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Repair guide

Replace the battery in an N64 cartridge or Controller Pak

Fifteen N64 titles use a CR2032 to keep saves alive, and the Controller Pak uses the same cell. A fresh battery restores saving, but the old save may be lost during the swap.

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Battery · Medium · about 30 minutes. Worth doing. Reports say this fix helps on many machines.

You are in the right place if: A game forgets your saves after being switched off, or the Controller Pak loses its data.

Before you start

  • Never short or puncture a lithium cell. Do not solder directly to a bare cell for long.
  • If there is leakage, clean it with the ConsoleMods battery acid process before installing the new battery.
  • Back up the save if you care about it.

Board revisions and models

Animal Crossing's battery is only for the real-time clock.

Parts you may need

  • CR2032 battery with solder tabs. spot-welded style tabs make soldering easy Amazon · eBay
  • CR2032 battery holder. alternative to tabs Amazon · eBay

Tools

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Step by step

  1. Check that your game uses a battery Not every N64 cartridge does. ConsoleMods lists the ones that do, including Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Golf.
  2. Back up the save first If you have a way to copy the save, do it. Removing the battery can erase it.
  3. Open the cartridge Take the cartridge out of the console and remove its security screw with the correct gamebit.
  4. Photograph and note orientation Take a photo showing which way the battery faces and how it is attached.
  5. Check for leakage Look for crusty residue around the battery. Clean it before fitting a new one.
  6. Remove the old battery Snip the tabs cleanly or desolder them. Do not heat the battery itself for long.
  7. Fit the new CR2032 Use a cell with tabs, or a battery holder, and solder with a quick touch to the tab.
  8. Reassemble and test Boot the game, save, power off and back on to confirm the save persists.

Tips, tales and maybes

Found in write-ups and forum threads. These are other people's reports, not tested by us.

  • Tip (Medium confidence). ConsoleMods says every known battery game uses a CR2032, and the Controller Pak uses the same size cell. Source
  • Tip (Medium confidence). If you see leakage, ConsoleMods recommends neutralising it, scrubbing, drying and checking continuity. Source

Guides we used

We wrote the steps in our own words from these. They have the photos and the full detail, so please read them and support their authors.

Boards and models vary, so check what is in front of you. A repair can involve hot tools, chemicals and, on some machines, dangerous voltages. You do it at your own risk.

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