Gameboy Advance game, changing batteries?
 

I have a GBA game that no longer saves. I'm assuming the battery backup has since died. The game plays fine but once the power is off, no data is saved at all.

1) is it possible to change the batteries
a) how do I open it up, it is not a phillips or flathead screw
b) where do I purchase such a battery

2) is it worth the trouble to change the battery vs the cost?

It might be cheaper to just buy another copy.

I have been told that those cartidge batteries NEVER die... unless of course you somehow acquired a bootleg. Same thing happened to me with Tactics Ogre which I thought was real but was in fact a fake. If you really like the game, buy it again from a retail store. It is not worth trying to get a working battery in there (you'd pretty much have to canabalize another working game to do that).

I think I remember hearing that the battery actually recharges while the game is being played.. Maybe try leaving the game in the GB turned on for a little bit

Although they can last for decades, they can and do wear out just like any battery. I've replaced one before on a Sega Genesis cartridge, and it can be done although it's a hassle. The battery you can buy at Wal*Mart or Radioshack or any where, but the trouble is getting the system open, getting the battery out and then soldering the new battery in.

there are different save types for gba games. some use battery some use flash (which don't require battery)

Ah yeah, that's true. I didn't think about that.

hmm, thanks for the replies everyone. I definitely haven't had the game for over 15 or even 10 years. I guess I must have a bootleg.

so if i want to try and replace the battery, how would I go about getting the screw off? like I mentioned before, it is not the standard size fit. also, does anyone have information on how much would the battery costs?

I'll try leaving the game in the GBA to see if it recharges.

it would probably be cheaper for you to get a new copy from a retail store. i don't own a gba so i don't know if they games use torx, hex or what but if it is the special "screw driver" that looks like a triangle can be bought here, but it isn't cheap.

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