--- title: Retro Game Repair & Cleaning Guides | The Old School Game Vault description: Step-by-step guides to repair and maintain retro games and consoles, from cartridge cleaning to console fixes. canonical_url: https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to language: en-GB date: 2025-12-08T20:35:34Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to. markdown-tokens: 1328 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. [ ![The Old School Game Vault](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Sell-Retro-Video-Games-Online.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/) [ ![The Old School Game Vault](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Mobile-Sell-Retro-Games.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/ "The Old School Game Vault home") [ ![Image representing a guide on how to safely ship retro video games.](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/How-To-Ship-Video-Games.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/ship-video-games "How to Package and Ship Retro Video Games Without Damage") We've shipped thousands of retro games over the years, and our double packaging standard is the reason they arrive in one piece. [ ![Factory Sealed or ReSealed video game thumbnail showing Y-fold corner close-up and The Old School Game Vault logo.](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/Factory-Sealed-or-ReSealed-Video-Game.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/tell-if-a-game-is-factory-sealed "Factory Sealed vs Re-Shrink Wrapped Games: How to Tell") Shrink wrap doesn't mean brand new. Many retro game stores re-wrap opened games before putting them on the shelf. Here's exactly how to tell a factory seal from a re-shrink-wrapped copy. [ ![Article describing how to reset parental controls on Nintendo 3DS, with a missing pin.](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/How-to-reset-a-pin-nintendo-3ds.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/reset-nintendo-3ds-parental-controls "How to Unlock Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls Without the PIN") Can't access your Nintendo 3DS due to parental controls? This article explains how to reset parental controls without a PIN. You'll use the inquiry number and master key methods.+ [ ![Scooby Doo investigates a fake Pokémon Yellow Game Boy cartridge with magnifying glass.](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/How-to-Spot-Counterfeit-Nintendo-Game-Boy-Games.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/spot-counterfeit-gameboy-cartridges "How to identify Pokemon Yellow Real vs Fake Game Cartridges") Learn to spot fake Pokémon Yellow Game Boy cartridges. This article compares a real and counterfeit carts and offers tips for collectors. [ ![How to spot fake GameCube artwork – visual guide using Pokémon XD case insert with arrows showing misaligned logo and barcode](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/fake-vs-real-gamecube-artwork.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/spot-fake-gamecube-artwork "How to Identify Fake GameCube Game Artwork and Case Inserts") Find out how to spot fake GameCube case artwork using real examples. We’ll cover paper quality, spine alignment, barcode clarity, and common warning signs. [ ![Sega CD Model 2 startup screen with Sega CD logo and version information](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/Sega-CD-Intro-Screen.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/format-sega-cd-internal-ram "How-To – Format Sega CD Model 2 Memory & Clear Internal RAM") Seeing the Internal RAM is not initialized error on your Sega CD Model 2? Here's how to format the RAM and get back to playing in minutes. [ ![How to repair a Nintendo 64 reset button in 6 steps from the repair experts at the Old School Game Vault.](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/how-to-repair-n64-reset-button.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/how-to/907-fix-a-stuck-or-jammed-n64-reset-button "How To Fix N64 Reset Button: Quickly Repair Nintendo 64 Console") Fix your stuck Nintendo 64 reset button with these six simple steps. Whether it’s soda buildup, dust, dirt, or grime, let’s clean it up. ### Sell Your Retro Video Games for Cash The Old School Game Vault has been buying since 2008 with an A+ BBB rating and 4.99 on Trustpilot. - Instant quotes, no listing fees - Free shipping - Cash payment in 3 to 4 days [ Sell Your Retro Video Games ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/search-results) [ ![BBB Accredited Business A+ Rating](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/BBB_TheOSGVault-Seal.webp) ](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/morton-grove/profile/video-game-dealers/the-old-school-game-vault-0654-88378868) [ ![4.99 on Trustpilot](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/trustpilot-theosgv-image.webp) ](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/theoldschoolgamevault.com) ### Read our Customer Reviews [![The Old School Game Vault BBB Accredited Business](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/BBB_TheOSGVault-Seal.webp)](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profile/ecommerce/the-old-school-game-vault-0654-88378868/#sealclick) ### The Old School Game Vault Shipping Address: 6321 W. Dempster St #261, Morton Grove, IL 60053 Phone: +1 (847) 461-8568 [ ![4.99 on Trustpilot](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/trustpilot-theosgv-image.webp) ](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/theoldschoolgamevault.com)