This seems to be an emerging problem, to which there are few answers out there.
Console world aims to set the myths aside, and give you the best source of information.
We are also trying to source the appropriate batteries for the games.
The problem?
15 or so years ago, game manufacturers invented a great way to save your games onto a cartridge. It revolutionised gaming as we know it.
The answer was simple. As long as you kept some POWER to the game cartridge at all times, it kept the memory from being erased.
This was to be done very cheaply by using a small lithium battery, about the size of a coin. These batteries are relatively inexpensive, and have an immense battery life of up to 10 years, sometimes longer!
So, great, they thought. After all, who's going to be playing these games after 10 years? Unlikely!
They underestimated that one. The retro gaming scene is as alive as it's ever been. People can't get enough of it. The problem is, now is about the time these batteries are running out!
The crux of the problem?
The batteries inside the cartridge are not regular lithium coin cell batteries. In order to do this as cheaply as possible, the game manufacturers dispensed with any battery holding mechanism, choosing to use soldered components instead.
What that means is that your games have a coin cell that has steel tags spot welded to it. These tags attach to the main board of the game with solder.
So how can I replace them?
Fortunately if you're even half familar with a soldering iron, you should be able to replace them. This is as simple as finding the replacement battery and melting the solder, pulling the old battery out, putting the new battery in, and resoldering in place.
The solder joints are big enough to make the job relatively simple.
WARNINGS!
Solder melts at 180-220C, depending on type. Lithium coin cell batteries can leak or explode if heated to 150C.
This means that -Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you attempt to replace the SOLDER TAGGED battery with a standard untagged coin cell-
The solder tags are there for a simple reason - to allow you to heat them to 250ish C without heating the battery up too much.
The process is pretty safe as long as you always heat the tags at the end, in the regular fashion. The best way to ensure you don't get the battery too hot is to place your thumb over it to hold it in place when you solder it in. If your thumb gets hot, rest a few seconds.
The warning aside, I replace these batteries almost daily, using the proper tagged batteries, and there are never any problems. I would however always recommend eye protection if you are in any doubts, better safe than sorry - burning lithium in the eye is a very bad thing.
Some people have suggested using electrical tape to hold a normal non tagged battery in place.
I find this unsatisfactory because the batteries dont really stick to electrical tape. Too much electrical tape may also present an overheat hazard if they cover any chips. You also really dont want the connections becoming loose inside the game, as wires could short anywhere and cause all sorts of trouble.
You said you source these batteries?
Yes. You can get them from our ebay shop or our website. We will also replace them for you if you are in the UK. We currently stock EXACT replacements for most cartridge types, but pocket games, like gameboy, are almost impossible to find. Whilst we constantly search for exact replacements, the current item we stock is slightly smaller than the original. This means it holds slightly less battery capacity in the long term. So you may have to replace after 5 years instead of ten. This is the best option until we find the right part.
Questions?
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