Sonic & Knuckles cart problem

[CB007]

Back in the 16 bit days, I only owned Nintendo systems. So I'm pretty new to the Genesis, just bought my first one a couple weeks ago. I have Sonic 2 and the Sega 6 Pak. Both work fine. Once in a while, I have to take a cartridge out and reinsert it to make it work, but no big deal.

Today, I got a Sonic & Knuckles cartridge from ebay. The thing just wouldn't start, I must've tried 10 times before I had any luck. After that, I took it out and tried again, just to test it, and again, another 10 times before I could get the game to start. I tried cleaning it with alcohol on a cotton swab, even though it didn't really seem that dirty to begin with.

I can't really tell if it's helped or not, the game still rarely loads properly. I just don't understand why this one is behaving so differently from the other two, even when it's cleaned and looks fine.

[CB007]

Hmm, I'm kind of embarassed. I tried cleaning it a second time. Went over it again and again, and now it seems to be working much better.

[Melf]

Glad to see it works, and welcome to the boards. :)

Yeah, some of those eBay games look like people stored their ear wax in them. I have no idea how they get so dirty.

[CB007]

Thanks, it looks like a nice board. I came across it during a google search.

I guess the cartridge must've had some real gunk in it that wasn't easily visible to the naked eye. It seems to be working flawlessly at this point.

I actually have the Sonic Mega Collection, but I just prefer playing the games on the Genesis when I have the chance.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah, some of those eBay games look like people stored their ear wax in them. I have no idea how they get so dirty.
Seriously! I swear, Americans seem to have the mantra of "Do not take care of your stuff. Get it dirty. Lose parts of it. And make sure it smells like smoke!" In Japan it's the complete opposite. Most games I get from Japan look like they've just come out of the factory despite being nearly 20 years old.

[Obviously]

Most people in Japan are neat freaks and most children in America are filthy. No mystery there.

[Genesis Knight]

And in Europe they all keep their games in specially designed pigpens to ensure crappy condition a mere three minutes after purchase.