04-03-2019, 01:47 PM
Feature: Your Beloved Games Console Is Slowly But Surely Dying
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Screenshot 2019 04 01 At 16.28.49" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/screenshot-2019-04-01-at-16-28-49.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/screenshot-2019-04-01-at-16-28-49.900x.jpg" alt="Screenshot 2019 04 01 At 16.28.49"></a></figure>
<p>“Everything put together falls apart” is the kind of sage-like adage that you often hear elderly relatives offering up over the dining table in-between moaning about Brexit and discussing the weather, and is a phrase most people under the age of 30 will surely dismiss out of hand, but for me personally – as someone who hits the ripe old age of 40 this year – it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore, for more reasons than one.</p>
<p>If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a sizeable collection of treasured retro systems, ranging right back to your childhood (my first love was the Mega Drive) to more recent curiosities (last year’s big retro purchase was a Japanese GameCube complete with <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/10/hardware_review_eon_gchd_gamecube_hdmi_adapter">HDMI connector</a>). While I’m keenly aware of the fragility of optical media and the sensitive hardware required to read such discs, I’ve always laboured under the impression that anything cartridge-based is near-invincible, and is still going to be in good working order when I’m touching 80 – at which point I’ll no doubt be getting comments from <a class="external" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMy1zO8m8sM">Elijah Wood-style punks</a> mocking me for ‘using my hands’ to play my ‘baby’s toy’ (if I’m still in any position at that age to even do so, of course).</p>
<p>My recent wake-up call came as I pulled together my review for the superb <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/03/hardware_review_analogue_mega_sg_forget_the_mega_drive_mini_this_is_the_real_deal">Analogue Mega Sg</a>, an FPGA-based clone system that accurately replicates the performance of Sega’s Mega Drive / Genesis – right down to the point where it’s possible to connect the system to a Mega CD add-on. It’s at this point I was given a sobering lesson in how vintage hardware is slowly but surely dying.</p>
<p>The Mega Sg and Mega CD simply refused to play nice with one another, and for one brief moment, I actually assumed this was the fault of Analogue’s brand-new system – the foolishness of which <em>really</em> hits home as I type it out. I was placing the blame on a system that had just rolled off the production line, rather than a piece of technology that’s <em>over a quarter of a century old</em>. In my defence, the Mega CD works fine with my original Mega Drive, but this fact was simply masking problems which needed addressing, and fast.</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Where the magic happens: Lock's workshop" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/c9c3f0c17cba3/where-the-magic-happens-locks-workshop.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/c9c3f0c17cba3/where-the-magic-happens-locks-workshop.900x.jpg" alt="Where the magic happens: Lock's workshop"></a><figcaption class="caption">Where the magic happens: Lock’s workshop</figcaption></figure>
<p>Even when I approached <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan">Simon Lock</a>, someone I’ve followed on Twitter for years thanks to his fascinating documentation of retro repair jobs he’s undertaken, I was still of the opinion that while my beloved Mega CD <em>might</em> be to blame, it was perhaps more down to it being a hardware revision that the folks at Analogue hadn’t encountered previously, hence the weird issues. All it took was a few photos of the inside of the Mega CD – snapped at Lock’s behest – to totally destroy that mindset and send me spiralling down a rabbit hole of retro gaming despair.</p>
<p>Lock is, for want of a better term, a technological wizard. He has repaired countless machines over the past few years, many of which were seemingly destined for the scrapheap. He’s got a fondness for Sega’s ’90s hardware, and has resurrected Famicom, Famicom Disk System, Twin Famicom, NEO-GEO AES, MVS, Master System, <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan/status/1039268314227388418">PC Engine Duo</a>, Mega Drive, <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan/status/1100882593493540864">Multi-Mega</a>, <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan/status/1100858487930843137">Saturn Mk1/Mk2</a>, PlayStation, and PlayStation 2 consoles during his career.</p>
<p>I knew that Lock’s speciality was Mega CD systems, hence my initial contact. His rather grim reaction to the photos I snapped told me all I needed to know – the news wasn’t good. The irony is that prior to my experience with the Mega Sg, I’d assumed my Mega CD had many, many years of active service ahead of it; purchased a few years ago from eBay, the Japanese Mk1 model had been ‘refurbished’ by the seller, with a fresh CD drive belt fitted and a full service thrown in for good measure. Until the Mega Sg arrived, I thought my Mega CD was in good health.</p>
<p>Lock quickly identified several key issues with my unit, some of which could be the cause of the incompatibility with the Analogue Mega Sg. He totally shattered my belief that retro consoles are, by and large, indestructible; it’s a reality check he’s used to handing out. “I do encounter a lot of opinions of ‘well, mine has been well looked after’ and ‘mine still works from new’,” he explains. “Sadly, how well you look after something doesn’t always mean that internally you have a system absent of perishable components; via age, humidity or design longevity/manufacturer component quality of that era.”</p>
<aside class="gallery">
<div class="col"><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/dae59f01e216e/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/dae59f01e216e/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/9aa87f70b9f73/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/9aa87f70b9f73/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a></div>
<div class="col"><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/76b07b6537618/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/76b07b6537618/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/b3aebeef04f5a/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/b3aebeef04f5a/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a></div>
<p class="caption">Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems</p>
</aside>
<p>It’s a difficult pill to swallow, especially when it’s perfectly possible to find an Atari 2600 in a charity shop that’s in (seemingly) good working order; when a console from the ’70s is still capable of functioning today, it’s easy to see why retro collectors – like myself – have been lulled into a false sense of security. Sadly, the tech inside our most treasured machines is, like any other piece of hardware, slowly but surely falling apart, and it’s not just one issue – these platforms are being attacked on several fronts at once.</p>
<p>“Surface mount technology/device (SMT/SMD) electrolytic capacitors from the late ’80s to mid-to-late ’90s era hardware are one of the most common problems,” says Lock. “This design, over through-hole packages of the era, improved upon assembly times and allowed for further assembly automation. Sadly, the design had limitations with the smaller package size during that era; the di-electric fluid is prone to becoming more volatile over time, leak protection was not as reliable as it is today and the design does not allow for top venting in the event of component failure. This causes the fluid to leak out onto the printed circuit board directly where it reacts with metals – such as copper traces or brass screws – resulting in damage. This can lead to breaks in the circuit or worse, an unintended bridge or shorts in the circuit.” This particular issue was present inside my Mega CD; Lock likened the impact to “pouring tiny metered doses of full sugar Coca-cola onto the circuit board” – <em>gulp.</em></p>
<p>Batteries found inside certain consoles can also cause problems if left unattended. “These also break down with their contents being highly volatile as time goes on,” Lock continues. “Many systems have batteries mounted above or soldered directly onto the board which means when it fails, the contents will spill out onto the board. Some systems have internally housed batteries within integrated circuits for keeping time, save data or even decryption keys. Once these have failed, the system will either function incorrectly or not at all.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="The Sega Mega CD is one of Lock's favourite systems – and one he's used to seeing for repair" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/93a8e39597270/the-sega-mega-cd-is-one-of-locks-favourite-systems-n-and-one-hes-used-to-seeing-for-repair.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/93a8e39597270/the-sega-mega-cd-is-one-of-locks-favourite-systems-n-and-one-hes-used-to-seeing-for-repair.900x.jpg" alt="The Sega Mega CD is one of Lock's favourite systems – and one he's used to seeing for repair"></a><figcaption class="caption">The Sega Mega CD is one of Lock’s favourite systems – and one he’s used to seeing for repair</figcaption></figure>
<p>Voltage regulators can also fail over time, mostly due to the amount of heat they produce during normal use. “A favourite found in mid-’80s to mid-’90s systems is the 7805-based linear voltage regulator, which takes typically takes 8.5V to 12V DC input voltage to output 5V used by the system internally. NEC parts of this type are particularly ‘replace on sight’ due to their build age and operational lifetime. When this part beings to fail, voltage output can drop or spike high causing the system to become unstable and this places strain on other components in the system. When it fails, they can fail open (no output) or closed (input goes to ground, or worse, output); the latter can be catastrophic. Areas of a system that have high exposure to heat cause more rapid wear on other perishable components, such as electrolytic capacitors. Some systems have these capacitors positioned right next to voltage regulator components, which are very prone to causing localised component failure.”</p>
<p>We’re not out of the woods yet, either. As well as the tech found <em>inside</em> your console, the power supply you use to bring it to life can also become a serious problem as the years roll by. “There is a school of thought that dictates you should <em>only</em> use the original manufacturer supplied external PSU with the system it was shipped with, or an authorised replacement,” says Lock. “Whilst this was true for many systems at the time of manufacture – though not all, the Amstrad GX4000 being a notable example – these also experience age and heat-related component failure, with the result causing damage to systems there are used with. I would advocate not using an original external PSU for systems produced in the ’90s or earlier, unless it has been fully serviced by a qualified professional.”</p>
<p>We’ve already touched upon issues with optical media-based systems, but it’s worth highlighting that often, problems with CD and DVD-based consoles are more likely to do with moving parts than the actual laser which reads the disc. “Typically, if you look up a system with moving parts, the word ‘maintenance’ will be mentioned,” Lock comments. “The same is true for mechanical optical drive systems. Lubricants perish over time, plastic becomes more resistive to movement and belts driving the system also perish under the increased strain. What commonly gets attributed to ‘laser failure’ is more often than not a mechanical issue rather than an electrical component one. Original grease can break down into a tacky or even resin-like compound resulting in significant wear on other parts of the system unless serviced – including belts, guide rails, and tracking motors.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Older systems, like the Atari 800 XL, have also found themselves on Lock's operating table" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/67e9b3e079d5e/older-systems-like-the-atari-800-xl-have-also-found-themselves-on-locks-operating-table.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/67e9b3e079d5e/older-systems-like-the-atari-800-xl-have-also-found-themselves-on-locks-operating-table.900x.jpg" alt="Older systems, like the Atari 800 XL, have also found themselves on Lock's operating table"></a><figcaption class="caption">Older systems, like the Atari 800 XL, have also found themselves on Lock’s operating table</figcaption></figure>
<p>The final issue is one that the more squeamish amongst you may want to avoid reading. “If you store a console for long enough dormant, something is going to make it a nice new home for their offspring,” says Lock with a grin. “It’s all too common to find insects and arachnids – or worse – making your vintage hardware a new nursery in which to raise their family. This is a common discovery for systems stored in attics, garages and sheds, where human presence is inconsistent. This can obviously have all sorts of implications for your system.” Er, <em>yuck</em>.</p>
<p>Storage is, ironically, another thing that can damage your console. We may assume that a classic system tucked away in an attic or garage is safe and sound, but that’s often far from the truth. “Storing your devices outside of a consistent room temperature environment can lead to issues, along with temperature extremes during seasonal changes,” Lock explains. “Excess moisture will lead to corrosion on vulnerable materials – especially an issue with PAL systems which are subject to RF shielding regulations for sale, requiring all or part of the system to be enclosed within (often poor quality) metal coverings inside. Summer heat can have a drastic effect on heat sensitive materials – such as cables and packaging – and components, batteries especially. Plastics prone to yellowing due to high bromine content in their make-up are especially vulnerable to having excess heat and humidity accelerate the process.”</p>
<p>Out of all the machines Lock has worked on, he says there are a few which crop up more often than most. The Mega CD, which we’ve already touched upon, is a serial offender. “Suface Mount Device capacitor failure on the main board can lead to erratic behaviour, loss of functionality or total system failure,” he explains. “Typically, this also leads to the rechargeable ML2016 battery failing as a result. The NEC 2405 (7805 design) voltage regulator overheats and can cause accelerated local component failure, especially to the nearby capacitors.”</p>
<aside class="gallery">
<div class="col"><a title="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/f7e9ec1b3fb8d/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/f7e9ec1b3fb8d/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.603x495.jpg" width="603" height="495" alt="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s"></a></div>
<div class="col"><a title="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/7cc16bddf7822/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/7cc16bddf7822/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.292x245.jpg" width="292" height="245" alt="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s"></a><a title="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/14fdcb9a3e4bd/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/14fdcb9a3e4bd/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.292x245.jpg" width="292" height="245" alt="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s"></a></div>
<p class="caption">Some of Lock’s ‘Greatest Hits’ – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it’s from the 1880s, and not the 1980s</p>
</aside>
<p>Outside of the Mega CD, Nintendo’s famous 8-bit console is one of Lock’s most regular repair jobs. “The NES is plagued by oxidation and corrosion issues, resulting in deposited material inside the ‘Zero Insertion Force’ system on front loading systems, typically occurring due to cartridge ‘Game PAK’ storage and use conditions,” he says. “Sadly, a culture of gamers spit-blowing on their Game PAKs to offer a short-term remedy to this hasn’t helped matters as the systems get older. While this type of issue can occur with just about any cartridge-based system, especially if the games are stored loose, it’s a cultural practice with the NES.”</p>
<p>So how does Lock go about bringing these machines back from the dead – or at least prolonging their lifespans? “Typically I like to do my homework first,” he replies. “I like to know the use history of a particular system if possible; who owned it before? Has it been worked on previously? Has it had faults before? If it’s been stored; if so, where and how? This information can prove to be vital in getting an idea of what state the system is in before it arrives. If the owner is confident to do so, I will sometimes ask for photos of specific areas inside of a system to aid potentially diagnosing the fault.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="This Mk1 Master System has seen better days" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/8a31f69e18aa8/this-mk1-master-system-has-seen-better-days.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/8a31f69e18aa8/this-mk1-master-system-has-seen-better-days.900x.jpg" alt="This Mk1 Master System has seen better days"></a><figcaption class="caption">This Mk1 Master System has seen better days</figcaption></figure>
<p>“The next step will usually involve some research into the system, known common issues, locating a service manual if available, finding service bulletins if applicable (documented changes made by the manufacturer/service centres during the product’s life span to resolve accepted issues) and consulting any documented hardware wiki for additional information. When the unit arrives, I check for evidence that the system may have been worked on, modified or opened before (if unknown). I also like to visually inspect any input/output connections as that can be a clue to how the unit has been stored. I then open the unit and look for obvious signs of potential damage; natural or unnatural. This can act as a roadmap to a fault. If something is found immediately, it is checked to see if it could have any impact on what the user is reporting as wrong with the system.”</p>
<p>With a cursory check out of the way, the meat of the work can begin. “Next is onto general checks for the condition of component health, checking fuses, DC-input connectors, power trigger and activation components, whether there is no resistance (direct path) or incredibly low resistance between the voltage supply and ground (short to ground). Some systems will fall into the known faults category where all known service issues are corrected first before moving onto looking for other issues. If no obvious fault is found or known issues are corrected, I move onto powering the system on to observe behaviour. Some issues only appear after the system has been running for a period of time, others can go away after a short amount of time and some are immediate. Issues to do with voltage supply, CPU, RAM and address lines are typically immediately identifiable. Some systems may have issues with custom ICs that require donor parts from other failed systems, or are sadly not repairable. I usually go over any areas that required work under a microscope to ensure that no other faults are waiting to occur within the problem area. Abnormal audio issues and intermittent graphical issues can be a lengthy repair process.”</p>
<p>Lock clearly does an incredibly thorough job; you only need gaze at his Twitter feed and see all of the photos he posts to see the meticulous manner in which he restores these classic systems. But how much difference does all of this work actually make? How many more years does it add to a console’s lifespan?</p>
<p>“That can be very difficult to say,” replies Lock. “These systems are not getting any younger, so new faults previously not encountered do sadly appear. If modern equivalent parts are used then you have the OEM’s part lifetime to go by – on average, aluminium electrolytic capacitors are estimated to last up to 15 years, for example, while coin batteries up to 10 years. The big issue that occurs is when custom ICs fail. We currently see this with Nintendo PPU and CPU on NES/Famicom, PPU1/PPU2 and CPU on SNES and various BUS related ICs on NEO-GEO systems, SID’s on the C64 – to name but a few. Replacement parts are usually obsolete or proprietary designs with parts coming from other more unfixable systems are donors, which can also develop similar issues eventually. Some community members have engineered replacement, alternative or open source replacements for these ICs that can be used to restore systems to working order. This is encouraging and something I love to see. Alternatively, we’re seeing a significant rise in cycle-accurate or emulated systems being produced to fill the void created by the lack of working systems available or those seeking for modern creature comforts/improvements on hardware original designs.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Home computers like the Commodore 64 and Vic-20 are really showing their age in 2019; careful servicing is required to keep them running perfectly" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/3627ef73edba0/home-computers-like-the-commodore-64-and-vic-20-are-really-showing-their-age-in-2019-careful-servicing-is-required-to-keep-them-running-perfectly.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/3627ef73edba0/home-computers-like-the-commodore-64-and-vic-20-are-really-showing-their-age-in-2019-careful-servicing-is-required-to-keep-them-running-perfectly.900x.jpg" alt="Home computers like the Commodore 64 and Vic-20 are really showing their age in 2019; careful servicing is required to keep them running perfectly"></a><figcaption class="caption">Home computers like the Commodore 64 and Vic-20 are really showing their age in 2019; careful servicing is required to keep them running perfectly</figcaption></figure>
<p>Indeed, the realisation that these vintage systems – while seemingly abundant now – are slowly shrinking in number as more units develop faults makes modern-day clones like the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/hardware_review_the_analogue_super_nt_is_the_ultimate_way_to_play_snes_games_in_2018">Super Nt</a> and Mega Sg even more important; a common response when I talk to someone about these FPGA wonder-machines is, “I’ve got my old SNES and Mega Drive in the loft, chum. Why do I need to spend all that cash on stuff that does the same?” I have to admit, at one point in time I’d be inclined to think along the same lines (heck, my original Mega Drive and Mega CD combo remains hooked up to the TV despite the arrival of the Mega Sg, which my wife is utterly <em>thrilled</em> about, as you can imagine), but there may come a time where running vintage games on original hardware is not only costly due to a falling number of working machines, but also prohibitively expensive. Retro gaming is a ‘supply and demand’ business, and the moment supply dries up, prices skyrocket.</p>
<p>Fixing up systems that are being used years or even decades longer than their original manufacturer intended is one thing, but what kind of longevity can we expect to see from modern systems, like the Switch, 3DS, PS4 and Xbox One? “I’d argue that we’re seeing more failures in modern systems due to various factors,” Lock responds. “Heat is a constant issue throughout a modern system’s lifetime, along with storage lifetime. Another is due to the sheer demand, quality control of the number of components required to satisfy build numbers are more prevalent than they were with much older generations of systems. We’re seeing more design issues slip through to launch model console SKUs that have an immediate impact than we did before. It used to be a case of a certain game might no longer work correctly on certain hardware revisions, but now we’re seeing peripheral or console hardware/firmware issues from new. Multiple manufacturers are being used to facilitate initial demand as well, so different issues appear during the warranty period of what can appear to be two identical systems.”</p>
<p>The sheer complexity of modern-day consoles is another issue; while Lock can open up a NES and easily locate problems, modern systems rely on scaled-down chipsets which cannot be replaced without the correct equipment. “Systems are experiencing complex IC internal failure that cannot be resolved without access to new direct-from-supplier business arrangements and industrial level equipment for component level repair,” says Lock. “Smaller and more portable systems are giving rise to repairability issues with access to repair techniques creating a steeper learning curve as component assembly becomes increasingly smaller, more complex and with less human involvement during assembly. There is also the ‘right to repair’ issue upon which certain parts are made exclusive and cannot be sourced other than by the company building the system. Another is the refresh cycle on hardware is becoming sped up; new features introduced and shorter warranties are offered on launch systems. There is also an argument for ‘planned obsolescence’ and set product ‘end of life’ cycles in both hardware design and software functionality as we rely in more internet-based services on our modern devices.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Lock's own collection contains plenty of systems he has taken the time to bring back to life" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/c1a2dd34fc0f4/locks-own-collection-contains-plenty-of-systems-he-has-taken-the-time-to-bring-back-to-life.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/c1a2dd34fc0f4/locks-own-collection-contains-plenty-of-systems-he-has-taken-the-time-to-bring-back-to-life.900x.jpg" alt="Lock's own collection contains plenty of systems he has taken the time to bring back to life"></a><figcaption class="caption">Lock’s own collection contains plenty of systems he has taken the time to bring back to life</figcaption></figure>
<p>What ways can collectors ensure that their consoles remain in tip-top working order for as long as possible? “Don’t keep known perishable component systems in boxes for decades without being serviced,” begins Lock. “Likewise, if you continue to use an unserviced system with known perishable component related issues, please get it serviced; there are only so many times you can buy used replacement systems before people eventually run out of currently-still-working systems to sell on. If you don’t regularly use a system that uses a rechargeable battery, get into a habit of powering it on once a month to prevent the battery from depleting fully and becoming under stress. If you want to store a system for a long period of time that has a battery, remove it or have it removed professionally. If you have a system still with an original non-rechargeable battery, replace it or remove it.”</p>
<p>Even with these steps – or a repair at the hands of a skilled technician like Lock – it’s become clear (to myself, at least) that I’ve been taken my classic gaming hardware for granted. I’ve always assumed that they’d be burying me along with my still-working Japanese Mk1 Mega Drive when I eventually shuffle off my mortal coil, but it seems more likely that I’ll instead need to be interred with my Analogue Mega Sg – or whatever the equivalent clone console is at that moment in time. <em>Sniff.</em></p>
</div>
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Screenshot 2019 04 01 At 16.28.49" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/screenshot-2019-04-01-at-16-28-49.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/921398701478e/screenshot-2019-04-01-at-16-28-49.900x.jpg" alt="Screenshot 2019 04 01 At 16.28.49"></a></figure>
<p>“Everything put together falls apart” is the kind of sage-like adage that you often hear elderly relatives offering up over the dining table in-between moaning about Brexit and discussing the weather, and is a phrase most people under the age of 30 will surely dismiss out of hand, but for me personally – as someone who hits the ripe old age of 40 this year – it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore, for more reasons than one.</p>
<p>If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a sizeable collection of treasured retro systems, ranging right back to your childhood (my first love was the Mega Drive) to more recent curiosities (last year’s big retro purchase was a Japanese GameCube complete with <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/10/hardware_review_eon_gchd_gamecube_hdmi_adapter">HDMI connector</a>). While I’m keenly aware of the fragility of optical media and the sensitive hardware required to read such discs, I’ve always laboured under the impression that anything cartridge-based is near-invincible, and is still going to be in good working order when I’m touching 80 – at which point I’ll no doubt be getting comments from <a class="external" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMy1zO8m8sM">Elijah Wood-style punks</a> mocking me for ‘using my hands’ to play my ‘baby’s toy’ (if I’m still in any position at that age to even do so, of course).</p>
<p>My recent wake-up call came as I pulled together my review for the superb <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/03/hardware_review_analogue_mega_sg_forget_the_mega_drive_mini_this_is_the_real_deal">Analogue Mega Sg</a>, an FPGA-based clone system that accurately replicates the performance of Sega’s Mega Drive / Genesis – right down to the point where it’s possible to connect the system to a Mega CD add-on. It’s at this point I was given a sobering lesson in how vintage hardware is slowly but surely dying.</p>
<p>The Mega Sg and Mega CD simply refused to play nice with one another, and for one brief moment, I actually assumed this was the fault of Analogue’s brand-new system – the foolishness of which <em>really</em> hits home as I type it out. I was placing the blame on a system that had just rolled off the production line, rather than a piece of technology that’s <em>over a quarter of a century old</em>. In my defence, the Mega CD works fine with my original Mega Drive, but this fact was simply masking problems which needed addressing, and fast.</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Where the magic happens: Lock's workshop" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/c9c3f0c17cba3/where-the-magic-happens-locks-workshop.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/c9c3f0c17cba3/where-the-magic-happens-locks-workshop.900x.jpg" alt="Where the magic happens: Lock's workshop"></a><figcaption class="caption">Where the magic happens: Lock’s workshop</figcaption></figure>
<p>Even when I approached <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan">Simon Lock</a>, someone I’ve followed on Twitter for years thanks to his fascinating documentation of retro repair jobs he’s undertaken, I was still of the opinion that while my beloved Mega CD <em>might</em> be to blame, it was perhaps more down to it being a hardware revision that the folks at Analogue hadn’t encountered previously, hence the weird issues. All it took was a few photos of the inside of the Mega CD – snapped at Lock’s behest – to totally destroy that mindset and send me spiralling down a rabbit hole of retro gaming despair.</p>
<p>Lock is, for want of a better term, a technological wizard. He has repaired countless machines over the past few years, many of which were seemingly destined for the scrapheap. He’s got a fondness for Sega’s ’90s hardware, and has resurrected Famicom, Famicom Disk System, Twin Famicom, NEO-GEO AES, MVS, Master System, <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan/status/1039268314227388418">PC Engine Duo</a>, Mega Drive, <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan/status/1100882593493540864">Multi-Mega</a>, <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/A3rgan/status/1100858487930843137">Saturn Mk1/Mk2</a>, PlayStation, and PlayStation 2 consoles during his career.</p>
<p>I knew that Lock’s speciality was Mega CD systems, hence my initial contact. His rather grim reaction to the photos I snapped told me all I needed to know – the news wasn’t good. The irony is that prior to my experience with the Mega Sg, I’d assumed my Mega CD had many, many years of active service ahead of it; purchased a few years ago from eBay, the Japanese Mk1 model had been ‘refurbished’ by the seller, with a fresh CD drive belt fitted and a full service thrown in for good measure. Until the Mega Sg arrived, I thought my Mega CD was in good health.</p>
<p>Lock quickly identified several key issues with my unit, some of which could be the cause of the incompatibility with the Analogue Mega Sg. He totally shattered my belief that retro consoles are, by and large, indestructible; it’s a reality check he’s used to handing out. “I do encounter a lot of opinions of ‘well, mine has been well looked after’ and ‘mine still works from new’,” he explains. “Sadly, how well you look after something doesn’t always mean that internally you have a system absent of perishable components; via age, humidity or design longevity/manufacturer component quality of that era.”</p>
<aside class="gallery">
<div class="col"><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/dae59f01e216e/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/dae59f01e216e/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/9aa87f70b9f73/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/9aa87f70b9f73/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a></div>
<div class="col"><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/76b07b6537618/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/76b07b6537618/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a><a title="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/b3aebeef04f5a/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/b3aebeef04f5a/under-the-microscope-lock-uses-a-special-scope-to-find-hard-to-see-problems-inside-classic-systems.445x245.jpg" width="445" height="245" alt="Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems"></a></div>
<p class="caption">Under the microscope: Lock uses a special scope to find hard-to-see problems inside classic systems</p>
</aside>
<p>It’s a difficult pill to swallow, especially when it’s perfectly possible to find an Atari 2600 in a charity shop that’s in (seemingly) good working order; when a console from the ’70s is still capable of functioning today, it’s easy to see why retro collectors – like myself – have been lulled into a false sense of security. Sadly, the tech inside our most treasured machines is, like any other piece of hardware, slowly but surely falling apart, and it’s not just one issue – these platforms are being attacked on several fronts at once.</p>
<p>“Surface mount technology/device (SMT/SMD) electrolytic capacitors from the late ’80s to mid-to-late ’90s era hardware are one of the most common problems,” says Lock. “This design, over through-hole packages of the era, improved upon assembly times and allowed for further assembly automation. Sadly, the design had limitations with the smaller package size during that era; the di-electric fluid is prone to becoming more volatile over time, leak protection was not as reliable as it is today and the design does not allow for top venting in the event of component failure. This causes the fluid to leak out onto the printed circuit board directly where it reacts with metals – such as copper traces or brass screws – resulting in damage. This can lead to breaks in the circuit or worse, an unintended bridge or shorts in the circuit.” This particular issue was present inside my Mega CD; Lock likened the impact to “pouring tiny metered doses of full sugar Coca-cola onto the circuit board” – <em>gulp.</em></p>
<p>Batteries found inside certain consoles can also cause problems if left unattended. “These also break down with their contents being highly volatile as time goes on,” Lock continues. “Many systems have batteries mounted above or soldered directly onto the board which means when it fails, the contents will spill out onto the board. Some systems have internally housed batteries within integrated circuits for keeping time, save data or even decryption keys. Once these have failed, the system will either function incorrectly or not at all.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="The Sega Mega CD is one of Lock's favourite systems – and one he's used to seeing for repair" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/93a8e39597270/the-sega-mega-cd-is-one-of-locks-favourite-systems-n-and-one-hes-used-to-seeing-for-repair.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/93a8e39597270/the-sega-mega-cd-is-one-of-locks-favourite-systems-n-and-one-hes-used-to-seeing-for-repair.900x.jpg" alt="The Sega Mega CD is one of Lock's favourite systems – and one he's used to seeing for repair"></a><figcaption class="caption">The Sega Mega CD is one of Lock’s favourite systems – and one he’s used to seeing for repair</figcaption></figure>
<p>Voltage regulators can also fail over time, mostly due to the amount of heat they produce during normal use. “A favourite found in mid-’80s to mid-’90s systems is the 7805-based linear voltage regulator, which takes typically takes 8.5V to 12V DC input voltage to output 5V used by the system internally. NEC parts of this type are particularly ‘replace on sight’ due to their build age and operational lifetime. When this part beings to fail, voltage output can drop or spike high causing the system to become unstable and this places strain on other components in the system. When it fails, they can fail open (no output) or closed (input goes to ground, or worse, output); the latter can be catastrophic. Areas of a system that have high exposure to heat cause more rapid wear on other perishable components, such as electrolytic capacitors. Some systems have these capacitors positioned right next to voltage regulator components, which are very prone to causing localised component failure.”</p>
<p>We’re not out of the woods yet, either. As well as the tech found <em>inside</em> your console, the power supply you use to bring it to life can also become a serious problem as the years roll by. “There is a school of thought that dictates you should <em>only</em> use the original manufacturer supplied external PSU with the system it was shipped with, or an authorised replacement,” says Lock. “Whilst this was true for many systems at the time of manufacture – though not all, the Amstrad GX4000 being a notable example – these also experience age and heat-related component failure, with the result causing damage to systems there are used with. I would advocate not using an original external PSU for systems produced in the ’90s or earlier, unless it has been fully serviced by a qualified professional.”</p>
<p>We’ve already touched upon issues with optical media-based systems, but it’s worth highlighting that often, problems with CD and DVD-based consoles are more likely to do with moving parts than the actual laser which reads the disc. “Typically, if you look up a system with moving parts, the word ‘maintenance’ will be mentioned,” Lock comments. “The same is true for mechanical optical drive systems. Lubricants perish over time, plastic becomes more resistive to movement and belts driving the system also perish under the increased strain. What commonly gets attributed to ‘laser failure’ is more often than not a mechanical issue rather than an electrical component one. Original grease can break down into a tacky or even resin-like compound resulting in significant wear on other parts of the system unless serviced – including belts, guide rails, and tracking motors.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Older systems, like the Atari 800 XL, have also found themselves on Lock's operating table" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/67e9b3e079d5e/older-systems-like-the-atari-800-xl-have-also-found-themselves-on-locks-operating-table.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/67e9b3e079d5e/older-systems-like-the-atari-800-xl-have-also-found-themselves-on-locks-operating-table.900x.jpg" alt="Older systems, like the Atari 800 XL, have also found themselves on Lock's operating table"></a><figcaption class="caption">Older systems, like the Atari 800 XL, have also found themselves on Lock’s operating table</figcaption></figure>
<p>The final issue is one that the more squeamish amongst you may want to avoid reading. “If you store a console for long enough dormant, something is going to make it a nice new home for their offspring,” says Lock with a grin. “It’s all too common to find insects and arachnids – or worse – making your vintage hardware a new nursery in which to raise their family. This is a common discovery for systems stored in attics, garages and sheds, where human presence is inconsistent. This can obviously have all sorts of implications for your system.” Er, <em>yuck</em>.</p>
<p>Storage is, ironically, another thing that can damage your console. We may assume that a classic system tucked away in an attic or garage is safe and sound, but that’s often far from the truth. “Storing your devices outside of a consistent room temperature environment can lead to issues, along with temperature extremes during seasonal changes,” Lock explains. “Excess moisture will lead to corrosion on vulnerable materials – especially an issue with PAL systems which are subject to RF shielding regulations for sale, requiring all or part of the system to be enclosed within (often poor quality) metal coverings inside. Summer heat can have a drastic effect on heat sensitive materials – such as cables and packaging – and components, batteries especially. Plastics prone to yellowing due to high bromine content in their make-up are especially vulnerable to having excess heat and humidity accelerate the process.”</p>
<p>Out of all the machines Lock has worked on, he says there are a few which crop up more often than most. The Mega CD, which we’ve already touched upon, is a serial offender. “Suface Mount Device capacitor failure on the main board can lead to erratic behaviour, loss of functionality or total system failure,” he explains. “Typically, this also leads to the rechargeable ML2016 battery failing as a result. The NEC 2405 (7805 design) voltage regulator overheats and can cause accelerated local component failure, especially to the nearby capacitors.”</p>
<aside class="gallery">
<div class="col"><a title="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/f7e9ec1b3fb8d/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/f7e9ec1b3fb8d/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.603x495.jpg" width="603" height="495" alt="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s"></a></div>
<div class="col"><a title="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/7cc16bddf7822/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/7cc16bddf7822/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.292x245.jpg" width="292" height="245" alt="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s"></a><a title="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/14fdcb9a3e4bd/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/14fdcb9a3e4bd/some-of-locks-greatest-hits-n-we-especially-like-the-saturn-which-became-home-to-a-family-of-bugs-and-the-famicom-which-looks-like-its-from-the-1880s-and-not-the-1980s.292x245.jpg" width="292" height="245" alt="Some of Lock's 'Greatest Hits' – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it's from the 1880s, and not the 1980s"></a></div>
<p class="caption">Some of Lock’s ‘Greatest Hits’ – we especially like the Saturn which became home to a family of bugs, and the Famicom which looks like it’s from the 1880s, and not the 1980s</p>
</aside>
<p>Outside of the Mega CD, Nintendo’s famous 8-bit console is one of Lock’s most regular repair jobs. “The NES is plagued by oxidation and corrosion issues, resulting in deposited material inside the ‘Zero Insertion Force’ system on front loading systems, typically occurring due to cartridge ‘Game PAK’ storage and use conditions,” he says. “Sadly, a culture of gamers spit-blowing on their Game PAKs to offer a short-term remedy to this hasn’t helped matters as the systems get older. While this type of issue can occur with just about any cartridge-based system, especially if the games are stored loose, it’s a cultural practice with the NES.”</p>
<p>So how does Lock go about bringing these machines back from the dead – or at least prolonging their lifespans? “Typically I like to do my homework first,” he replies. “I like to know the use history of a particular system if possible; who owned it before? Has it been worked on previously? Has it had faults before? If it’s been stored; if so, where and how? This information can prove to be vital in getting an idea of what state the system is in before it arrives. If the owner is confident to do so, I will sometimes ask for photos of specific areas inside of a system to aid potentially diagnosing the fault.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="This Mk1 Master System has seen better days" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/8a31f69e18aa8/this-mk1-master-system-has-seen-better-days.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/8a31f69e18aa8/this-mk1-master-system-has-seen-better-days.900x.jpg" alt="This Mk1 Master System has seen better days"></a><figcaption class="caption">This Mk1 Master System has seen better days</figcaption></figure>
<p>“The next step will usually involve some research into the system, known common issues, locating a service manual if available, finding service bulletins if applicable (documented changes made by the manufacturer/service centres during the product’s life span to resolve accepted issues) and consulting any documented hardware wiki for additional information. When the unit arrives, I check for evidence that the system may have been worked on, modified or opened before (if unknown). I also like to visually inspect any input/output connections as that can be a clue to how the unit has been stored. I then open the unit and look for obvious signs of potential damage; natural or unnatural. This can act as a roadmap to a fault. If something is found immediately, it is checked to see if it could have any impact on what the user is reporting as wrong with the system.”</p>
<p>With a cursory check out of the way, the meat of the work can begin. “Next is onto general checks for the condition of component health, checking fuses, DC-input connectors, power trigger and activation components, whether there is no resistance (direct path) or incredibly low resistance between the voltage supply and ground (short to ground). Some systems will fall into the known faults category where all known service issues are corrected first before moving onto looking for other issues. If no obvious fault is found or known issues are corrected, I move onto powering the system on to observe behaviour. Some issues only appear after the system has been running for a period of time, others can go away after a short amount of time and some are immediate. Issues to do with voltage supply, CPU, RAM and address lines are typically immediately identifiable. Some systems may have issues with custom ICs that require donor parts from other failed systems, or are sadly not repairable. I usually go over any areas that required work under a microscope to ensure that no other faults are waiting to occur within the problem area. Abnormal audio issues and intermittent graphical issues can be a lengthy repair process.”</p>
<p>Lock clearly does an incredibly thorough job; you only need gaze at his Twitter feed and see all of the photos he posts to see the meticulous manner in which he restores these classic systems. But how much difference does all of this work actually make? How many more years does it add to a console’s lifespan?</p>
<p>“That can be very difficult to say,” replies Lock. “These systems are not getting any younger, so new faults previously not encountered do sadly appear. If modern equivalent parts are used then you have the OEM’s part lifetime to go by – on average, aluminium electrolytic capacitors are estimated to last up to 15 years, for example, while coin batteries up to 10 years. The big issue that occurs is when custom ICs fail. We currently see this with Nintendo PPU and CPU on NES/Famicom, PPU1/PPU2 and CPU on SNES and various BUS related ICs on NEO-GEO systems, SID’s on the C64 – to name but a few. Replacement parts are usually obsolete or proprietary designs with parts coming from other more unfixable systems are donors, which can also develop similar issues eventually. Some community members have engineered replacement, alternative or open source replacements for these ICs that can be used to restore systems to working order. This is encouraging and something I love to see. Alternatively, we’re seeing a significant rise in cycle-accurate or emulated systems being produced to fill the void created by the lack of working systems available or those seeking for modern creature comforts/improvements on hardware original designs.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Home computers like the Commodore 64 and Vic-20 are really showing their age in 2019; careful servicing is required to keep them running perfectly" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/3627ef73edba0/home-computers-like-the-commodore-64-and-vic-20-are-really-showing-their-age-in-2019-careful-servicing-is-required-to-keep-them-running-perfectly.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/3627ef73edba0/home-computers-like-the-commodore-64-and-vic-20-are-really-showing-their-age-in-2019-careful-servicing-is-required-to-keep-them-running-perfectly.900x.jpg" alt="Home computers like the Commodore 64 and Vic-20 are really showing their age in 2019; careful servicing is required to keep them running perfectly"></a><figcaption class="caption">Home computers like the Commodore 64 and Vic-20 are really showing their age in 2019; careful servicing is required to keep them running perfectly</figcaption></figure>
<p>Indeed, the realisation that these vintage systems – while seemingly abundant now – are slowly shrinking in number as more units develop faults makes modern-day clones like the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/hardware_review_the_analogue_super_nt_is_the_ultimate_way_to_play_snes_games_in_2018">Super Nt</a> and Mega Sg even more important; a common response when I talk to someone about these FPGA wonder-machines is, “I’ve got my old SNES and Mega Drive in the loft, chum. Why do I need to spend all that cash on stuff that does the same?” I have to admit, at one point in time I’d be inclined to think along the same lines (heck, my original Mega Drive and Mega CD combo remains hooked up to the TV despite the arrival of the Mega Sg, which my wife is utterly <em>thrilled</em> about, as you can imagine), but there may come a time where running vintage games on original hardware is not only costly due to a falling number of working machines, but also prohibitively expensive. Retro gaming is a ‘supply and demand’ business, and the moment supply dries up, prices skyrocket.</p>
<p>Fixing up systems that are being used years or even decades longer than their original manufacturer intended is one thing, but what kind of longevity can we expect to see from modern systems, like the Switch, 3DS, PS4 and Xbox One? “I’d argue that we’re seeing more failures in modern systems due to various factors,” Lock responds. “Heat is a constant issue throughout a modern system’s lifetime, along with storage lifetime. Another is due to the sheer demand, quality control of the number of components required to satisfy build numbers are more prevalent than they were with much older generations of systems. We’re seeing more design issues slip through to launch model console SKUs that have an immediate impact than we did before. It used to be a case of a certain game might no longer work correctly on certain hardware revisions, but now we’re seeing peripheral or console hardware/firmware issues from new. Multiple manufacturers are being used to facilitate initial demand as well, so different issues appear during the warranty period of what can appear to be two identical systems.”</p>
<p>The sheer complexity of modern-day consoles is another issue; while Lock can open up a NES and easily locate problems, modern systems rely on scaled-down chipsets which cannot be replaced without the correct equipment. “Systems are experiencing complex IC internal failure that cannot be resolved without access to new direct-from-supplier business arrangements and industrial level equipment for component level repair,” says Lock. “Smaller and more portable systems are giving rise to repairability issues with access to repair techniques creating a steeper learning curve as component assembly becomes increasingly smaller, more complex and with less human involvement during assembly. There is also the ‘right to repair’ issue upon which certain parts are made exclusive and cannot be sourced other than by the company building the system. Another is the refresh cycle on hardware is becoming sped up; new features introduced and shorter warranties are offered on launch systems. There is also an argument for ‘planned obsolescence’ and set product ‘end of life’ cycles in both hardware design and software functionality as we rely in more internet-based services on our modern devices.”</p>
<figure class="picture strip"><a title="Lock's own collection contains plenty of systems he has taken the time to bring back to life" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/c1a2dd34fc0f4/locks-own-collection-contains-plenty-of-systems-he-has-taken-the-time-to-bring-back-to-life.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/c1a2dd34fc0f4/locks-own-collection-contains-plenty-of-systems-he-has-taken-the-time-to-bring-back-to-life.900x.jpg" alt="Lock's own collection contains plenty of systems he has taken the time to bring back to life"></a><figcaption class="caption">Lock’s own collection contains plenty of systems he has taken the time to bring back to life</figcaption></figure>
<p>What ways can collectors ensure that their consoles remain in tip-top working order for as long as possible? “Don’t keep known perishable component systems in boxes for decades without being serviced,” begins Lock. “Likewise, if you continue to use an unserviced system with known perishable component related issues, please get it serviced; there are only so many times you can buy used replacement systems before people eventually run out of currently-still-working systems to sell on. If you don’t regularly use a system that uses a rechargeable battery, get into a habit of powering it on once a month to prevent the battery from depleting fully and becoming under stress. If you want to store a system for a long period of time that has a battery, remove it or have it removed professionally. If you have a system still with an original non-rechargeable battery, replace it or remove it.”</p>
<p>Even with these steps – or a repair at the hands of a skilled technician like Lock – it’s become clear (to myself, at least) that I’ve been taken my classic gaming hardware for granted. I’ve always assumed that they’d be burying me along with my still-working Japanese Mk1 Mega Drive when I eventually shuffle off my mortal coil, but it seems more likely that I’ll instead need to be interred with my Analogue Mega Sg – or whatever the equivalent clone console is at that moment in time. <em>Sniff.</em></p>
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