The workshop

Nothing leaves the bench until it plays like it did in 1992. Here is what every console goes through before it reaches the shop.

1. 01

   Teardown and deep clean

   Every machine comes apart to the bare board. Shells are washed, screws are replaced, and boards go through an ultrasonic bath before contacts are deoxidised by hand.

2. 02

   Electronics service

   Capacitors are measured and replaced when out of spec, voltage regulators are load-tested, and dry joints on power and video sections are reflowed.

3. 03

   The known weak points

   New 72-pin connector on every NES, new laser lens and belt on every Saturn, new membranes in every pad, fresh save batteries where a game relies on one.

4. 04

   Picture and sound calibration

   Output is checked on a Trinitron CRT and through a 4K upscaler, on PAL and 60 Hz, so you get a clean picture on whatever you actually play on.

5. 05

   Soak test and repackaging as new

   Two hours of real gameplay with thermal monitoring, then the console is photographed, bagged, foamed and boxed as new with cables, pad, condition report and warranty card.