Cape Breton man saving classic online game consoles one restore at a time

Consoles

‘I just like the puzzle a part of it’

Revealed Apr 23, 2025  •  5 minute learn

Cape Breton man saving classic online game consoles one restore at a time
Richard Wooden of Sydney Forks, higher identified on-line via his Video Sport Restoration movies, has constructed a following by repairing retro online game consoles. He has simply over 315,000 followers on TikTok. Picture by T.J. Colello /Cape Breton Put up

When you’ve watched any of Richard Wooden’s movies the place he repairs basic online game consoles, you’d suppose he has a background in electronics restore.

Nevertheless, the Sydney Forks resident is self-taught and in just a few years, has gained a wholesome social media following in his endless quest to “save the consoles” – which occurs to be his tagline on the finish of every video.

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He credit his dad, Richard Sr., for instilling the curiosity of fixing issues when he was a child.

“If we had a toy and it broke, we might take it aside and see the way it works,” mentioned Wooden, 32. “That tinkering got here from him.

“Throughout COVID, I used to be scrolling via YouTube and there was a man named Odd Tinkering and he restores nearly the whole lot. He restored a Sport Boy Advance … and I assumed it was the best factor ever.”

He put a name out to Fb to ask if anybody had any damaged online game programs to present repairing them a shot. He received a Nintendo Leisure System (which was first launched in North America in 1985), looked for widespread issues on-line and came upon repair it.

“I just like the puzzle a part of it, discovering an issue and fixing an issue,” mentioned Wooden.

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Quickly after, he determined to begin posting his movies to social media channels, beginning with the then-fledgling platform TikTok and branched out from there.

Components.
The various drawers of parts Richard Wooden has available to make repairs within the basement of his Sydney Forks house. There’s the whole lot from fuses to transistors, analog joysticks and audio system. Picture by T.J. Colello /Cape Breton Put up

ONLINE FOLLOWING

In his humble workshop within the nook of his basement, Wooden movies his movies with a modest setup. However that hasn’t stopped him from amassing subscribers: on TikTok, his busiest platform, he has 315,000 individuals tuning in to go together with 3.6 million likes. His YouTube channel has near 88,000 subscribers.

“100 per cent. I don’t know how I did it,” he mentioned when requested if he was shocked on the reputation of his channel. “I believe it’s the identify. Humorous sufficient, Video Sport Restoration isn’t taken wherever. My web site, Instagram, any new platform that comes up, I make an account now.

“I thought of it, what makes my content material totally different than everybody else. When I attempt to make a video, I attempt to do the earlier than and after as a result of I at all times like that “CleanTok.” Right here’s the earlier than, that is the mess, and right here’s the clear aspect of it.

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“In speaking with individuals who have little interest in video video games or electronics, that’s what they watch it for. I attempt to maintain it lighthearted and humourous.”

Though Wooden does sound like a pure in his movies, he admits it did take him a while to develop his fashion and discover his voice.

Richard Wood working at his desk.
Richard Wooden is proven within the basement of his Sydney Forks house engaged on the circuit board of a Nintendo Leisure System. Wooden’s tag line on his movies is “Save the Consoles,” which he’s doing one restore at a time. Picture by T.J. Colello /Cape Breton Put up

DOES REPAIRS FOR FREE

Wooden mentioned at first when he was simply studying the methods of the commerce, he didn’t cost individuals for repairs. As soon as he received his toes underneath him, he did cost a flat charge after which developed a pricing chart.

However now that his social media presence has grown, Wooden doesn’t cost anymore.

“Now that I’ve a sponsor and web site that sells digital parts and the YouTube web page for movies, I’m capable of do the whole lot totally free,” he mentioned.

When he’s not repairing an outdated Atari or respiration life again right into a PlayStation, Wooden works as a full-time Emergency Preparedness and Particular Operations (EPSO) paramedic. He’s additionally a part-time army reservist and facilitates on the paramedic college.

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As for his curiosity in video video games, Wooden says he’s been a fan since he was a child, beginning with the unique NES enjoying Tremendous Mario Bros./Duck Hunt, adopted by the Nintendo 64 and others. His favorite collection is The Legend of Zelda, a lot so he has tattoos on his arm paying homage to Hyperlink and his adventures in Hyrule.

Gabriel Iglesias
American comic Gabriel Iglesias (proven) reached out to Richard Wooden by way of TikTok to request some customized Sport Boy handhelds for each he and his pals. Picture by Dario Ayala /The Gazette

CELEBRITY INTERACTION

Wooden mentioned it takes each persistence and a whole lot of trial and error to get via some repairs. For instance, he’s lately been placing up struggle in opposition to an Atari 2600, a console launched in 1977 that’s normally fairly simple to repair. However he says there’s a gratification of getting via a tricky job and determining an answer to an issue.

That dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Comic Gabriel Iglesias reached out to Wooden by way of TikTok to make some customized Sport Boy handhelds for each he and his pals. He additionally wished an authentic Sport Boy restored and a PlayStation Vita repaired.

“It was probably the most surreal factor,” mentioned Wooden. “At the moment, earlier than the algorithm form of shifted, I used to be doing very well and that’s the place I received most of my following and my movies have been doing nice. … however I normally by no means checked out my followers as a result of there could be tons coming in. For no matter purpose, I scrolled via and noticed a blue examine and I used to be like oh, who’s that? It’s Gabriel Iglesias. I used to be like that may’t be an actual account and I checked out it and it was.

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“He messaged me and he was like ‘I actually wish to purchase a Sport Boy.’ I mentioned I actually don’t promote Sport Boys, however I’ll make an exception.”

Iglesias isn’t the one movie star interplay he’s had. Chris Younger, an American nation singer, follows his account. He additionally accomplished a Sport Boy mod (or modification) for and collaborated with TronicsFix, a fellow electronics restore YouTuber who has 1.65 million subscribers.

Richard Wood's award.
Richard Wooden’s YouTube channel, Video Sport Restoration, was named associate of the 12 months final 12 months by PCBWay, a circuit board producer. Picture by T.J. Colello /Cape Breton Put up

‘PART OF HISTORY’

Wooden’s repairs have seen him ship fastened consoles around the globe. Together with throughout North America, he’s shipped to Europe and as far-off as Lebanon.

As for his “Save the Consoles” catchphrase on the finish of every video, he mentioned it’s one thing that occurred organically and he simply stored utilizing it from there.

It’s one thing Wooden is hoping to be extra of a motion than a catch phrase, nevertheless, the place individuals repair classic online game consoles as an alternative of them ending up in a landfill.

“These are part of historical past for my part, so saving them is the perfect factor you possibly can do,” he mentioned.

BIO

Richard Wooden

Age: 32

Hometown: Sydney Forks

Household: Spouse Samantha, daughters Sage, Pyper, and Evie

Social media channels: Video Sport Restoration on TikTok, YouTube, Fb, Instagram, X, Discord

Web site: videogamerestoration.com

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