You haven’t spilled anything on it, you haven’t touched it in years, and it’s even in its original packaging!
While we’d like to say the reason is perfectly simple (cigarette or bong smoke wafting over it on a regular basis) or eyebrow- raisingly intriguing (entering too many “Donkey Kong Country” cheat codes leads to discoloration!), the real reason involves boring chemistry.
Why Retro Game Consoles Like the Super Nintendo Turn Yellow Over Time
So here’s what you need to know about yellow game consoles—and how to prevent it from happening to you.
The Table of Contents
Symptoms of a Yellowing Game Console
Hardly a great revelation to say that the main symptom of a yellowing video-game system is, in fact, a yellowing video-game system.
- However, look closer, and you’ll be able to definitively rule out nicotine stains.
- If smoke is the culprit, then the damage will be mostly superficial and can be cleaned up with a common cleanser; if not, then the problem is a chemical one. More on this below.
Why Do Retro Consoles Turn Yellow? The Science Explained
The operative word here is “oxidation.” You see it everywhere, from car exteriors to old tin cans to pipes in the home. It even affects living tissue and food.
- (That avocado turning brown a minute or two after you cut into it? Oxidation.)
- And it’s the same thing that’s causing your SNES system to go jaundice.
How ABS Plastic and UV Light Cause Console Discoloration
- A little backstory: when Nintendo first began manufacturing their consoles in the ‘80s, they required materials that would be easy to mass-produce.
- For their plastic needs, they usually chose ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and they did so for two reasons: its durability and its low cost.
- Unfortunately, that old adage of “you get what you pay for” applies here. Unlike other more expensive plastics, ABS is sensitive to UV light. Throw into the mix the number of flame-retardant chemicals, such as bromine, used to render the plastic incombustible, and you have the perfect recipe for oxidation.
- According to How-To Geek, this yellowing happens because ABS plastic with bromine flame retardants oxidizes when exposed to UV light.
How to Fix and Prevent Yellowing on Old Consoles
If the yellowing has already occurred, then unfortunately the damage is done. Therefore, the best offense for a yellowing SNES is a good defense.
- Online tech aficionados recommend spraying non-yellow consoles with a UV-resistant coating.
- Unfortunately, this would likely involve disassembling the chassis and taping up sensitive ports and inputs.
- Another preventative method involves keeping the SNES away from as much natural and artificial light as possible, since those pesky UV rays are what cause the yellowing in the first place.
- Keeping the system in a cool place is another tip, as is keeping it sealed in a lead-lined bag. But since no one is handling radioactive components or sensitive microfilm, that last suggestion might just be overkill.
Using Retrobrite to Restore Yellowed Consoles
One popular method among retro collectors for reversing plastic yellowing is Retrobrite. This process uses a hydrogen-peroxide based solution combined with UV light to break down the oxidized bonds that cause the yellow tint in ABS plastic.
- Retrobrite can be surprisingly effective, but it does require patience, protective gear, and careful application.
- Overexposure or uneven treatment may lead to patchy results, so testing on a small area first is recommended.
- Many collectors also note that yellowing can return over time, so think of this as a cosmetic refresh rather than a permanent fix.
We’ll be testing Retrobrite ourselves on a Super Nintendo and sharing the results in an upcoming video, so stay tuned for a step-by-step demonstration.
Best Tips for Preserving Nintendo and Retro Systems
Ultimately, if your console has already yellowed, restoration methods like light-grain sanding or retrobright treatments can improve the look — but proceed with extreme caution. Removing too much plastic can damage the shell permanently.
Prevention is always the better route: store consoles away from direct light, keep them in a cool environment, and consider UV-resistant coatings to slow future discoloration.
If your Super Nintendo is already too far gone or you’re ready to upgrade, you can sell your SNES console to The Old School Game Vault and put that cash toward a cleaner replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellowing Consoles
Why do game consoles turn yellow?
- Old game consoles turn yellow because the ABS plastic used in their shells contains bromine flame retardants.
- When exposed to UV light and oxygen, these chemicals oxidize and cause the plastic to discolor over time.
How do you fix yellowing Super Nintendo?
- Yellowing on a Super Nintendo can be treated with methods like Retrobrite, which uses a hydrogen peroxide solution and UV light to reverse discoloration.
- However, results may fade over time, and prevention is more reliable.
How to remove yellowing from game consoles?
- Yellowing can sometimes be reduced with Retrobrite treatments, careful sanding, or specialized plastic restoration kits.
- Surface stains caused by nicotine or smoke can be cleaned with mild cleansers, but oxidation-based yellowing requires more advanced methods.
What causes yellowing on consoles?
- The yellowing comes from oxidation of ABS plastic with bromine flame retardants.
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight, artificial light, and heat accelerates this chemical process.
Is plastic yellowing reversible?
- Plastic yellowing is partially reversible with Retrobrite or sanding, but the effect may not last and repeated treatments can weaken the plastic.
- Preventive care, such as storing consoles in dark, cool environments, is the best long-term solution.
