amazing work! 💪💯

[@affexthepirate]

hey awesome vid! video and audio quality is great, as well as the pacing and explanations. I like how you're very thorough and precise with your movements. Need more! :D

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@olDirdey]

nice job, customer will be happy :) a tip when trying to remove the tin from the edge connector. hold the desoldering wire and the tip at a 90° angle to the fingers. you will then use more contact area from the tip.

[@imod.systems]

My soldering sage! Thanks for the tip.

[@scully1856]

This was an awesome vid! Just dicovered your channel, absolutely subscribed! Keep up the awesome work!!

[@imod.systems]

Thank you very much!

[@orod731]

Always cool to see videos like this. I have a copy of platinum that has a corrupted save file. Seeing videos like this gives me hope one day that can be fixed.

[@Voyager5171]

I dont say this a lot, but i do appreciate young people like yourself for saving game cartridges. Thank you for your service

[@imod.systems]

Young people like myself, how old do you think I am? 🤔

[@orionDXN]

Oh wow, this is incredible :D Well done! I was smiling at the end of the video.

[@imod.systems]

Really glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for watching

[@k-kourt]

i am so glad i have no games to be saved but i lowkey wish i had a busted game to send you just so i can see another video

[@diegomatos6890]

Your videos are truly outstanding! This channel is poised for rapid growth as long as you continue to deliver such exceptional content. Your dedication to quality has earned you one more subscriber, and undoubtedly, many more will follow suit!

[@imod.systems]

Thank you so much for the kind comment

[@mimicteeth]

Really nice video! I enjoyed the walkthrough of of the process and explanation of the concepts of the repair. My oldest shiny is a Magikarp from my childhood Ruby version, so I feel for Julie on that one lol. Keep up the good work!

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@PizzaHandhelds]

Nice! That’s an oem ram chip? Didn’t know u could flash a save to them! Nice work!! 💪🏽💪🏽

[@imod.systems]

Yup, you can flash / dump the eeprom on these. Thanks for watching!

[@stopcreepingyouweirdo]

Great fix, Corey! You rock!

[@imod.systems]

You rock!

[@Alex_dlc]

Absolutely loved this video!

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@Tybearius]

5:48 - I didn't know the MHP30 was even a thing!! I just bought one on Amazon! That's going to save me so many headaches! Thank You!!

[@imod.systems]

It’s an awesome little hot plate. It’s expensive, but awesome.

[@Dsbarrynl]

Owner uses flail: its super effective!

[@autumnshinespark]

Damn, an Adamant nature too. Lucky!

[@3v068]

Interesting to know that solder on the connectors actually makes it worse. I have few soldering skills, but its mostly related to through hole parts. I would have never expected that solder on the contacts would make it worse. Thanks for the informative video!

[@imod.systems]

Thanks for watching!

[@suluturnip]

I know. That’s what I’m saying. That’s why I’m asking for a video just on the topic, because it’s such an important topic right? Its so hard to find someone so knowledgeable about soldering.

[@389OpiE]

Not only does solder oxidize the pins but it's also not meant for grinding against contacts like the pins are and can crack over time. This is why you get cold solder joints over time with parts that move a lot or heat up and cool down a lot

[@emptylog933]

The wipers in a gameboy are very soft, so they are unable to scrape through the oxide layer. In this case you'd just gently polish the contacts and the board would be saved.

[@Littleferris]

Great vid as always :) keep em coming!!

[@imod.systems]

Thanks dude!

[@corvustiberius3591]

This is fantastic. You're a superhero.

[@jvogler_art4708]

It is a little funny yet tragic how many Pokémon carts get destroyed by people trying to solder a new battery in… 😂

[@kirbeast46]

*Trades the Magikarp before sending the game back as a form of payment*

[@imod.systems]

Lol! I dumped the save so I can import it into PKHex and back up the Mon

[@jimmythegremlin]

save the karptridge!!!

[@ConsolesAndCasks]

that lead-free stuff can be a pain in the neck, glad it came up as easily as it did

[@hawkfeather6802]

Nice work saving the game and Magikarp!

[@GlitchedEnt]

Also, adamant nature shiny magikarp? Insane

[@moshadj]

Imagine evolving your shiny Magikarp into shiny Gyarados

[@Mf_Tengu]

Love the videos !! Keep em coming

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@Haku_Hatake]

Comment for the algorithm, this deserves to be seen by more people! This is a very wholesome video! Reminds me of the video about saving a Blastoise from a bad egg 15 years after the fact 😁 blessing to you and your client!

[@imod.systems]

Thank you very much for the comment and support. I really appreciate it.

[@LebronTCG]

Adamant and everything that is gonna be a sick Gyarados

[@gunbladelad7772]

It seems so weird seeing Pokemon Ruby without the clock battery fitted...

[@amak1131]

Did you also provide the save dump? Maybe not the same, but I feel it'd be nice having that after getting my game repaired.

[@imod.systems]

Yeah, I sent them their save as well. I always ask the customer if they want a backup.

[@tammytheranger7645]

The goldfish has been saved!

[@jaysonl]

I just bought one of those GBxCart dealiebobs based on this video.... They should sponsor you :D :D

[@imod.systems]

Solid device. I have affiliate codes but I don’t like to use them.

[@l-period-j-period]

Awesome!!!

[@imod.systems]

No, you're awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@SilvioPimentel93]

Wow, it's an adamant one

[@JRBowling1997]

More videos of these please

[@ZukaMukaPwee]

Adamant Magikarp. no wonder they wanted to save the file.. nice

[@imod.systems]

I didn’t catch the nature. That is nice.

[@nipstir6897]

This is soo awesome!

[@YTJackalope]

Is there a specific kind of kapton tape that's needed or can you just use any? I have a copy of Emerald that needs a new battery soldered in and I hadn't even thought of protecting the connectors! (Also, this was very impressive! Well done!)

[@imod.systems]

Just any kapton tape you can find. I think I just got some generic stuff off of Amazon.

[@GarrisonRay]

Great video keep it up

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@ellaquin]

It is possible to replate the cartridge pins with gold again, I did that for my EZ Flash Jr cartridge

[@imod.systems]

Yeah, if you’re equipped to electroplate with hard gold. It’s not economical to do for a one off cartridge.

[@alexjdaughtrey]

Great video! Glad the algorithm pushed this my way, I’ve been trying to do some research on repairing my dad’s old copy of Emerald. Is there perhaps a way to contact you about repair inquiries? Definitely would be interested!

[@imod.systems]

Absolutely, my e-mail is in my channel description.

[@-Chrome-]

Beautiful

[@-Chrome-]

Where do you buy the unpopulated PCB?

[@YoupaIa]

why are all these damn ruby ​​pokemons breaking down? I found 17 GBA Pokemon in my attic and 4 rubies are broken, the fire red and leaf green emerald sapphires are doing great and they are stored in the same place

[@SomewhatLazy]

Would it be worth it to order a new PCB and transfer all the components?

[@SomewhatLazy]

LOL. Saw the other video.

[@ninnghhizziddha]

Your channels gonna blow up, this is fantastic work

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@Yellow35555vr]

i have some bigger repair challenges if you wanna try and tackle some ds games that i cant figure out

[@imod.systems]

I don’t like to mess with DS games. They’re not simple to take apart, it’s a destructive process. The shell is heat welded together and the only way to separate it is by cutting it.

[@NayruSSB]

So good.

[@K1ng.lizalde]

Do you still fix cartridges? Have a pokemon crystal that I would love to get fixed.

[@Wertercat]

Damn I wonder if you can fix the copy of Pokemon Black I broke as a kid trying to clean it. I've kept the PCB all these years

[@JoseAlmaguer-n5u]

Amazing how you are able to fix this ! I need help fixing one of my games any way you can also help me out ?

[@imod.systems]

Sure, my contact e-mail is in my channel description.

[@dopeitsandy]

Bro if you don’t mind me asking, where did you get your gameboy advance? Been wanting to get one with a backlight, but I’m not to sure if you can buy one with the back light installed alright or that’s something I’ll have to buy separately and install it myself? And great video btw! :)

[@imod.systems]

I assemble my own game boys. This is the funnyplaying 3” laminated kit for the game boy advance.

[@suluturnip]

Can you go over that part about the edge connector in a video please? That’s so important

[@JackvMakes]

He puts kapton tape over the pins to ensure that no solder accidentally splashes onto them. Even if you are extra careful there is always a chance that solder could get on the pins, so taking the extra precaution of taping the pins is a step that I always recommend as well.

[@albertobossio7165]

I don't know anything about repairing gameboy games but I'm suffering when I see this, I know you're repairing the game but it feels like you're destroying it.

[@imod.systems]

Believe me, I know how you feel. I got into repairing games and running a cheap battery replacement service after seeing so many people destroy their games.

[@brandonsclips7741]

Partial comment for the algorithm but also just to ask if you sell your services currently for custom gameboys and such? Hope that isn't rude to ask

[@imod.systems]

Not rude to ask at all, and thank you for the comment. I do build game boys, but I’m not taking commissions on them at this very moment.

[@optimusp517]

So we don’t need a battery on it anymore?

[@imod.systems]

I replaced the battery off camera.

[@PixelSageYT]

You don't need a battery in the game if you aren't doing time based events. But also having the battery run dry lets you do some really cool rng manipulation stuff.

[@TazNado]

Subscribed this is my kinda asmr

[@imod.systems]

Thank you!

[@James-fy4zc]

What chip has been used in place of the original battery? Im confused on that 😅

[@imod.systems]

Nothing. The battery is needed for real time clock, not save. I replaced the battery off cam.

[@JasperFoxo]

I thought the pokemon gb games used the battery to keep ram powered, is that not the case?

[@imod.systems]

On the original Game Boy / Color yes. Gen 3 uses battery for the real time clock. The save is on flash memory, think of it like an SD card. Doesn’t need a battery.

[@EnhancedLandscaping]

How do we send you one to fix? I’d pay for this my sapphire needs a new battery fs and corroded .

[@imod.systems]

Check out my channel description on a PC browser. There’s a way to get my contact email. I’m trying not to share it publicly because it makes me a target for bots.

[@AneonAnon]

darn wish i could get someone who could do somethin like this. i got a pokemon W2 thats been broken for ages and im pretty sure its where my milotic is but that thing is so busted idek if the save data is still even there

[@naturedetectiveminecraft6362]

DS cartridges would be much harder to do because they’re less modular and more compact

[@udontneedtoremember4840]

How did a berry that wasn't there grow inbetween moving the save to the new cart?

[@imod.systems]

I honestly have no clue. Never played Emerald before. Maybe the flag got reset when I used the GBXCart

[@imod.systems]

I’ve been thinking about this since you asked lol. Figured out the answer. The clock on the donor board isn’t at the same time as the original board. Depending on the time on the clock it populated a berry in the game.

[@ImOlegnaOrg]

Hey, Mr. Imod, I am reaching out to ask if this type of repair is also effective/possible for DS/3DS games? My Pokemon Heartgold, and Pokemon Black are both having their edge connectors worn down. I am confident Pokemon Black may last a while longer before being completely exposed, but I know I need to repair my Heartgold sooner than later as at least two pins have their gold layer rubbed off about halfway - leading to the DS to not always recognize it being put in. Anyways, Thank you for any correspondance on DS cartridge repairs! -Angelo

[@imod.systems]

Unfortunately working on DS / 3DS games aren’t as easy as Game Boy Games. The shells are heat welded together and you can’t get them apart unless you basically physically destroy them. You can separate them carefully with an xacto blade, but again, you need to use glue to get them back together and it doesn’t look good.

[@yoyi616]

hey bro i have a copy of leaf green that was working up until about a week ago and all of a sudden it deleted my save file and says "the 1M sub-citcuit board is not installed" is there any way i can save this cartridge and maybe the save file that was on it?

[@imod.systems]

That’s a common fault with fire red / leaf green. Could be a bad connection on the eeprom. If you’d like me to look at it, reach out to me via email. It’s in my channel description.

[@HeatmanMKIII]

i have a cartridge without battery, do you have a video on how to get and install one?

[@imod.systems]

Currently editing a battery replacement video.

[@thesilliestespeon]

is that flygonhg

[@pandahero707]

sick

[@C0mmanderX]

edge connectors dont care if you get solder on them... what are you talking about

[@imod.systems]

Edge connectors are plated in hard gold for a reason. Wear resistance and resistance to oxidation. As explained in the video, the surface layer of solder oxidizes to air. Once oxidized, it’s no longer conductive. If solder was an ideal surface conductor, board manufacturers would save money by not plating their edge connectors with hard gold and just go hasl instead. Thanks for watching.

[@Xnoob545]

​@@imod.systemsis it not possible to scrape off or melt off the solder?

[@Rex111638]

Is it possible to turn a fake cartridge into a real one?

[@imod.systems]

No. The heart and soul of a game is the mask-rom. You can flash the game to a flash rom (see the inside gadgets flash carts). That’s the closest thing you can get to a real game.

[@gabbinooo6372]

How does the save stay there if there Is no battery connected to the board?

[@imod.systems]

Eeprom does not require a battery for save. The battery is just used for real time clock in gen 3.

[@LadySamurai88]

So advance games don’t use batteries to store the save data?

[@imod.systems]

Most games don’t, but there are a few that do. I recently did a video on Hamtaro Ham Ham Heartbreak where I replaced the SRAM with a FRAM for saves. Changed it from requiring a battery to not requiring one.

[@harlequinhunter5914]

How can I send my pokemon to be repaired?

[@imod.systems]

Send me an email. It’s in the channel description.

[@kotonesouI]

Question why didnt you simply dump the .sav file to a entirely new cartridge or used a Japanese cartridge if you were gonna switch out the rom chip with prices for them being way cheaper than the US version

[@imod.systems]

That’s exactly what I did. I dumped the save from the old game and transferred the ROM to a Japanese donor.

[@mrglasses123xxgaming]

Is there a place I can request 2 game carts my omega ruby and emerald both dont work ?

[@imod.systems]

You can contact me via email, it’s in the channel description. I do not work on DS / 3DS games, however.

[@chrismclaren113]

You can use Bluetooth controller

[@imod.systems]

For MGBA on the PC? Yeah.

[@kitchenbriks3685]

How is the save still on it with no battery present?

[@imod.systems]

Gen 3 doesn’t use a battery for save, it’s only used for real time clock.

[@benburmeister3428]

What brand Flux do you use

[@imod.systems]

Amtech 559. I get it from Rossmann Repair Group.

[@Leonard176]

where can i find a cartridge ?

[@imod.systems]

You can occasionally find them for a good price on eBay. I’ve had better luck with Reddit and Mercari

[@dylanwicklund5129]

But with no battery the save file is gone?

[@Wertercat]

That's only for Gens 1&2. The battery only powers the clock in Gen 3, the save is stored in flash memory which persists.

[@imod.systems]

Battery isn’t needed for Gen 3. The battery is only used for RTC (real time clock)

[@aaronholladar5208]

Hey i need my dsi xl repaired!!!!

[@imod.systems]

I’m sorry, I avoid the DS consoles like a plague.

[@genisis258]

This video is fake, no one actually finds a Shiny adamant Magikarp in gen 3.

[@SqualidsargeStudios]

Aaah yes lead free solder, isn’t it amazing…. Useless rubbish. Leaded solder all the way always.

[@imod.systems]

Ugh, it’s the worst. Especially the stuff people get when they buy a $15 Amazon kit that comes with 10 tools and a spool of lead free junk. It’s almost impossible to remove from the board some times.

[@Xnoob545]

​@@imod.systemsisn't lead like dangerous? I'd be concerned about the fumes from that stuff

[@Saber_Nico]

I guess some people should never touch a solder iron regardless of how easy a project is. (talking about the original owner of that botched cartridge)

[@SummonerArthur]

I disagree. If you dont make mistakes you simply wont learn.

[@Saber_Nico]

@@SummonerArthur at what cost? Their own hand? Some people cant swim, so should they make the mistake of swimming and risk having them drown?

[@imod.systems]

Replacing batteries is a fantastic beginner project but you need to still take precautions. Also, if you’re really not up for it, you can buy soldering practice kits for literally $1. Blow those up, and practice on them until you’re comfortable.

[@Julieeevt]

It was something fun and new I wanted to try fixing myself. But thank goodness I sent it to him to fix my mess for me.

[@Saber_Nico]

@@Julieeevt im curious as to how you have managed to blow up the battery. Did you like heat it up directly with the solder iron?

[@Dicksquish]

Dropping in beforehand to say that's a sweet game case.

[@nate009gmail]

very very impressive