SNES Help/Questions

[ice445]

So I today found an incredibly clean SNES for only $30 at a local store (with all hookups and a controller). It's very lightly used which is amazing (the bottom still has the factory shine). However, I literally know nothing about this system at all. This is actually my first Nintendo system ever (I started out on PC as a kid and moved to PS1 after that). So naturally, I have some questions (some stupid, others hopefully less so).

First one:
Power on LED is supposed to be red, right? I mean the console works perfectly, although a first I had a game that wouldn't boot. After cleaning the cart contacts with alcohol it fired right up and played. I can also hear what sounds like a tiny piece of plastic floating around inside it if I shake it. However, I'm not sure if it's anything to worry about because as I said, video, picture, and sound were all perfect. Could it just be a piece of debris that fell in the back vent at some point? I'd rather not open it up.

Speaking of that, what do I need to open it? Gamebit? Or is it different?

Third, are there any reliability concerns (mine is a model 001, if that matters)? The one I picked up has zero yellowing whatsoever. Do I need to do anything special to preserve the plastic? Is there any regular maintenance I should be doing? My only real knowledge is CD-ROM media based systems. Basically, how do I give it proper TLC?

I guess the last question is what are some good beatemups and fighting games for the system. I only have super mario world at the moment but naturally want some others. Might as well ask what RPG's are worth playing too (I know Chrono Trigger is supposed to be good but at the moment I'm a bit iffy at paying $60 for just a cart of it).

Thanks. I'll post some pics later if anyone wants/cares, lol.

[Gunstar Green]

Yes the LED is red. It's probably just a piece of debris inside, or a piece of loose plastic. If it works there's nothing to worry about really.

As for the yellowing it might change colors or it might not. Chances are if it lasted this long without changing you're probably good but plastic continues to break down overtime no matter what. There's not really anything you could actively do to prevent it. Keeping it out of direct sunlight may or may not help.

As for reliability. The thing is built like a brick with no moving parts. Just make sure your cartridges are clean before inserting them and you should have no problems with it.

Some Beat'em Ups:

Final Fight series, especially 2 and 3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
Ninja Warriors
Captain Commando
Knights of the Round
King of the Dragons

Some Fighting Games:

Various versions of Street Fighter 2
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Killer Instinct
Mortal Kombat 2
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Fighting Edition
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Figthers
Samurai Shodown
Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle (Well I like it anyway )
Check out this page for more on US released fighters http://www.racketboy.com/retro/nintendo ... in-the-usa

[Ghouls 'n Ghosts]

If you're going to open up the system you will need the 4.5 gamebit. The 3.8 is used to open the cartridges.

Beat em ups? Try these:

The Adventures of Batman & Robin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqaiN2UQxEs

Batman Returns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i380sW3DWuM

[RetroVision]

So I today found an incredibly clean SNES for only $30 at a local store (with all hookups and a controller). It's very lightly used which is amazing (the bottom still has the factory shine). However, I literally know nothing about this system at all. This is actually my first Nintendo system ever (I started out on PC as a kid and moved to PS1 after that). So naturally, I have some questions (some stupid, others hopefully less so).

First one:
Power on LED is supposed to be red, right? I mean the console works perfectly, although a first I had a game that wouldn't boot. After cleaning the cart contacts with alcohol it fired right up and played. I can also hear what sounds like a tiny piece of plastic floating around inside it if I shake it. However, I'm not sure if it's anything to worry about because as I said, video, picture, and sound were all perfect. Could it just be a piece of debris that fell in the back vent at some point? I'd rather not open it up.

Speaking of that, what do I need to open it? Gamebit? Or is it different?

Third, are there any reliability concerns (mine is a model 001, if that matters)? The one I picked up has zero yellowing whatsoever. Do I need to do anything special to preserve the plastic? Is there any regular maintenance I should be doing? My only real knowledge is CD-ROM media based systems. Basically, how do I give it proper TLC?

I guess the last question is what are some good beatemups and fighting games for the system. I only have super mario world at the moment but naturally want some others. Might as well ask what RPG's are worth playing too (I know Chrono Trigger is supposed to be good but at the moment I'm a bit iffy at paying $60 for just a cart of it).

Thanks. I'll post some pics later if anyone wants/cares, lol.

As others said the loose pieces are usually parts of the internal posts where the screws connect to hold the console together. I have found those crack and pieces fall off. If you use the security bit (which works well), make sure you have a longer screw driver to use with the bit for the SNES screw holes are deep. I had some screw drivers that accepted the bit, but were too fat to fit down in the hole to access the screws which hold the shell together. I would make sure you clean all games before you put them in your system. When you take the shell off you can access the systems pins and clean those as well. One thing I have tried for cleaning the system sounds crazy, but if you do it carefully, it works great. Take a credit card or ID card and cover it tightly with a thin sock...you can use one of the ends of the credit card and gently stick it into the console making sure not to go too far and get it stuck. You can also dampen the sock (very slightly). Or get an approved cleaning kit, but most of those are bs. Good luck!

[ice445]

Yes the LED is red. It's probably just a piece of debris inside, or a piece of loose plastic. If it works there's nothing to worry about really.

As for the yellowing it might change colors or it might not. Chances are if it lasted this long without changing you're probably good but plastic continues to break down overtime no matter what. There's not really anything you could actively do to prevent it. Keeping it out of direct sunlight may or may not help.

As for reliability. The thing is built like a brick with no moving parts. Just make sure your cartridges are clean before inserting them and you should have no problems with it.

Some Beat'em Ups:

Final Fight series, especially 2 and 3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
Ninja Warriors
Captain Commando
Knights of the Round
King of the Dragons

Some Fighting Games:

Various versions of Street Fighter 2
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Killer Instinct
Mortal Kombat 2
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Fighting Edition
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Figthers
Samurai Shodown
Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle (Well I like it anyway )
Check out this page for more on US released fighters http://www.racketboy.com/retro/nintendo ... in-the-usa

I saw Killer Instinct at the store where I found this, but because I know nothing the only game I was comfortable getting was Super Mario World (Because who doesn't like that). I'll go back and pick it up and see if they have some of the others.

Also, how have the save batteries on these carts lasted so long? Is replacing a dead battery difficult/expensive at all?

[AppleQueso]

Also, how have the save batteries on these carts lasted so long? Is replacing a dead battery difficult/expensive at all?

I don't know the technical reason as to why these 20 year old batteries have worked so long, but replacing the battery is pretty easy assuming you have some soldiering skill.

Again, you'll need one of those gamebit things. The smaller one. I'd just buy both bits personally.

[ice445]

Also, how have the save batteries on these carts lasted so long? Is replacing a dead battery difficult/expensive at all?

I don't know the technical reason as to why these 20 year old batteries have worked so long, but replacing the battery is pretty easy assuming you have some soldiering skill.

Again, you'll need one of those gamebit things. The smaller one. I'd just buy both bits personally.

I don't even have soldering equipment, lol. Guess that's something I won't be bothering with.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I too, just bought a SNES. Actually got it today. All I know thus far is that Super Metroid is brilliant and you should play it.

[Hobie-wan]

I don't even have soldering equipment, lol. Guess that's something I won't be bothering with.

There are some people here on the board, myself included that can replace batteries for you if needed.

[ice445]

I don't even have soldering equipment, lol. Guess that's something I won't be bothering with.

There are some people here on the board, myself included that can replace batteries for you if needed.

Good to know. Thankfully my collection of 1 game still has a working battery, so no need yet. Lol.