DS cartridge replacement save chips

[rvtr]

DS Cartridge replacement save chip IDs/pinouts

I've seen a good number of people ask what replacement saves are needed for their games. Here ya go.

You can buy these from whatever site you want. I like using Mouser and DigiKey, but some chips may be out of production and you'll need to find another source.

NOTE: When finding a replacement save chip...

- You can use a larger chip
- You can not use a smaller chip

NOTE: Pokemon games will use the 4mbit/512kb chips

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SO8 150 mil width (256kb - 512kb)

2mbit (256kb): LE25FW203A, LE25FW203T, M45PE20*, M35PE20**
4mbit (512kb): LE25FW403A, M45PE40

*M45PE20: I've had some issues finding this chip in the correct package, and when installed it doesn't want to work for long. Might be because I got it from unofficial distributors, but be careful and try to avoid it just in case.

**M35PE20: I've had trouble detecting this chip on 3DS. I made a WiFi board flasher that hooks up firmware (save) chips through the SPI bus. Every M35PE20 chip does not show up, though it's fine on DS/DSi. I am pretty sure the issue isn't a result of my adapter. I will test M35PE20s on normal cartridges and let you know.

PINOUT (same for all):

Spoiler

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TSSOP8 169 mil width (512bytes - 64kb)

4kbit (512bytes): M95040
64kbit (8kb): M95640
512kbit (64kb): M95512

PINOUT (same for all):

Spoiler

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Friendly reminder when installing a new chip:

Make sure the chip is lined up correctly with the cartridge! You're good as long as the dot on the chip and arrow on the PCB (circled below) are in the same position. These denote pin #1.

 

[SylverReZ]

A list of compatible save chips that will work:
- Micron/ST M25PE40 (512Kb)
- 25FW403 (512Kb)
- ST 35PE20P (256Kb)
- ST 45PE40VG (512Kb)

 

[rvtr]

A list of compatible save chips that will work:
- Micron/ST M25PE40 (512Kb)
- 25FW403 (512Kb)
- ST 35PE20P (256Kb)
- ST 45PE40VG (512Kb)

- M25PE40 is the wrong pinout.
- I already have LE25FW403A/T on the list
- Added M35PE20, just with a small note
- I already had M45PE40 on the list

 

[dotdissent]

The M45PE40's I've sourced are too thick to fit in the cart. Have you found a suitable replacement for these?

 

[rvtr]

I recommend getting these LE25FW403As. The 5 sold on this listing are all me lmao, I can say for sure that they work.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004535661601.html

 

[_collectorsrarity]

What kind of chipset is this

 

[rvtr]

What kind of chipset is this

I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[MasterBuilderEC]

What would be one that works with Pokemon Heartgold/Soulsilver/Black/White? Can you include a link?

 

[SylverReZ]

I'm not sure what you mean.

Think they meant what type of chip it uses. Clearly does state that on the markings.

What would be one that works with Pokemon Heartgold/Soulsilver/Black/White? Can you include a link?

They all use an SO8 (150mil) chip. You will need M45PE40 (512kb).

 

[rvtr]

As @SylverReZ said you'll need an M45PE40. You can also get a LE25FW403A from the link below (I have bought from that listing multiple times without issue), though they come in a lot of 5.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004535661601.html

 

[MasterBuilderEC]

Think they meant what type of chip it uses. Clearly does state that on the markings.


They all use an SO8 (150mil) chip. You will need M45PE40 (512kb).

Think they meant what type of chip it uses. Clearly does state that on the markings.


They all use an SO8 (150mil) chip. You will need M45PE40 (512kb).

Thanks! What kind of tools would you recommend for this kind of repair?

 

[rvtr]

Thanks! What kind of tools would you recommend for this kind of repair?

Hot air gun (specifically for soldering), flux, and a soldering iron.

You can do it with just an iron and flux, but it's much slower and easier to rip pads off of the cartridge when you remove the chip (tbh that's the only bad part, and it's fine if you have soldering experience). Brain age carts might be good boards to test soldering skills on since they'll use the same physical chip size and nobody cares about shovelware.

 

[SylverReZ]

Another thing I want to get off my mind, is that I don't personally recommend using a mini hot plate for this. Too much heat can flex the thin PCB and could break one of the connections if you're not careful. I've seen some people use magnets to hold it into place, not sure if this is a good idea, though (correct me if I'm wrong).

Hot air gun especially for smaller components like these is recommended. As long as you don't heat up the board for too long.

 

[Tyrant23]

Would this one work for Pokemon Black?

W25Q40EWSNIG

 

[rvtr]

Would this one work for Pokemon Black?

W25Q40EWSNIG

No. Please see the chips listed in the first message (LE25FW403A, M45PE40)

 

[Tyrant23]

No. Please see the chips listed in the first message (LE25FW403A, M45PE40)

Dang, this was suggested by another person... oh well, money lost i went ahead and bought what you recommended from Ali. Thanks for the help

 

[Johnmsuphyics]

Hot air gun (specifically for soldering), flux, and a soldering iron.

You can do it with just an iron and flux, but it's much slower and easier to rip pads off of the cartridge when you remove the chip (tbh that's the only bad part, and it's fine if you have soldering experience). Brain age carts might be good boards to test soldering skills on since they'll use the same physical chip size and nobody cares about shovelware.

Hello, so if I have a soul silver game with a "save data cant be accessed" message, would replacing that chip you mentioned in the ali link fix it? I have the soldering skills but i have not used that chip-set before.

 

[rvtr]

Hello, so if I have a soul silver game with a "save data cant be accessed" message, would replacing that chip you mentioned in the ali link fix it? I have the soldering skills but i have not used that chip-set before.

Yep, that listing should work. Just double check the chip ID to make sure it's 4mbit.

 

[PR0WN3D]

Hey so my copy of pearl doesnt even show up on the menu when I put it in. I opened the cart and saw a chip named "25FW403" that was cracked. Would soldering the "LE25FW403" chip u linked fix it?

 

[rvtr]

Hey so my copy of pearl doesnt even show up on the menu when I put it in. I opened the cart and saw a chip named "25FW403" that was cracked. Would soldering the "LE25FW403" chip u linked fix it?

I think so, yes. Also 25FW403 and LE25FW203 are the exact same thing.