Game cleaning expiriment

[Videogamecollector123]

I was thinking of running an experiment to determine which way of cleaning games works the best. I'm not sure if anyone has done this before but I would use a batch of NES games who have their contacts fully cleaned with one method to where it functions on the first go. Then I'll test them again one week later to see if they still function. I was also thinking of just borrowing a microscope to check the amount of corrosion left both on the first test and second test, just to see how quickly it comes back. As for methods of cleaning to try I will use Windex, Alcohol, rubber eraser, and one of those magic erasers also maybe the nail file method. Would like to hear of any other cleaning methods people have tried. Any input on this would be appreciated.

[Taskmaster99]

for all my cartridge games i use the stuff sold on the nintendo repair site. Dont actually remember the site since my last purchase stocked up my cleaning supplies for 6 months.

 

What i use is the white liquid paste stuff they sell which gets the contacts uber clean. Then i follow with the rinse they sell. All my cartridge games work first time every time.

 

In between deep cleanings i use some stuff i found on ebay called classic game clean sold by "The Nerb". I just use a tightly wound q-tip and rub the contacts after playing. I have been doing this method for awhile and have gone a long time before needing to deep clean again.

[Hatta]

The hard part would be controlling for variation in the corrosion on individual carts. I don't think you could do this without using a large number of carts for each method and doing statistics.

[gdement]

The hard part would be controlling for variation in the corrosion on individual carts. I don't think you could do this without using a large number of carts for each method and doing statistics.

That's certainly true, some games get far more worn out than others.

To try to make it fair, the test groups could each consist of a dozen (or more) copies of SMB/Duck Hunt. Or Genesis Madden games, or whatever well-worn, *uncleaned* games you can find in bulk from a seller who wants to get rid of them.

By using the same titles in each group, and a large number of them, the condition of the carts in each group would hopefully even out.

Using your own games (different titles), it might be more difficult to make it fair.

 

I'd do a round of tests before cleaning. Test 1 game from each group, alternating (so as your console gets dirty, it affects all groups more equally). Score the results, then clean and score again. You'll probably want a new connector at some point.

 

 

That's the best I can come up with, but I think it would be difficult to accurately test something like this.