I would probably do this... if i had two consoles. i love the way the NES works and wont "modify" it further than replacing things with the exact same part but not broken
Hey Adam, found this product from your video and I just finished installing it and I'm blown away by how well it worked. Also, you were not kidding about the games being tricky to get out :)
omg FINALLY i got to find one of these.i learned that pushing the cartridge down would damage the pins so what i do is i just put in the cartridge (did not push the springs down) and just straight up play this.now that this exists my life is complete. thanks adam :D
Because of this video, I picked one up. It's awesome. It even cleaned up the video and audio as well. All your vids are great. I revived a dead genesis and two controllers also after watching your cleaning and restoring vids.
I have seen nes`s with reading problems before that were not even related to the 72 pin connector or 10nes chip, it needed a new power supply capacitor, because noise was getting from the mains onto the circuit, solder in a new cap hey presto it reads fine, something for some of you people to consider, it will have to be done sooner or later. A clean supply goes a long way.
@@pittypatt3 Bad capacitors will bulge or leak. Otherwise, desolder and remove from the circuit and measure the ESR. If it's a very low resistance, the cap is shorted and therefore bad. Filter caps which are bad also cause a hum on the picture.
Kudos to your excellent tutorial and education lesson. So very happy I came across your video! I purchased my blinking light win and 4/5 weeks later I got it. They explained on the website that they had more orders than they had parts for and where waiting for their overseas suppliers to send what they needed and clearly stated how long of a wait it would be and that's what I agreed to and expexted prior to purchasing it so all was good. Will be installing it shortly while rewatching your video. Very excited! 😊👍 good job!
Awesome! I'll look into getting one of these later when my NES is having problems. The one I got back in 2008 had a new 72-pin connector installed beforehand and I clean my NES games 1-2 times a year, so I haven't had too many blinking screen/light issues.
Thanks for sharing this. I fixed my 72 pin connector, and disabled the 10NES chip. Haven't had any problems whatsoever. I haven't played my NES for 2 months, popped in Super Mario 3 today, started first try. These systems are very reliable if you just take care of them. I may look into this at some point, but not right away. It is nice to know that there is a permanent fix if it does start acting up again. Thanks again Adam!
I'm going to have to pick one of these up. Even after tearing apart my NES and cleaning everything thoroughly, I'm still having issues. This will be great.
I've been using my game genie for every game, it just makes a solid connection. But this maybe worth looking into if the shipping isn't insane to the great white north. My question is, do you think there is something you could doctor to make it so you can't push the tray down at all even if your stupid friends try?
Tengen carts were a pain to get out of the normal ZIF connector sometimes so yeah, they're rough with this thing. The latest revision has loosed the grip thankfully. That said I just got one of these and it's amazing. I've got a big NES collection but I've avoided playing on original hardware for a long time because of the unreliability and now it's as solid as any clone console. Two thumbs way up.
I just got mine today and my NES has never worked better since I got it. They have fixed the issue where the connection was really tight so it's better than ever and I highly recommend this product.
***** Hey Adam, you do know that Windex is really bad for game cartridges right? Windex contains ammonia, and is REALLY BAD for the pins, and while it does clean them, it is a horrible long-term solution. It will create problems in the long run, also Windex contains dyes and perfumes, which again, are really bad for those pins. The SAFEST method of cleaning cartridges is Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, not only because THAT's what came with ALL of Nintendo's Cartridge cleaning kits back in the day, but because it contains less abrasive chemicals. Your safest bet would be getting Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol that's 70%+ that way there's less water, and more cleaning solution. - A Concerned Fan
TnVGaming actually i've found that using a simple pencil eraser on the contacts works the best. no chance of a film being left over or any chemicals of any kind. i've been cleaning game carts this way for years and it works like a charm
TnVGaming Also, as far as I know: 1) rubbing alcohol has a PH level of 5.5 (acidic) - good for cleaning, whereas Windex is about 11 (basic) - not as good 2) rubbing alcohol doesn't have a cocktail of ingredients like Windex 3) rubbing alcohol (70% alcohol) dries MUCH quicker than Windex which helps reduce corrosion
Logan Lemieux I use Isopropyl Alcohol too, but just of a higher concentration, so it will dry faster and clean the pins better. Jeff H Precisely the reason why I NEVER use Windex, it take too long to dry, and it leaves a film over the pins which can speed up corrosion over time.
An amazing video, i'm very happy with the approach on the subject, you explain the important things on the console, a little background was nice, the visual explanation on disamble the console and the installing the pin is perfect, a very well round video on all aspects
This is one reason why I subscribe to your channel of the videos because I find out shit like this and help me out with my collection and making sure my system work forever pretty much, and just want to say thank you I learned a lot from watching all your videos
wow u got one for free and me as a backer still hasnt received it, and they went on sale before fullfillment, shame on arcade works i will never back them again, let alone this death vice grip which they said would be avoided when they planned making it. it was also massively delayed with very poor feedback to the backers all throughout so obviously they have screwed up in someway. Im sticking to the replacement 72pin connector i put in and a grounded 10nes chip works fine, just dont be a fool and leave games in the machine, when your done take it out.
Thank you for finally reviewing this thing. The Kickstarter for it ended months ago while it became available not too long after, and it still took awhile for anyone to review it. Anyway, thanks. I was worried about whether or not that thing would have the "Darth Vader Grip" on cartridges, but it's good to know it's not that much of a problem. Also, can you give us a report on how it works a few weeks from now so we know it can withstand long periods of use?
I've had the idea for this sort of fix for ages, i.e., a fixed-position loading tray with a standard card-edge connector, so I'm glad someone finally made such a thing. However, they should have used a high quality and/or properly spec'd card-edge connector, such as from Molex or Amp. A card-edge connector doesn't need to have a death grip on the cartridge in order to have a reliable connection. Just look at the standard card-edge connectors in any other console, such as an Atari 2600, ColecoVision, NES top-loader, SNES, Sega Genesis, N64, and so on. They have a firm, reliable connection, but they are not Chinese Cartridge Traps™. If I bought one of these kits, I'd find out if Molex or Amp makes a properly spec'd card-edge connector for it, and if so, buy one to replace that poor quality (or poorly spec'd) one. Or maybe they will come out with a version 2 with a better card-edge connector if enough people complain about the excessive tightness (hopefully they don't subscribe to the misconception that excessive tightness is necessary for a reliable connection). An overly tight card-edge connector not only makes it a hassle to insert and remove games, but it also causes extra wear and tear on the cartridges' card edge pins.
Wow! That's really awesome and $25 is quite reasonable. My NES still works quite well so I don't really need it at the moment but I'll certainly keep it in mind if it ever gets really bad.
I bought and installed one of these a while ago, and it works amazing. I still recommend cleaning it once in a while with a cleaning cart, but 99% of the time I've been able to get my games to load up fine without any fuss (besides getting the carts in and out, which is a bit tougher). Once I retrobrite the exterior and add an RGB board I'll have my ultimate NES.
Maybe in another 20 years we'll be able to fix the red ring of death too! :D Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to hope. And I just realized that this fix-it-kit has rendered the top loader NES pointless. I'm predicting a slight drop in value.
Michael Wolfe oddly enough, I'm not sure whether it was this or the market, but now I see top loaders for sale all the time for 80 to 120 depending on cords and dogbone, and they just sit there.
The top loader was a catch 22 anyway. Sure, easier and more efficient game loading, but at a loss of AV ports along the way. Value has only gone up on those though, along with all retro systems.
That's bad ass, but getting rid of the 10 nes chip worked for me but as you said it's just a bandaid. But I've never had to replace my pin connector not yet at least for 7 months but I will look in this. Grate review product video Adam.
This is AMAZING!! I LOVE IT! I have my NES rigged with the lockout chip disabled and my 72 pin connector is clean and the pins are bent back to a tight fit and all I do is push and hit the power and it works like a top loader. I never have to press down. I do want this new connector but when I went to the site to purchase it, the site was down. Don't know what's up with that. I'll try again later I guess but this new invention is awesome and will more than likely make the 72pin connector absolete. Great video my friend. : )
i followed the link to and there are 2 versions of the blinking light win, one simply titled blinking light win and another "Nintendo Cartridge Connector Repair Part the Blinking Light Win" both priced at 24.99 only difference i can tell is the model one being AR- BLW and the other just BLW and the descriptions. so im not quite sure which one i should get?
Finally a solution. I replaced my 72 pin connector and it made no difference at all. But to be fair, I recall playing my front loading NES on occasion without having to push down the cartridge.
I know very little about the actual insides of consoles, but would anyone be able to tell me what the RF shield really does? It looks like a hunk of metal to me, but I'm sure it has some sort of purpose.
This looks very promising. I just put a new 72-pin connector in mine. It's actually the third one because I went through in the process. The first one I got off of Ebay fit way too tight on the cartridges, then after about a week quit working altogether. The second one I got from Lukie Games, and it was DOA. They sent me a replacement (the one I have now), and it has been working great for about 3 months. When my current one finally wears out, I'll probably get this one.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll order one sooner or later and see if it's worth offering these for my repairs. :) Sourcing original connectors is a PITA due to price, you end up earning almost nilch on those repairs (I mostly only do it to help out people anyways, but boy...) and even broken NES are quite expensive and often times the connector's broken on them as well, which makes for 70-90% of the repairs needed for NES systems.
RE: Blowing into carts. Unless a person has some upper respiratory issue, the breath that comes out of your mouth has the same level of humidity as the air which is already touching the contacts. Blowing on the cart doesn't often help because dust isn't normally the problem, but neither does it harm the device. Obviously the windex method is best.
AdamKoralik I still remember my NES. It doesn't have the "push" mechanism, just straight up loading tray. I don't know if my console are modded or not, but I'm pretty sure my grandfather brought it new...
If I were to fault the design at all, it would be that the connector could have been extended a little, allowing the cartridge to end up just inside the door when inserted. That may have allowed for a better removal grip.
Wow. Thanks for such a quick reply. I came across your channel upon looking for 32X stuff & wound up spending the whole weekend watching your UK/Portugal/Canada game videos, & the generational ones. Really amazing stuff. Classic Nintendo, Sega, Sony, & Atari lover here. Shenmue is my favourite ever game too, followed closely by Final Fantasy VII, then Sonic & Knuckles, Mario 3, & Wipeout (the futuristic racing series). I grew up on NES & SNES but also Game Boy & Game Gear, followed by Saturn, PS1, Nomad, & finally my last console being a Dreamcast before I got a PC. Despite my spelling, I live in the US. I simply prefer UK conventions more.
AdamKoralik I actually have been to Canada 4 times in 2 years (2008, 2009), specifically Montreal, Quebec City, & Saint John (NB). Also been to Iceland & The Netherlands in a 12-day trip in 2012. Philly-born & raised here. US-wise, been mostly around the east coast + Penn State & Albany.
This is fantastic. Genius! Finally! I heard this version of the Nintendo displays the games better than the top loading second version so this is the route I will take. Toaster over Nintendo and this new connector lol.
Question: What exactly does the spring load do that disables gameplay? What I'm wondering is, is it possible to disable the spring load function of the original tray in a way that enables game function with front load only.
After over a year of having this video out and getting 14 months of use out of it, do you still recommend this product? Has it worn out over time, or is it still as awesome as it was brand new?
Already having a problem getting games in and out from bending the pins in my existing connector, so not too worried about that, but i do have a game genie handy just in case. Thanks man, I am sold!!!
I don't usually like to mod consoles to function differently from how they originally did, but with my replacement NES 72 pin connector not working as well as it did, I may have to get one of these...
I just received mine in the mail and installed it I have a pal system and it works perfectly. It is a bit of a bitch to get the game out, hopefully it gets easier the more you use it. He is definitely right about having your games clean they won't work otherwise.
My SEGA Master System never had any of those problems. Does that make it an automatic Win, because I picked the right 8-bit console to start with? Well, it is the *Master* system after all.
Adam. I am curious if you have tried out the Analogue Nt? It looks interesting, but I am weary of the $500 price tag and curious if it can fix the issue with the light zapper and lcd/hdtv where it can work. I have tried a light zapper and it just fails to work anymore.
+Stephen Ferris Nothing can make light guns work on HDTVs. They make use of the specific features of the CRT (the refresh rate of the screen, I believe).
@RAP64, Correct. I had forgotten the European model adopted the Super Famicom design, which is is why I imported my SNES Classic rather than jump on the US release.
@@TechHowden I don't have a top loader because of the lack of rca. these days I play mostly on a "family game", a famicom clone from the 90s, (they were super popular in south america). it has both rca and rf. it takes famicom cartridges but with an adapter you can use nes cartridges too. (it's not emulation or "system on a chip", it's the real hardware, just not made by nintendo. and the joysticks are not wired in, they are plugged in so you can replace them if they break).
how long does this usually take to arrive? i just ordered mine, i live in the US and super excited cause i went through hell and back finding a nes that still worked but i want to keep it working.
I saw gametech.us talk about the BLW, Looks cool and is a great alternative to replacing the 72-pin or boiling it for problem consoles that don't work better after a good clean of the system and games, not to mention the CIC disabling capability. I've been lucky with my NES, and it even works without having to push the game down at all. I don't know if the 72-pin was replaced or something (Got it off ebay a few years ago), but by not pushing them down I expect it will help it last longer. Great Video!
I 'd prefer if they still attached it to the motherboard, then to loading tray. it seems like you'd be stressing out that board putting carts in and out. Is that a problem at all?
+newgamer85 Nintendo has a 12 month warranty. Most of us will have an NES that is long past that by this point since it's not even sold in stores anymore. And I doubt a warranty will apply at this point if you find an unopened NES on eBay or something.
Seems pretty cool. I would consider getting one of these if I had a shitty old NES that hardly loads the games but the one I've got is in pretty good shape it loads up the games pretty quick.
I just yesterday bought a new 72 Pin and disabled the lockout chip and then i get onto UA-cam today to see a better fix... haha I may still invest in it though because you never know when these new 72 pins will wear down. Btw the new pin gives me issues when putting in and taking out carts as well but will eventually wear in and not be an issue, could the same thing happen with this new connector?
Here's something noteworthy about Shenmue, A cancelled online game for PC named Shenmue Online which might have been the basis for Shenmue III. Here's something taken from wikipedia: In 2004, Shenmue Online was announced to be development in joint venture between Sega Japan and JC Entertainment of Korea.[1] A private beta testing period was due to begin in Korea in November 2005, with a public beta in China in spring 2005, before a release later in 2005.[2] When Shenmue Online was first announced, under the development of JC Entertainment, the screenshots released were considered by many Shenmue fans to be disappointing graphically, especially as being part of a game series that boasted ground-breaking graphics on the Dreamcast. In 2005, JC Entertainment pulled out of the development of Shenmue Online, and as they owned 50% of the properties of Shenmue Online, there was legal debate over who had the rights to the game.[3] However, in November 2005, it was confirmed in an interview with Yu Suzuki that even though the Korean company JCE had announced their withdrawal from development, since Shenmue Online is a Sega venture, they will fulfil their duty of completing it. Yu says despite the internet rumours, development is well on its way and following their original goals and target. He adds that Sega Sammy will make an official announcement about its progress in the future.[4] At the China Joy convention in July 2006 with the development under the guise of a Taiwan based company, a trailer was shown, which showcased features including mini games and combat with marked graphical improvements.[5] In 2006, 6 new screens from the gameplay along with a 14 minute video were released to the public during the 4th China Expo. These shots showed further improvement on graphical issues, comparing the graphics to other MMOs and even home versions of Shenmue. And things about gameplay (also taken from wikipedia) layers will join one of three clans, led by Sha Hua, Xiu Ying and Wu Ying, and go through the story by completing tasks given by the leaders. Of course, during the course of the story, each clan will interact with one another in both friendly and hostile situations. Lan Di and Ryo will definitely make appearances in those situations as well. When asked about the various activities possible in Shenmue II and whether they will make it into Shenmue Online, Yu says that the arcade games will definitely make it in, and 2/3 of the things like working, collecting capsule toys, etc, from Shenmue II will make it into Shenmue Online, along with much more contents exclusive to Shenmue Online. Yu adds that the game will take place not only in Hong Kong and China, but Macau as well, Yu smiled when he was asked what players will be able to do in Macao. Yu says that QTE's will make it into Shenmue Online; but conceptually, it is impossible to implement the exact same kind of QTE into an online game. So in Shenmue Online, QTE's will be something geared towards an online MMO game, but since the implementation haven't been finalized yet, he can't go into specifics. Yu states that Shenmue's world is very suitable for online play. Shenmue Online's world will be much bigger than the home versions thus far, including over 1200 buildings/locations, and it will be possible for each player to have his or her own house. Yu adds that he has always been very fond of Chinese culture, so he is very happy that Shenmue is liked by the Chinese gamers. This is why he is making this game for the Chinese market. But from a game perspective, Shenmue Online will include many things that all gamers will be able to enjoy.
I understand that this is the theoretical best solution to the problem, but for those of use who like pushing the cart down, how reliable are the replacement oem style connectors? Or is there a way to fix the original connectors to make it more reliable? Like bending the pins a little?
I need one of these and one of Kevtris's HDMI kit to revive my NES. I wonder if I can make an eject mechanism to avoid having to use the Game genie as an eject tool. Probably something like a piece of ribbon attached to the game tray to make it easier to pull out, I dunno.
I just bought an Australian NES (I live in New Zealand, where they were also sold) from a reputable store here, never once has it failed to load a game, and the internals of this thing are spotless. I suspect it's been well-loved and well cared for, but the problems people complain about with the NES seem largely blown out of the water, or they're the amplified criticisms of people who just don't take good care of their stuff. I really don't think the design of the NES is as terrible as people claim it is.
I don't think the Blinking Light Win is any more "forever" than the replica replacement connectors. The replicas are tighter than original and should continue to work as long as you keep it clean. Also, though it wasn't nearly as good as the A-list games I am truly nostalgic for, Bible Adventures was better than most of the crap on the NES. Not sure why you feel compelled to warn us when there is so much worse out there. I never used Windex or ammonia. Despite the warning label, Nintendo's own official cleaning kit said to use 50% water and 50% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) if distilled water alone wasn't doing the trick. It always worked. Rubbing alcohol is already watered down and isn't always pure so these days I use 99.9% pure isopropyl from Fry's (meant for cleaning electronics). You probably should have mentioned why Nintendo wanted to market it like a VCR: the Family Computer was too toy-like and the retailers were hesitant or down-right resistant to carry video games after the market crashed with Atari. Nintendo wanted to sneak it into the retailer's electronics sections as some vaguely futuristic "home entertainment system" instead of a "video game system" and they completed the illusion with the Deluxe system's R.O.B. ("Not a video game! See? It comes with a computerized robot gadget!").
I removed the chip thing and I boiled the pins thing, it increased the perfect load success ratio to like 95% of the times, but, somehow, the thing now works without having to push down the cartridges... go figure... but yeah I guess with this thing you totally revive your console, i suppose.
alright, yea i never tried it but i remember that i always thought the old nes nintendo cleaning kit solution always just smelled like rubbing alcohol to me so i figured thats what it was.
i am so tired of the 72pin bullshit! After seeing several videos including your video I sad screw it and ordered 2. They are listed as pre order so there is a wait. I can wait a while in order to end the 72pin nonsense hopefully once and for all. Thanks for the video. As always you were just straight up honest how you felt about the product good and bad. Such a great thing to see honest reviews.
This is by far one of my most favorite videos of yours! I find your cleaning videos great and interesting to watch!
I would probably do this... if i had two consoles.
i love the way the NES works and wont "modify" it further than replacing things with the exact same part but not broken
Hey Adam, found this product from your video and I just finished installing it and I'm blown away by how well it worked. Also, you were not kidding about the games being tricky to get out :)
It worked that well😳
omg FINALLY i got to find one of these.i learned that pushing the cartridge down would damage the pins so what i do is i just put in the cartridge (did not push the springs down) and just straight up play this.now that this exists my life is complete. thanks adam :D
Because of this video, I picked one up. It's awesome. It even cleaned up the video and audio as well. All your vids are great. I revived a dead genesis and two controllers also after watching your cleaning and restoring vids.
I have seen nes`s with reading problems before that were not even related to the 72 pin connector or 10nes chip, it needed a new power supply capacitor, because noise was getting from the mains onto the circuit, solder in a new cap hey presto it reads fine, something for some of you people to consider, it will have to be done sooner or later.
A clean supply goes a long way.
how would one go about finding out this is their specific issue though?
@@pittypatt3 Bad capacitors will bulge or leak. Otherwise, desolder and remove from the circuit and measure the ESR. If it's a very low resistance, the cap is shorted and therefore bad. Filter caps which are bad also cause a hum on the picture.
Kudos to your excellent tutorial and education lesson. So very happy I came across your video! I purchased my blinking light win and 4/5 weeks later I got it. They explained on the website that they had more orders than they had parts for and where waiting for their overseas suppliers to send what they needed and clearly stated how long of a wait it would be and that's what I agreed to and expexted prior to purchasing it so all was good. Will be installing it shortly while rewatching your video. Very excited! 😊👍 good job!
Awesome! I'll look into getting one of these later when my NES is having problems. The one I got back in 2008 had a new 72-pin connector installed beforehand and I clean my NES games 1-2 times a year, so I haven't had too many blinking screen/light issues.
My buddies Sergio and Quan are the gentleman who created that wonderful product! Thanks for covering it.
Dirk Leon Sure thing, thanks for watching!
I' m a subscriber bro :D
Dirk Leon Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this. I fixed my 72 pin connector, and disabled the 10NES chip. Haven't had any problems whatsoever. I haven't played my NES for 2 months, popped in Super Mario 3 today, started first try. These systems are very reliable if you just take care of them. I may look into this at some point, but not right away. It is nice to know that there is a permanent fix if it does start acting up again. Thanks again Adam!
Billy Drake Sure thing, thanks for watching!
Thanks for the Install Video, I just ordered one of these 2 days ago, and am looking forward to it!
Darth Sega No problem, thanks for watching!
I freaking DIG THIS! I've been watching all your vids for the past 4 days & love your retro repair vids my friend.
+THE PROTECTION GRID Thanks for watching!
I'm going to have to pick one of these up. Even after tearing apart my NES and cleaning everything thoroughly, I'm still having issues. This will be great.
Adam I wanted to let you know I absolutely love your UA-cam channel. I have almost all your tutorials saved for reference, you are very insightful.
Thanks!
Your Welcome
I got mine through kickstarter and I am glad that I supported arcade works back when I first heard about the campaign.
I've been using my game genie for every game, it just makes a solid connection. But this maybe worth looking into if the shipping isn't insane to the great white north. My question is, do you think there is something you could doctor to make it so you can't push the tray down at all even if your stupid friends try?
Update: $38 shipping!! Back to the Game Genie.
The Adequate Gamer Wow, really? Sorry man.
Tengen carts were a pain to get out of the normal ZIF connector sometimes so yeah, they're rough with this thing. The latest revision has loosed the grip thankfully. That said I just got one of these and it's amazing. I've got a big NES collection but I've avoided playing on original hardware for a long time because of the unreliability and now it's as solid as any clone console. Two thumbs way up.
I just got mine today and my NES has never worked better since I got it. They have fixed the issue where the connection was really tight so it's better than ever and I highly recommend this product.
+WrathofHiei I just ordered one, how was the shipping time?
once they caught up with the orders it only took 3 days to get from CA to WA really.
Well, I'm on the east coast, so it might be a bit longer for me.
Excellent product - a must have on any EU or US NES console. Basically making it just as reliable as a toploader or Famicom. Thanks for showing this.
lactobacillusprime Sure thing, thanks for watching!
***** Hey Adam, you do know that Windex is really bad for game cartridges right? Windex contains ammonia, and is REALLY BAD for the pins, and while it does clean them, it is a horrible long-term solution. It will create problems in the long run, also Windex contains dyes and perfumes, which again, are really bad for those pins. The SAFEST method of cleaning cartridges is Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, not only because THAT's what came with ALL of Nintendo's Cartridge cleaning kits back in the day, but because it contains less abrasive chemicals. Your safest bet would be getting Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol that's 70%+ that way there's less water, and more cleaning solution.
- A Concerned Fan
TnVGaming actually i've found that using a simple pencil eraser on the contacts works the best. no chance of a film being left over or any chemicals of any kind. i've been cleaning game carts this way for years and it works like a charm
shadowslayer0420 That's my main method too. But since Adam is always using some form of chemical, I figured I'd recommend to him the safest one.
TnVGaming I use simple isopropyl rubbing alchohol on my cartridges.
TnVGaming Also, as far as I know:
1) rubbing alcohol has a PH level of 5.5 (acidic) - good for cleaning, whereas Windex is about 11 (basic) - not as good
2) rubbing alcohol doesn't have a cocktail of ingredients like Windex
3) rubbing alcohol (70% alcohol) dries MUCH quicker than Windex which helps reduce corrosion
Logan Lemieux
I use Isopropyl Alcohol too, but just of a higher concentration, so it will dry faster and clean the pins better.
Jeff H Precisely the reason why I NEVER use Windex, it take too long to dry, and it leaves a film over the pins which can speed up corrosion over time.
An amazing video, i'm very happy with the approach on the subject, you explain the important things on the console, a little background was nice, the visual explanation on disamble the console and the installing the pin is perfect, a very well round video on all aspects
Rosencrantz Boy Thanks!
This is one reason why I subscribe to your channel of the videos because I find out shit like this and help me out with my collection and making sure my system work forever pretty much, and just want to say thank you I learned a lot from watching all your videos
***** Happy to help, thanks for watching!
wow u got one for free and me as a backer still hasnt received it, and they went on sale before fullfillment, shame on arcade works i will never back them again, let alone this death vice grip which they said would be avoided when they planned making it. it was also massively delayed with very poor feedback to the backers all throughout so obviously they have screwed up in someway.
Im sticking to the replacement 72pin connector i put in and a grounded 10nes chip works fine, just dont be a fool and leave games in the machine, when your done take it out.
Thank you for finally reviewing this thing. The Kickstarter for it ended months ago while it became available not too long after, and it still took awhile for anyone to review it. Anyway, thanks. I was worried about whether or not that thing would have the "Darth Vader Grip" on cartridges, but it's good to know it's not that much of a problem. Also, can you give us a report on how it works a few weeks from now so we know it can withstand long periods of use?
I just saw this, and placed an order for on immediately! Thank you thank you!
I've had the idea for this sort of fix for ages, i.e., a fixed-position loading tray with a standard card-edge connector, so I'm glad someone finally made such a thing. However, they should have used a high quality and/or properly spec'd card-edge connector, such as from Molex or Amp. A card-edge connector doesn't need to have a death grip on the cartridge in order to have a reliable connection. Just look at the standard card-edge connectors in any other console, such as an Atari 2600, ColecoVision, NES top-loader, SNES, Sega Genesis, N64, and so on. They have a firm, reliable connection, but they are not Chinese Cartridge Traps™.
If I bought one of these kits, I'd find out if Molex or Amp makes a properly spec'd card-edge connector for it, and if so, buy one to replace that poor quality (or poorly spec'd) one. Or maybe they will come out with a version 2 with a better card-edge connector if enough people complain about the excessive tightness (hopefully they don't subscribe to the misconception that excessive tightness is necessary for a reliable connection).
An overly tight card-edge connector not only makes it a hassle to insert and remove games, but it also causes extra wear and tear on the cartridges' card edge pins.
Mine arrived today and I installed it and it works great. I will be doing a video review of it soon myself.
Thanks for the tip and spreading the word AdamKoralik
Wow! That's really awesome and $25 is quite reasonable. My NES still works quite well so I don't really need it at the moment but I'll certainly keep it in mind if it ever gets really bad.
And now it's $30, + shipping.
I will never not blow my cartridges THANK YOU VERY MUCH. :P
Got mine from Kickstarter love it! Blinking light win is awesome! Now I'm waiting for my next Kickstarter funded project!
I bought and installed one of these a while ago, and it works amazing. I still recommend cleaning it once in a while with a cleaning cart, but 99% of the time I've been able to get my games to load up fine without any fuss (besides getting the carts in and out, which is a bit tougher). Once I retrobrite the exterior and add an RGB board I'll have my ultimate NES.
For how much did you buy it for
Just ordered mine. Can't wait.
Maybe in another 20 years we'll be able to fix the red ring of death too! :D Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to hope.
And I just realized that this fix-it-kit has rendered the top loader NES pointless. I'm predicting a slight drop in value.
Michael Wolfe Very possible.
Michael Wolfe People will still want all original hardware on their NES though, plus a lot of people are terrified of opening up a console.
Michael Wolfe oddly enough, I'm not sure whether it was this or the market, but now I see top loaders for sale all the time for 80 to 120 depending on cords and dogbone, and they just sit there.
The top loader was a catch 22 anyway. Sure, easier and more efficient game loading, but at a loss of AV ports along the way. Value has only gone up on those though, along with all retro systems.
That's bad ass, but getting rid of the 10 nes chip worked for me but as you said it's just a bandaid. But I've never had to replace my pin connector not yet at least for 7 months but I will look in this. Grate review product video Adam.
The game console that revolutionized gaming as a whole. Thanks for the tip Adam.
H+Justin'sMovies/Games Happy to!
This is AMAZING!! I LOVE IT! I have my NES rigged with the lockout chip disabled and my 72 pin connector is clean and the pins are bent back to a tight fit and all I do is push and hit the power and it works like a top loader. I never have to press down. I do want this new connector but when I went to the site to purchase it, the site was down. Don't know what's up with that. I'll try again later I guess but this new invention is awesome and will more than likely make the 72pin connector absolete. Great video my friend. : )
***** Thanks for watching.
Thanks for your Help I really wanted to play my NES Games again.
i followed the link to and there are 2 versions of the blinking light win, one simply titled blinking light win and another "Nintendo Cartridge Connector Repair Part the Blinking Light Win" both priced at 24.99 only difference i can tell is the model one being AR- BLW and the other just BLW and the descriptions. so im not quite sure which one i should get?
Finally a solution. I replaced my 72 pin connector and it made no difference at all. But to be fair, I recall playing my front loading NES on occasion without having to push down the cartridge.
Just ordered mine after watching this. Can't wait!!
ClassicGamer81 Thanks for watching!
I know very little about the actual insides of consoles, but would anyone be able to tell me what the RF shield really does? It looks like a hunk of metal to me, but I'm sure it has some sort of purpose.
***** Back in the day it would block radio signals to avoid interfering with other radio devices. In the modern world, it has no purpose at all.
This looks very promising. I just put a new 72-pin connector in mine. It's actually the third one because I went through in the process. The first one I got off of Ebay fit way too tight on the cartridges, then after about a week quit working altogether. The second one I got from Lukie Games, and it was DOA. They sent me a replacement (the one I have now), and it has been working great for about 3 months. When my current one finally wears out, I'll probably get this one.
This is what I've needed. Gave up on playing the actual hardware because I could barely get it to work.
After watching this video i went to the website and ordered one should be here tomorrow.
Definitely will pick this up for my NES
Such a simple method that took this long to be made. Now this'll solve anyone's needs to get the Top-loader NES.
Thanks for the heads up.
I'll order one sooner or later and see if it's worth offering these for my repairs. :)
Sourcing original connectors is a PITA due to price, you end up earning almost nilch on those repairs (I mostly only do it to help out people anyways, but boy...) and even broken NES are quite expensive and often times the connector's broken on them as well, which makes for 70-90% of the repairs needed for NES systems.
RE: Blowing into carts. Unless a person has some upper respiratory issue, the breath that comes out of your mouth has the same level of humidity as the air which is already touching the contacts. Blowing on the cart doesn't often help because dust isn't normally the problem, but neither does it harm the device. Obviously the windex method is best.
AdamKoralik I still remember my NES. It doesn't have the "push" mechanism, just straight up loading tray. I don't know if my console are modded or not, but I'm pretty sure my grandfather brought it new...
If I were to fault the design at all, it would be that the connector could have been extended a little, allowing the cartridge to end up just inside the door when inserted. That may have allowed for a better removal grip.
And of course they are sold out lol How about if I bought one of those newer top loading NES's from the mid 90's? They still work fine, right?
I really need to consider this! Thanks for sharing this amazing mod that [hopefully] closes the book on a 3-decade-old issue.
Ivy A Nguyen Thanks for watching!
Wow. Thanks for such a quick reply. I came across your channel upon looking for 32X stuff & wound up spending the whole weekend watching your UK/Portugal/Canada game videos, & the generational ones. Really amazing stuff. Classic Nintendo, Sega, Sony, & Atari lover here. Shenmue is my favourite ever game too, followed closely by Final Fantasy VII, then Sonic & Knuckles, Mario 3, & Wipeout (the futuristic racing series). I grew up on NES & SNES but also Game Boy & Game Gear, followed by Saturn, PS1, Nomad, & finally my last console being a Dreamcast before I got a PC. Despite my spelling, I live in the US. I simply prefer UK conventions more.
Ivy A Nguyen I'm glad you liked the videos. You might do well in Canada then, they use the extra U on words like "favorite".
AdamKoralik I actually have been to Canada 4 times in 2 years (2008, 2009), specifically Montreal, Quebec City, & Saint John (NB). Also been to Iceland & The Netherlands in a 12-day trip in 2012. Philly-born & raised here. US-wise, been mostly around the east coast + Penn State & Albany.
Question. Do you know if a Game Genie will harm the Blinking Light Wins pins? Thanks.
This is fantastic. Genius! Finally! I heard this version of the Nintendo displays the games better than the top loading second version so this is the route I will take. Toaster over Nintendo and this new connector lol.
Question: What exactly does the spring load do that disables gameplay? What I'm wondering is, is it possible to disable the spring load function of the original tray in a way that enables game function with front load only.
Hey Adam, I was wondering if you have any extra NES consoles around that you would be willing to sell ( there kind of pricey on Craigslist)
After over a year of having this video out and getting 14 months of use out of it, do you still recommend this product? Has it worn out over time, or is it still as awesome as it was brand new?
I do, but I highly recommended using a Game Genie in it, just to make it easier to get games in and out.
Already having a problem getting games in and out from bending the pins in my existing connector, so not too worried about that, but i do have a game genie handy just in case. Thanks man, I am sold!!!
I'm concerned that leaving the door open for so long during play just increases the amount of dirt and dust floating in during game play.
I don't usually like to mod consoles to function differently from how they originally did, but with my replacement NES 72 pin connector not working as well as it did, I may have to get one of these...
Very cool, I'll have to pick one up, thanks for the info. Enjoying your trip?
I've adopted the method of taking the cartridge apart and using an eraser to clean the pins.
I just received mine in the mail and installed it I have a pal system and it works perfectly. It is a bit of a bitch to get the game out, hopefully it gets easier the more you use it. He is definitely right about having your games clean they won't work otherwise.
I actually really love how unique the spring-load system is, even if it's slowly killing the NES.
My SEGA Master System never had any of those problems.
Does that make it an automatic Win, because I picked the right 8-bit console to start with?
Well, it is the *Master* system after all.
I'm definitely getting this. My NES gets those Grey screens whenever I try to play it.
I used the Game Genie method....I ripped the black plastic off, glued and taped the Game Genie in.....built in Game Genie NES! :)
Not the best idea. CastleVania 3, Fester's Quest and Color Dreams games are not Game Genie compatible.
Now you always play with the door open, allowing better access for dirt and dust to enter while you enjoy yourself.
Adam. I am curious if you have tried out the Analogue Nt? It looks interesting, but I am weary of the $500 price tag and curious if it can fix the issue with the light zapper and lcd/hdtv where it can work. I have tried a light zapper and it just fails to work anymore.
+Stephen Ferris Nothing can make light guns work on HDTVs. They make use of the specific features of the CRT (the refresh rate of the screen, I believe).
if only the top loader had RCA audio and video output...
...and was better looking.
@RAP64, We’ll agree to disagree. I think it’s the ugliest console ever made. Dethroned the SNES.
@RAP64, Correct. I had forgotten the European model adopted the Super Famicom design, which is is why I imported my SNES Classic rather than jump on the US release.
You could send it to Nintendo to get it officially modded but that was extremely rare
@@TechHowden I don't have a top loader because of the lack of rca.
these days I play mostly on a "family game", a famicom clone from the 90s, (they were super popular in south america). it has both rca and rf. it takes famicom cartridges but with an adapter you can use nes cartridges too. (it's not emulation or "system on a chip", it's the real hardware, just not made by nintendo. and the joysticks are not wired in, they are plugged in so you can replace them if they break).
6:11 I assume if you were to take the new connector with the original one again out for some reason, the 10NESCHIP will be re-enabled.
I'm thinking of getting one. Do you recommend also cleaning the contacts on the board before attaching the connector?
Brian Schwartz Yes.
Nice! I may try getting a for-repair console at some point and picking one of these up.
Awesome video man I might take out my old NES and clean it up do this... ;)
WarriorKiyo Go for it. :)
how long does this usually take to arrive? i just ordered mine, i live in the US and super excited cause i went through hell and back finding a nes that still worked but i want to keep it working.
+WrathofHiei Not sure, I think they're based out of California, if that helps.
super excited. it is so amazing that someone finally has a solution for this.
I saw gametech.us talk about the BLW, Looks cool and is a great alternative to replacing the 72-pin or boiling it for problem consoles that don't work better after a good clean of the system and games, not to mention the CIC disabling capability. I've been lucky with my NES, and it even works without having to push the game down at all. I don't know if the 72-pin was replaced or something (Got it off ebay a few years ago), but by not pushing them down I expect it will help it last longer. Great Video!
Michael Burgwin Thanks for watching!
I 'd prefer if they still attached it to the motherboard, then to loading tray. it seems like you'd be stressing out that board putting carts in and out. Is that a problem at all?
It is still attacked to the mother board. Nothing really changes here except the angle of the pin connector. The new tray stabilizes everything.
I haven't even finished the vid----and I already like it !!! Have to shower, but will continue...
Murdock Trashbag Thanks. Hope the shower went well.
Does this not void the warranty?
newgamer85 The warranty on a 30 year old console? What you smokin?
Dr. Steve Brule Really i had no idea :)
+newgamer85 Nintendo has a 12 month warranty. Most of us will have an NES that is long past that by this point since it's not even sold in stores anymore. And I doubt a warranty will apply at this point if you find an unopened NES on eBay or something.
@@joeyplays9443 I thought NES came with a 90 day warranty
Seems pretty cool. I would consider getting one of these if I had a shitty old NES that hardly loads the games but the one I've got is in pretty good shape it loads up the games pretty quick.
I just yesterday bought a new 72 Pin and disabled the lockout chip and then i get onto UA-cam today to see a better fix... haha I may still invest in it though because you never know when these new 72 pins will wear down. Btw the new pin gives me issues when putting in and taking out carts as well but will eventually wear in and not be an issue, could the same thing happen with this new connector?
Painmaster212 Possible, but yet another reason to use Game Genie.
Hey Adam! I see two versions of this listed on their site for the same price. Do you know if there is any difference between the two?
•Finn• As far as I can tell there isn't a difference.
Here's something noteworthy about Shenmue, A cancelled online game for PC named Shenmue Online which might have been the basis for Shenmue III. Here's something taken from wikipedia: In 2004, Shenmue Online was announced to be development in joint venture between Sega Japan and JC Entertainment of Korea.[1] A private beta testing period was due to begin in Korea in November 2005, with a public beta in China in spring 2005, before a release later in 2005.[2] When Shenmue Online was first announced, under the development of JC Entertainment, the screenshots released were considered by many Shenmue fans to be disappointing graphically, especially as being part of a game series that boasted ground-breaking graphics on the Dreamcast.
In 2005, JC Entertainment pulled out of the development of Shenmue Online, and as they owned 50% of the properties of Shenmue Online, there was legal debate over who had the rights to the game.[3] However, in November 2005, it was confirmed in an interview with Yu Suzuki that even though the Korean company JCE had announced their withdrawal from development, since Shenmue Online is a Sega venture, they will fulfil their duty of completing it. Yu says despite the internet rumours, development is well on its way and following their original goals and target. He adds that Sega Sammy will make an official announcement about its progress in the future.[4]
At the China Joy convention in July 2006 with the development under the guise of a Taiwan based company, a trailer was shown, which showcased features including mini games and combat with marked graphical improvements.[5]
In 2006, 6 new screens from the gameplay along with a 14 minute video were released to the public during the 4th China Expo. These shots showed further improvement on graphical issues, comparing the graphics to other MMOs and even home versions of Shenmue. And things about gameplay (also taken from wikipedia)
layers will join one of three clans, led by Sha Hua, Xiu Ying and Wu Ying, and go through the story by completing tasks given by the leaders. Of course, during the course of the story, each clan will interact with one another in both friendly and hostile situations. Lan Di and Ryo will definitely make appearances in those situations as well.
When asked about the various activities possible in Shenmue II and whether they will make it into Shenmue Online, Yu says that the arcade games will definitely make it in, and 2/3 of the things like working, collecting capsule toys, etc, from Shenmue II will make it into Shenmue Online, along with much more contents exclusive to Shenmue Online. Yu adds that the game will take place not only in Hong Kong and China, but Macau as well, Yu smiled when he was asked what players will be able to do in Macao.
Yu says that QTE's will make it into Shenmue Online; but conceptually, it is impossible to implement the exact same kind of QTE into an online game. So in Shenmue Online, QTE's will be something geared towards an online MMO game, but since the implementation haven't been finalized yet, he can't go into specifics.
Yu states that Shenmue's world is very suitable for online play. Shenmue Online's world will be much bigger than the home versions thus far, including over 1200 buildings/locations, and it will be possible for each player to have his or her own house. Yu adds that he has always been very fond of Chinese culture, so he is very happy that Shenmue is liked by the Chinese gamers. This is why he is making this game for the Chinese market. But from a game perspective, Shenmue Online will include many things that all gamers will be able to enjoy.
I was with this until it said you can't push the game down anymore but that's just me. Glad there is a fix.
I understand that this is the theoretical best solution to the problem, but for those of use who like pushing the cart down, how reliable are the replacement oem style connectors? Or is there a way to fix the original connectors to make it more reliable? Like bending the pins a little?
Kwyjibo O_o Both will work, but neither fixes the problem. Just a band-aid basically.
I need one of these and one of Kevtris's HDMI kit to revive my NES.
I wonder if I can make an eject mechanism to avoid having to use the Game genie as an eject tool. Probably something like a piece of ribbon attached to the game tray to make it easier to pull out, I dunno.
I just got mine today no more fucking blinking light and it plays the game I thought were broken! thank u arcade works!
I just bought an Australian NES (I live in New Zealand, where they were also sold) from a reputable store here, never once has it failed to load a game, and the internals of this thing are spotless. I suspect it's been well-loved and well cared for, but the problems people complain about with the NES seem largely blown out of the water, or they're the amplified criticisms of people who just don't take good care of their stuff. I really don't think the design of the NES is as terrible as people claim it is.
great video once again
Darkstarlightechoes Thanks!
AdamKoralik Just a random, silly question. Does the lid on the NES close when you put in a game, or does it work as if the Game Genie is being used?
Wheels8504 It closes if you don't use the Game Genie.
AdamKoralik Thank you. Just want to keep dust out as much as possible I guess.
I'm surprised you didn't back the KickStarter to begin with. Love the idea and implementation of this, though!
Lakster37 Truth is I had only heard of it recently.
Use alcohol to clean cartridges or any circuit boards. That's what they use in factories that make boards.
write a comment about it.
Pretty smooth flying Fox...
I don't think the Blinking Light Win is any more "forever" than the replica replacement connectors. The replicas are tighter than original and should continue to work as long as you keep it clean.
Also, though it wasn't nearly as good as the A-list games I am truly nostalgic for, Bible Adventures was better than most of the crap on the NES. Not sure why you feel compelled to warn us when there is so much worse out there.
I never used Windex or ammonia. Despite the warning label, Nintendo's own official cleaning kit said to use 50% water and 50% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) if distilled water alone wasn't doing the trick. It always worked. Rubbing alcohol is already watered down and isn't always pure so these days I use 99.9% pure isopropyl from Fry's (meant for cleaning electronics).
You probably should have mentioned why Nintendo wanted to market it like a VCR: the Family Computer was too toy-like and the retailers were hesitant or down-right resistant to carry video games after the market crashed with Atari. Nintendo wanted to sneak it into the retailer's electronics sections as some vaguely futuristic "home entertainment system" instead of a "video game system" and they completed the illusion with the Deluxe system's R.O.B. ("Not a video game! See? It comes with a computerized robot gadget!").
I removed the chip thing and I boiled the pins thing, it increased the perfect load success ratio to like 95% of the times, but, somehow, the thing now works without having to push down the cartridges... go figure... but yeah I guess with this thing you totally revive your console, i suppose.
Awesome!!! I got to get me one of these Adam
Now I wish that I hadn't tossed out my broken NES all of those years ago. I could've bought this and saved it.
Adam Rocks!!!!
does rubbing alcohol work for cleaning cartridges too?
nate Yes, though personally I wouldn't recommend it.
alright, yea i never tried it but i remember that i always thought the old nes nintendo cleaning kit solution always just smelled like rubbing alcohol to me so i figured thats what it was.
i am so tired of the 72pin bullshit! After seeing several videos including your video I sad screw it and ordered 2. They are listed as pre order so there is a wait. I can wait a while in order to end the 72pin nonsense hopefully once and for all.
Thanks for the video. As always you were just straight up honest how you felt about the product good and bad. Such a great thing to see honest reviews.
Quick question I went to the website and it looks like they are selling both separate. I'm not sure I read it right
adam how long did it take for it to arrive and is there any way to track the item?
Adam you don't clean carts and connectors with windex that has ammonia in it I hope, that's just asking for corrosion.