Game Cartridge Battery Replacement

[Axel]

I got into the old SNES games over quarantine last year and an proud to say that my 6, now 7-year-old took to it like a fish to water. I recently found my old Gameboy Color, too, and we've been collecting new games for it.

Apparently these cartridges have a battery for the save function (I guess I always assumed they were like jump drives) and of course at twenty-odd years out a lot of them are nearing end of life. I got a Pokemon Yellow game that keeps corrupting files saved in the in-game "computer" storage, and I suppose this is probably a symptom of a dying battery.

Anyone have experience changing the batteries? It's a simple CR2025, and I found instructions online, but the prongs are soldered in place and I hear they break easily during swap. I have no experience soldering electronics; any advice before I turn a dead battery into a totally junked cartridge?

Retaining the old data is no concern for now, like I said, it's corrupted anyway

[SignOfZeta]

Unless the battery is spot welded in it’s usually pretty easy. I’ve never done a GB game though. It’s trickier when you want to actually retain what’s in volatile storage...particularly if what’s in volatile storage is the decryption key needed to run an arcade PCB, CPS-2 for example. Then you’d need to keep it powered up during the swap.

Games with saves either use battery powered RAM in the cart (The Legend of Zelda for NES, all SNES/Genesis) storage in the system (PC Engine, Sega Saturn) or memory cards (PlayStation, Dreamcast). Eventually it became normal to use a small flash chip for saves...this was probably around the time of Wonderswan, Neo Geo Pocket and Gameboy Advance. With the DS they had an all flash thing happening.

From my experience kids love the 16-bit era. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is loved by %90 of all kids from any era. My six year old kid plays Neo Geo or Genesis or PC Engine or Super Nintendo basically every day.

[bellicose]

You can buy batteries that are pre soldered with tabs. It's an easy swap, and soldering isn't hard. I have a stack I got from ebay years ago. Take your time, don't put too much heat on the components for more than a few seconds.

[Axel]

Should I look for any particular type of soldering iron or will the basic set from the hardware store do the job?

[OpusX]

I would grab an iron with a variable temp just so you dont cook any bits (since you said you have no experience). Also grab a desoldering pump and wick to clean up solder during removal.

I've done a few SNES and GB carts. Not hard. You'll be catching them all in no time.

[Axel]

I don't have any experience and I appreciate any and all handholding 😁

Thanks

[OpusX]

Hit up the tubes of video and look for "desoldering" . You'll find some techniques to help you out.

[netsurferdude2]

You pick it up really quickly. I have a Weller and it has served me well over the years. If you wanna put the money in for a nice soldering "station", I'd recommend them.
If you need a hand let me know. Or I could resolder the stuff for you. Just let me know.

Also if we have AC power at the next game, I could solder it for you right there.

[SignOfZeta]

I wouldn’t buy a $100+ soldering iron, solder suckers, etc to fix one Gameboy cartridge. If you live in any decent sized city there will be some guy at a game store that can do this for less than the value of the game. When it comes to fixing old game junk, I fear nothing...but just thinking practically here...it may be less of a headache to outsource.

[Axel]

Eh... You make a good point but I'm tempted anyway, just to pick up another skill. Plus... Excuse to buy tools

[SignOfZeta]

Then don’t buy a Weller unless it’s used. The newer ones seem to have issues. Get the Hakko. I’ve used Radio Shack garbage for most of my life, I don’t think variable is even needed. Just get a low wattage iron. I personally never use solder suckers either (braid, OG I guess) but maybe they aren’t crap now. For a battery with two solder points the braid will for sure be sufficient.

[Cyberpyr8]

You might want to find an old piece of electronics or old board somewhere and practice with the solder iron first. Your first attempt probably shouldn't be on something you care about. Get used to it first before tackling the cartridge. Just my advice. I find soldering to be more of an art than a science.

[Axel]

The only difference between science and art is the number of variables

[Cyberpyr8]

When I say that I mean that it is something that is either easily reproduced the same way every time or it isn't easily reproduced and might vary (sometimes greatly) each time. Soldering isn't always the same if you are doing it by hand(art). Machines stamping out boards is a science in those terms. But either way I would suggest practicing on something you don't care about first.