Cartridge
blowing is a practice most often employed on older
Nintendo games and systems, but is sometimes required to remedy problems with the old
Sega and even
game boy games.
Cartridge blowing becomes an important
ritual when your
system has been subjected to products not bearing the Official
Nintendo Seal of Quality, or simply when it has become
old and
dusty. At a certain point, your games no longer just appear at a touch of the power button. Instead, you are subjected to a slow purple
strobe effect. It's time to start blowing.
Hold the
cartridge and blow into the
business end from left to right and back. Do this several times. Some believe it's good to get some
spittle going, as it will increase your chance of making contact. However, this is a
quick fix only, because it will probably corrode the
metal. Use the corner of your
shirt to wipe the
inside. For
good measure, blow into the cartridge
dock as well. Replace the catridge and try again.
It is important at this stage to learn to
diagnose the severity of these flashes, or how far your
Nintendo is from being
healthy. In this respect you must get to know your
NES in a
deep and
personal way. Usually if you can get it to stop flashing and if you get
fragments of
text or
patterns, you're on the
right track. Keep at it until you get your
reward, the
title screen of your
favourite game!