Keep games in your NES???

[Malon_Forever]

Probably been brought up before, but I just got a new 72 pin connector, and was wondering if it is better to keep the game in the system, or to take it out when I'm not playing it (for the pins), or is it not a big deal. Thanks.

[qbertandernie]

i always tug em loose of the pins after shutting off the system... figure less pressure the better.

[theChad]

I've read that if your pins are pretty stiff (not true of all new 72 pin connectors) that you can leave a game in there pressed down for about a month to try to break them in, so to speak. Not all the new connectors are that stiff though: I have one set that you have to leave the game "up" when playing and brace yourself against the system when pulling the game out, and another one that functions like a brand new Nintendo.

[eugenek]

Personally, I think it's pretty much a wash. If you leave it in, it's true that the pressure is always on the connector, but on the other hand, if you keep taking the cart in and out, you'll wear down the contacts.

[MachineGex]

Personally, I think it's pretty much a wash. If you leave it in, it's true that the pressure is always on the connector, but on the other hand, if you keep taking the cart in and out, you'll wear down the contacts.

This is a good point that I have never heard before.
I always felt dust & dirt was the main reason the connectors failed. Keep your games clean and you don't need to worry about anything else.

[MrSparkle]

my original 72 pin connector from 1990 almost always has a game sitting in it. That being said i do have to wiggle the cart a bit to get the pins lined up usually.

[Superman]

my original 72 pin connector from 1990 almost always has a game sitting in it. That being said i do have to wiggle the cart a bit to get the pins lined up usually.

I have my original system that is few years older (1986 or so) and mine works the same way. If a game is really new, it might work when I put it in. Otherwise, I just put the game in and move it to one side or the other and it works. And it's been that way for about oh... 25 years now.

Regarding the question, as eugenek pointed out leaving the cartridge in just keeps a contact but isn't really helping or hurting anything since that is what it is designed for, but removing the cartridge will wear out the contacts over time.

[Malon_Forever]

So it's pretty much pick your poision. Well, thanks for the advice.