Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: NES Cart Contacts

  1. #1
    Peach (Level 3) Custom rank graphic
    thegamezmaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Minonk,IL
    Posts
    601
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default NES Cart Contacts

    Do NES game cart contacts seem to get dirtier faster than other system's? Is it due to poor care or the blow into cart syndrome? Mine seem to and wondered if anyone else has this happen? Thanks.

  2. #2
    Captain Caveman (and Son!) Custom rank graphic
    Sunnyvale's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Posts
    1,287
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    My XBOX is dead, not live.
    PSN
    PSN? PSchah!
    3DS Friend
    Friendless :(

    Default

    NES are the dirtiest of the 3rd gen and up, in my experience. But the most consistently nasty carts I've come across are TI-99 4a carts. 3 Q-tips minimum per cart. Never found one that didn't need scrubbed.

  3. #3
    Peach (Level 3) Custom rank graphic
    thegamezmaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Minonk,IL
    Posts
    601
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default NES Cart Contacts

    Quote Originally Posted by Sunnyvale View Post
    NES are the dirtiest of the 3rd gen and up, in my experience. But the most consistently nasty carts I've come across are TI-99 4a carts. 3 Q-tips minimum per cart. Never found one that didn't need scrubbed.
    Seems like some carts with really dirty or tarnished or whatever was on them, after cleaning some seem like they almost need to be cleaned everytime I use them if they've sat for a bit. I know it's not the connector so I'm thinking worn contacts from previous use, care, and age? I don't have this problem with any other cart based system I have. Just the front loading nes. I have tried repairing the connector and even trying a new one with the same results.

  4. #4
    Pretzel (Level 4) Orion Pimpdaddy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    night sky
    Posts
    822
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    I think the problem is not that the contacts get dirtier than other cartridges, it's that the NES is more sensitive to dirt than other systems. Everything has to be perfect for the NES to recognize the cartridge. I don't have the technical expertise to back that up; it's just based on my own experience. Many non-NES games I own have severely darkened contacts, but play just fine in their respective systems.

  5. #5
    Game Tape Collector Custom rank graphic
    Duke.Togo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    288
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Jack Crow 2004
    PSN
    JackCrow2004

    Default

    The reason that NES carts get dirtier is due to the Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) connector used in the standard NES. The commonly used slot type of connector has friction on insertion and removal that helps keep the contacts clean on both the cart and the connector. Simply a poor design.

    I'm sure if all you ever used was a Famicom or top loader NES you'd have much less problems.

Similar Threads

  1. Master System games with missing cart connection contacts?
    By The Adventurer in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-23-2014, 09:35 AM
  2. Some Contacts missing on my FF Cart?
    By Silvafox in forum Technical and Restoration Society
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-03-2008, 09:56 AM
  3. NES contacts - Missing or never there?
    By ChronoTriggaFoo in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-16-2007, 07:27 PM
  4. Programmer Contacts
    By Toucan in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-06-2003, 01:29 AM
  5. Sand paper + cart edge contacts = BAD
    By Bratwurst in forum Technical and Restoration Society
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 09-13-2003, 03:18 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •