SNES Model 2 Tab Removal for Import Titles

[KoLAddict]

I'm removing the tabs on my SNES so I can play Super Famicom titles. I've got a copy of Chrono Trigger coming, so figured I'd take care of the tabs now.

I have the Gamebit screwdriver, but for some reason I'm being an epic fail with getting the case off, it feels like the screws are rusted on or something, they won't budge (I have both the Gamebit screwdrivers, the smaller one for games and the larger one for the consoles), so I figured I'd take the riskier method of removing the tabs without taking the case off. I got one tab off mostly, there's a bit at the bottom still there, the other one's being a pain, I got somehow like 3/4 of the other tab off and am fighting with the last quarter.

My question is, how much of the tab needs to be off for a Super Famicom game to sit in the console fine? Do they actually hit the bottom plastic of the unit, or is there some space? Curious because if they do sit snug against the bottom, I'll need to figure out how to smooth out the other side most likely. I won't really know for sure til Chrono Trigger gets here.

[elmagicochrisg]

Use a drill, or a flat screwdriver and a hammer...

[Ziggy]

A wood chisel will actually work really well. You wont even need a hammer (assuming the chisel is sharp).

[Niode]

The problem with gamebit screws is they are SUPER fragile. Using a hard metal gamebit adaptor will easily strip the heads if not enough downward pressure is applied whilst turning. You want to remove them ONCE and then just replace with some standard phillips head screws of the same size and thread.

If you are still struggling to remove them I'd highly recommend the BIC trick, where you heat up a BIC biro, then press it onto the screw, wait for the plastic to cool down and harden and then turn whilst using a lot of downward pressure. Get a friend to help with a pair of pliers whilst you push down heavily and turn. I had a couple of stripped screws on an NTSC N64 that I had to do this with, as the previous owner appeared to have tried to get in and utterly failed.

If all else fails, just use a metal drill bit and drill the screws out. Good luck!

[ZenErik]

I used pliers on my SNES. Works great.

[Ziggy]

The problem with gamebit screws is they are SUPER fragile.

Don't forget too that the security bits are usually really shitty as well. My 3.8mm bit is off centered, making it sometimes difficult to remove screws from game paks (I swear, some of the cavities for the screws are smaller on some games paks than others). My 4.5mm bit is centered, but it doesn't fit around the entire screw, it will only sit on top of it, making it very hard to remove screws. A lot of downward pressure is the only way.

[Jamisonia]

I hate gamebits, the screws and the cheap bits they sell us to take em off. I would have changed my gamebits over to philips screws if I was worried people accuse them of being knock off consoles if I ever sole them later. What I do is just push down hard and twist.

[elmagicochrisg]

The problem with gamebit screws is they are SUPER fragile.

Don't forget too that the security bits are usually really shitty as well. My 3.8mm bit is off centered, making it sometimes difficult to remove screws from game paks (I swear, some of the cavities for the screws are smaller on some games paks than others). My 4.5mm bit is centered, but it doesn't fit around the entire screw, it will only sit on top of it, making it very hard to remove screws. A lot of downward pressure is the only way.

Glad I'm not alone...

I've got one of those Zoozen kits, and quite frankly, the bits are shitty...

[KoLAddict]

Thanks all, glad I'm not alone in the difficulty of getting it apart.

I like the flathead/hammer idea, I might have to do that if I don't have enough of it off after tonight. The plier method has mostly worked well, I'm just not using a very small pair of pliers so I don't have as much room to work with unfortunately. Kept tapping the actual cartridge slot which was freaking me out. I tested and Killer Instinct is working still so I didn't mess anything up, just hope the one tab is off enough that I can play Japanese stuff. Otherwise I will be busting out the hammer/flathead. I know we have both of those at home, not sure about a chisel. Have to ask my dad this weekend.

[Ziggy]

The wood chisel will seriously cut through like a hot knife through butter, as cliche as it sounds. I did the flat head and hammer approach before, and thought it was excellent. The last time I did it (recently) was with a chisel. The chisel wins hands down.

You really don't have to worry too much about touching the casing to the cart slot, it's grounded anyways. That doesn't mean you can stick a screw driver in the slot or something, obviously. But accidentally bumping the outside casing with a screw driver or whatever will have no effect. As a precaution, and you should do this every time regardless, unplug the power from the SNES then turn the power switch on for at least a full minute to drain all the power from it.