take a multimeter and check from the edge connector to each pin to verify every single pin is still connected where its supposed to be. sometimes the cartridge wears down on the board and breaks a trace. specifically the 14th pin/trace on the backside, counting from the left. basically the opposite side of where it says chr. definitely reflow that smd chip too.
Watching this had me double checking my copy of Batman ROTJ. My copy looked like new inside with no obvious damage. I had tried all the methods demonstrated in the video with no luck. I thought I had a bad rom. After reading this comment, I checked the traces and found a bad one right near the spot you mentioned. Fixed it and the game works perfect. Thank you very much!! And thank you @JohnRiggs for posting this video!
Refer to a pinout of the cart connector and each chip and use a multimeter to check for continuity between the connector and the pins they're supposed to connect to. If any don't have continuity use a bodge wire to repair.
Oh snap....is that MASK I saw by your TV? I loved the motorcycle that turned into a helicopter. Got that for my 9th birthday I think. Another Riggs induced flashback, my man 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
I do see that Batman ROTJ uses PRG-RAM as well. Thats the fujitsu chip, next to the FME-7 mapper. Fujitsu RAM are known to bite the dust, so maybe you can replace it with a different RAM chip.
Same in the arcade hobby / business. Too many Fujitsu chips from certain batches or years are suspects. One arcade game I was attempting to repair had missing signals on one side of a Fujitsu LS series chip (May have been an 74LS161 if my memory works) and active signals on the other side. Using a logic probe is very handy for that, especially on a large arcade game PCB. I used my Hakko desoldering pump to remove the chip, soldered in a socket and installed a used chip that tested good in my IC Tester (fairly cheap on eBay but very handy) and tested the old chip which was definitely bad. I powered up the PCB and had some life. I tested for more missing or floating signals and found a few more Fujitsu chips that had failed. Remove, add socket, test chip (fail) and install a working one.. it took about an hour but I got the game PCB working. Sometimes it’s a lot more difficult but sometimes it’s simple. Cartridges haven’t got much to fail, so the testing can go quickly but can also be difficult if you don’t have a console opened up so you can apply power and see the results on the screen or on the logic probe.. some times I’ll even drag out the oscilloscope to watch the signal patterns, but most problems are easily tracked down with a logic probe for around $25.
Once in a while you can get a little wiggle room between the cartridge and the game consul so if you take the cartridge and goes far as you can to the right or the left sometimes I have good luck with that when they doesn’t work It seems to work for me sometimes it’s like the pins don’t lineup right
Don't lose hope. I'm wondering if Transplanting to a Famicom donor that has the Sunsoft 5A or 5B would work. There's extra ram on the RotJ board though.
I have a handful of carts for the NES, and even a couple for the N64 that were horrible, either filthy beyond belief, or corroded. I have a copy banjo-tooie that had pretty badly corroded pins that IPA did nothing to. I had to use vinegar to get rid of the corrosion.ey all worked after cleaning.
Return of The Joker is definitely the superior title compared to Batman Returns. Huge sprites, smooth gameplay and a great soundtrack to boot. Almost looks like an early Super Nintendo game.
@@nickparsons337 I can still remember not believing my eyes when I rented it as a kid, especially on the last stage with the wind blowing the trees on the island.
As the gatekeeper of cleaning video game pins, I think you cleaned it wrong. lol :-P I kid, it's always weird, usually comes down to probably a board swap like you touch on.
I wonder if it's something with the way that the Batman Return of the Joker carts were manufactured that is the issue, because I think this is the 3rd time you tried fixing one. I owned this game as a kid and took great care of it through the years and it just stopped working one day. I gave it to you to fix at LI Retro Gaming Expo 2023 and you had no luck getting it to work, unfortunately. Too bad we can't get some stats on what the percentage rate is of these particular carts not working.
![[WR] Banjo-Tooie 100% Speedrun in 4:13:14 (RTA)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sbBxiw0Ehfk/mqdefault.jpg)
Travel better with better coffee. Head to aeropress.com/JRIGGS and save 20% off your order! Thanks to AeroPress for sponsoring today’s video!
Oh i know no more purchasing game copies.....without aero coffee...or something like that lol 😊😊
take a multimeter and check from the edge connector to each pin to verify every single pin is still connected where its supposed to be. sometimes the cartridge wears down on the board and breaks a trace. specifically the 14th pin/trace on the backside, counting from the left. basically the opposite side of where it says chr. definitely reflow that smd chip too.
And also get a cheap thermal cam attachment for the phone
@@jazzjohannes yep, thats another good way to check
Watching this had me double checking my copy of Batman ROTJ. My copy looked like new inside with no obvious damage. I had tried all the methods demonstrated in the video with no luck. I thought I had a bad rom. After reading this comment, I checked the traces and found a bad one right near the spot you mentioned. Fixed it and the game works perfect. Thank you very much!! And thank you @JohnRiggs for posting this video!
Also use a little no-clean flux for better reflow.
Refer to a pinout of the cart connector and each chip and use a multimeter to check for continuity between the connector and the pins they're supposed to connect to. If any don't have continuity use a bodge wire to repair.
Oh snap....is that MASK I saw by your TV? I loved the motorcycle that turned into a helicopter. Got that for my 9th birthday I think.
Another Riggs induced flashback, my man 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
We love you Mr. Riggs, God bless you and your family🙏
I do see that Batman ROTJ uses PRG-RAM as well. Thats the fujitsu chip, next to the FME-7 mapper. Fujitsu RAM are known to bite the dust, so maybe you can replace it with a different RAM chip.
Same in the arcade hobby / business. Too many Fujitsu chips from certain batches or years are suspects. One arcade game I was attempting to repair had missing signals on one side of a Fujitsu LS series chip (May have been an 74LS161 if my memory works) and active signals on the other side. Using a logic probe is very handy for that, especially on a large arcade game PCB. I used my Hakko desoldering pump to remove the chip, soldered in a socket and installed a used chip that tested good in my IC Tester (fairly cheap on eBay but very handy) and tested the old chip which was definitely bad. I powered up the PCB and had some life. I tested for more missing or floating signals and found a few more Fujitsu chips that had failed. Remove, add socket, test chip (fail) and install a working one.. it took about an hour but I got the game PCB working. Sometimes it’s a lot more difficult but sometimes it’s simple. Cartridges haven’t got much to fail, so the testing can go quickly but can also be difficult if you don’t have a console opened up so you can apply power and see the results on the screen or on the logic probe.. some times I’ll even drag out the oscilloscope to watch the signal patterns, but most problems are easily tracked down with a logic probe for around $25.
Once in a while you can get a little wiggle room between the cartridge and the game consul so if you take the cartridge and goes far as you can to the right or the left sometimes I have good luck with that when they doesn’t work It seems to work for me sometimes it’s like the pins don’t lineup right
Please Doctor John (!) I've loved this game since I was a child, do ANYTHING you can to save it... I just can't bare to SEE him like this!
Your awesome john take care man really enjoy your content man
Carbon scoring !
I'd love to take a crack @ repairing this.
Love these, I just fixed a long lost game using your technique! Thank you.
Don't lose hope. I'm wondering if Transplanting to a Famicom donor that has the Sunsoft 5A or 5B would work. There's extra ram on the RotJ board though.
I have a handful of carts for the NES, and even a couple for the N64 that were horrible, either filthy beyond belief, or corroded. I have a copy banjo-tooie that had pretty badly corroded pins that IPA did nothing to. I had to use vinegar to get rid of the corrosion.ey all worked after cleaning.
Try touching up the square chip the one up top
2:20 The median age of all people is currently about 30.6 years old. You've probably been fixing games longer than MOST people have been alive.
Not me😊
I’m 43 and I feel ancient lol
Non conductive I believe is the term you were seeking
Batman- Return of The Joker is one of the most Underrated Batman game on the NES next to Batman Returns
Return of The Joker is definitely the superior title compared to Batman Returns. Huge sprites, smooth gameplay and a great soundtrack to boot. Almost looks like an early Super Nintendo game.
@@nickparsons337 I can still remember not believing my eyes when I rented it as a kid, especially on the last stage with the wind blowing the trees on the island.
@@nickparsons337 yep
@@kcant65 That last stage is hard as nails
As the gatekeeper of cleaning video game pins, I think you cleaned it wrong. lol :-P I kid, it's always weird, usually comes down to probably a board swap like you touch on.
A comment last year said to replace Transistors x4 and r1? Maybe do another video with you replacing those transistors so we can see it work?
4:48 the Super Nintendo 64!
I wonder if it's something with the way that the Batman Return of the Joker carts were manufactured that is the issue, because I think this is the 3rd time you tried fixing one. I owned this game as a kid and took great care of it through the years and it just stopped working one day. I gave it to you to fix at LI Retro Gaming Expo 2023 and you had no luck getting it to work, unfortunately. Too bad we can't get some stats on what the percentage rate is of these particular carts not working.
I spray as much as possible
Nice attempt John!
Where is our MASK revival already??? We've had 3 too many Transformers movies already but not one reboot of the MASK!
Blow on it. Put it in the freezer if that doesn't work. -PGX friend
A valiant effort
Bring back the skullet
I learned about brightboy from you and it works wonders cleaning those pins
Dr Riggs Open Cart Surgery
Batman: Return of The Joker 🃏 should get some respect. 😀👍🎮
If u said you've seen it working without the capacitor, just take it out and test it 🤷♂️
I use a fiberglass scratch pen 👀
Can't win them all.
Brite Boy should sponsor you. I use it based on your recommendation.
john riggs are you coming to really rad in fl this weekend?
were you gonna make a retro game con syracuse ny video this year?
DTA man, iykyk.
You ever try Mr clean magic eraser??
Hi Riggs how you doing
Wow 😮.
maybe it was a fake cartridge ?
Trash coffeee
Come on, bro. I like your content, but all the ads and plugs, you got to fix the thing by the end. No resolution happens too often!