Custom Gold Zelda: A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening Cart

[BadChad]

So I picked up the collectors edition of Ocarina of time today and I was thinking about how A Link to the Past never got a got a gold cart. I decided to take matters into my own hands and ran off to Canadian Tire to get some spray paint. Heres how it turned out if your interested in doing this yourself.

First you'll need supplies:

- A copy of Zelda (obviously)
- Game Bit Screwdriver
- Steel Wool
- Masking Tape
- Exacto Knife
- Metallic Spray Paint Gold or Brass (there was gold and 2 different kinds of brass, I tested them out by spraying all over the cans of the shelf and the Brass looked best )


Open up your cart and place some masking tape over the label. Run your finger nail along the edges of the tape so it tucks nice and tight to the label which well make cutting the excess tape cleaner and easier.


Use your exacto knife to neatly cut along the sides of the label.


Use the steel wool to give the cart a good scrubbing. This will make the cart a little more rough so the paint sticks better aswell as removing any dirt, scratches or other marks that might be on your cart.


Next find yourself a nice open area and something to raise the cart up a little bit for easier spraying. I used my hallway and threw down some card board and used two empty beer cans to raise the carts  


Use quick strokes from a distance across the cart to give a nice even paint job. Apply a second coat if necessary. Let it sit and dry for 5-10 min.


Slowly peel off the masking tape making sure not to peel any of the paint off the cart.


Put it back together and voila! Your very own Gold copy of Zelda: A Link to the Past! Its a beautiful thing


I would suggest putting your cart inside a small plastic bag to avoid any paint chipping while its inside the case.


I have a US and a Canadian copy of this game so I did both of them.



If anyone happens to know the dimensions for the back sticker, Id like to make a gold sticker to put on the back which I will post here for enyone els who wants it. Thanks!  

Zelda: Link's Awakening

[Marie]

Awesome! I'm definitely going to have to think about doing this. My brother and I often talked about painting a few different game cartridges different colors, but never quite knew how to go about it. Thanks for sharing this.

[juan0tron]

Very cool looking! But wouldn't krylon fusion paint be better for this type of plastic? I remember using it when I painted my DS phat black. If this stuff doesn't chip off it might be a cheaper solution for my plastic painting needs

[BadChad]

Maybe, but Im no spray paint expert. I just grabbed what seemed to be the best from what was available. It actually feels pretty solid. I just figured putting it in a bag would be a good idea to keep it in better shape from chipping over time. My Zelda 1 and 2 have chipping in the corners, at least I can keep this one minty!

[shenske]

I've used that exact same spray paint before on my homemade famicom-to-nes converter. I used some steel wool before i painted too and unfortunately it is starting to chip a bit. The chips are small but over time it will only get worse. Best of luck with yours 

[BadChad]

I've used that exact same spray paint before on my homemade famicom-to-nes converter.

How exactly do you do that? Id definetly be interested in making a few of those.

[shenske]

I've used that exact same spray paint before on my homemade famicom-to-nes converter.

How exactly do you do that? Id definetly be interested in making a few of those.

I have made two so far. Here is an article giving you an idea of which games you can destroy to make one. 
If you need to see pictures i can take a picture of mine.
http://famicomworld.com/workshop/articles/nes-cart-converters/

[ShoothimNow]

Ahh good ol' Gyromite.  I love that everyone gets rid of this game.. because they don't have Rob, and then I come along and buy it in the local game store for $1 everytime =D =D =D.  70% chance that it contains it. I know that there is a difference in the rob in the corner, but its too hard for me to remember which is which

[BadChad]

Sure if you wouldnt mind. This isnt to crazy of a project is it? I wouldnt say Im the best at soldering.

What sucks about those Gyromites is the converters only seem to be in the US copies. Ive yet to find one in any of the Canadian copies.

[shenske]

Sure if you wouldnt mind. This isnt to crazy of a project is it? I wouldnt say Im the best at soldering.

What sucks about those Gyromites is the converters only seem to be in the US copies. Ive yet to find one in any of the Canadian copies.

No soldering whatsoever. You only need a screwdriver, some sand paper, a xacto blade and a file if you have it.

It is only found in the U.S. copies. The reason why there even are the converters inside of the early US carts is because Nintendo had to hit a deadline for the US NES release. They didn't have enough of the US chips they promised for launch. Their solution was to use old Famicom chips + a converter so it would work on the US NES.

Best bet it to just find one on ebay if you aren't in the states

[BadChad]

No soldering whatsoever. You only need a screwdriver, some sand paper, a xacto blade and a file if you have it.

It is only found in the U.S. copies. The reason why there even are the converters inside of the early US carts is because Nintendo had to hit a deadline for the US NES release. They didn't have enough of the US chips they promised for launch. Their solution was to use old Famicom chips + a converter so it would work on the US NES.

Best bet it to just find one on ebay if you aren't in the states

Yeah sorry nvm lol. I read the article after I replied. I thought this was a tutorial to make your own with some kind of cart modification. I have at least 8 or 9 converters so far. Bought a couple Gyromites and Wrecking Crews and found a honeybee and a few more in pirate carts in town which Ive used to make US carts of games like Gimmick!, Gradius 2, Crisis Force, TwinBee as well as some translations for Wai Wai World 1 & 2, TwinBee 3 and Getsuu Fuuma Den.

Its starting to get expensive for these converters on ebay and theres still a couple translations I want that need the famicom board and converter so I was hoping you knew an inexpensive way to make these yourself somehow  

[Jonesat]

Maybe, but Im no spray paint expert. I just grabbed what seemed to be the best from what was available. It actually feels pretty solid. I just figured putting it in a bag would be a good idea to keep it in better shape from chipping over time. My Zelda 1 and 2 have chipping in the corners, at least I can keep this one minty!

good thing for me is im totally a self proclaimed expert   haha

krylon fusion IS the best there is for doing plastics, but they def dont have that awesome metallic gold in fusion, which btw badchad, looks @#$@#$ amazing on that link to the past cart.  did it ever turn out good dude.

to avoid chipping, you can buy some triple thick crystal coat.  brings the color out and makes it nice and fresh looking forevers.  i use it on my custom 360 controllers so the paint doesnt come off on my hands when i get sweaty



http://www.krylon.com/products/triplethick_crystal_clear_glaze/

if you want badchad, u can borrow my can next time im at work i'll toss it in your locker

[BadChad]

Thanks but dont worry about it. I still have some clear coat left from when I painted my Guitar Hero controller a while back. But I dont think Im going to put a clear coat on the cart anyway. I dont really intend to play it so Im not worried about it chipping lol

[Drakul]

that looks kick ass dude! Love it.

[BadChad]

Decided to do the same thing to a copy of Link's Awakening I picked up a little while ago using te same steps I used for A Link to the Past.