Game Boy:Game Battery Replacement
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Game Boy cartridges allow you to save game saves to it's battery backed-up RAM. If the battery dies or is disconnected, it will lose any game saves stored on it. This page describes a method in which you can swap the battery simply (which removes all saves) and another method that preserves the saves.
(Method 1) Regular Replacement
Process adapted from KyleAwsm's video here:
- Disassemble the game cartridge and completely remove the board from the shell. You will need a 3.8mm "game bit" screwdriver bit to remove the shell.
- Apply flux to the two battery solder joints.
- Heat the large tab solder joint and add fresh solder so the entire joint becomes liquid. Lift the battery to disconnect the tab from the motherboard pad.
- You may need to set your iron to a higher temperature, as the large amount of metal will absorb heat.
- Heat the second solder joint and add fresh solder so the entire joint becomes liquid. Lift the battery away.
- Apply flux to pads on the motherboard and remove old solder using solder wick.
- Clean the board with isopropyl alcohol.
- Place new battery on the pads, ensuring the positive tab is on the positive pad.
- Solder the tabs onto the pads.
- Clean the board with alcohol and reassemble.
(Method 2) Battery Hotswap
 | This procedure requires soldering while electricity is applied to your game cartridge, and therefore runs a small risk of shorting components if you do not cover them. |
- Remove the front half of the game cartridge shell.
- Optional: Cover components near the battery with kapton tape to prevent accidentally shorting them.
- Insert the game into your Game Boy and power it on.
- Load the saved game.
- With the Game Boy still running, heat the large tab solder joint and add fresh solder so the entire joint becomes liquid. Lift the battery to disconnect the tab from the motherboard pad.
- You may need to set your iron to a higher temperature, as the large amount of metal will absorb heat.
- Heat the second solder joint and add fresh solder so the entire joint becomes liquid. Lift the battery away.
- Carefully remove old solder using solder wick.
- Place new battery on the pads, ensuring the positive tab is on the positive pad.
- Solder the tabs onto the pads.
- Save the game.
- Power off the Game Boy and remove the cartridge.
- Clean the board with isopropyl alcohol and reassemble the game cartridge.