Introduction: Fix a Broken Nintendo With an Expired Savings Card

About: My name is Randy and I am a Community Manager in these here parts. In a previous life I had founded and run the Instructables Design Studio (RIP) @ Autodesk's Pier 9 Technology Center. I'm also the author of t…

Perhaps, like me, you have an old NES and have come to discover that no matter how many times you blow into the cartridges, the game just won't load. So, you looked up on the internet how to get your games to load. Using the first tidbit of advice you found, you then tried cleaning off the cartridge with a 50/50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. That seemed to help a little, but now all your game does is flash on and off ad infinitum. Perhaps, like I was, you are now at your wits end?

Well have I discovered the solution for you! Using little more than my expired Duane Reade savings card, I was able to get my games to load each and every time. Follows are instructions on how I managed to fix the NES flashing screen problem. 

Step 1: Insert Your Cartridge

Load your cartridge into the Nintendo as you normally would.

Step 2: Remove Your Expired Savings Card

Remove your expired savings card from your keyring. Take a moment to think about all of the good times that you had together.

Step 3: Bend

Bend your savings card in half. Firmly crease it between your fingers.

Step 4: Wedge

Wedge the savings card between the top of the cartridge and the bottom of the game port.

Step 5: Turn on the Nintendo

Turn on the Nintendo and notice that the red indicator light no longer blinks, but stays on steadily. Also notice that your game is loading.

Tada!

Take a moment to think of all the good times that are yet to be thanks to your expired savings card.

Step 6: Press Start

Press start to begin the first of many long video game sessions.