summary
Intake to play-ready in one short bench session. We open the shell, clean thoroughly, check buttons and screen, refresh the battery if needed, and finish with a real gameplay test.
intake snapshot
| Item | Condition at arrival |
|---|---|
| Exterior shell | Light scratches, minor grime around hinges |
| Buttons / D-pad | Normal wear, slightly mushy A button |
| Screen | Bright, light surface marks on lens |
| Battery | Holds charge, unknown age |
| Ports | Clean, minor dust in charge port |
work plan (short SOP)
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Pre-clean exterior with a soft brush and dry cloth.
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Open shell; remove dust from vents and speaker area.
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Wash shell pieces with mild soapy water; dry completely.
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Clean PCB gently with isopropyl alcohol; inspect for corrosion.
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Remove old pad residue; install fresh silicone pads if needed.
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Polish cartridge slot pins with a dry swab; no liquids.
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Battery health check; replace if capacity is weak.
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Reassemble; charge test; 20-minute gameplay test; sleep/wake test.
parts and materials used
| Part / material | Action |
|---|---|
| Silicone button pads | Replaced A/B due to mushy feel |
| Screen lens | Retained; cleaned only |
| Battery pack | Retain if voltage/runtime ok; replace if weak |
| Cleaning supplies | Isopropyl alcohol, soft brush, cotton swabs, mild soap |
bench results
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Power on / charge | Pass; charges and holds |
| Buttons and D-pad | Pass; crisp after pad refresh |
| Audio | Pass; no crackle at mid volume |
| Screen | Pass; no flicker; lens marks reduced but visible at angle |
| Cartridge detection | Pass; 10 insertions without dropout |
| Gameplay stability | Pass; 20-minute run without reset |
what we did not do this time
• No shell replacement
• No backlight upgrade
• No board repair; no corrosion found
care tips for new owner
• Charge with a correct-rated adapter; avoid fast-charge bricks
• Keep hinges clean; wipe after play
• Power off for storage; remove games when traveling
photo ideas to capture (optional)
• Before: hinge area and buttons
• Inside: PCB cleaning and pad replacement
• After: menu lit, charger connected, gameplay screen
next reads
• Console Care 101: charging and cartridge contact tips
• Set Menu Lab: how we pick an A-list title for starter sets
Enjoy Game Japan