I'm done with old consoles

[RetroRich]

Seems like i just keep running into problems with them. Recently replaced the NES 72 pin connector. worked for a few weeks and now stopped working again. All games look garbled.

My SNES is f'ed up because it won't play all my games, only a handful, no matter how good i clean them.

Cleaned all my N64 games a few weeks ago and they worked. Now, I have to take out and insert the cartridge multiple times for it to load up.

Same with genesis.

I can't take this crap anymore. Way too much maintenance. Now I understand the beauty of emulation, game always works 100% of the time. Luckly i have a modded original xbox for that. And i get the games running in 720p

I will be sticking to Ps1, Ps2, Dreamcast, Gamecube, and Xbox when it comes to playing on the actual console. those are the systems that have never failed me.

[Rickstilwell1]

One less person to compete with on collecting games Yahoo! :)

[j_factor]

N64 emulation on Xbox is a crapshoot.

[fluid_matrix]

N64 emulation on Xbox is a crapshoot.

Yup, i finally just gave up. What the devs consider playable and what I consider playable are apparently two different things.

[Gameguy]

Seems like i just keep running into problems with them. Recently replaced the NES 72 pin connector....
There's your problem right there, the replacement connectors are basically garbage and it's better to just clean your system with a cleaning kit instead. It sounds like you needed to clean all of your systems, not just your games.

[Aussie2B]

Strange. If you're properly cleaning your games and systems, and then storing them in a way that keeps them clean, then the stuff should be practically maintenance-free past that point. For the most part, I clean a game just once (assuming I buy it used), and then it's good to go for years and years. Maybe you should explain what you're doing so we can let you know if there's anything that would work better for you.

[crazyjackcsa]

Maybe the Rom chips are missing connectors. You should look into that...

[Bloodreign]

My systems are as old as dirt, all run fine but my old toaster NES, it needs new pins. I have a toploader to tide me over till the day I decide to replace. As for my other consoles, no issues with them at all thankfully.

[FABombjoy]

There's your problem right there, the replacement connectors are basically garbage
Yes, yes they are. The plating is crap and they basically turn into metal files over time. I took this pic (http://console5.com/wiki/File:Nintendo-72-Pin-Connector---Closeup-of-Pins---Aftermarket-VS-Original.jpg) awhile back and was a bit stunned at how bad it was once I could see the detail.

[Collector_Gaming]

Thats why i got a fc twin for that!

[goatdan]

That's odd -- I have had hundreds of systems go through my hands in the past 10 years, and I have never heard of someone having so many issues as you are. I personally have one of everything set up too, and no cleaning, no adjustments -- they have all worked. My original NES, SNES and 2600 all work flawlessly to this day too.

Weird.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

:hmm:

PS1 & PS2 =/= "reliable"

jus sayin.

[Sunnyvale]

I you'd prefer taking yourself in your hand over real sex, then you'll love emulators.

[Greg2600]

RetroRich, I don't know what you're systems look like, but aside from the NES being a pain with the contacts, the other systems you listed rarely cause those problems. SNES and Genesis are very reliable still, and unless there's a lot of dirt on them, the carts should go on right away. Just one cleaning with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol is all they'll ever need if you store them properly. N64 as well. The consoles rarely have to be cleaned, because the pins are covered by the doors. I've never cleaned anything but my NES with a console cleaner.

[RetroRich]

i did clean them.

for the SNES. any game that seems to be any good, doesn't work. I put in Donkey Kong Country, turn it on, screen flashes, but then it stays at a black screen. Same with Secret Of Evermore, same with Toy Story. This is also the second copy of Toy Story i have tried, first one not working as well. All of my other SNES games load fine. Which is weird.

That leads me to believe that it's not the games but the system. It's like it can't handle games that have higher quality graphics.

The NES either has the games garbled, or the screen flashes white.

The N64 works, but i need to take out and insert the game a few times before it reads it. I also notice that if i only lightly insert the game, without inserting it all the way, it reads the games fine.

[genesisguy]

I can understand your frustration. The NES pin connector replacements are garbage, but getting to the skill level to properly refurbish an original pin connector may take 2 or 3 tries. But once you get it down(there's about a dozen ways to do, check Google)your original NES will work 90-95% of the time. Which is about what they were when they were new.

Something is up tho. Your SNES and Genesis don't work. I've run across the occasional malfuncitoning SNES but the Genesis should withstand a nuclear holocaust. What model Genesis? Also how regularly do you clean your games? and are you storing them in some sort of duty situation?

[RetroRich]

only thing i can think of, is the systems are hooked up in a basement that gets really cold at times. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Games are also stored in those plastic shelves in the same basement.

[otaku]

anything old is gonna need a little love. Just wait till the current gen systems are old (oh boy) but its like cars the classics whether outdone by modern tech or reliability etc are still worth preserving and enjoying as they should be (not necessarily through emulation)

[buzz_n64]

only thing i can think of, is the systems are hooked up in a basement that gets really cold at times. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Games are also stored in those plastic shelves in the same basement.

Cold is good, hot is not. By the way, what are you using to clean your carts? I recommend either Windex (works but some don't recommend because of dyes and other chemicals) and alcohol, but make sure it's 90% or above. Use a sturdy official brand Q-tip with the solution on it. Then use a dry one on it. Lastly, use a compressed air can on the cart, do the same on the system if you haven't done so already. If this doesn't work, you're either doing it wrong, or you have a faulty system.

[kedawa]

I will be sticking to Ps1, Ps2, Dreamcast, Gamecube, and Xbox when it comes to playing on the actual console. those are the systems that have never failed me.
Good plan. All those lasers, moving parts, and red hot chips are sure to last forever.

In all serious, though, my experience has generally been the opposite of the OP.
With the exception of a few really touchy N64s, my cart based consoles have been rock solid, while my disc spinners have all given me at least the occasional problem.

[VertigoProcess]

Good plan. All those lasers, moving parts, and red hot chips, are sure to last forever.

yeah gonna have to agree here... once they get to the age the NESs and SNESs are they're bound to have issues as well...

[Sunnyvale]

yeah gonna have to agree here... once they get to the age the NESs and SNESs are they're bound to have issues as well...

No need to wait till they're old. See big lots of broken NES's on Ebay? SNES? Genesis? 2600?

How about original XBOX? PS2?

When grandpa said they don't make em like they used to, he weren't lyin.

[RetroRich]

i'm going to try to open up my snes as i only ran a q-tip across the top of the pin connector.

These game bit screws are a pain in the ass. I have the bit for it, managed to get 3 of them out. but the others don't want to loosen. It's like the bit just turns over them and does nothing.

any tips?

[Aussie2B]

A lot of game bits out there are cheap crap. The first one I bought was basically useless.

But there's no need to open your systems to clean the slots. Get something like an old credit/library/phone/gift card, wrap it in a thin cotton cloth (like a rag from an old t-shirt or something), pour on some isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and stick that in and out of the slot.

As long as you're cleaning your games effectively too and are storing them in such a way that the contacts aren't exposed (like in a drawer, tub, in the box/case, etc.), everything should work nearly perfectly for years to come.

And if you have some carts that are really being difficult, get a clean eraser, like those rectangular pink/green ones that kids use in elementary school, and rub that on the game's contacts. Follow with another cleaning with alcohol, and that should hopefully solve the problem.

[Rickstilwell1]

i'm going to try to open up my snes as i only ran a q-tip across the top of the pin connector.

These game bit screws are a pain in the ass. I have the bit for it, managed to get 3 of them out. but the others don't want to loosen. It's like the bit just turns over them and does nothing.

any tips?

You should look online for an actual console cleaner. They made these universal cleaning kits with plastic swabs that have thin plastic coated tips that you just insert and remove from your system multiple times. The dirt comes off on the cleaning swab and no liquids are involved.

This is the one I still have parts from http://www.ebay.com/itm/PERFORMANCE-UNIVERSAL-CLEANING-KIT-COMPLETE-GOOD-CONDITION-MANY-SYSTEMS-/250946294243?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3a6d9091e3

[Aussie2B]

That cleaning kit is awful. I stopped using mine many years ago. I never found it very effective, and there's no way to know if the dirt is just building up on them and being transferred back into a system the next time you use it.

With my recommendation, you know you're starting with something clean, and you can wash the cloth when you're done. I don't even know what those weird chalky plastic sticks are made out of.

[Rickstilwell1]

That cleaning kit is awful. I stopped using mine many years ago. I never found it very effective, and there's no way to know if the dirt is just building up on them and being transferred back into a system the next time you use it.

With my recommendation, you know you're starting with something clean, and you can wash the cloth when you're done. I don't even know what those weird chalky plastic sticks are made out of.

I've tried your recommendation before and couldn't even get it to fit into the system I wanted to do. I suppose the cloth has to be really really thin to fit because obviously a rag won't.

You can also clean the cleaning kit swabs with rubbing alcohol to get rid of the dirt each time.

[The 1 2 P]

Thats why i got a fc twin for that!

Exactly. My original Nes is the only "old" system that has ever died on me and I have pretty much every major console released since then.


:hmm:

PS1 & PS2 =/= "reliable"

jus sayin.

While I'm well aware of their hardware issues my original PS1 and PS2 slim still run perfectly. Just like my original PS3 and original 360 still run with no issues.

[Sunnyvale]

I always use contact cleaner to clean my consoles with. You'd be amazed at how a console that alcohol won't revive will be helped by contact cleaner. It get's more gunk off the contacts quicker.

[exit]

You're either not doing something right, or you're having some really bad luck. I've had little to no problems with my old consoles, especially my SNES, which very rarely gives me a hard time booting up a game. With the NES, maybe you'd want to invest in a Top Load, or maybe just simply disable the lock out chip which may solve some of your woes. You also have to realize that these consoles are starting to get up there in age and can take a little more than pressing the power button to get started.

[InsaneDavid]

Maybe the Rom chips are missing connectors. You should look into that...

Zing! We have a winner! LOL

[old man]

RetroRich, don't listen to these jokers. Emulation is the way to go. You should sell off all that old stuff since you don't need it anymore. Just PM me a list of what you've got and I'll tell you what it's all worth. I'll even go ahead and buy the stuff that isn't worth anything just to save you some trouble. :wink 2:

[Gameguy]

That cleaning kit is awful. I stopped using mine many years ago. I never found it very effective, and there's no way to know if the dirt is just building up on them and being transferred back into a system the next time you use it.

With my recommendation, you know you're starting with something clean, and you can wash the cloth when you're done. I don't even know what those weird chalky plastic sticks are made out of.


I've tried your recommendation before and couldn't even get it to fit into the system I wanted to do. I suppose the cloth has to be really really thin to fit because obviously a rag won't.

You can also clean the cleaning kit swabs with rubbing alcohol to get rid of the dirt each time.
I use cleaning kits by Gemini, I find that they're the best ones out there. The edges seem like they're rubberized. After I clean the systems I take a damp cloth and clean the edge of the cleaning kit, a lot of black comes off just like Q-tips get dirty after cleaning games. I then repeat the cleaning of the systems several more times and keep cleaning the cleaning kit, when I'm done most games start up the first time.

Systems don't need to be cleaned that often, but if you put in dirty games then you'll have problems no matter how many times you clean the games. The system has to be cleaned first and then clean every game before putting them into the system. It should be fine for months or years before needing another cleaning.

[Edmond Dantes]

Anyone but me get the impression that the OP isn't really giving his old systems a fair shake?

[buzz_n64]

Anyone but me get the impression that the OP isn't really giving his old systems a fair shake?

It's fine, he can just create a Sell thread on here, I would be happy to take some of that stuff off his hands on the cheap. Assuming they're not mistreated goods.

[substantial_snake]

Anyone but me get the impression that the OP isn't really giving his old systems a fair shake?

It sounds kinda like he overwhelmed himself looking at his post history.

Emulation is so easy nowadays that you should only really go the retro console route if you actually enjoy it. If you don't mind the errors and sound issues common to a lot of emulators (but not all) either go that route, or the Wiiware/PSN/XBLA whatever route to enjoy your retro games. At the minimum of getting a half way decent picture for my consoles I ended up buying an older CRT TV and before I got really into this I would of never expected to do that again.

As many others have said its very unlikely that you happened to pick up a NES, SNES, Genesis and N64 all with major non-starting issues and that cleaning the games and the cartridge contacts in each system are your best bet.

[Flack]

Not entirely on topic, but I wonder how today's consoles will fare in the future, given the same amount of time? Old NES units are bound to have pin issues. They're 25+ years old. I wonder how the average laser assembly is going to perform in that same amount of time? Christ, at least I can open an NES; getting a 360 open for the first time is like solving Lemarchand's Box (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemarchand's_box) ...

There are very few gamers and collectors that ONLY play real carts or ONLY play emulators. Sure, a few do, but the vast majority of them (us) operate somewhere in the middle of that sliding scale. If you want to buy some old games and emulate some old games, go for it. If you're tired of NES consoles being "on the blink" (literally) and just want to emulate those, do that. The bottom line is, this is YOUR hobby. There are no rules. Enjoy it the way YOU want to.

Rich, I think all of us have been there. All of us into retrogaming have at one point in time bitten off more than we could chew. All of us have ended up with "that" pile of games that need cleaning or consoles that don't work. We've all done it, and we've all been soured on the hobby because of it. There's not an Atari 5200 owner on the planet who hasn't cursed the day those joysticks were invented. There's not an NES gamer alive who hasn't inserted a recently acquired game, hit the power button, and stared at a blinking screen, wondering why we're all still doing this. I, personally, have to move 18 arcade cabinets out of my old home today and into a storage unit until I can figure out what to do with them. There are parts of this hobby that definitely suck.

Don't let it drive you away, man. Figure out the parts you like, pursue those, and screw what anybody else says. I spent way too many years trying to enjoy this hobby by other people's rules.

[RetroRich]

i'll be honest and say that i prefer playing the retro stuff on my xbox. I can run the games in 720p, apply filters to make them look better, save states (i just don't have the time to sit down and beat some games in one shot, save states allows me to do so)

however, what i also like is having the actual systems, having the actual carts with the boxes and manuals. I like looking at the stuff, even if i don't actually play the stuff on the actual hardware.

i've been buying games for nes, snes, genesis mostly for collection reasons. I have my personal lists for each system, listing the games that i want in my personal collection. Like i said, even if i don't necessarily play the games on the actual hardware, i'd still want them for collection purposes.

Ps1, N64, Ps2, Dreamcast, etc i play on the actual hardware since they are harder to emulate.

I got too caught up in the fact that "you must play on the original hardware" that it made me go away from the hobby.

as an example of one of my personal collection lists. here is my list for Genesis. Basically, i would be done collecting for genesis once i get all of these games. I shoot for CIB


Sega Genesis

Aladdin
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Boogerman
Captain America And The Avengers
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Cool Spot
Comix Zone
Contra: Hard Corps
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim II
Ecco The Dolphin
Ecco: Tides of Time
ESWAT: City Under Siege
Eternal Champions
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Gunstar Heroes
Kid Chameleon
Landstalker
Lion King
Mortal Kombat
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
NBA Jam
NHL 94
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III
Phantasy Star IV
Ren and Stimpy
Ristar
Rocket Knight Adventures
Shining In The Darkness
Shining Force
Shining Force II
Sonic
Sonic II
Sonic III
Sonic and Knuckles
Sonic 3D
Streets Of Rage
Streets Of Rage 2
Streets Of Rage 3
Toe Jam and Earl
Vectorman
Vectorman 2
World Series Baseball

[stargate]

My PS3 is 11 months old and is already giving me major problems. My old cartridge based systems have never given me an issue. Plus you can buy NES systems for dirt cheap. I think I have like 7 of them just in case any break. I use my SNES system quite often and have never had a problem.

I've had some old games crap out on me (bit rot?), but not a common occurrence. Maybe you have just had a run of bad luck.

[MachineGex]

Well, whoever said cold is good, is off the mark. If it is cold, you will get condensation. Condensation can cause major problems. The pins get wet and can get gunked up. Plus, other problems.

I bet storing your stuff in the cold basement is causing all your problems. I highly doubt anyone would have that many systems all fail around the same time unless it was caused by something. Move your stuff to a room upstairs, wait a few days and clean all the games and then clean all your systems. If you dont know how to properly clean your system, just ask.

[nothingisttrue]

you could also get a shop vac and hold the attachment to the cartridge slot.
this works as a diy way to dust off laptops without cracking the case so i would assume it would work on old consoles as well.

[OldSkoolBrian]

I never have these problems... I have with the NES but when cleaned it works fine... Send me a PM when you want to get rid of all that Junk.. I will gladly take it.

[Parodius Duh!]

Good riddance, more classic games for me then! ;)

[chuckwalla]

My 2 cents on this...

I've found that contact cleaner, followed by 91% isopropyl alcohol are the best cleaning solutions - used in the cartridge slots and carts.

I store all my games and systems in plastic bins in the house (as in neither the attic or basement) where the temp is relatively stable - temp swings are generally not good for electronics.

I use emulation only for MAME and the C64 to cut down on costs and space - i'm a big fan of original hardware/software for gaming otherwise.

Consider some of the suggestions on this thread and don't sell off your collection in frustration just yet - a lot of the time it's deeply regretted unless the financial situation is desperate.

[Atarileaf]

I will be sticking to Ps1, Ps2, Dreamcast, Gamecube, and Xbox when it comes to playing on the actual console. those are the systems that have never failed me.

You realize that those systems are also all prone to breaking and in fact have a great chance of failure than the older systems do. How many Xboxes or Dreamcasts do you think will be working in another 10 years?

Not sure if you're having a run of bad luck or there's something else we're not learning about the way you store or treat your systems.

[duffmanth]

My retro consoles give me grief occasionally, but I still play them from time to time.

[SonicBoom]

Tisk Tisk Tisk
Seems classic game consoles need the right kind of person to play them.
Someone who will spend i little while to play there games pure.
Shame, Really. But more for me!

[kedawa]

I'm not sure what you mean. Playing classic games instead of modern games actually saves me time, since I don't have to sit through loading screens and pointless cutscenes.

[Dr. BaconStein]

You could always just play your carts on the newer clone consoles, but that may or may not be blasphemy to you depending on how you view them. I got a Retro Duo for Christmas last year and a GenMobile earlier this year, and I have no regrets. Portable clones are even nicer since you can play at anytime and take your carts with you. Emulation is convenient, but nothing can really replace the feeling of getting a game CIB and playing the cart.

[kedawa]

I have an unmodified Retro Duo v2.0, and it really is a competent clone.
It's a shame nobody is making more accurate, high-end clone systems, though.
Whenever I check in on the progress of the various FPGA clone projects for arcade and Amiga systems, I can't help but dream of cycle-exact clones of my favourite classic consoles.

[QuickSciFi]

@ first post:

Patience is virtue. Sounds like the problems you mentioned are the same exact problems I faced back in the day when the systems were brand new.

[treismac]

It's a shame nobody is making more accurate, high-end clone systems, though.


That it is. It is an even bigger shame, though, that the original companies (Sega and Ninitendo) aren't releasing new versions of their old hardware. "Atari" is, or at least, their name's sake is popping out new plug n' play systems, but you don't have the ability to play old cartridges which is why I haven't bothered purchasing one.

[substantial_snake]

That it is. It is an even bigger shame, though, that the original companies (Sega and Ninitendo) aren't releasing new versions of their old hardware. "Atari" is, or at least, their name's sake is popping out new plug n' play systems, but you don't have the ability to play old cartridges which is why I haven't bothered purchasing one.

From a business perspective distribution and/or contracting out old hardware with low production batches might just not make financial sense for them. Another problem is that they may feel that it would confuse the average consumer, or take revenue away from things like the Wii's retro channel. However I would really like to see this and would definitely pay a premium price if Sega and Nintendo released hardware compatible with original carts again.

[treismac]

Hey, Retro Rich! Have you tried this technique (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qu2DhvpydI&feature=channel_video_title) with your carts? It works wonders.

[Gameguy]

However I would really like to see this and would definitely pay a premium price if Sega and Nintendo released hardware compatible with original carts again.
The Sega Firecore;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxW4FMFkjGM

[RetroRich]

good news guys. i opened up the snes and gave it a proper cleaning. turns out a hair was stuck under the pin connector. after i cleaned everything, all games work fine now.

[Atarileaf]

good news guys. i opened up the snes and gave it a proper cleaning. turns out a hair was stuck under the pin connector. after i cleaned everything, all games work fine now.

Glad to here and its a good point to make - even if you clean all your games, if the cart slot itself has dirty connectors or, as in your case, a physical object even as small as a hair is in it, it can cause the same problems.