Really shitty NES games - Do they work?

[darkslime]

Well, for anyone who doesn't check the finds thread, I won these off ebay for $11.45 shipped because the seller spelled nintendo wrong, and didn't have any pics. Now I wish I didn't because they look like this:
http://i44.tinypic.com/2utqira.jpg

Everyone wants to know if they work. I've cleaned off Dr. Mario, Yoshi, and SMB3, and unfortunately....... None of them work, so I probably won't be bothering to clean the others. V_V

Now give me suggestions of what to do with these pieces of shit. I don't want to toss them because I hate throwing games out no matter if they work or not.

[Tupin]

Set them on fire and put it on Youtube.

[glorfindel]

clean everything out of it. maybe put a small hinge on the top and make it a secret hiding hole

[MachineGex]

I bet you with a lot of work I could get most of those working. I take an emory board(card board) and go to town. Give it a try. Unless they were soaked in water, they should all work once the insides are clean. It can take 20 minutes to clean one, but it is worth a shot.

[darkslime]

I bet you with a lot of work I could get most of those working. I take an emory board(card board) and go to town. Give it a try. Unless they were soaked in water, they should all work once the insides are clean. It can take 20 minutes to clean one, but it is worth a shot. What is an emory board exactly?

[InsaneDavid]

What is an emory board exactly?

What people use to file their nails.

[Porksta]

Destroy them, thus making the existing copies worth more.

[Steve W]

Unless they were soaked in water, they should all work once the insides are clean.

They looked like they were kept in a damp environment, with what looks like black mold on the Captain Comic cartridge. They probably had a family of mice crapping and nesting in the same box that those were kept in by the look of them. Get the proper tool to unscrew the carts and clean them out on the inside. If that doesn't work, I'd just soak them all in a tub of rubbing alcohol. That may not get them to work, but at least they'd be sterile.

[darkslime]

What people use to file their nails. oh lol. I just call it a nail file.


They looked like they were kept in a damp environment, with what looks like black mold on the Captain Comic cartridge. They probably had a family of mice crapping and nesting in the same box that those were kept in by the look of them. Get the proper tool to unscrew the carts and clean them out on the inside. If that doesn't work, I'd just soak them all in a tub of rubbing alcohol. That may not get them to work, but at least they'd be sterile. I did open them up and clean them, still wouldn't work. The insides are covered in mold.

[eugenek]

You know, I've heard of people sticking motherboards in the dishwasher and then letting them dry out for a few days. Supposedly it works pretty well. I can't quite remember the exact instructions, but if they don't work at all, what do you have to lose, right?

[shopkins]

I'd be afraid to touch that Captain Comic cart. It looks like likely vector for several exotic diseases.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Donate the boards to repro sites. Maybe they can do something good with them.

[darkslime]

I'm gonna try the dishwasher and emory board methods for them tomorrow.
If those don't work I'll put them up here for the cost of shipping.

[c0ldb33r]

Im assuming youre from the USA.

Looking at those carts, I feel I must post this link as a viable option.

USA - Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/

[Tupin]

Im assuming youre from the USA.

Looking at those carts, I feel I must post this link as a viable option.

USA - Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/
I second this motion, they might find some new species of mold.

That is, of course, thinking optimistically.

[The 1 2 P]

Set them on fire and put it on Youtube.

LOL


Im assuming youre from the USA.

Looking at those carts, I feel I must post this link as a viable option.

USA - Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/

ROFL

[eugenek]

I'm gonna try the dishwasher and emory board methods for them tomorrow.
If those don't work I'll put them up here for the cost of shipping.

Ha, awesome. Let us know how it goes.

[Gameguy]

What is an emory board exactly?
An emery board is like a nail file, but not made of metal. You can find them at pharmacies/drug stores. I suggested to use one yesterday. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emery_board

This is why I only buy games in person, I pass on games in lousy condition(even some rarer games). Since you can open the cases, scrub them clean and hope for the best.

[mnbren05]

"This hand of mine burns with an awesome power. It tells me to defeat you! Into it I put my love, my anger, and all my sorrow! Take This! SHINNING FINGER!!!" -Domon Kashu

-I thought this might be useful advice for your moldy game struggle

[niolani]

If someone on Ebay dared to sell me games in this condition. I will make sure to get him banned.

[Famidrive-16]

Guess now's the time to join in on the ultimate grading fad.

[Steve W]

Have you looked closely at the contacts on the cartridge boards? There might be rust or corrosion on some of the traces.

[Ed Oscuro]

Instead of commiserating with your fellow Forumers you should be getting out the bat.

The Captain Comic cart doesn't bother me as much as the rest because you can see what color's underneath the dirt. The others allow the mold to use its natural camouflage!

[IG-88]

You didn't to get them from New Orleans did you? They look like Katrina victims....

[c0ldb33r]

You didn't to get them from New Orleans did you? They look like Katrina victims....
Interesting. I never thought about that.

I await OP's response.

[darkslime]

Alrighty, for some reason I can't get the screws open with the bit. >_>
I think they're so rusted they won't come open.

[dendawg]

Alrighty, for some reason I can't get the screws open with the bit. >_>
I think they're so rusted they won't come open.

Time for the WD-40 and toothbrush! ROFL

If that doesn't work, you could always order new cases from RetroUSB.com

[darkslime]

Well, the 3 games I could get open, Dr. mario, yoshi, and wayne gretzky hockey are in the dishwasher.
I'll let you know the results soon.

[2Dskillz]

Waiting eagerly for the outcome of this one. I cannot imagine sending something looking like that to anyone, no matter the price.

[Tupin]

Seriously, I don't want to see the house these games came from.

[roushimsx]

Guess now's the time to join in on the ultimate grading fad.

Oh god, a million times this. We should all pitch in a few bucks to cover the cost of getting that Captain Comic cart graded. Bonus points if you urinate on the cart just prior to taping up the box and mailing it.

[darkslime]

Oh god, a million times this. We should all pitch in a few bucks to cover the cost of getting that Captain Comic cart graded. Bonus points if you urinate on the cart just prior to taping up the box and mailing it. ROFL. If anyone wants to pitch in I'm up for it.

[Tupin]

Oh god, a million times this. We should all pitch in a few bucks to cover the cost of getting that Captain Comic cart graded. Bonus points if you urinate on the cart just prior to taping up the box and mailing it.
Yes, this is the best idea so far about what to do with these things. :devilish:

[aaron7]

Black mold spreads SUPER easily and can be deadly... seriously.

I'd throw them in the garbage.

[Spazz]

Now give me suggestions of what to do with these pieces of shit. I don't want to toss them because I hate throwing games out no matter if they work or not.

If they don't work, you're obviously not gonna get any fun out of them besides breaking them. I got a malfunctioning Kool-aid Man Atari 2600 cart and I eventually ended up smashing it with a sledge because that was the only fun I'll ever get out of a useless cart. You might consider the same if you expect fun out of 'every' cart you get.

[hellfire]

go to ebay and demand a full refund

[eugenek]

Well, the 3 games I could get open, Dr. mario, yoshi, and wayne gretzky hockey are in the dishwasher.
I'll let you know the results soon.

Remember, you gotta let em dry out completely!

[darkslime]

Well, Dr. Mario goes to the title screen but it's all scrambled.
I cleaned my NES out with a SMB/DH cart and some windex and am now waiting for it to dry before I test again.

[CreamSoda]

I would be afraid to touch that Captain Comic cart with my bare hands. lol

[The 1 2 P]

Yes, this is the best idea so far about what to do with these things. :devilish:

I was thinking he could make a nuclear bomb with them and sell it off to North Korea. Atleast he'd get his $11 and change back with interest.

[walrusmonger]

Getting them graded is genuis, how much does that even cost? I would fund the cost (depending on how much it is) plus give you some cash for the Captain Comic cart.

[darkslime]

Do you grade loose video games?
NO. If your item came sealed originally, then it must be sealed to be graded. The only exception to this rule applies to certain systems and accessories which never came with tape sealing the box shut. In instances where no tape was ever present, VGA will inspect the contents and will issue a grade only if the contents appear to be complete, original, and new. For video games, the seal must be the original FACTORY SEAL, not a vintage re-seal (ex: Blockbuster, store return, etc.). For original NES games which came with a horizontal seam across the back, this seal must be present for each game to be graded.
Taken from the VGA website. That sucks, it would be pretty funny if they graded loose games.

I guess we need some different ideas of what to do with them...

[Cornelius]

unfortunately I believe they only grade sealed games so far, otherwise that would be perfect.

[walrusmonger]

damnit, well then someone has to shrinkwrap the game with the payment for grading inside the shrinkwrap so they're forced to open it up and touch the cart.

[roushimsx]

Anyone have a spare Captain Comic box?

[darkslime]

If anyone can get ahold of a captain comic box, I'll send it to them in some saran wrap that was rolled in dirt. :D

[garagesaleking!!]

they usually always work no matter what they look like

[Ed Oscuro]

Oh god, a million times this. We should all pitch in a few bucks to cover the cost of getting that Captain Comic cart graded. Bonus points if you urinate on the cart just prior to taping up the box and mailing it.
True story - I saw a sealed Zen: Intergalactic Ninja on ye ole' Bay some years back, and didn't buy it at less than $10.

Right now some retard has two graded copies up for $150 or so BIN.

Plus a used loose copy for 1/10 the price.

[Poofta!]

ROFL. If anyone wants to pitch in I'm up for it.

im in


Black mold spreads SUPER easily and can be deadly... seriously.

I'd throw them in the garbage.

yeah man, i have to agree, i actually have to call you stupid if you put those into your dishwasher, you seem to be oblivious to the serious damage mold can cause to your health.
its 12 bucks, throw teh damn things out or send them to repro sites.


jeez.

[RASK1904]

Try to get them to work if ya can't throw them out. Next
Tahnx RASK1904

[StakeRaiser]

I thought repro sites need donor carts WITHOUT corrosion and garbage on them, they couldn't use them either

[eugenek]

im in



yeah man, i have to agree, i actually have to call you stupid if you put those into your dishwasher, you seem to be oblivious to the serious damage mold can cause to your health.
its 12 bucks, throw teh damn things out or send them to repro sites.


jeez.

Are you retarded? You don't think people already put moldy dishes in the dishwasher? It's heated for the very purpose of killing mold and other microbes. Jeez indeed.

[MachineGex]

Send them to me. I will eat dinner off of them. Mold is good enough to make penicillin, then it's good enough to eat off of.

[mnbren05]

Are you retarded? You don't think people already put moldy dishes in the dishwasher? It's heated for the very purpose of killing mold and other microbes. Jeez indeed.

Hey Rain Man, I think you should watch that advice as it could cause harm to someone. While you can kill certain molds with heat in excess of 95-100 degs., many more molds breed in rapid succession inbetween 80-90 degrees. (As we know mold loves damp, warm environments and a dishwasher can be ideal) Also even though these molds are killed at 100 all mold leave behind toxins behind after they die. This is why we cannot simply put moldy bread in an oven and then eat it.

Moreover darkslime, depending on what mold was on those carts you should really consider disinfecting your dishwasher for your health sake. Maybe you should contact the CDC and find out what mold is on those carts as you can probably get your money back if you have been sold goods that are hazardous to your health.

[eugenek]

Hey Rain Man, I think you should watch that advice as it could cause harm to someone. While you can kill certain molds with heat in excess of 95-100 degs., many more molds breed in rapid succession inbetween 80-90 degrees. (As we know mold loves damp, warm environments and a dishwasher can be ideal) Also even though these molds are killed at 100 all mold leave behind toxins behind after they die. This is why we cannot simply put moldy bread in an oven and then eat it.

Moreover darkslime, depending on what mold was on those carts you should really consider disinfecting your dishwasher for your health sake. Maybe you should contact the CDC and find out what mold is on those carts as you can probably get your money back if you have been sold goods that are hazardous to your health.

Yes, but commercial dishwashers use 167 degree heat, which is more than enough to kill molds.

The danger of mold toxins is overstated. This paper from Harvard reiterates that, going so far as to say "Physicians generally do not accept that there is any causal connection between [mold toxins at indoor environmental levels and illness]."

http://www.physics.harvard.edu/~wilson/soundscience/mold/gots1.html

[Damaramu]

How about giving us the name of the Ebay seller so others won't get stuck with his garbage either?

[c0ldb33r]

Send them to me. I will eat dinner off of them. Mold is good enough to make penicillin, then it's good enough to eat off of.
This! I will paypal you $5.00 if you'll lick Captain Comic with pics/video posted here as proof.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Copper polish and Q-tips for the connectors

[Tupin]

How about instead of trying to get these things to work, he sends the games to the CDC?

Seriously, it started as a joke, but that's where these things belong. Don't know if these things should go through the postal service again, though.

[The 1 2 P]

How about instead of trying to get these things to work, he sends the games to the CDC?

I think I may have a better idea. He should send them to truth.com so they can put them on a commercial and say: "kids, this is your lungs after smoking a pack of cigarettes a week for three years straight. Also, they all use to be white."

If that doesn't stop people from smoking than I don't know what will.

[mnbren05]

Yes, but commercial dishwashers use 167 degree heat, which is more than enough to kill molds.

The danger of mold toxins is overstated. This paper from Harvard reiterates that, going so far as to say "Physicians generally do not accept that there is any causal connection between [mold toxins at indoor environmental levels and illness]."

http://www.physics.harvard.edu/~wilson/soundscience/mold/gots1.html

Commercial dishwashers may use 167 degree water. I just happened to have experience installing and repairing Maytag dishwashers and refrigerators. While most newer appliances do, I have been to homes where the dish washers that were only 6-8 years old produced water barely in the 90 degree range. As far as mold toxins go I can play the search for an article game too:

"Chronic exposure to black mold toxins ("toxic mold") has been reported to cause cold or flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent hair loss, generalized malaise, or other health-related problems." http://www.moldetect.com/black-mold.htm
(If you want I'll post one from Yale just to add extra counter shazaam)

Hence being in a dishwasher of unknown age, one should side with caution and have their appliance professionally serviced to prevent any ailments or chance of exposure.

Sorry for high jacking the thread temporarily, any updates on the mold?

[MarioMania]

It's not worth it by making your other games moldy

[darkslime]

0_0 Thanks for telling me about the dangers of mold. I didn't realize it could cause harm at all, just smell bad and stuff unless you ate it.

What exactly is the CDC, and what will they do if I send them to them?

[eugenek]

Commercial dishwashers may use 167 degree water. I just happened to have experience installing and repairing Maytag dishwashers and refrigerators. While most newer appliances do, I have been to homes where the dish washers that were only 6-8 years old produced water barely in the 90 degree range. As far as mold toxins go I can play the search for an article game too:

"Chronic exposure to black mold toxins ("toxic mold") has been reported to cause cold or flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent hair loss, generalized malaise, or other health-related problems." http://www.moldetect.com/black-mold.htm
(If you want I'll post one from Yale just to add extra counter shazaam)

Hence being in a dishwasher of unknown age, one should side with caution and have their appliance professionally serviced to prevent any ailments or chance of exposure.

Sorry for high jacking the thread temporarily, any updates on the mold?

That page you refer to itself states: "This slow-growing fungus REQUIRES CHRONIC OR SEVERE WATER DAMAGE TO CELLULOSE-BASED MATERIALS (such as sheetrock, wood, cardboard, paper or jute-backed carpeting) in order to grow. It does not grow on bathroom tile."

So I would assume that rules out plastic Nintendo carts.

[Tupin]

0_0 Thanks for telling me about the dangers of mold. I didn't realize it could cause harm at all, just smell bad and stuff unless you ate it.

What exactly is the CDC, and what will they do if I send them to them?
Center for Disease Control. I would email them those pictures and ask how to dispose of them.

[glorfindel]

how much does it cost to get graded? ill pitch in

[megasdkirby]

Send the games to the AVGN so he can make a review on them. :)

[Gameguy]

Not all mold is toxic mold. Plenty of molds are actually used in the production of foods. The amount of mold on those games isn't really that much, it's not like a water damaged house with a whole wall full of mold. If the mold is cleaned off properly they should be fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold_growth,_assessment,_and_remediation

Mold is normally found indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals.

Both our indoor and outdoor environment have mold spores present. There is no such thing as a mold free environment in the Earth's biosphere.

[Poofta!]

Not all mold is toxic mold. Plenty of molds are actually used in the production of foods. The amount of mold on those games isn't really that much, it's not like a water damaged house with a whole wall full of mold. If the mold is cleaned off properly they should be fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold_growth,_assessment,_and_remediation

would you risk it for 12 dollars?

im sorry to call you stupid, but honestly, you should be careful, you never know and a couple nes games arent worth it.

good luck, and game on ;)

[darkslime]

I'm gonna email the CDC and ask what risk these have of being in my house. Thanks for the help guys.

[Pezcore343]

Anyone else find the OP's name kind of funny considering the topic at hand?

[nate1749]

God those are gross, I'd say put them in the dishwasher, but then later your dishes have to go in there and I wouldn't want those anywhere near something that I eat off of.

[mnbren05]

That page you refer to itself states: "This slow-growing fungus REQUIRES CHRONIC OR SEVERE WATER DAMAGE TO CELLULOSE-BASED MATERIALS (such as sheetrock, wood, cardboard, paper or jute-backed carpeting) in order to grow. It does not grow on bathroom tile."

So I would assume that rules out plastic Nintendo carts.

You would be right if you knew how the matter actually entered the carts. If these were water damage/flood carts matter could have been deposited from the water. In some cases high levels of dust, or improper storage can cause mold growth, due to contamination from other sources, in plastics, metals, etc. We are not debating the existence of the mold, as Dark Slime (yes the name is kind of ironic) has posted it is there.

If you're talking about the dishwasher that is on the fritz it could provide an excellent habit for mold spores and cross contamination (loose food particles + a warm closed environment= Ideal environment). Ultimately, advising someone to place in their dishwasher an item with an "unknown mold", may cause serious problems to someone with severe allergies or may pose a potential long term affect to someone, is extremely foolish if you are not familiar with all aspects of the case and their outcomes. It is better to play it safe and not risk health over $12's worth of NES carts.

[eugenek]

You would be right if you knew how the matter actually entered the carts. If these were water damage/flood carts matter could have been deposited from the water. In some cases high levels of dust, or improper storage can cause mold growth, due to contamination from other sources, in plastics, metals, etc. We are not debating the existence of the mold, as Dark Slime (yes the name is kind of ironic) has posted it is there.

If you're talking about the dishwasher that is on the fritz it could provide an excellent habit for mold spores and cross contamination (loose food particles + a warm closed environment= Ideal environment). Ultimately, advising someone to place in their dishwasher an item with an "unknown mold", may cause serious problems to someone with severe allergies or may pose a potential long term affect to someone, is extremely foolish if you are not familiar with all aspects of the case and their outcomes. It is better to play it safe and not risk health over $12's worth of NES carts.

I won't argue that one shouldn't be prudent, but honestly, the risk here has been massively overstated. Everyone has moldy things in their basement and I would bet that everyone here has unwittingly eaten mold, but the risk is very low. What are the odds that both a) it's harmful, and b)the dishwasher is faulty? You might as well advise him not to touch video games because he might cut himself on a shard of plastic and die of staph TSS.

Frankly, if you're not going to throw them away, I would rather bet on the dishwasher killing them versus just leaving them hanging out so I could inhale mold spores. But with that said, mold is everywhere. It's not going to do any harm--or at least the odds are infinitesimally low.

[Gameguy]

It's his carts and his money so he can do what he likes with them. I personally wouldn't clean anything in the dishwasher other than dishes.

I've come across items with the boxes having some mold like that on them, not really anything video game related but I still kept the boxes(I never got sick). Those are plastic, I would think that the mold can be removed from the surface, it's not like paper or drywall where the mold is growing through it, it's just on the surface. It's not as nasty as rotten food, when bread molds up or fruit goes bad the mold really looks bad. It's really long term exposure that can cause health problems, as in years of exposure. Just check the underside of your toilet tank(outside the tank), I'm sure you'll see the same looking mold(unless it's a new toilet).

I've come across VHS tapes in thrift stores where the entire tape is covered in white mold, be careful when buying that stuff(same with old computer disks).