A Game Boy cartridge with a failing save battery may lose saved games or retain them only intermittently. Many original Game Boy cartridges use a 3 V CR2025, but Game Boy-family boards can also use CR1616 or CR2032 cells. Check the battery designation on your cartridge’s board before buying, and use a cell with welded solder tabs—not a loose coin cell. Replacing it involves soldering, and removing the old battery can erase the existing save, so back up a readable save first if possible.
How to identify the right Game Boy cartridge battery
Look at the marking on the existing cell and confirm the size and polarity against the cartridge board before ordering. An iFixit guide for an original Game Boy cartridge specifies a 3 V CR2025, while Game Boy Resource documents tabbed CR1616, CR2025, and CR2032 cells across the Game Boy family. The battery type varies by cartridge; do not assume every Game Boy or Game Boy Color board takes a CR2025.
Order a matching coin cell with welded solder tabs. A loose coin cell is not the documented drop-in replacement for this soldered installation. A CR2025 product listing describes 3 V output and compatibility with select Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, but that does not establish compatibility with every cartridge.
Will replacing the battery erase your save?
It can. Cartridge save RAM depends on the battery for power, so removing the old cell may erase a save that is still readable. If you can still access the save, dump or otherwise back it up before starting. A replacement battery can retain future saves; it cannot recover data that has already been lost.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- GAMEBOY GAME-SAVER: Mart Cobra's CR2025 batteries keep your Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges saving progress again. Replace the old battery and continue your favorite classic adventures without losing saved data.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Our CR 2025 3v lithium coin batteries are 20 x 2.5 mm and weigh about 2.0 grams per coin battery. With a long-lasting performance, our batteries stayed charged longer losing less than 3% per year when kept at room temperature.
- AFFORDABLE POWER: Get a 10-pack of CR2025 batteries with solder tabs for under $10. Save up to 10 games! Ideal for GameBoy cartridge replacements, ensuring long-lasting game saves. Our 3v lithium batteries keep games charged!
- EASY INSTALLATION: Use a 3.8 mm screwdriver to open the GameBoy cartridge. Carefully remove the old battery. Insert a new CR2025 tabbed battery in the right orientation. Solder the tabs. Close the cartridge and test by saving your game progress.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHOICE: Opt for our 10-pack of CR2025 batteries, the ultimate power source for your gaming needs. Perfect for GameBoy cartridges, GameCube memory, and more. Reliable 3V lithium round batteries designed for long-lasting use
Tools and preparation
Gather the matching tabbed battery and the tools needed to open the cartridge and solder the replacement:
- 3.8 mm game-bit or security-bit screwdriver for the cartridge screw.
- Temperature-controlled soldering iron, solder, and desoldering braid; flux can help clean or prepare joints.
- Tweezers and a multimeter with voltage measurement.
- A clean, heat-resistant work surface and a camera or pen for recording the original battery orientation.
Replacing a cartridge battery involves soldering near board contacts. ConsoleMods notes a shorting risk, including in procedures that can involve soldering while the cartridge is powered. If you are not experienced with electronics soldering, use a repair service rather than attempting a live procedure.
Rank #2
- BATTERIES AND TOOLS SEPARATELY PACKED IN A SEALED PACK: Tabbed CR2025 Batteries 10-pack with 3.8mm, 4.5mm Security Bits and Triwing Screwdriver Set.
- GAMEBOY CARTRIDGE BATTERY REPLACEMENT: These batteries are the perfect replacement for most of your Gameboy and Gameboy Color (GBC) Games.
- POKEMON GAMEBOY GAME BATTERY REPLACEMENT: Pokemon Games including but not limited to Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Crystal, Pokemon HeartGold, Pokemon Soul Silver, Pokemon Gold and More!
- SOLDER TAB BUTTON CELL BATTERY: Perfect for replacing batteries without the need to add any solder tabs, makes replacing save battery in your games fast and easy
- WORKING BATTERIES GUARANTEE: All Batteries are packaged separately, so no batteries will be dead on arrival. If any batteries arrive dead, please contact us for a free replacement!
How to replace the cartridge battery
- Open the cartridge. Remove its security screw with a 3.8 mm game-bit, slide the shell open, and take out the board.
- Record the battery orientation. Photograph or mark which way the old cell’s positive and negative tabs face, and note the polarity markings on the board.
- Remove the old cell. Heat each solder joint briefly and lift the tab with tweezers. Avoid prolonged heat on the board. Use desoldering braid and flux as needed to remove excess solder.
- Fit the replacement. Confirm that the new cell matches the board’s required size and align its positive and negative sides with the board markings.
- Solder the tabs. Secure both tabs to the board. The iFixit procedure advises heating the solder and setting the replacement tabs onto the hot solder; avoid shifting the cell before the joints have set.
- Check voltage and polarity. Before closing the cartridge, use a multimeter in voltage mode to confirm the installed cell’s voltage and that its polarity matches the board.
- Reassemble. Clean residual flux if needed, return the board to the shell, and close the cartridge.
If the cartridge still will not save
If the new cell measures correctly but saves still fail, check the installation before concluding that the replacement battery is defective:
- Inspect both solder joints for a weak connection or an unintended bridge to a nearby contact.
- Verify that the cell’s polarity matches the board markings.
- Look for corrosion or damage on the board and check that the cartridge contacts are clean.
These checks can help identify installation or cartridge problems, but a replacement cell will not bring back a save that was erased when the old battery was removed.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Best Value
- RTB CR2025 batteries are designed to last long. Enjoy long CR 2025 lithium 3V coin battery life without worry. Use this time with pleasure.
- Cell Battery with Solder Tabs: Excellent for battery replacements that don't require extra solder tabs, ensuring a swift and effortless battery swap in your games.
- CR2025 lithium battery is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. Battery CR 2025 3V lithium cell robust construction makes it resistant to vibration and impact, ensuring it can withstand the rigours of daily use.
- Doube-end portable design of Gamebit Screwdriver compatible with original NES Nintendo game cartridge, Super Nintendo game cartridge, Nintendo 64 game cartridge, Original Game Boy game cartridge, Game Boy Color game cartridge, Virtual Boy game cartridge, Sega Game Gear game cartridge, Sega Genesis System game cartridge, Sega 32x System game cartridge, Super Nintendo console, Nintendo 64 console, Game Cube console, Virtual Boy console, Game Gear console, TurboGrafx 16 console, TurboDuo console
- Convenient Design 4.5mm & 3.8mm Gamebit Screwdrivers bits: Designed with a gentle magnetic tip, these bits keep small screws in place, so you don't have to worry about them dropping or disappearing.
Rank #4
- Battery characteristics: The battery is a non rechargeable battery with a capacity of 170mah and a working temperature range of -20~60 degrees. This product is environmentally friendly, mercury free, high energy density, durable, and has good continuous discharge stability.
- Gameboy cartridge battery replacement:Suitable for most Gameboy and Gameboy Color (GBC) GameBoy Advance (GBA) games.
- Compatible with Gameboy&Gameboy color cart attery replacement:Compatible with Gameboy Pokemon Gold Yellow Silver Red Wario land 2, Compatible with Gameboy Color Pokemon Blue Crystal, Compatible with ET Digital Companion Mary-Kate and Ashley - Pocket Planner, etc.
- Welding tab button battery: Very suitable for battery replacement. When packaging, we wrap the positive and negative poles of the product in red and black sleeves, so that you can clearly know the positive and negative poles when welding.
- Battery packaging: Each battery product is individually packaged, these batteries cannot be charged, otherwise the battery and product will be damaged.
Rank #3
- ✅CR1616 Battery Sets perfect for GameBoy, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, Nintendo NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis game console, also applicable to Pokémon Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire games, perfect save battery replacement
- ✅CR1616 3v 16mm Lithium Batteries with solder tabs, free of mercury and cadmium, environmentally friendly, high volts and high energy density provide a good continuous discharge performance
- ✅CR1616 Coin Battery Size: 16 *1.6mm, perfect to replace old save battery in Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges, come with 5 pcs, there are enough amount for use
- ✅3.8mm, 4.5mm and Triwing screwdrivers help you perfectly open the game cartridge, easily disassembly and installation
- ✅Easy Install: Open your GameBoy cartridge, carefully desolder the old battery, put in these new CR1616 solder labeled button cell batteries in the correct direction, solder the wiring, then your gaming console will back to life!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
