Nintendo uses special security screws on their cartridges and consoles, mainly to kep people from disassembling the systems and potentially injuring themselves or frying their consoles. For those of us who do take Nintendo systems apart for the sake of making handhelds, this is a major problem. However, there are many ways to remove the screws.
There are 2 kinds of Nintendo screws, dubbed the "Tri-Wing" and the "Inverted Hex" screws. The Tri-Wing looks like a phillips slot, but it only has 3 wings instead of 4. The inverted hex has an odd-shaped bump on the head, sort of like the end of a hex bit. The screwdriver for it is sort of like a normal hex screw head.
The Inverted Hex screw, AKA "GameBit"
The Tri-Wing screw
There are many, many ways to remove these screws. I will try to list most of them.
Melt a Pen
Take an ordinary Bic pen and remove one end of it, so you get a tube. The end with the pen tip comes apart easiest. Simply hold the tip, along with the plastic trim over it, while pulling it out of the pen. The ink tube will be attatched, but no ink will spill if you do it right. Then, take a lighter, candle, or match BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE. KIDS, GET AN ADULT TO HELP YOU and soften the end of thew pen until it looks soft. Then quickly jam it onto the screw head and carefuly turn it to back the screw out. Don't leave the pen still for too long ot it might fuse with the case. Repeat the process from the melting part for each screw, unless the pen looks like it can withstand another screw.
Buy a Screwdriver
This is the best method if you're going to be taking apart many, many Nintendo screws. The only downfall is price. I, and many other people here, have seen a lot of people get frustrated and give up, just because they don't want to buy a screwdriver. Just search eBay for "Nintendo Screwdriver", and it should come up with that you're looking for. The screwdrivers shouldn't cost any more than $10.
Modify an existing screwdriver
This really only applies to the tri-wing screwdrivers, but you, might find an existing screwdriver that has a close-enough bit to the screw you want to open. For the tri-wing, you can always try filing off one of the prongs to make a Nintendo screwdriver, but it won't be an exact match just yet. You might need to do some filing and bending to get it to fit just right. Or you could just use a very small flathead screwdriver to open the tri-wing screws.
Heat up the screw
I have heard about this working. Very simply put, it involves taking a soldering iorn, heating up the screw, and pulling the screw out of the shaft with pliers. You would probably need a more powerful iorn than the $10 RadioShack models to do this, but I could be wrong. Just hold the tip on the screw long enough untilo it's a bit loose, then quickly take a pair of pliers and try to puill the screw out. This works because it softens the plastic that the screw is holding.
Dremel
I know this works woith some systems. Just take a Dremel tool (or a drill and a saw) and curt away all the plastic around the screw heads. I don't recommend doing this to a Game Boy.
Brute Force
Thios just involves cuttinhg, drilling, pulling, yanking, and playing that the system will open. It's dangerous and somewhat barbaric, but it may be your only option if you can't get the screws loose by any other means. Again, this is not the best solution if you're opening a Game Boy.
If anyone has any other methods, feel free to contribute.
Sticky, please!
Please?
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