Is there a way to keep an NES prototype from going bad?

I'm new to collecting prototypes so I tried to Google this but I turned up empty handed.

I've read somewhere that all NES prototypes will eventually go bad. Is this true and would someone mind explaining it to me? If there's a way to keep it from happening I'd be interested in that as well.

I have a Ninja Gaiden III prototype cart in a ziplock bag that's stored in a NES clamshell case.

 

Google EPROM bit rot, you'll get lots of answer on why and all.

Short answer, you can't keep proto from going bad at all. Even if you sealed the proto in a 100% everything-proof safe and bury it deep underground to keep it away from light, EPROM will die anyway. Your safest bet is to make sure those EPROM are dumped if they are different from any already on the internet, and know someone who has an EPROM burner to reprogram a new ones, or reprogram your dead EPROM.

edit: here's a very good one: http://my.ais.net/~xtreme/SF/Bit-Rot/

 

The answer is: use a stasis field.

(Seriously though, if you really care about the cart, dumping and rewriting is definitely your best bet. The necessary hardware isn't even all that expensive afaik.)

 

the only real way to preserve is to dump it and back it up somewhere

 

Thanks man, very good read.

Retrousb.com sells a copynes which allows you to dump the game but they're currently unavailable. Are there any other places that sell something similiar?