I picked up a couple used games from the store today. One was Castlevania II for the NES. I brought them home to test, but as usual, I'm having a hard time getting my NES to respond. This isn't new with this game, it does this all the time. I have to try for at least 15 minutes to get the game in just right before it will work. Has anyone else had a similar problem and know of a fix? Or should I start looking on eBay for a replacement?
Broke Ass NES
Hmm. Most of the time, when you have problems with the NES detecting games like that, it's because either:
A. The spring loading mechanism on your NES is worn out, or:
B. The connecter is worn out.
I found a page that will explain how to fix your connector:
http://www.classicgaming.com/features/articles/nesrepair/
As for fixing the spring loader, well, I've never had that problem, myself, so I couldn't tell you, but just fixing the connetors solves 90% of all NES cart detection problems.
If you can track down one of the old Game Genies for NES, using that (with or without codes) usually can help. Back when I had my NES, that was how I fixed the problem of games not loading.
Like Mr. 207 said, getting a NES Game Genie will work because the pins make a much better connection. But, the best way to solve the problem is to replace the connector.
I did this a while back. (you can actually find a thread I made about it in GGD if you dig deep) I bought the 72 pin connector from MCM electronics online, and followed the install guide here: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/dsullo/nes.htm
The guy who hosts that install guide also sells refurbished NES's with new connectors and provides other services/sales.
btw, I wouldn't recommend repairing your NES like that Classic Gaming link says. (by bending the pins)
Originally posted by Mr. 207
If you can track down one of the old Game Genies for NES, using that (with or without codes) usually can help. Back when I had my NES, that was how I fixed the problem of games not loading.
😃 The cheap ways of fixing things quick hehe. I did that for the longest time before i just went out and brought one when I had a NES
Or you could get out the wires and solder to make your own connector. 😉 But buying one from MCM isn't a bad idea and it's cheap.
Buying a Game Genie is the very best thing to do. Go look at a pawn shop, Cash Converters if you're close to one, or a Microplay. If all else fails, to the internet!
Before I got mine, I wouldn't push my game in all the way at the start. I would keep the end of the cartridge as close to the front of my NES as I could so I could still push it down, and often it would scrape against the front as I pushed it down or make a kind of snapping noise, but it never did harm and it tended to make the game work more often.
There was a big discussion about this a long time ago... It was several pages long. With no search, you'd probably have to go back a few dozen pages to find it though...