Arcade Supply Company

LEDs are everywhere in game consoles—from power indicators and activity lights to custom modding projects—but choosing the right one isn’t always straightforward. This guide breaks down how LEDs work, explains color, voltage, brightness, and resistors, and shows how to safely select and install LEDs for console repairs and mods. Whether you’re restoring vintage hardware or customizing a system, this overview gives you the confidence to do it right.

Vintage game consoles don’t fail overnight — they slowly age. From leaking capacitors and corroding batteries to dried thermal paste, cracked solder joints, brittle plastics, and failing optical drives, time takes its toll even on well-stored systems. Understanding how and why these components break down makes it easier to prevent damage, avoid costly repairs, and keep original hardware running for years to come.