NES cart - damaged connectors. Is transplant the answer?

[Icarus Moonsight]

Is it possible to transplant the chips from one NES cart board to another?

Could you move just the EPROM (program rom) or would you have to move the others as well (character rom ect)?

How about the capacitor and resistor, if they differ will it matter?

The problem I am having seems to be the pins on my Bubble Bobble cart. I bought it from a rental shop that was going out of business for a scant $2. I shelved tha game for a while but, recently I've been playing my NES so I popped BubBob in the toaster. All I got out of it was a grey screen. So I took the cart out for a thorough cleaning... no dice. Oddly enough, after cleaning the cart (cotton swap/alcohol) the gray screen was replaced with a purple screen and for the first time since replacing my pin connector, my NES blinked! I opened the cart to investigate further. I was completely horrified to discover what awaited me inside. Some numbnut had decided to play deranged surgeon with a flat-head screwdriver. The jackass literally ASSAULTED the connector pins with his implement of destruction, I assume, in an attempt to free the board from the case. My thoughts were perhaps the pins have been severed.

I have 2 possible board donors; Tecmo Bowl and Pro Wrestling. I thought perhaps Pro would be better suited for the transplant because it has all the pins on it's board, just like BubBob. Has anyone done this before? Any aide would be very much apprecited.

My most sincere thanks in advance,
AP

[dendawg]

Since Bubble Bobble is an R1 game, you might just be better off looking for another cart.

However, if you still wanna swap with another PCB, try to make sure you swap both the PGM & CHR ROMs. Also, check to see if the mapper/MMC chips on the other PCB is the same is in BB, also check to see if the pins are identical before swapping.

[leonk]

I'd just get another copy of the game ..

you can always get another label beaten up version and just transplant the PCB.

Unless you have the right equipment (desoldering irons are very expensive) you'll probably destroy either the PCB or ROM chips while transplanting them.

[AlanD]

Neither of those would work. It has to do with the type of board the cart uses. I list:

Bubble Bobble SFROM-02
Bases Loaded SFROM-02
Peter Pan & the Pirates SFROM-03
Yoshi SFROM-03
Touchdown Fever SFROM-03
Rollerball SFROM-03
Break Time SFROM-04

So one of those carts would be the best bet. I have not opened them or ever tried to do what you are asking but if I had to that is the way I would go. Easier in my opinion to buy a new cart since the time and effort to find a donor and transplant is more than for the convenience of just buying one. How much is your time worth?

[jonjandran]

Sometimes we do it just for the challenge. :evil:

[Icarus Moonsight]

Thanks for the information everyone :D
Looks like all I can use it for is soldering practice... still $2 well spent in my opinion LOL

[vintagegamecrazy]

Since Bubble Bobble is an R1 game, you might just be better off looking for another cart.


I wouldn't bet on bubble bobble being an R1 the database says it is but I cant find value in that. You will however end up spending at least ten to 15 dollars on a new one, which in my opinion is still cheaper and easier than desoldering it from its board.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Of course I could replace it... that was the obvious solution. But what do I learn in the process? Gaming as life is all about the enrichment you can take in from the hobby. I wouldn't mind doing ALOT of things some people may find "not worth the effort" just to see if I could do it. I'm just cu-cu-nutty like that I suppose LOL

I found a Bases Loaded cart for a buck and someday I'll play Dr. Frankenbobble and see If I can bring an awesome game back to life. Just doing my part to undo a small injustice :D Thanks for the lead on a suitable donor! I'll post the results in this here thread if anyone is interested.

[Bratwurst]

I say go for it. Some people here are apparently forgetting that playing the game itself is just as much a waste of time as doing other things. ;)

[Duncan]

I say go for it. Some people here are apparently forgetting that playing the game itself is just as much a waste of time as doing other things. ;)

Well played, Brat. Or wasted, depending on your opinion. LOL

[vintagegamecrazy]

If it's worth it to you then go for it. Let us know how it turned out.

[AlanD]

Oh by all means go for it if that is what you want to do. I do this stuff for a living and know how long it would take me to desolder 4 chips and solder in two of them not counting buying the donor and possibly the screwdriver to get in the cart. I would buy another cart :)

However if you are looking at it as a learning experience for soldering or working on NES carts of just for the challenge I can understand the idea of doing it.
AlanD