SNES Game Cartridge save game battery life

[gamenthusiast]

There are various titles that have internal batteries within the cartridge and I have been curious when it comes to the battery's life. Do any of you collectors here at DP know how long they last?

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I think it's around 10-15 years tops, though all my games have been going strong so far. Also, Just a guess here, but it might also depends on how often you use the actual game?

[gamenthusiast]

I have thought about that too, do the batteries drain even when you shelve the game or only when it is used?

[Emily]

Some of my SNES games refuse to save due to failed battaries,Super Mario All-Stars is one :(

[JJNova]

Play it Emily. They charge themselves.

[Leo_A]

I don't believe they charge themselves when you play them.

[Promophile]

Your saves will stay forever, granted you keep the same cart plugged in and keep the SNES plugged in, even after the battery dies. This is why I have moved to emulation for old RPG games I already own.

[Emily]

Poop, thats why my Adventures of Link for NES wont save

[Emily]

Seriously though, if I leave my cart in my SNES while its plugged in, will the internal battery charge??? :hmm:

[gamenthusiast]

ok, so the battery drains only if the given cartridge is left plugged into a plugged in SNES? If stored, the battery will remain functional?

[it290]

No, the battery drains all the time. That's the whole point of having a battery backup - if it didn't take any power to maintain the SRAM, you wouldn't need a battery! Having the game in the console doesn't change anything, either (unless the power's on, of course).

The lifespan on the batteries themselves varies. They do have an effective shelf life of 10-15 years, but they can die much quicker than that. There really isn't any way to tell when one's going to crap out on you. The frequency of use might have some small effect, but I really think environmental conditions are the biggest factor.

[gamenthusiast]

hmmm, and it is impossible to replace the battery without tearing the game label...

[it290]

No, SNES games can be opened without any damage to the cartridge label.

[gamenthusiast]

it290, care to explain?

[postulio]

No, SNES games can be opened without any damage to the cartridge label.




how? plus dont you have to rip the back label to access the screw. id just go ahead and buy a new cart when my battery dies.

[it290]

Just take out the two screws on the front of the cartridge and you're golden. The top of the cart is just held together by those little plastic tabs.

[kai123]

There are only two screws to open a snes game. They are both right on the front of the cart. I have opened many carts to clean them. You don't have to tear anything on NES, SNES, or N64 games to open them. Unless you are talking about unofficial NES carts. Some of those have screws under the label.

[Promophile]

ok, so the battery drains only if the given cartridge is left plugged into a plugged in SNES? If stored, the battery will remain functional?

No. The battery will always be draining. What I was saying is that IF your SNES games battery is dead, AND if you KEEP it plugged into a plugged in SNES then the battery will work as LONG as you keep the game plugged in to the plugged in SNES. If you remove the game, your save will be erased.

[gamenthusiast]

thank you for the responses, you have answered all of my queries.