I bought a copy of Earthbound from eBay. The price was significantly lower than usual and I've wanted this game so bad since I started collecting that I've had multiple dreams of it. Naturally, I jumped on the BIN without noticing the title that said "broken/for parts." I contacted the seller explaining this immediately and he didn't respond and sent the game anyway. I sent him another e-mail asking if I can return it and again, no response.

SO that leaves me with two questions.

1. Do I have any ability to open a claim/whatever it's called?
2. Is there any hope that maybe it can be fixed if I have somebody open it up and take a look at it?

When I put it in my SNES and turn on the power, the screen will either be all green, all blocky, or a mixture of the two when I fuck around with the reset button and jiggle the cart (in hopes that the sideways cart N64 trick will work on SNES haha)

UPDATE!
I shook the cart around and it sounds like the motherboard is loose or something? None of my other SNES games sound that way.

you have to be more careful in reading the description. However, since ebay slurps buyers, you can probably win a case if you open one.

But it's probably super dickish to do that, given that it's my fault, huh?

i'd say so. just relist it as the guy did. you might lose out on a few bucks (or just list it for a little more)

It can PROBABLY be fixed. If everything's still there, who knows it may just need to be cleaned. I would invest in the security bit for the games. They're all over ebay. Does the seller sell a lot of video games? If not, youre more likely to be able to get it cleaned up.

Cool. Also, I think I may have realized what the problem is. The motherboard is loose so when I push the cart into the console, it pushes the motherboard up into the cart so the connector can't grab all of the pins. Does that sound logical or would that not matter?

Have you opened it up to look at the board to see whats loose? It might just need a REALLY good cleaning otherwise...

That would be logical, just hopefully the brackets that hold it in place aren't broken.

Yeah, that's all he sells. I was wondering the same thing, if he'd just be someone that has no idea whether or not it can be fixed. I sent ulasamosa a message to see if he could take a look at it. I really should invest in a few game bits.

That's what I'm thinking. I just wish there was a way to open the fucking thing without a game bit.

hit up JEff (IhavethatPMA)

he had a ton of bits for sale, and cheap too .

i bid $10 shipped on the broke earthbound j/k

Thanks, dude! That's good to know. I'm doing the makeshift pen gamebit thing right now to see if I have any luck haha.

Naturally I'm testing it on Shaq Fu

get the pen real hot and smash it on the screw ? i have heard of that, but never had to try it LOL

^Yeah, I've tried it many times and always failed but Earthbound is important enough to try again!

Edit: Pen worked, got it open. The motherboard is flawless.

Might not actually be an Earthbound Board... Just a thought...

Post some pictures.

So what's the veridict? Are the plastic pieces that hold the board in place broken off? I've had this happen to an NES cart but never an SNES cart. You could pop it into a new shell to play it then...

Edit:  I just opened up an SNES cart and the plastic parts that hold the board in place are on the rear, so if this is the problem you could switch out the back and save the label/front shell.

I don't know if its cheaper than what is selling on ebay, but there is an online store that does sell security bits.
It's www.nintendorepairshop.com... obviously they're main business is repairing old NES and SNES consoles but they do sell security bits, sometimes replacement parts, and their own cartridge cleaning kits which work well. They also sell some games although it appears it's all cheap games.

I've done business with them in the past great little business in Raleigh, NC.

Considered that. I Google image searched Earthbound board and it's identical.


I'll have some up within 15 minutes.

No, they're not broken off but they board is still loose, which is weird.

Is the side of the board without the battery and chips supposed to be sticky? And if not, is it safe to clean that part with rubbing alcohol?

Have you tried to play the game w/o the cart; just stick he board in.

It's safe to clean with rubbing alcohol.

Yeah, I tried that multiple times. I got the static that comes on at the beginning of the game but no dice after that.

Could the stickiness have anything to do with it not working?

I am 100% worthless with anything like this so you guys are awesome for helping.

I had offered $25 on that one, so I'll make you the same offer for now.

I fixed my friend's busted eb cart by transplanting the mask rom to a madden cart, but his would at least boot and run. There was something wrong with the save ram, or another part involved with reading/writing savegames.

Water damage could be the culprit. Soda, kool-aid, etc.

Get a few detailed pictures of the board, we can check for corrosion, or other damage to the chip solder.

^That's what I thought too. I'll post some photos right now.

http://s388.photobucket.com/album...

I made my girlfriend take the photos because she's a photographer.