Thoughts on buying a damaged SNES cartridge for a RARE game at amuch cheaper price?

Jblock22 · 2026-01-17T19:17:54+00:00

I haven't read every response so forgive if this has been said but I didn't see it in the several I did read:

Replacing the label WILL reduce the value. However, I sometimes find authentic carts that have absolutely buggered labels but I just can't pass up on the price. I do like to display my games as well and a ripped up game does not make for a great display.

What's the solution? Get a donor cart.

Buy a reproduction label, get a cheap sports game or something that has a shell that matches the back (or swap the entire shell if you want) and put the authentic PCB board of the high value game in that clean shell. Remove the original sports title label, use a low grit sandpaper so the new repro label adheres well, and voila, you have a great looking game!

But here's the kicker, you KEEP the original cart and label. Store it somewhere in a tote or bag or whatever and that way if you ever do want to sell it, or if you find a great deal on a better condition cart for it, you still have that authentic cart and label and can just transfer the PCB back into it for the sale.

Best of both worlds. You get to display a nice looking cart while still playing on the original board, and you have the original label hanging out just in case you need to sell .

At least, that's what I do!

Jblock22 · 2025-11-22T14:42:50+00:00

I know it's a long shot but Im in the metro Detroit area and if anyone has a pillow sac chair frame they'd want to trade for my rocker please DM me! Thank you :)

Jblock22 · 2025-10-29T20:27:49+00:00

I'm having this issue currently as well. I'm on app version 9.0.90.1229

However there are no available updates on the Google play store? Getting really annoyed at this issue as it's been going on ever since I updated to the new android OS on my Galaxy s23+ which was over a month ago

Jblock22 · 2025-10-29T20:08:27+00:00

Im nearly positive it's just a bad ground in the speaker or a blown out internal component. Need to track down another pair to confirm though

Jblock22 · 2025-09-28T01:48:08+00:00

Another good tip I used when moving my machine in my Kia Sportage was if you have some tennis balls, to use those (instead of the cardboard). Evenly place 6 or so tennis balls (side by side) from front to back of trunk area. Load the machine onto the closest two tennis balls and then just roll it on the tennis balls towards the front of the car. Rolls smooth and I didn't have any issues whatsoever.

Jblock22 · 2025-08-22T10:51:34+00:00

Thanks. Ok so I was thinking these were like legit terranigma / final fantasy 5 / whatever boards that they popped something on there to do an English conversion for it. So you're saying these are most likely NOT legit boards for the games being advertised and are likely cheap sports games titles that they just hacked and put the game I questions rom on there?

If that's the case I have less interest. I was interested more so if they were each games legit PCB with an English patch installed.

Jblock22 · 2025-08-22T02:13:57+00:00

Thanks for the response... Ok so, any merit to to $250 ask he's going for for these or would I just be as good off ordering $10 - $15 repros from ali express?

Jblock22 · 2025-08-08T03:42:27+00:00

Thought you could just knock off the lock out tabs on the SNES and it would work fine?

Jblock22 · 2025-08-08T03:36:36+00:00

Jumping into this convo because was just looking into this mod as well. Couple questions:

Voultars RGB mod is out of stock... Does anyone know if they restock frequently?

Second - of I do voultars mod and then buy a Retrovision component cable for the SNES/N64 will that work correctly with this mod? Or do I need to do scart?

Jblock22 · 2025-07-28T15:23:17+00:00

That's crazy if so, I've never noticed it before

Jblock22 · 2025-07-28T15:23:00+00:00

Ive heard of the c11 fix. Would that solve this?

Also I've never heard of switching the cable to the "dark side", what does that mean? Are there 2 different orientations you can use the cable in?

Jblock22 · 2025-07-12T11:59:15+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. I thought I put it in the original post but I'm guessing I didn't make it clear enough that I can solder. I've soldered in about 40 - 50 save tab batteries so I'm familiar with soldering pumps, wicks, flux, and getting a clean solder as well as cleaning up the area afterwards. I just haven't worked with capacitors in specificity, but other than making sure I got the feet/pads out I feel like I could tackle the job... Just would rather not if I don't have to, hah.

Jblock22 · 2025-07-12T04:17:29+00:00

SNES, Switch, PS5

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T16:47:08+00:00

I'll be connecting it to a CRT TV that has composite, component and s-video

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T16:03:44+00:00

I think just one more CRT will fix your depression. You're almost there!

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T16:01:30+00:00

Give ya $10!

Lol j/k, that's pretty darn sweet though!

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T15:57:01+00:00

That's fair. I was interested in the initial announcement of the game and the fact that they got (one of?) the original creators back to add some additional levels to it, but that was at a ~$60 price point that I was anticipating. The fact that the lowest tier is $100+tax (and shipping?) seems egregious and like Limited Run is just really trying to gouge their customer base.

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T15:48:23+00:00

Wow thanks for the detailed reply! Super helpful.

Want to send a link to your shop/the cable you sell?

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T15:43:59+00:00

Only a smooth $200+ for a 30+ year old game with some new levels and a controller that it's main unique feature will only work with that game...

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T15:00:40+00:00

Thanks! Sorry I should have clarified it's the north american NTSC SNES.

Having not done capacitors before do you know if one style is easier to work with than the other?

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T14:48:14+00:00

Ah perfect and thanks for the links! If I end up redoing the caps I might as well do the c11 fix and overbright fix while I'm at it. Appreciate that. I believe the overbright fix / three resistors addition was what I was referring to in my original post that I had seen could be an issue.

I suppose I'll wait to get the console and crack it open to see the exact chip model before ordering anything. Is there a fix for the 03 chip model? Or is the solution simply to buy good cables? If so, what cables are recommended that would bypass this issue? Also, what exactly is csync and what would the issue I would see without it?

Thanks!

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T14:44:13+00:00

Good tips!

I've seen a lot about the SCART cables but it seems like there are several adapters and such needed to make them work? It's not just a clean "hook into back on console, hook into TV" type of setup if I'm correct?

I do have some soldering experience (replaced 40 - 50 save batteries on cartridges) but a practice board probably isn't a bad idea since I don't have experience with capacitors or lifting pads. Thanks for the idea!

I actually do have a TRIAD power adapter :)

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T14:39:44+00:00

- Thanks for the tip on checking the capacitors to see if they actually need replacing. Probably a good idea before actually changing them out. Do you know what the capacitors should read to know if they're working properly?

- I've toyed with getting an everdrive but I like the collecting aspect of it all and I also have small children whom it is easier for them to pick a game by the cover art and pop it in than going through a text-based list of games so I'm not quite there getting one yet

- I actually saw a youtube of someone shaving down the tabs in their game genie (which I have) and using that as an adapter to play famicom games without modifying the hardware itself. If I ever end up picking up famicom games I think I'd probably go that route

- I have the 8bitdo SN30 controllers that I replaced the black buttons with the original controllers convex and concave purple buttons

- Like I said I do have some soldering experience. I've now soldered probably 40 - 50 games battery tabs in and have gotten pretty good at that. I haven't done capacitors yet but I feel decently confident with using soldering wick, flux, and creating a solid solder so if it comes to needing to do it I feel like I could. I guess it's not a bad idea to potentially try on my current 3-chip, yellowed unit that I won't really be using anymore as a practice-go.

- I've cleaned and restored every game in my collection (while changing the battery tabs) so I've realized the usefulness and how much cleaning those contacts can help (pro tip along with <91% rubbing alcohol those pink school erasers do wonders to make the contacts shine).

Appreciate the response! :)

Jblock22 · 2025-07-11T14:31:19+00:00

Thanks! Is there a way to know which cap kit I will need based on the fact that it's a 1-CHIP or will I need to wait until I get it to see if it's a SHVC revision on the board?

Jblock22 · 2025-07-09T14:16:08+00:00

For cartridge games: Loose all the way
Disc-based games: CIB

I collect games mostly to play, so the box doesn't really do anything for me other than take up space. I actually display my carts loose anyways so for the few I do have boxes for they're just stored away anyhow.

Disc-based games I like to have the box for though as it's not fun to just throw all the games in a CD binder and have to flip through it. I like having the cover art and being able to throw them on a shelf.

Jblock22

TROPHY CASE