Trying To Fix A Broken GameBoy Game!

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The Retro Future
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[@TheRetroFuture]

This is a reupload because a part of the video got deleted from my rubbish editing skills.. enjoy!

[@DreamDaddie]

I was wondering what happened earlier. I saw something early today and thought I had something to watch during my break. At least I got to watch it now, not complaining, just thought I was going to be out of the loop

[@jooniethebest3709]

O...

[@TheRetroFuture]

I also managed to delete the part where I said I was taking the battery from another game as I didnt have a spare... jeeeeez what an amateur...

[@drwhoscumrag]

Pfffft....and have you even heard of flux? 😂

[@Espeon804]

"alao" lol.

[@adamhenry6793]

Alao has been archived.

[@vincentmethinks]

*_B O I_*

[@biancaanonymous9879]

I have a broken zelda game ;-;

[@odysseos12]

White vinegar for the corrosion. Pencil eraser for the contacts. Get some flux.

[@GretSeat]

Pencil eraser?

[@TheBrokenPast]

"You should definitely use flux. I don't have any though." Sounds like me: "You should definitely use a fine-point tip. But I'm going to use a chisel tip." or "You should definitely know what you're doing. But I'm just going to wing it and hope for the best!" :)

[@Espeon804]

I love watching these repairs while I grind in Pokémon.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Good stuff!

[@V_04.01]

Me too.

[@Innes1]

wait you're the guy that keeps posting videos that somehow get into my recommended, funny seeing you here.

[@PanchoKnivesForever]

I love you for doing this - one of my nightmares has been that when I'm much older (I'm 25 now), that these games and consoles would not exist due to corrosion and overuse.

[@vector198]

thats what emulators are for

[@johnkearns2086]

You can use a normal sheet of white paper for cleaning contacts like those. Acts as a very mild sandpaper; just enough to take any oxide off the top with a bit of a rub. Worked well for me many times. Great channel!

[@AMPISOUND]

Mad that this guy was rescuable!!!

[@TheRetroFuture]

I couldn't believe it!

[@PanchoKnivesForever]

@Jerry Ufer Ha! Good one.

[@retrodonut1185]

Good to see your back to the classic Gameboy repairs! This is the reason I started making videos!

[@vincentmethinks]

2 subs behind me lol

[@GEKGanon]

It never gets old watching you keep gaming history alive one small piece at a time.

[@Dekomata]

Good thing this cart only needed some heavy cleaning. I had a pac man gbc cart that completely refused to work even after cleaning it. But all i had to do was reflow the contacts and it started working again.

[@yeahhbuddy3932]

Well done m8. Im glad your fixing these games so they last a little longer.

[@informationdepot5517]

Baking soda & white vinegar is also effective for removing corrosion from electronics. I'd recommend a rinse then final clean with isopropyl afterwards however.

[@jongreg]

I love ur videos so muchh! Im about to add a backlight mod to my gameboy color myself it will be my first retro repair but it seems fairly simple wish me luck ill need it! Keep up making the best videos

[@vincentmethinks]

Your very sincere comment has given you your first subscriber. (Me. I subbed.)

[@jongreg]

MonicaDemon384 thank you so much your so kind

[@vincentmethinks]

@@jongreg np

[@zachhovick4411]

This video is great! Because I'm trying to learn how to get decent at soldering. Thanks Elliott!

[@shanetorok3293]

My son found a gameboy game chip in the dirt a few weeks ago, Curiosity as to what game it was led us to trying to fix it, we eventually got it to work after fixing some traces, it turned out to be a really broken Pokemon red version. All Pokemon are black boxes

[@omarmorales2156]

Great video! Always triggers me when you use the Isopil..Isopo.. Isopropyl alcohol and leave the bottle open! But it was so satisfying how a second later it was magicaly closed. Haha, keep the great job, I love your videos!

[@fini8641]

I ordered a game boy case colour case by accident but now from your videos I can replace the case on another one, thanks!

[@jooniethebest3709]

Awesome, I have Mario Land 2 and love it. This is awesome! Love these videos!👍🏾👌🏾

[@skyland8733]

Wow thanks for uploading a video on how to fix a game! Because I recently got 4 more and one gameboy original and one of the games is called Pokémon pinball and the rumble isn’t working but when i first got it i just rubbed the battery area because it was kinda corroded and it worked! But it stopped a while after that. Keep up with the excellent videos (doesn’t matter if the editing is bad (i dont care!))

[@MrLurchsThings]

Nice work Elliot. It’s interesting how much retro tech can be saved by just giving things the mother of all cleans. I might have to let my local vintage shop know to NOT throw out any “broken” carts. Re: Labels: Admittedly I keep a load of adhesive paper around for toy resto’s, so labels are a snap. But to anyone reading this, edit the image file to have ‘repo’ on it somewhere.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Good idea with the "Repo" on the label. I need to get a good printer when I have the room.

[@MrLurchsThings]

@@TheRetroFuture Yeah - I do it for 2 reasons. 1) hard core collectors seem to get their knickers in a knot, but also 2) *if* I ever go to sell, it reminds me to tell the buyer 'oh yeah, I remade that label'.

[@beefy6747]

Love your channels. Thanks for doing what you do. Keep up the good work.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks pal!

[@Mymatevince]

Good job mate :-)

[@TheRetroFuture]

Cheers man! Looking forward to our challenges ;) I havent ordered anything for it yet, have you?

[@Mymatevince]

@@TheRetroFuture Not yet, I am so unorganised I will probably do it all in the last couple of months and then fail to sell them in time !!!!

[@futublock]

you are an artrist of re-animated things like this, bravo

[@Tenshihoshino]

I accidentally broke the trace negative side of the game-boy circuit board. I used a shabby game because I had no experience with Soldering. I was trying to fix it. I should've used Flux and something like your pliers instead of using a heating and flat screwdriver as pull it gave too much force and popped some green off the board. Thanks for this video, I learned a lot what to do on my next attempt.

[@COMBOY]

You're amazing! Now I hope that I could fix my own games like that as well. 😊

[@bazzerker35s]

Super Mario Land 2 6 Golden Coins is one of my favorite Game Boy games, right next to the Warioland 1, 2 and 3.

[@kr4t0sg.28]

For contacts i use brasso. Its used to clean and polish brass and copper. I use it and leaves those contacts brand spanking new.

[@Chriva]

I loved how there was no audio during parts of the first video lol

[@mrtato5797]

Love the thumb around with the screwdriver and the toothbrush lol

[@Rguy8675]

A very satisfying repair good job!

[@mickeydee3595]

Just clocked/beat that game last night. No shit it took me about 200 times to beat the final wario level boss! Excellent video mate!

[@gofastcorgi2526]

yess, i love this style of video

[@matthewnations501]

I love trf videos. I've learned so much!

[@axelfure]

That’s so awesome. That game is absolutely worth saving!

[@BlazerXI]

Great job! You saved that SML2 cartridge!

[@metalheadmalta]

A light rub with an Emery Cloth, or light Steel Wool would have cleaned those contacts right up. And solder contains just enough flux to make it workable... perhaps flux is too over-used. For removing solder, you need some desoldering braid... I can send you a couple of rolls if you want. (I have a room-full!)

[@LS-to6el]

Could you make a video about relabeling the cartridge?

[@seyguh4177]

Thought you were doing this one ASMR style when you were up close to the camera at the beginning

[@mikeypeters7003]

Servisol (contract cleaner)and a fibreglass pen, always great for cleaning contacts.

[@Crime_city.600]

Great video lad keep up with good work

[@bryanrizzo9377]

When one of my gameboy games froze during gameplay I just simply wiped the pins down with a qtip. The best part is you don't even have to disassemble the cartridge to do so. I didn't use alcohol on the qtip by the way because with my luck I had a feeling it would make things worse and that I would never be able to play the whole game all the way through without it freezing.

[@andrewlevy1816]

I use something called Brasso, or any metal cleaner for your kitchen or bathroom, really. It is slightly abrasive, but it's meant to knock off the top layer of rust and restore the contacts back to its original glory. I would use it on a case like this, not every cartridge. Try it!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Good shout!

[@johnmuff1348]

Glad you got it working

[@callum110597]

Excellent work!

[@ganggreen1983]

Should use a bit of brasso on those pins for good measure.

[@yorgle]

It looks like it was in water, but if there was corrosion from battery acid/battery leakage, clean the affected areas with vinegar, and scrub them down. the corrosion can work its way underneath the solder mask too. :/

[@Etro14]

Love your videos, Elliot!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks!!

[@joehdah5395]

Nice repair!!

[@m.7741]

so i watched this because i got mgs and it didnt work, the inside looked fine but i couldnt open the card cause i dont have that screwdriver yet. when i saw him put the card in and out a few times i thought to myself 'might as well try that first' and it actually worked lmao. funny that such a simple method solved the problem

[@prnagaishi007]

Great work!

[@SimmyBassline]

nice easy fix, does the board not need some more attention though?

[@violetmay6196]

Great vid! 😁 👍🏻

[@BadBrad119]

I fixed a pokemon yellow game that would freeze with pikachu screaming like nuts. Turned out the solder on the chips were weak, and just touching each pad with a solder iron fixed it

[@SpikerDragon95]

0:47 SCREWDRIVER FLIP I WANNA DO THAT

[@ImRyphol]

Hi, I'm looking to get into repairing/restoring old handhelds etc and wanted to know wheres the best place to buy them?

[@drake1763]

Having this problem with a Pokémon crystal and Pokémon gold I had bought a few years ago. Decided to take them out and play, ended up not working. Did scrub them with AP. One has rust on the back, and some corrosion. Don’t have solder to take the battery off, so spent a time using qtips around everything. They seem to work here and there but not everytime. So a bit sad.

[@Antoto96]

I almost always have to do a cleaning whenever I buy a used gameboy game off eBay. They almost never work and when i open the cartridge up i just see so much dirt and grime even if the seller cleaned up the outside to look pristine 😅.

[@StupidDupid]

Dude ur the best thank you so much this happens with my gameboy color and donkey Kong

[@josephneale10215]

Watched the original video and watching this one to support you with a view

[@TheRetroFuture]

Haha thanks.

[@krazytaxicabbie]

It SAVES! (I honestly thought he was gonna skip that part)

[@johneygd]

I wish you included the part were you did solder a new battery in place but whatever, but i can do say that this game is a hardware pusher with amezing graphics in glorious color on gameboycolor, despites being originally in B&W.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Uhh... I did?

[@SkateZooYorkSkate]

Love Your Videos !!!!

[@alwaysdownloadables]

Any suggestions on where to find non-working gameboy games if I want to try restoring one? Can only find working or refurbished stuff on eBay.

[@chrismifsud7154]

When the contacts on a game are quite bad I like to use Brasso.

[@Chriva]

Oh. and fiberglass pen is invaluable for stuff like that. (with care ofc. It's very abrasive)

[@flmalegre]

I use a good ol' pencil eraser for that, it works wonders.

[@swarmx7672]

Re upload?

[@talonfluff]

1:10 this doesn't look bad. At least what I've seen when restoring some older electronics.

[@MrJ0mmy]

should have used a battery holder so if you ever need to replace it again you can slide old one out and slide new one in

[@perk5989]

You need to tin your soldering iron or the tip will oxidize quicker

[@MasterHappychipmunk]

You ought to of used something like brasso on the pins, depending on how severe the corrosion is of course. (Be very careful with how you use)

[@MasterHappychipmunk]

Should add to use alcohol after cleaning with brasso.

[@azknight8150]

Dude I swear, you’re like the Bear Grylls of video game repairs. You sound like him, and talk like him! It’s uncanny. “To fix this cartridge, we’re going to have to traverse this dangerous clean. Hopefully, we can get it working again by the end of the video”

[@eternalbluesky604]

You're amazing! Keep making videos! 🙏

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks!

[@chriss4365]

Mine has some gold missing on one of the circuits. You can see the copper under it under a scope. Im guessing thats why mine wont load. Its a centipede game boy color game.

[@thomashenry691]

Wow awesome fix i use 1 up cards to clean my games

[@anonoimous2333]

My 3ds has a popping screen and the game service told me that it won't get fixed.. Can you help me or even give me an advice in order to fix it my self...

[@jakobd.3632]

Can someone please help because i tried everything he said but it still doesnt work. Is there anything else i can try?

[@dea9800]

Literally the same one i was trying to clean😂

[@enigmaoftheechidna6279]

Impressive, you are the man!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Haha thanks!

[@s10meb95]

Could use some bright boy on pins to resurface them

[@carlitoxcacm]

there is a web page whare i can buy stickes for old games cartridge !?

[@ArturoHernandez-py5iw]

I hope you keep that game...

[@drizztdrourden2534]

You may not have to take the plastic off. Just scrub the metal inside with some sort of brush and it can come back to life.

[@joehdah5395]

Thats my favorite game on the gameboy!

[@BILLTHORPE]

Top Job!

[@luciameanos3691]

hey bro, my pins look like scratched, not dirty at all, but a little vertical scratch on almost every pin... do you think that may be bad? it's not booting, Nintendo word is a bit glitched

[@everfreebrumby8385]

That was my favourite GB game before I got Pokémon.

[@PuppetMaster8707]

I recently bought a Mario Land 2 game I had to replace the battery and put solder on the pins that were corroded away

[@bswtsp21]

What are you doing using a colgate toothbrush for cleaning?

[@rajjgaming5919]

that screen at the start happens on my GBA sp if u put the card backwards it shows that screen ,

[@BTGaming196]

have you ever had to repair a game that has the gold contact points worn out, like on a GB/GBA game? If so can you make a video of it? as i have two old pokemon games that have been stored in a bathroom cupboard for possibly 10 years.

[@mattfisher1916]

I sold my Gameboy micro. It hurt my hands to play and I have a sp modded GBA but I still miss my micro

[@Fendera1]

Why even sell systems? collect them.

[@_MJ07_]

I recently bought and realised I really won't be using it to play anything, it hurts so bad especially playing a game that requires a lot of pressing buttons like f-zero.

[@idkman1562]

@@_MJ07_ are you going to sell it?

[@_MJ07_]

@Lucario's Gaming might try it, but doubt that would work. I've got big hands, that's the problem haha

[@_MJ07_]

@@idkman1562 nope, it's on my Gameboy shelf now dude. Sorry haha.

[@TheGummiebearx]

Amazing job! Do you think similar technique would work on an n64 cartridge with the same problem?

[@debsy101games]

Frankibear I think so, N64 carts are indestructible though

[@TheRetroFuture]

Yup!

[@1020ojom]

where do you get broken games i cant find any

[@CatholicIrish]

Just bought a copy of Solar Strikers. Same scenerio, but I'm not having a luck. Still getting the weird Nintendo symbol. Any thing else I can do?

[@cosmevasco1831]

You are a god! Nice work!

[@yesterdaytech9569]

WD-40 is great for cleaning and polishing the old crusty tarnish off those old cartridges.

[@musicvideoenhancer]

From my experience, 90% of the time, is dirty copper contacts. Usually cleaning with isopropyl is enough to bring the cartridge back to life. Few times I had to scratch it to expose the clean copper. Only a handful of times, I had problems with internal battery. Game Gear cartridges usually works better, but good Lord, they're extremely annoying to open it.

[@ghostlytheghost7208]

My Pokemon Emerald have rust on the contact what should i do?!

[@onezerozerozeroone1171]

I hope i can do this WITHOUT using a solder , if mine was broken