I got my 2nd NES for 20 bucks from Salvation Army. Put a $8 OEM 72 pin off ebay. Runs perfect.
Best thin you can do is let friends and family know what you're into, They may have some in a basement/ attic. Free is best!
I open the carts clean both sides with Weiman's cleaner on a qtip, then 91% alcohol to remove it.
I have refurb oem 72 pins on both my NES and all new games are cleaned this way before they ever go into my systems.
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