View Full Version : NES Cartridge Chip Flaking/Scraping?
josekortez
11-16-2003, 06:55 PM
Over the weekend, I went to a few thrift stores to look for NES carts. I didn't pick anything up, but I've noticed that when I go to Game Stops and thrifts, I usually find NES games that are missing a small section from the chip. Well, the chip is intact, but it looks like a piece has been scraped off. I never buy these carts because (1) it looks strange and (2) I don't want to buy one that doesn't work.
My question is, does this happen naturally over time to all game cartridges or is this something that Game Stop stores do to games when they receive them? Does it only happen to NES carts? Also, why would a store do that to carts if the store does it at all?
I've been curious about this phenomenon for a while, and I'm wondering if anybody has any thoughts on the matter. Also, does anybody here buy these carts when they find them?
josekortez
11-16-2003, 06:55 PM
Over the weekend, I went to a few thrift stores to look for NES carts. I didn't pick anything up, but I've noticed that when I go to Game Stops and thrifts, I usually find NES games that are missing a small section from the chip. Well, the chip is intact, but it looks like a piece has been scraped off. I never buy these carts because (1) it looks strange and (2) I don't want to buy one that doesn't work.
My question is, does this happen naturally over time to all game cartridges or is this something that Game Stop stores do to games when they receive them? Does it only happen to NES carts? Also, why would a store do that to carts if the store does it at all?
I've been curious about this phenomenon for a while, and I'm wondering if anybody has any thoughts on the matter. Also, does anybody here buy these carts when they find them?
josekortez
11-16-2003, 11:58 PM
I'm gonna bump this so somebody here can set my mind at ease!
josekortez
11-16-2003, 11:58 PM
I'm gonna bump this so somebody here can set my mind at ease!
Dr. Morbis
11-17-2003, 01:34 AM
Are you talking about pins missing in the middle of the contacts that stick out at the bottom of the nes cart? If so, that is perfectly normal for a lot of games. Initially, games had a full set of pins whether they were used or not. Later on, probably to cut costs, unused pins were left off.
If you are talking about serious metal corrosion, on the other hand, then no the games probably will not work.
Dr. Morbis
11-17-2003, 01:34 AM
Are you talking about pins missing in the middle of the contacts that stick out at the bottom of the nes cart? If so, that is perfectly normal for a lot of games. Initially, games had a full set of pins whether they were used or not. Later on, probably to cut costs, unused pins were left off.
If you are talking about serious metal corrosion, on the other hand, then no the games probably will not work.
Mr-E_MaN
11-17-2003, 07:58 AM
If you are talking about when the connection starts to wear out and then you only have 3/4 - 1/2 of your pin on the game connector it does reduce the chances that a game will not work, but I have a couple games that the connector is about 1/2 gone but still work. It just takes a good connector and a little luck to get it working. :D
Mr-E_MaN
11-17-2003, 07:58 AM
If you are talking about when the connection starts to wear out and then you only have 3/4 - 1/2 of your pin on the game connector it does reduce the chances that a game will not work, but I have a couple games that the connector is about 1/2 gone but still work. It just takes a good connector and a little luck to get it working. :D