Alternative to playing NES carts that isn't an emulator?

[SivakDrac]

I recently dragged out my NES for kicks and got to playing a few games. The things does work... The start buttons on the controllers are not as responsive as they should be... but anyway: I think I remember seeing a device you can buy that'll actually play your NES carts and would probably work better than the NES itself.

ADDED: The main reason I want this is because the only way I can get any carts to work is to put them in my Game Genie and then put them in the system. And I usually have to blow into the system. The carts by themself are almost always a no go. No matter how much blowing and breathing into the carts and NES. Just the blinking power light and the blinking blue screen.

Is there such a thing or am I misinformed? Also, can you use your NES controllers with it if it exists?
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- Sivak Drac</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by SivakDrac on 01/22/07 08:36 PM.</FONT></P>

[Ugly Joe]

> Is there such a thing or am I misinformed? Also, can you
> use your NES controllers with it if it exists?

There's all kinds of NES clones out there. Some work better than others. Most will take real NES controllers. Just give eBay a quick search and look for the really cheap NES systems.

But, if your NES is working, why not just buy a new controller?
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[puzzl]

> Is there such a thing or am I misinformed? Also, can you
> use your NES controllers with it if it exists?
>

Look for something http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Twin_Video_Game_Systemlike this</a> at your local indie game shop, or online. I saw it at my local place for 30 bucks, and almost jumped for it, but reconsidered because both my SNES and NES still work flawlessly. I couldn't say about the usability or reliability of these machines though.
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[SivakDrac]

> But, if your NES is working, why not just buy a new
> controller?

Well, actually I just realized I forgot to add some info to my first post. The new reasoning is in there.
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- Sivak Drac</P>

[Ugly Joe]

> Well, actually I just realized I forgot to add some info to
> my first post. The new reasoning is in there.

Aha. Sounds like you need a new 72-pin connector. Easy to find, easy to install.
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[(wraith_)]

Buy a top-loading NES on eBay.
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[SivakDrac]

> Aha. Sounds like you need a new 72-pin connector. Easy to
> find, easy to install.

Hey. I've been reading some guides about these connectors. One guide suggested simply "fixing" your own.

I tried opening up my NES just to look at it, but I wanted to know: Are those 6 screws really, really long because it seemed they weren't coming up when I was unscrewing. I just didn't know if I had to really keep at it.

Thanks.
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[SamIAm]

>Are those 6 screws really, really long because it
> seemed they weren't coming up when I was unscrewing. I just
> didn't know if I had to really keep at it.

A lot of machine screws have a tendency to do that kind of thing. It may stick, but when it stops coming up, it's basically unscrewed. Try tapping it upside down and fiddling with it with the screwdriver in that position.
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[alien being]

another method people use is to make it just barely fit in, only push it in as much as is needed to push it down

although the pin replacement is the way to go, the top loaders cost quite a bit on ebay, or they did when i was looking at them years ago
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[Cornellius]

I had to use a pen so the cartridge was in the midle. Lowering the cartridge only introduced a gray screen or a blue flashing screen.
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[Ugly Joe]

> I had to use a pen so the cartridge was in the midle.
> Lowering the cartridge only introduced a gray screen or a
> blue flashing screen.

I would sometimes use the black sleeves or another cartridge on top of the game. Some games needed it, some didn't.
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[pipes]

I bet your connector has that green shit all corroded in it. I will try and get pics of probably of what your connector looks like. $5 or less on ebay for a new one Its easy as shit to put in, its just you have to go through 500 screws to take it apart and back together.

Use lime-a-way to clean your carts. That stuff makes the pins nice and shiny.

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[SivakDrac]

Well, there was a guy selling these kits. He always has a bunch of them. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-NES-NINTENDO-72-PIN-CONNECTOR-PRO-CLEANING-KIT_W0QQitemZ110085205467QQihZ001QQcategoryZ41046Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemLink</a>

I thought about getting one as it has that tool to open the carts. I need to get my hands on my new games first.
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- Sivak Drac</P>

[pipes]

too much for really nothing. just get just the connector.
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[SivakDrac]

> too much for really nothing. just get just the connector.

What about cleaning the carts themselves? Isn't that important?
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[Ugly Joe]

> What about cleaning the carts themselves? Isn't that
> important?

If the contacts on the cart are dirty, yeah. I just use a scotch-brite pad to scrub the contacts. No solvant needed. Works great.
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[puzzl]

> If the contacts on the cart are dirty, yeah. I just use a
> scotch-brite pad to scrub the contacts. No solvant needed.
> Works great.
>

I'd only recommend that if the contacts are starting to oxidize. If they're still good and just dirty, what I do is the ol' cotton swabs and alcohol. I bought a copy of metroid at the flea market, and the swabs came out filthy, but after that, it worked more reliably than before. Just make sure you don't let the alcohol drip inside the cart. Keep it on the contacts only.
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[SivakDrac]

> I'd only recommend that if the contacts are starting to
> oxidize. If they're still good and just dirty, what I do is
> the ol' cotton swabs and alcohol.

I've been trying this trick. I have the tool that lets you open up NES games and I've seen some dirt. The problem is, this stuff just won't come off. Some of it does, but a lot of it stays. And I've gone over them with like 5 swabs. Do you need to press really really hard or something?

I'm using Isopropyl alcohol 70% and I'm using some generic cotton swabs.
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- Sivak Drac</P>

[pipes]

I use CLR or lime away. Shit works wonders with it! It just wipes off with a q-tip.
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