How does everyone get their NES's to work?

[piku]

I finally brought my NES down to my dorm this weekend and the unit has been giving me nothing but trouble. Not that it hasn't been doing that for the last decade plus, but now it is getting crazy.

I've heard of many different ways to fix this, including bending back the metal pins on the connector (which I've done, though it didn't help at all) to flat out buying a new replacement one.

My question is to those who have taken the second route – do they work at all? I see that this MCM Electronics website is selling them for $7.99, and it seems like a pretty good deal should they work. Any help would be much appreciated, as I have a stack of games here that are just waiting to be played.

[Lordmrw]

I always just put the game underneath my shirt and blew into it. I shit you not, it never failed to work.

[Josh]

I put the game in, and it works.

First time, every time.

[Lordmrw]

You must have some secret powers to do that. Can I be your sudent and learn how? Pleeeeease?

[Click_Stick]

Getting a NES to work is an artform. Blowing in the cart will do very little to nothing if you keep them away from dust.

Here's the trick. It's all about how the cart lines up with the connection in the system. If you have not noticed, you can wiggle the cart a little bit while it's in the system.

If it doesn't work the first time you put the cart in, power off. Then wiggle the cart into a new spot. You should find the sweet spot like that.

Good luck.

[Josh]

Originally posted by Lordmrw
You must have some secret powers to do that. Can I be your sudent and learn how? Pleeeeease?

Sure... buy a top loader, and treat it well.

It will treat you well too...

[JM]

Don't blow into carts!
Q: What are the pins on the cart & the nes made of?

A: Copper.

Copper corrodes when exposed to moisture. Your breath is moist. That is why lots of games don't work.

JM

[piku]

So nobody here has replaced their 72 pin connector?

[Tommy Tallarico]

I push all my NES carts over to the left once I push them down, it rarely fails. My main NES has a new pin connector in it though. Best 8 bucks I ever spent. I can't get a game to not work in it.

[Lordmrw]

Your warnings are coming like 10 years too late. For me to get a top loading Nes, I fear I would have to sell my soul. And although it doesn't seem to do much for me other than let me dance well, I still want to keep it.