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Ya I knew that. I learned that the hard way after my snes games started erasing the save data when I powered off the system. My nes was fairly dead by that poin

Ya I knew that. I learned that the hard way after my snes games started erasing the save data when I powered off the system. My nes was fairly dead by that point so i missed those. Then I learned my n64 games would be next.... :( I just couldn't figure why fairly modern CNC machines used the same technology as old video game cartridges.

kakarot 8y ago
When did they start erasing your save data? I have a few SNES titles that still save correctly. It depends on if they used SRAM at all, or how the SRAM was used. For example, Pokemon was notorious for killing its SRAM battery early because of running things like a real-time clock. SRAM itself doesn't take a whole lot of juice. Also don't worry too much about your n64 games, most of them used EEPROM instead of SRAM. Some NES and SNES cartridges used EEPROM too, but it was much more expensive at the time. If you have any soldering skills, or even if you don't, picking a up a few batteries and a soldering iron is dirt cheap and you could fix your old games pretty easily.
- Pulcinella 8y ago
  I’ve heard that Nintendo’s standard was that the battery should last ten years, but I don’t I don’t how true that is. They definitely last much longer. I would imagine that the chemistry in the battery would have a problem (e.g. corrosion) before it runs out of energy.
  - aidenn0 8y ago
    My free with Nintendo power dragon warrior cartridge[1] still saves. In fact of about 20 NES carts with save games, only 1 has needed a battery so far. I expect most to die soon though. 1990; it's the one game I know the year I got it for sure, since it was a promontional giveaway.
Scoundreller 8y ago
There are methods to hot-swap the batteries without losing your saves. The annoying thing is that you need a soldering iron on the games. The CNC machine probably doesn’t.

kakarot 8y ago

When did they start erasing your save data? I have a few SNES titles that still save correctly. It depends on if they used SRAM at all, or how the SRAM was used. For example, Pokemon was notorious for killing its SRAM battery early because of running things like a real-time clock. SRAM itself doesn't take a whole lot of juice. Also don't worry too much about your n64 games, most of them used EEPROM instead of SRAM. Some NES and SNES cartridges used EEPROM too, but it was much more expensive at the time. If you have any soldering skills, or even if you don't, picking a up a few batteries and a soldering iron is dirt cheap and you could fix your old games pretty easily.

Pulcinella 8y ago
I’ve heard that Nintendo’s standard was that the battery should last ten years, but I don’t I don’t how true that is. They definitely last much longer. I would imagine that the chemistry in the battery would have a problem (e.g. corrosion) before it runs out of energy.
- aidenn0 8y ago
  My free with Nintendo power dragon warrior cartridge[1] still saves. In fact of about 20 NES carts with save games, only 1 has needed a battery so far. I expect most to die soon though. 1990; it's the one game I know the year I got it for sure, since it was a promontional giveaway.

Scoundreller 8y ago

There are methods to hot-swap the batteries without losing your saves. The annoying thing is that you need a soldering iron on the games. The CNC machine probably doesn’t.