btw, I just received a few NES games that have a smoke smell on them. I read that using vinegar can get the smell of cigarette smoke out of things but I wasn't sure if they might damage the NES cart in anyway since it's an acid. Any advice?
@ZonifiedPLUS I would suggest trying it on a corner of a common cart just to see if it damages the finish at all. If it does not then go for it on the other carts. Just keep an eye as you go.
The only thing I do to clean the game is hold the chipboard in my hand and scrub the contacts with a bone-dry Scotch Bright pad. It is a bit unethical, but it does work. Just make sure that you get the bits of the pad off of the contacts.
Thank you! I am getting a used NES tomorrow and a bunch of games from my friend. I never knew this is what caused the flickering. Thanks for showing me how to clean.
@GanglyM Thanks! But unfortunately my friend didn't have an NES, he mistook it for another console. Really disappointed, was looking forward to playing my games. Do you know where I can purchase a reasonably priced console?
@bleedingxxaurora Windex should work as well though it probably won't take off as much of the build up. Windex is nice because it is unabrasive and won't eat away at the contacts. Give it s try anyway it certainly won't hurt.
@hualni Well that s a good question. I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work though you might want to be carful how fast you get the dremel going. I'd try it on a copy of super mario bros first in case it does damage something but it sounds like a pretty slick cleaning solution to me. Let me know how it goes if you do give it a try.
@hualni I was just thinking about this. I'm going to be buying a grinder and attaching a polishing wheel and I was thinking it might work even better and quicker (although not cheaper initially) as long as it's done quickly. I'm very curious.
@barbaramercedes You know I have never tried semichrome polish. I would give it a try on something like Super Mario Bros first in case it doesn't work.
I need some help , I just opened up my nes from a box I've had it in for 4 years and super mario bros worked everytime I put it in, I bought ice climbers and tmnt 3 and ice works 1/6 time and tmnt i've only gotten to work once, mario works fine unless I put the other two first then it takes a few, 4 years ago a guy I know who worked at nintendo fixed it all up with new pin connector so I was wondering does this sound like a pin connector problem or something wrong with the game cartridges.
Sounds to me like it would be a problem with the carts rather than the 72 pin connector. I'd start by cleaning all three carts and see if it helps. Sounds like the two carts could be leaving some residue on the connector which would be why the Mario bros doesn't work after you try them.
i just thought i'd share my method and tools to clean nes games. I use q tips, glass cleaner and a grade 0000 steel wool to polish the contacts. i thought the steel wool will mess the contacts up but nope it will have them shiny and work like new. not only that but it'll last a very long time! trust me this method works because i bought excitebike and took 4 tries to get it to work so i did the steel wool trick..works 100%
Steel Wool does work quite well but you do have to be carful if you are going to use this method. Especially on some of the older games the if you scratch to hard the contacts can pull right off the board. Also if you use the wool to much it can also rub the gold plating off the contacts as well.
oh yeah im sure if i use it too much then ill damage the contacts. i only use steel wool if um able to open the cartridge. if i can't then i use some other steel polish. i dip the q tip in it and clean the contacts.then i wipe the contacts off with a shirt since it's thin. this method also work too. i try not to go crazy and clean my games on a daily basis lol. i store my games in a plastic sandwich bag to keep the dirt away, sounds crazy huh
It's actually not a bad idea. The more dust you can keep out the better. I have dust covers on all my games and for the rarer ones I have some nice clear plastic boxes. Lol It's never a bad idea to take good care of the things you like and if the sandwich bag works then I say its a good idea.
After watching this a bunch of times and purchasing the security tool I was looking that the back at my games and I found some of the older games like Kung Fu, Hogan's Alley and Double Dribble has not only five screws but they're regular flat head screws. Keep in mind not every game has this so you should purchase the tool but I thought I'd mention this.
It is true that some of the older games do have the flathead screws rather than the security screws. It is a good idea to buy the tool though becasue the majority of the games have the security screws and you will probably run into a lot of them if you are cleaning your collection. If your only cleaning a couple of games thought it is a good idea to take a look and see if you need the security tool. Thanks for the comment
For cleaning I find that water is not enough to take the buildup off the contacts. However if you find that it works thats great, and I imagine a lot cheaper than a cleaning solution!!
Take a look at my other videos, there is one there that shows you how to do it. Pretty much just put some rubbing alcohol on a cloth and lightly rub it till it comes off.
you might not know what I'm talking about, but some of my SNES games, when I play them, there's like 2 lines on the middle of the screen, you have to look real close to see them but I'd still like to know how to get rid of that. I clean my games once a week but I can't seem to get rid of those lines on the middle of the screen
I tried to find some info for you but came up empty. I don't know much about SNES stuff and I have never had that problem with NES games. I'll keep my eyes open for any info though and let you know if I run into anything
You probably need a new 72 pin connector in the acctual system. I'll have a video up hopfully by the weekend showing you how to clean your NES system and replace the connector.
i just tried compressed air, that worked for a while but it still doesnt pick up the games, i got it to work on mario now and now im scared of removing the game lol
Great video; it's really helpful!
btw, I just received a few NES games that have a smoke smell on them. I read that using vinegar can get the smell of cigarette smoke out of things but I wasn't sure if they might damage the NES cart in anyway since it's an acid. Any advice?
ZonifiedPLUS 7 months ago
@ZonifiedPLUS I would suggest trying it on a corner of a common cart just to see if it damages the finish at all. If it does not then go for it on the other carts. Just keep an eye as you go.
GanglyM 7 months ago
i never clean the actual cart, i didnt realize it would get dirt in my system thanks for the tip
catlinmassier 8 months ago
Very well made, simple, step by step video. Thanks!
nhutchins 8 months ago
The only thing I do to clean the game is hold the chipboard in my hand and scrub the contacts with a bone-dry Scotch Bright pad. It is a bit unethical, but it does work. Just make sure that you get the bits of the pad off of the contacts.
goofy3696 10 months ago
HOLY CRAP HE SOUNDS LIKE WILLIAM FROM CODE LYOKO!
tiktacy 10 months ago
Thank you! I am getting a used NES tomorrow and a bunch of games from my friend. I never knew this is what caused the flickering. Thanks for showing me how to clean.
ZeroBatteries 11 months ago
@ZeroBatteries Your very welcome! I hope that your new system works well for you.
GanglyM 11 months ago 2
@GanglyM Thanks! But unfortunately my friend didn't have an NES, he mistook it for another console. Really disappointed, was looking forward to playing my games. Do you know where I can purchase a reasonably priced console?
ZeroBatteries 11 months ago
@ZeroBatteries
I would start by looking on kijiji. It sometimes has some consoles for decent prices. Other than that your best bet would probably be eBay.
GanglyM 10 months ago
Looks great man, I'm working on cleaning my collection aswell. It takes awhile but its worth it. Keep up the good work man.
Cheers...
jayman4201983 1 year ago
For those who don't have paste, would anyone recommend using windex to clean the contacts?
bleedingxxaurora 1 year ago
@bleedingxxaurora Windex should work as well though it probably won't take off as much of the build up. Windex is nice because it is unabrasive and won't eat away at the contacts. Give it s try anyway it certainly won't hurt.
GanglyM 1 year ago
@bleedingxxaurora windex will not hurt the contacts. I try it all the time
SuperRyderBros 1 year ago
Do you think some Brasso and a polishing wheel on a Dremel would damage the game?
hualni 1 year ago
@hualni Well that s a good question. I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work though you might want to be carful how fast you get the dremel going. I'd try it on a copy of super mario bros first in case it does damage something but it sounds like a pretty slick cleaning solution to me. Let me know how it goes if you do give it a try.
GanglyM 1 year ago
@hualni I was just thinking about this. I'm going to be buying a grinder and attaching a polishing wheel and I was thinking it might work even better and quicker (although not cheaper initially) as long as it's done quickly. I'm very curious.
Kelekin 1 year ago
@hualni Brasso does work great, just as long as you use 50/50 water and alcohol on the contacts...WORK LIKE NEW!! :-)
Gladiator214 1 year ago
Does semichrome polish work for cleaning games and 72 pin connectors?
barbaramercedes 1 year ago
@barbaramercedes You know I have never tried semichrome polish. I would give it a try on something like Super Mario Bros first in case it doesn't work.
GanglyM 1 year ago
SEXY..
MrMoneyclips 2 years ago
I need some help , I just opened up my nes from a box I've had it in for 4 years and super mario bros worked everytime I put it in, I bought ice climbers and tmnt 3 and ice works 1/6 time and tmnt i've only gotten to work once, mario works fine unless I put the other two first then it takes a few, 4 years ago a guy I know who worked at nintendo fixed it all up with new pin connector so I was wondering does this sound like a pin connector problem or something wrong with the game cartridges.
GamerPeep 2 years ago
Sounds to me like it would be a problem with the carts rather than the 72 pin connector. I'd start by cleaning all three carts and see if it helps. Sounds like the two carts could be leaving some residue on the connector which would be why the Mario bros doesn't work after you try them.
GanglyM 2 years ago
thanks a lot! It's good to see that people still care about the "Good Ole Games"
MLGAtari 2 years ago
i just thought i'd share my method and tools to clean nes games. I use q tips, glass cleaner and a grade 0000 steel wool to polish the contacts. i thought the steel wool will mess the contacts up but nope it will have them shiny and work like new. not only that but it'll last a very long time! trust me this method works because i bought excitebike and took 4 tries to get it to work so i did the steel wool trick..works 100%
loney3x 2 years ago
Steel Wool does work quite well but you do have to be carful if you are going to use this method. Especially on some of the older games the if you scratch to hard the contacts can pull right off the board. Also if you use the wool to much it can also rub the gold plating off the contacts as well.
GanglyM 2 years ago
oh yeah im sure if i use it too much then ill damage the contacts. i only use steel wool if um able to open the cartridge. if i can't then i use some other steel polish. i dip the q tip in it and clean the contacts.then i wipe the contacts off with a shirt since it's thin. this method also work too. i try not to go crazy and clean my games on a daily basis lol. i store my games in a plastic sandwich bag to keep the dirt away, sounds crazy huh
loney3x 2 years ago
It's actually not a bad idea. The more dust you can keep out the better. I have dust covers on all my games and for the rarer ones I have some nice clear plastic boxes. Lol It's never a bad idea to take good care of the things you like and if the sandwich bag works then I say its a good idea.
GanglyM 2 years ago
After watching this a bunch of times and purchasing the security tool I was looking that the back at my games and I found some of the older games like Kung Fu, Hogan's Alley and Double Dribble has not only five screws but they're regular flat head screws. Keep in mind not every game has this so you should purchase the tool but I thought I'd mention this.
BriSchwa82 2 years ago
It is true that some of the older games do have the flathead screws rather than the security screws. It is a good idea to buy the tool though becasue the majority of the games have the security screws and you will probably run into a lot of them if you are cleaning your collection. If your only cleaning a couple of games thought it is a good idea to take a look and see if you need the security tool. Thanks for the comment
GanglyM 2 years ago
water works the best
crazzyickman159 2 years ago
For cleaning I find that water is not enough to take the buildup off the contacts. However if you find that it works thats great, and I imagine a lot cheaper than a cleaning solution!!
GanglyM 2 years ago
I love your NES instructional videos, keep up the good work!
cadefulp 2 years ago
what is a good way to clean the sticker gunk off the outside that dumbf ck rental and gamestores put on it, pisses me off
BigNug81 2 years ago
Take a look at my other videos, there is one there that shows you how to do it. Pretty much just put some rubbing alcohol on a cloth and lightly rub it till it comes off.
GanglyM 2 years ago
you might not know what I'm talking about, but some of my SNES games, when I play them, there's like 2 lines on the middle of the screen, you have to look real close to see them but I'd still like to know how to get rid of that. I clean my games once a week but I can't seem to get rid of those lines on the middle of the screen
LqrDrnkr757 2 years ago
I tried to find some info for you but came up empty. I don't know much about SNES stuff and I have never had that problem with NES games. I'll keep my eyes open for any info though and let you know if I run into anything
GanglyM 2 years ago
ive cleaned my cartridges but it still fails, how do i clean the inside of the machine?
ellboy10101 2 years ago
You probably need a new 72 pin connector in the acctual system. I'll have a video up hopfully by the weekend showing you how to clean your NES system and replace the connector.
GanglyM 2 years ago
i just tried compressed air, that worked for a while but it still doesnt pick up the games, i got it to work on mario now and now im scared of removing the game lol
ellboy10101 2 years ago
5/5 :D.
JudgesOfNazareth 2 years ago
Thanks buddy
GanglyM 2 years ago