:

USB-C DEVICES LET YOU BACK UP OLD NINTENDO CARTRIDGES

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
WED, SEP 2, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

New USB-C gadgets enable players to save and preserve data from decades-old Nintendo cartridges before their built-in batteries fail permanently.

Nintendo cartridges from the Game Boy era relied on tiny watch batteries to retain save files—batteries designed to last only 10-15 years, not 26. As these power sources die, irreplaceable game progress disappears. Devices like the Epilogue Operator solve this problem by connecting to cartridges via USB-C and extracting save data to modern storage. The technology lets players back up their files before battery failure occurs, preserving memories and accomplishments from classic games. This addresses a growing challenge for retro gaming enthusiasts. As Nintendo's handheld library ages, save data loss becomes inevitable without intervention. The USB-C gadgets offer a straightforward backup solution, extending the lifespan of both cartridges and their data. These devices represent a practical answer to digital preservation, allowing collectors and casual players alike to safeguard their gaming history as original hardware continues to age.

■ SOURCES

The Verge

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

■ MORE FROM THE HARDWARE DESK

Tado has released its second-generation Smart Thermostat X, targeting European users abandoned by Google's exit from the thermostat market. The Matter-over-Thread device arrives as Google shuts down its legacy Nest thermostats in the region.

JUST NOWIndustry Desk

Russia's Rassvet satellite constellation is facing technical problems early in its deployment, with at least three of the first 32 satellites experiencing outright failures.

2H AGOAI Desk

Dell has unveiled the 14S, a student-focused laptop powered by Intel Wildcat Lake chips, starting at 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The device features an aluminum build and extended battery life as it competes with Apple's MacBook Neo.

3H AGOIndustry Desk

Acer has unveiled the fourth-generation Vero 16 laptop with increased repairability, featuring removable bottom covers, hinges, user-replaceable batteries, and SSDs. The release comes as part of Acer's broader lineup announcements at IFA 2026.

3H AGOIndustry Desk

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF

ONE EMAIL, 5 STORIES, 06:00 UTC. UNSUBSCRIBE ANYTIME.