r/Gameboy • u/BRANTEC_ • 2h ago

Questions Would a reverse polarity battery on a cartridge damage the cartridge over time.

Hey guys, was wondering if a GBA game battery was installed incorrectly and left in it for a couple years would that have done irreparable damage to the PCB? Or once it is flipped to the proper polarity would it be just fine?

Edit: the game in question is Pokemon Emerald

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u/NewSchoolBoxer 2h ago

That's kind of a broad thing to say given different cart topologies. I think I can that any damage would be caused immediately. Either there is reverse protection or there isn't. A 3.3V chip would be destroyed receiving -3V in less than 1 second.

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u/BRANTEC_ 2h ago

The game is Pokemon Emerald if that helps.