Classic Game Room - HOW TO CLEAN GAME CARTRIDGES!
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- Опубліковано 18 січ 2025
- Classic Game Room educational film: HOW TO CLEAN GAME CARTRIDGES! This CGR special shows you how to clean videogame cartridges using a Q-tip (not the rapper) and isopropyl alchol. Collecting for N64, Atari 2600, Colecovision, NES, SNES, Genesis or any other cartridge based video game console? Then odds are you'll run into some dirty game carts that need a simple cleaning before they work. If you buy used video game cartirdges you'll frequently find some that don't work when you power up the game system. A simple cleaning will fix the videogame cartridge 99% of the time because the contacts become dirty over time. Sometimes they become flat our disgusting and filthy. Clean your game cartridges with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab and never let grime in the way of your gaming again!
Great demonstration. Really love the old cartridge systems, they just don't make 'em like they used to. I remember my SNES taking a few tumbles and still working perfectly fine. Ah, the golden age of cartridge gaming. Thumbs up if you remember blowing into your cartridges and the cartridge slots before using them!
I used to do this all the time, it works great.Rubbing alcohol is great for all kinds of stuff, it's like a miracle potion.
all of Mark's vids are awesomely enjoyable, even a cleaning tutorial is entertaining to watch!
Been gaming since 1979. Have used alcohol and qtip for decades. I still buy N64, Snes games, and always clean them first with this method. Awesome vid for those who may not know. I also use the 1up console cleaner cartridge for my N64 and Snes. Bought on Amazon, $19.
2:34 epic moment in music perfectly timed with video
Good video! Isopropyl alcohol works well for cleaning other gunk off of games too. Another useful feature for it is wiping off permanent marker ink and BlockBuster labels as well. Getting off the clear tape is a whole different headache
i'm going to do this with my prized earthbound cartridge. i am trusting you here.
Did it work?
How did it go.
Never answered...that post trauma...
sorry for the wait, but it went great! would 100% recommend.
+Corgisaurus ♥ lmao dont lie hes trolling all of you i doubt he has earthbound...if you do tho you know where to contact me i'll buy it off you for $5
A 2011 demonstration of a cleaning technique me and my friends did back in 1987. This is so nostalgic and non-applicable to today's gaming, but that's usually what CGR is all about, and it's awesome.
That's a pretty swaggy q-tip holder, you've got there. I can see you went all out on this video.
Always use isopropyl alcohol when cleaning electronics, as it doesn't conduct electricity, other types of alcohol are usually ok, but if you don't allow it to evaporate completely, it has the chance of causing a short. My rule of thumb is isopropyl alcohol, because it's almost impossible to screw anything up with it.
this helps me sleep. I watch this whenever I take a nap
I actually have a playlist of CGR videos to help me relax.
fun facts: the reason why cartridges often got dirty is due to the connectors on the game oxidizing, creating a patina buildup or in the worse case scenario, corrode the pin connectors. consumers were also supposed to clean the games regularly to avoid this as it was stated on the warnings on a back of a snes cartridge. also the reason why blowing on the cartridges seemed to work is the moisture in your breath moisturized the cartridge, encouraging conductivity.
Don't use isopropyl alcohol, use name-brand Nintendo "cartridge cleaner", made up entirely of isopropyl alcohol, but at a cost that drains your wallet.
Brand name is made to drain your wallet. The rubbing alcohol serves the same purpose. Buut..... to each their own if you like to be scammed.
Keith Lapere it's sarcasm body
@@thebaka234 buddy*
Personally I prefer a 1upcard
@@keithlapere7650 r/whoooosh!
It's so simple, yet so many people still think blowing inside the cartridge is the way to go.
+1 for spreading the word.
12 years later here is your +1
Thanks so much, I got my 19 year old Pokemon stadium cartridge to work smoothly and clean just like back in the day!
didnt even use water, I just cleaned it with an old tshirt and the arm of my sunglasses. Works 100%. Using the methods I did when I was a kid and I still own the same games as I was a kid. Games back then were meant to last, they were tough and still are to this day
you want to use the highest concentration to prevent possible oxidation from the water used to dilute it. Actually, the true secret is to use a white pencil/pen eraser as it prevents any moisture from touching the contacts.
Love my 99.9% alcohol, it's cleaning on easy mode.
Just be very careful how you store it...
Kotaku.com had this on their front page yesterday... All I saw was a screenshot of hands and an N64 cart and I knew it was Mark. You're awesome Mark.
AVGN's glitch gremlin: "ohh not the q-tip!"
can u understand there is not even a single day i don't visit Classic Game Room and watch your vids? gosh, you're a religion. Oo
Dude you rock! thanks a bunch. It worked like a charm.
This is really funny, just earlier today I got the urge to clean out some N64 cartridges and after I'm done here's this vid. Good to see that I did it correctly!
will 70 percent isopropyl work?
+sampeng1 Yes. It worked for me.
It will. It will just take just a little bit longer to dry and evaporate.
I'd say use 90% or higher
i tried with that % and it worked for me
Thanks! Can't wait for my wife to come home so I can tell her all about it!
Is this also safe for the contacts inside the console? It probably is but I like my Megadrive too much to put that to the test
+Techno Badger As long as there is no electricity in the system when you clean it (unplug system, then turn on the power switch to get rid of any power lingering) you should be fine. Just make sure it's completely dry before even thinking about plugging it in.
Just got Pokemon Snap again for n64 and thought the buyer sent me a bunk unit, after a quick cleaning we're golden! Thanks mate!
1:04 "It's for cleaning wounds." NO!!!! Isopropyl alcohol should NOT be used for cleaning wounds! It will make them heal slower. That is like... 1980s first aid. Newer techniques say to clean wounds with warm water.
I just leave the wounds alone until they heal
Man, he could talk about a plain cardboard box and the logistics of it even existing and I'd still watch it and be entertained.
The mistake must people make is using their medical grade isopropyl alcohol which is typically a 70% mix, leaving 30% water and other mixes. Water can cause both immediate and long term damage from shorting your electronics to corrosion. In the video, he's using 91% isopropyl alcohol which is considerably better, but I would only use it in a pinch. Every pharmacy carries 99% isopropyl alcohol for less than a couple bucks, so don't be cheap(er) and skip the pure content because it not only cleans thoroughly, it evaporates quickly and completely.
Thank's for your comment on isopropyl alcohol for the use of cleaning game cartridges. I think it's very helpful. Could you please tell me if one should use the method with isopropyl alcohol and Q-tips on the cartridge slot of an N64 itself, or is it even necessary to do so in the first place? Thank you.
Great selection of music. I am glad to see that I clean them correctly.
HOW TO CLEAN EARTHBOUND CARTRIDGE, GET A COPY OF SOAPBOUND AND SMOOSH IT INTO THE PINS. THE END.
I already knew this, but I watched it anyway because I love CGR.
I tried this and my cartridge turned into a Giraffe!
it works amazingly! you have no idea how happy this makes me
Alcohol is like duct tape. It fixes everything!
@SMAAAASHTV I'm not sure about that, but the stuff I use is called what it is- Contact Cleaner. It was made by Radio Shack (what is now the "Source" store). I'm certain other places would sell it under the same name.
Isopropyl alcohol will only do so much. For games that are really stubborn, try Brasso metal polish. It is more effective, but it will leave a residue. so be sure to clean it off with alcohol afterwards.
Mike H you really do gotta be careful, you don’t want to damage it and when they’re really old, I wouldn’t even think about trying metal polish. Might test it anyway though. Thanks for the tip
man i knew this technique a long time ago,
but its good that you made this mark, im surprised at how may ppl didnt know this
BLowing the cartridge slowly destroys it. Search for it.
not if you're a 90s kid
Mr clean magic eraser is a god for games with permanent marker
It's always nice to see these kinds of tips and pointers. I know AVGN already did this in his game glitch video with the similar procedure.
is it just me or is it really exciting to see a CGR video in my Sub box?
I have close to 1000 games in my collection, I clean all cartidges before they go anywhere near one of my consoles. Rubbing Alcohol works on Atari/Coleco games that can't be opened, but games like NES/SNES/Genesis, I open them with the security bit, and clean the contacts using a Technical Eraser (white vinyl rubber). Works MUCH better than Alcohol, and can clean up even the dirtiest games.
I thought this was knowledge that was born/imprinted into every gamer.
Yes I always use either isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab or dioxit d5 on a cotton swab to clean up the contacts on my Atari video game cartridges and/or my Nintendo video game cartridges. This is good advice in most cases, for a few minor cases one will need to clean up the contacts in the cartridge slot of the video game consoles instead. In those minor cases I have a cleaning kit, but they are no longer being made so use non magnetic strip end of a expired credit card with either isopropyl alcohol or deoxit d5 on it.
I have to say, I love your music LOL :D
I used water and a paper towel and now I learned how to save many of my cartridges. :D
Could you make a video about cleaning the cartridge slots of a console? A SNES that I bought on ebay looks nasty in the cartridge slot, but I think that bits of the q-tip would get stuck in there and make the problem worse.
I never had to clean my cardridges
Since 16 Years they play like a champion :D
I did this to all of my Snes and n64 games. And it worked. THANKS :D
As many have said Mark could do a cooking show and everyone would watch it
lol I did that when I had the nes cartridges. wow such old school methods is still in use today.
Wow. A serious video from Mark... I kept waiting to see when he was going to crack a joke, but... ok. Thanks for the tutorial.
Isopropyl alcohol is quite corrosive - I'd recommend light cleaning be done w/ something like Windex and a Q-tip instead. If you're looking for a deeper cleaning due to corroded contacts, use a metal polish like Brasso with a washcloth to clean and polish the contacts - works GREAT for NES games, I've cleaned most of mine that way. Some of which were unplayable even after changing my 72-pin connector.
I remember just blowing into a cartridge. Job done. :)
Thanks, Mark! interesting music in the background (like Las Vegas, Nevada), Mark, in which state do you live?
mark just reviewed cleaning....and it was AWESOME!!!
Been doing this since I was a little kid. All my games still work.
You should do one on disc cleaning/restoration!
I am friends with a owner of a mom and pops gamestore and the preferred method is 50/50 water and ammonia. That is best for a standard cleaning.
Now if you have a badly corroded cartridge,fear not, get yourself some brass/copper polish and rub that in, the clean it off with VERY light amount of water. Repeat till there is no corrosion left.
Now for getting stickers of games and packaging and sticker residue, use lighter fluid, takes it off nice and clean.
Congratulations, if you've watched this video, then you know how to clean cartridges, LIKE A BOSS.
Big Thanks...just cleaned my Xavix Power Boxing cartridge and its working fine now!
Thank you CGR... I actually tried this and it worked for me.
i look away for a second and this is suddenly a drawing channel
It's worked well for me. Though I'm running out of it to clean games now that you mention it.
I love the backround music in CGR videos.........
@Laughtraxx I use 2 tooth picks to push on the tabs that let's the door slide down, then I hold it there while I clean them
Can you clean old Gameboy and GBA Games too with that?
Yeah this is the way to go. CGR has the how to, down, so cool.
can you do a how-to on cleaning the console contact points?
Q tip (not the rapper) hahaha nice bud!
i dont even have an old school game console why i watch this? BECAUSE ITS AWESOME XD
@Ralkila some games have a battery inside. When they wont save means the battery is dead. Most carts need a special tool you can find them on ebay.
awesome now I can play that game that was awesome back in the day pit fighter! Omg I can't wait XD
Awesome Q-tip case bro.
Thanks man , video helped. I forgot this method decades ago. Got my hard to find Chrono Trigger working on my SNES!! cheers.
You a live saver thought it was over until a seen this video 💯
CGR, how do you clean closed end atari games?
@mymovienerd Right on man. I'm not sure what I would use an entire gallon for though... lol. I like windex because it just happens to be around the house more often than not.
Great Video. Good info to have for us retro collectors. Although I already knew this a lot of people do not and will use dawn and a sham wow. LOL
@MultiCHELE1
Can you give me a link to a picture of the kind of erasers you use?
Is it possible to clean the console itself? I'm certain there's some dirt in my NES/SNES/64 and I want to try doing something about it. Probably unnecessary though.
@Volviert
70%?,did you take care of them?not trying to offend you or anything,but i still have all of my PSX games in excellent condition.
@n91guru you still played with video game cartridges 10 years ago??!
There's a rapper named Q-Tip? (from the description)
I have a Q-tip case just like that! :) Good video, man.
thank you so much this video saved my games
can i use this technique for my DS and its games?
Could you do how to clean a UMD, mine sometimes stop working.
@TakoroMisashi yes i do this to my old gameboy games and other cartridges and it works 1st time i clean them.
Rouge Squadron! That game was so fun
i record gabeboy games with the gameboy player for the GCN and one day it wouldn't play them but i used this tip and it works just fine now thanks
Can you use the alcohol on the labels?
@DEFkon001
I think most of the dirt was inside the cartridges right from the begining of their existence.
can i do this to my gameboy advance cartridges?
@whammy850 alcahol doesnt actually damage it,
the only reason they say that is so u will buy their cleaning kits
btw doesnt windex have alcohol in it?
I also did this method too. My games work like new because of this. :D
Use Microfiber cloth instead of cotton swabs! As @Bazuna said, cotton leaves fibers which can contaminate your cartridge port. Nothing potentially damaging here, but in time, that cartridge port can require cleaning, which can be a pain for an average user to do. For the same reason don't use dry parts of your cleaning fabric, it is important to dry when you clean with water based cleaners but not with high concentration alcohol, since it evaporates in a matter of minutes. :)
Thanks! Now im prepared for my n64 :)
Doest it not say on the old Nes and Snes cartridges that you shouldnt clean with Alcohol or something?
Also if you have the necessary tools to open your game, (a security bit), then a standard number 2 pencil, the ones with the pink eraser work wonders for cleaning the contacts. But the game must be open. Just use the eraser on the contacts like you are removing pencil from paper. This is by far the best way to get everything off. Then just Q-Tip clean off the eraser leavings