Cartridges

Step-by-step procedure for cleaning the gold fingers on aged Game Boy and SNES cartridges.

Dirty contacts are the most common cause of read errors, failed saves, and games not being detected. Most cartridges respond to a basic IPA clean. Heavily oxidized ones need DeoxIT. For context on what builds up on aged contacts and why IPA alone...

Why aged cartridges accumulate contamination above and below the gold plating, and what the residue actually is.

Most read errors come from the cartridge, not the Operator. Game Boy®, SNES®, and Super Famicom® cartridges are 25-35 years old by now, and their contacts collect contamination above and below the gold plating. For the cleaning procedure itself, see...

How to check if your save battery needs replacing.

Many Game Boy® cartridges rely on batteries to keep save data alive. Here's how to check if your battery is still good. All GB/GBC games with save functionality Some early GBA games with real-time clocks SNES® games with save functionality Games...

How to identify counterfeit cartridges.

Learn to identify reproduction and counterfeit cartridges before and after purchase. Software checks with Playback or Retrace are your first line of defense. They're fast, automatic, and catch most fakes. But they're not a guarantee. For high-value...

How to check your game cartridge for counterfeit markers using Playback or Retrace.

The easiest way to check your game cartridge is to insert it into your Operator device. Playback (on desktop) and Retrace (on mobile) both check for counterfeit markers automatically, analyzing the internal hardware and game data against our...

Tips for purchasing authentic retro games and avoiding fakes.

Buying authentic retro games can be challenging with so many reproductions on the market. Here's how to shop safely and spot potential fakes before you buy. Local retro game stores: Staff can often verify authenticity, and some use Operator devices...

Understanding the hardware inside Game Boy cartridges.

Understanding what's inside your cartridges helps with troubleshooting and appreciating how these classic games work. To inspect the internal components, you'll need: 3.8mm security bit for GB/GBC games Tri-wing screwdriver for GBA games Remove the...

Understanding the hardware inside Super Nintendo cartridges.

Understanding what's inside your SNES® cartridges helps with troubleshooting and appreciating how these classic games work. To inspect the internal components, you'll need: 3.8mm security bit for SNES/Super Famicom® games Remove the screws on the...

How to transfer saves from an Everdrive to your original cartridge.

If you've been playing on an Everdrive and want to continue your progress on an original cartridge, you can transfer your save using the GB Operator. Everdrive devices store saves in a different location and sometimes with a different extension than...

Why reproduction cartridges often have save problems and what you can do.

Reproduction (counterfeit) and rewritable cartridges often experience save issues. Here's why this happens and how to work around it. Official cartridges follow Nintendo®'s specifications exactly. Reproduction manufacturers often modify the save...