NeoGeo Pocket Color issue

[Zets13]

Right now I only have one game for the system, so this might be hard to diagnose until I get a second one, but, here goes:

Right now, the console does not seem to want to read the one game I have. Without a game in, the system boots to the menu and all without issue. When I put the game in, it has the standard Pocket splash screen, but when the game should start the system just powers off. I have tried many times with the same result. I have cleaned the cart slot connector and cleaned the contacts on the cartridge thoroughly with both alcohol and some Weiman's cook top cleaner.

However, still have the same result. The inside of the system looks very clean and I do not detect any damage or anything like that.

Any idea as to what could be causing this?

[Zets13]

Well, I tried the game (Ogre Battle) on my monochrome NGP that has been sitting unused for most likely a decade and instead of shutting off I got a message saying the game is exclusive to the Color system. I guess this is a sign that the cart does in fact work? If it didn't I'd assume the result would be the same (shutting off) on both systems?