NEED HELP with starting a GB/GBC collection!

[muhanad]

I am thinking of starting a GB/GBC collection but I'm worried about the batteries in the carts. I don't want to start collection and have to replace all my batteries. When will all batteries start dying (not clock games)? Is it worth it to start my collection?

What are the pros and cons of using electrical tape for the repair?

Sorry for all the questions

[prfsnl_gmr]

I am playing through Wario Land III right now, and I have not replaced the battery. My copy of Super Mario Land III: Wario Land will not hold a save, however, and I think I need to replace the battery on that one. (That said, my daughter and I are playing back through my 21-year-old copy of A Link to the Past, and it still has my save files from when I was a pre-teen...)

The point is...go ahead and start a Gameboy collection without worrying too much about the batteries. The vast majority of GB and GBC do not have them, and the ones that do have them probably still hold a save. At worst, you may have to replace one or two, but - as far as I know - it is not that difficult a procedure.

[muhanad]

Great response, thanks man!
I figured most had batteries (other than like puzzle games) because most of the games I've played have saves.

So most gb/gbc (NOT GBA) don't have batteries like nes games?
So they use passwords or don't save?
Is there a list or something of the ones w/batteries (i know the obvious ones)?

again sorry for all the questions

[prfsnl_gmr]

Certinly most original Gameboy games do not have a battery, and a large number of them either: (1) do not record your progress; or (2) use a password system. Gameboy Color games are much more likely to contain a battery, and since many Gameboy Color cases are clear, you should be able to see the battery iside of the cartridge. A large number of them do not, however, and since the carts are newer, the batteries are also much more likely to be in working order.

I am not aware of any lists showing which Gameboy games have batteries, but you may be able to find one out there somewhere. I do have a fairly substantial collection of Gameboy games, however, and if you have questions about any particular game, I am happy to answer them.

Finally, I have really enjoyed collecting for the Gameboy and Gameboy Color. The games are relatively inexpensive; there are a lot of way to play your games (i.e., the Gamecube Gameboy Player, the Super Gameboy, and all variations of the original Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and Gameboy Advance); and since the cartridges are so small, even a large collection does not take up much space.

[muhanad]

Wow. Thanks again man. Your responses have been on point and you convinced me to start my collection. I already have a few games, but I'll post when my collection grows.

[BurningDoom]

I know it happens, but personally, I've never had an internal battery fail on me in a game cartridge, yet. As for my Saturn save battery and Dreamcast VMUs, that's a different story.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Wow. Thanks again man. Your responses have been on point and you convinced me to start my collection. I already have a few games, but I'll post when my collection grows.

No problem. I am happy to help out. If you have any other questions, please let us know.

I know it happens, but personally, I've never had an internal battery fail on me in a game cartridge, yet. As for my Saturn save battery and Dreamcast VMUs, that's a different story.

I have had issues with a fewgames, but some of my NES games still hold saves!

[BoneSnapDeez]

I have never come across a dead battery in my collection. Not saying that none of my games have dead batteries, I just haven't encountered it yet. My original Zelda still saves, along with Zelda II, Final Fantasy, all 4 Dragon Warriors... It's really not a problem worth worrying about - and as far as I know batteries aren't that hard to replace and there are even members here who offer their services.

[BurningDoom]

I have never come across a dead battery in my collection. Not saying that none of my games have dead batteries, I just haven't encountered it yet. My original Zelda still saves, along with Zelda II, Final Fantasy, all 4 Dragon Warriors... It's really not a problem worth worrying about - and as far as I know batteries aren't that hard to replace and there are even members here who offer their services.

From what I understand, all it entails is getting a cartridge opening tool (only a couple bucks on eBay), and popping out the old battery and replacing it with a new one after opening it.

[ninjainspandex]

I have never come across a dead battery in my collection. Not saying that none of my games have dead batteries, I just haven't encountered it yet. My original Zelda still saves, along with Zelda II, Final Fantasy, all 4 Dragon Warriors... It's really not a problem worth worrying about - and as far as I know batteries aren't that hard to replace and there are even members here who offer their services.

I actually replaced every single save battery in my collection this weekend. Ebay has tabbed snes cr2032 25 for $19 shipped. It was actually quite fun and easy soldering in new batteries and its comforting to know my games will save for at least another 15 years