Why did my Gamecube age like a Super NES?

[Greg2600]

The SNES problem units were the earlier, heavier type. By around 1994, the newer, lighter models have from what I've seen, failed to yellow. The cause I believe was the amount or type of flame retardant chemical used, and obviously also due to the lighter color of the console.

I am extremely surprised this would also be happening to a Gamecube, because I would have assumed Nintendo would have learned their lesson by then. Very dumb.

[ooXxXoo]

I've seen this effect in early as well as in late revisions of the SNES,NES (front Loader and Top loader) systems and other home electronic devices too (computers,printers, monitors,phones,etc....)

[Rogue]

Yeah... sadly, there's nothing to do nowadays...

White Saturns and Dreamcasts suffer from it too... =/

The Sun! The Oxygen!

Oh, I've seen in some researrch about it: incandescent lamps are better than fluorescent. The fluorescent has some UV emission.

[alxbly]

I only very recently noticed that my Gamecube was beggining to discolor. It's not as badly affected as c0ldb33r's but the plastic does have a noticable yellow tint to it now. The first memory card slot is unnaffected and still the original grey, probably because I hardly ever took out the memory card. Anyway, my own idea for solution is this...

...keep the Gamecube boxed up until I need to play it! I've no idea if that will work or not though. Does the discoloring only take place when the plastic is exposed to sunlight or does that just trigger the start of the process? Or will the discoloration continue now regardless of whether the plastic is exposed to sunlight? If it's only UV that affects the plastic then I'll play my cube in the dark. Of course, then I won't notice the discoloration either, lol.

[izarate]

Oxidation happens in the presence of oxigen, sun light just seems to accelerate the process. I had a SNES in storage and the cartridge slot turned yellow. Althought not as bad as in the pics, it was noticeable. That SNES was the lastest revision (SNS-CPU-1CHIP-01) just before the SNES Jr. (SNN-CPU-01).

[The Manimal]

Lucky or just coincidence, I haven't had any yellowed systems.


Original SNES (control set; didn't come with SMW version)- fine
Redesigned SNES - fine
Redesigned NES - fine
Original NES (power? set; came with SMW/DH) - fine
Original Game Boy (didn't come with Tetris version) - fine
GameCube - fine
Dreamcast - fine

Of course, I keep everything in a cool, slightly more than average humidity (though I do use a dehumidifier) basement. Usually the lights (fluorescent) are off.