Dreamcast storage...should I remove the battery before it leaks?

[heybtbm]

This past weekend I was going through some of my video game items I have in storage and something worrisome occurred to me. I have an additional Dreamcast still sealed in its box. I bought it for when my normal Dreamcast finally dies. I realize I can just buy a used one...but at the time I thought it would be nice to have an absolutely brand new unit "on deck". Anyway...

The internal battery is certainly dead at this point. That's fine. The problem is this: should I remove the battery before it leaks? I'm reasonably familiar with the leak potential of the CR2032 (my ancient FF2 cartridge still shows the acid scars), but I'm not even sure that's the kind of battery inside.

Removing or replacing the Dreamcast's battery is a fairly involved process. You have to open the system up and cut/melt the solder. It isn't like replacing a Saturn battery. Should I even bother? I'm curious to what others think.

[eugenek]

Actually, it's not a regular CR2032, it's a rechargeable cell. Don't put in a CR2032 or you'll see some impressive displays of battery explosiveness.

[A Black Falcon]

Actually, it's not a regular CR2032, it's a rechargeable cell. Don't put in a CR2032 or you'll see some impressive displays of battery explosiveness.

Also, the battery is recharged by leaving the system plugged in. Leave the system plugged in for 12 hours or so and come back, the battery may actually still be good... DC batteries will "die" if you leave the system unplugged for more than a few weeks, but plugging it in again and such will recharge the battery again. It may actually be dead, but likely not.