Ok, so you have your copy of Donkey Kong 64, the yellow collectors edition, complete with included expansion pak as seen below with my personal copy:
You have started to explore the vast levels, and you may have collected some strange items. What do those fairies do? What about the blueprints?
Spoiler Alert
If you don’t want to find out how to unlock some of Donkey Kong 64’s cool hidden modes and mini-games, stop reading now. (more…)
Doing some research tonight on the Nintendo 64 Memory Expansion Pak, I found this handy tip on Nintendo’s official website.
I’ve archived it here on Recycled Gaming because over the past couple of years, Nintendo has removed a lot of useful classic Nintendo system service information and I want to help preserve it.
Step 1:
Make sure that the power switch on the Nintendo 64 Control Deck is in the OFF position and that the power cord is unplugged from the wall outlet.
Step 2:
Remove the Memory Expansion Cover located on the top of the Nintendo 64 Control Deck and remove the red label. It is okay to remove the existing Jumper Pak when you are replacing it with the Expansion Pak.
Step 3:
Insert the Jumper Pak Ejector Tool into the back of the Jumper Pak and push downward, ejecting the Jumper Pak out of the connector. If you do not have a Jumper Pak Ejector Tool, you may use a small spoon to remove the Jumper Pak. You will need to press firmly.
Step 4:
Insert the Expansion Pak into the Memory Expansion compartment, making sure that it is not loaded backwards. The text on the Expansion Pak should face towards the front of the control deck.
Step 5:
Replace the Memory Expansion Cover on the control deck.
Important Expansion Pak Notes:
Once the Expansion Pak is installed, it is normally not necessary to remove it from the control deck. If you do remove the Expansion Pak, you will need to re-insert the Jumper Pak for your system to operate.
To prevent dust, dirt or other foreign material from falling into the expansion pak compartment, be sure to replace the Memory Expansion Cover after installing the expansion pak.
The N64 Expansion Pak is designed to work with all Nintendo 64 Game Paks, even those which do not use the Expansion features.
The Expansion Pak will become hot while the control deck is on. This is normal. Do not touch any part of the Expansion Pak when the control deck is operating.
Wait one hour after turning the control deck off before touching or removing the Expansion Pak. Do not attach any label or sticker to the Expansion Pak which could block the cooling vents.
Source: Nintendo - Customer Service
Most owners of the classic front-loading Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) are aware of the flaw its cartridge connector has, which eventually causes almost every NES to display a flashing gray screen instead of booting the inserted game. This is the error which was often temporarily resolved by blowing on the edge connector in the cartridge.
One easy, and more permanent solution to this problem is to replace the 72-pin edge connector inside the NES.
This how-to guide will help you disassemble your console and show you the areas you need to focus on when cleaning and repairing. No electronics skills are needed. Just remember to to take it slow and make sure not to pull too hard on PCB boards or connector wires.
Looking for a detailed walk through on cleaning your NES Cartridges?
Nintendo NES Console Repair Tools/Parts
NES Console Disassembly
Turn your NES upside down. Remove the 6 screws indicated by the red arrows in the picture. Once the screws are loose, flip your console over again and you should be able to pull the top half of the case up. Be careful not to loose any screws!
With the top half of the case off, remove the RF shield. This is the big metal thing that covers most of the NES internals. Remove the 7 screws and you will be able to pull it up. (more…)
Over time your NES game batteries wear out, thus taking away the ability to save your game position. With the right tools and just a few minutes of effort, you can replace your old worn out battery.
NES Game Battery Repair Tools/Parts
Or you can find all of these supplies in our Recycled Gaming store.
Disclaimer: You will lose your saves while doing this, no matter what. (more…)
First off, congratulations on owning a piece of gaming history! I’ve put together some tips to help you care for your classic game cartridges.
Keep in mind that these classic game cartridges have been around for a while. Some are more than a quarter century old! Some might even be older then you 
Over time, humidity, dirt, and improper storage practices can lead to oxidization of the contacts and prevent the game from working.
In most cases, the ravages of time can be reversed and a game can be restored to working condition through a simple cleaning procedure.
Something to note, even if you are not experiencing problems it is a good idea to clean your games occasionally, as preventative maintenance. (more…)