DS Game Cartridge in Washing Machine: Likely Dead

Almost certainly non-functional.

Why It's Destroyed

• Water + Detergent: Penetrates cartridge seams, corrodes PCB traces, ROM chip pins, battery (save data), and CIC (lockout) chip.
• Agitation/Spin: Mechanical shock cracks solder joints, dislodges components, scratches contacts.
• Heat (Dryer): Melts plastic, reflows solder unpredictably, accelerates corrosion.

Immediate Triage (If It Just Happened)

1. Do NOT power on.
2. Remove from cartridge slot.
3. Rinse with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (displaces water, cleans detergent). Submerge, agitate gently.
4. Blow out with compressed air / IPA spray.
5. Dry 48+ hours in warm, dry airflow (rice/silica gel optional).
6. Clean contacts with IPA + cotton swab / fiberglass pen.
7. Test in console.

Success rate < 5%. Save data (battery-backed SRAM) almost certainly lost. Mask ROM (game code) may survive if no corrosion bridged pins.

Replace the cartridge. Dump save via hardware flasher (e.g., GBxCart RW) if desperate.