Console Servicing

Retro consoles are now 25 to 40 years old. In that time dust builds up, contacts oxidise, plastics yellow, and — most importantly — the electrolytic capacitors on the circuit board slowly dry out and fail. Regular servicing keeps a console reliable and protects it from damage that is far harder to repair once it has happened.

We offer three levels of service.

Deep Clean

A full disassembly of the console, with a thorough internal and external clean. Dust and grime are removed from the board and shell, and the plastics are treated with a UV protectant to freshen them up and help guard against further yellowing.

Best for: a console that works well but is dirty, dusty or tired-looking.

System Recap

A full replacement of the console's electrolytic capacitors. As capacitors age they lose capacity and can leak, which shows up as picture and sound problems, instability, or a console that will not power on — and leaking capacitors can permanently damage the board around them. Replacing them with fresh, quality parts restores reliability and heads off that damage before it starts. The replacement capacitors are included in the price.

On the original Xbox, a recap also deals with the clock capacitor, which is notorious for leaking and damaging the board around it. It is usually removed rather than replaced.

Best for: any console you want to keep running long-term, or one already showing picture, sound or power issues.

Full Service

Our most complete option. It includes everything in the Deep Clean and the System Recap, plus resoldering of all the mechanical solder joints — power, controller and cartridge connectors. These joints take physical stress every time something is plugged in or removed, and over the years they can crack and cause intermittent faults.

Best for: a console you want restored to its best possible condition in one visit.

Dreamcast Battery Refurb

The Dreamcast keeps its clock and settings alive with a small battery soldered to the board. Once it fails, the console asks for the date and time on every start-up — and replacing a soldered battery is fiddly work. The Battery Refurb Kit sorts it for good:

• Socketed battery — future replacements are a simple swap, with no soldering.
• Replacement capacitor — fresh parts for the charging circuit.
• Self-healing controller fuse — protects the console, and resets itself rather than needing to be replaced if it trips.

The kit is supplied and installed by us. We also offer a battery mod for the GameCube, converting its clock battery to a socketed one.

Which Should I Choose?

• Just needs a refresh: Deep Clean.
• Want long-term reliability: System Recap.
• Want the lot: Full Service, which already includes both of the above.

If we find anything beyond the service you have booked, we will get in touch before doing any further work.

Return Postage

Return postage is invoiced once the work is complete. By default, your console is returned the same way it was sent to us — if it arrived by express, it goes back by express.