Fixing a TMNT Game Boy cartridge
So 3-4 years ago I bought a TMNT: Back From the Sewers cartridge for the Game Boy but couldn’t get it to boot up and just set it aside. Popped it into the Super Game Boy adapter for the SNES today and got the same result. Time to get this bad-boy going again.
It’s not super difficult to clean NES, Game Boy and SNES cartridges. You’ll need a 3.8mm drill bit to remove Nintendo’s proprietary screws. They’re easy to find, but I bought mine at A&C Games. Once you’ve opened it up, have a look at the pins to see if there’s anything noticeably dirty about them. 95% of the time the problem is on the pins.
A three-step cleaning process using 99% isopropyl alcohol, brand name solid Q-Tips, and an eraser usually do the trick.
I always start by dipping the q-tip in alcohol, draining it a bit on a paper towel, and rubbing along the pins. If the pins are dirty, the q-tip will likely discolour from whatever gunk is built-up on them. Dry it off, then rub the eraser along the pins. The traction should rub off any harder-to remove oxidization. Rub the pins with your fingers to remove any eraser residue and then do another q-tip/alcohol clean, thoroughly removing any leftover eraser. Dry. Re-assemble the cartridge. Give it a minute or two before re-inserting.
And the result? Success!
If it doesn’t work, it may require more thorough cleaning using the same steps above. When I finally opened my Castlevania III cartridge, it was beyond filthy and took a couple days to become playable again.
If you need additional steps, I recommend this handy guide, which is where I learned most of this.
