Dimensions for Game Cartridges: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 13:29, 2 February 2023

Exclamation-triangle-fill.svgDRAFT (WORK IN PROGRESS ARTICLE - PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THE INFORMATION BELOW UNTIL MARKED AS COMPLETED)


[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

A game cartridge is a replaceable part designed to be connected to a home computer or a video gaming console. The purpose of this article is to catalogue the dimensions of cartridges used by popular retro consoles, in order to facilitate production of replacement cartridge shells or customized outer packaging.

Magnavox Odyssey Game No 6.png NES-Cartridge.jpg SNES-SFAM-Cartridges.jpg

First generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Original Magnavox Odyssey "Game Cards" 61 98 ? At the bottom of the game card, the width of the PCB is 90.5mm, expanding to 98mm width at the top of the handle. The height of the PCB portion is 26mm, and 61mm in total (including the handle). Brad Hartz (OdysseyNow) Magnavox Odyssey Game No 6.png Magnavox Odyssey.png
Magnavox Odyssey Multicard 110 [8] 105 15 105mm wide and 15mm thick at widest/thickest point of the 3D printed handle. The PCB is 90mm wide. TheRealOC FJo9S5LXEA0aiJq.jpg Magnavox Odyssey.png
Magnavox Odyssey Series of Consoles N/A N/A N/A The Odyssey Series of dedicated consoles were limited to a fixed number of built-in games and were not equipped for additional games that are distributed via ROM cartridges, discs, downloads or other digital media. TheRealOC NA.png Magnavox-Odyssey-2000-FL.jpg
TV Tennis Electrotennis (Epoch) N/A N/A N/A The Electrotennis was a dedicated console (i.e. with game(s) built in), which was not equipped for additional games that are distributed via ROM cartridges, discs, downloads or other digital media. TheRealOC NA.png TV Tennis Electrotennis.jpg
Atari Home Pong N/A N/A N/A Both models of Atari Home Pong (the C-100 and the C-140) were dedicated consoles, limited to a fixed number of built-in games and were not equipped for additional games that are distributed via ROM cartridges, discs, downloads or other digital media. TheRealOC NA.png S-l1600 (3).jpg
Coleco Telstar Series N/A N/A N/A The Coleco Telstar Series of dedicated consoles were limited to a fixed number of built-in games and were not equipped for additional games that are distributed via ROM cartridges, discs, downloads or other digital media. The one exception was the Coleco Telsar Arcade console. TheRealOC NA.png Coleco Telstar Deluxe.jpg
Coleco Telstar Arcade cartridges ? ? ? ? ? Coleco telstar arcade cartridge (front).jpg Coleco-Telstar-Arcade-Pongside-L.jpg
Nintendo Color TV - Game 6 N/A N/A N/A The Nintendo Color TV-Game Series of consoles were all dedicated consoles with games built-in; they were not equipped for additional games that are distributed via ROM cartridges, discs, downloads or other digital media. TheRealOC NA.png Nintendo-Color-TV-Game-Blockbreaker-FL.jpg

Second generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Atari 2600 87 81 19 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Atari 2600 cartridge.jpg Atari-2600.png
Sears Video Arcade II/Atari 2800 ? ? ? ? ? ?
Magnavox Odyssey 2 127 80 21 The cartridges are in chunky plastic casings with a handle to make removal easier, and in Europe they were typically boxed in hard plastic cases with a combined manual and inlay providing cover art. Reddit User: gsx115 Magnavox-Odyssey-2-Console-Set.jpg
Philips Videopac G7000 (European release of Odyssey 2) ? ? ? ? ? File:G7000.png
Mattel Intellivision 88 68 20 ? Reddit User: gsx115 File:Intellivision-Console-Set.jpg
Epoch Cassette Vision ? ? ? ? ? Epoch-Cassette-Vision-Console.jpg
Mattel Intellivision II ? ? ? ? ? Intellivision II.png
Coleco ColecoVision 87 81 19 ? Reddit User: gsx115 ColecoVision-wController-L.jpg
Atari 5200 112 104 20 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Atari-5200.png
GCE/MB Vectrex ? ? ? ? ? Vectrex-Console-Set.jpg

Third generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Nintendo Entertainment System (US) * 133 119 16 All officially licensed NTSC-U and PAL region cartridges are the same dimensions. Early NES Game Paks are held together with 5 small, slotted screws. Reddit User: gsx115 NES-Cartridge.jpg NES.png
Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL) * 133 119 16 All officially licensed NTSC-U and PAL region cartridges are the same dimensions. Early NES Game Paks are held together with 5 small, slotted screws. Reddit User: gsx115 NES-Cartridge.jpg Neseuropean version.jpg
Famicom * 108 71 17 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Famicom.png
AV Famicom * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Famicom Disk System * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Twin Famicom * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Sega SG-1000 * ? ? ? ? ? SG-1000.png
SG-1000 Multicart (Survivors MegaCart) 106 82 20 ? TheRealOC Sega SG-1000 multicart.jpg SG-1000.png
Sega Mark III * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Sega Master System * 108 69 17 ? Reddit User: gsx115 SMS.png
Sega Master System (JP, MK-2000) * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Atari 7800 87 81 19 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Atari-7800.png
Casio PV-1000 * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Epoch Super Cassette Vision * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Amstrad GX4000 * ? ? ? ? ? ?

Fourth generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Atari Lynx * ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC TurboGrafx 16 * 53 84 2 ? Reddit User: gsx115 TurboGrafx16.png
PC Engine * ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC PC Engine CD * ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC TurboGrafx-CD * ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC SuperGrafx ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC TurboExpress/PC Engine GT ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC Super CD-ROM2 ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC PC Engine LT ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC PC Engine Duo-R/Duo-RX ? ? ? ? ? ?
Standard Sega Mega Drive Japanese Cartridges 67 93 17 The PCB's are always ~83mm since the receiver is around 85mm. Japanese carts have a rectangular footprint 93mm wide, 67mm tall, 17mm thick with rounded edges; the top and sides of the cart are also rounded, with the left side of the cart having an indentation (for locking the cart while the console is powered). NagaTen Standard Japanese MegaDrive cartridge.png Genesis Model 1.png
Standard PAL Sega Mega Drive Cartridges 67 95/108 17 Genesis and PAL Mega Drive carts share the same mold; their footprint goes from a rectangular 95mm wide shape and widens into 108mm with rounded sides, 67mm tall and 17mm thick, with chamfered edges. Only the sides of the cart are rounded, with the top being being flat, and there is no indentation since consoles outside Japan don't have a cart locking mechanism. NagaTen Standard PAL MegaDrive cartridge.png Sega Mega Drive - European PAL Model 1.jpg
Standard NTSC Sega Genesis Cartridges 67 95/108 17 Genesis and PAL Mega Drive carts share the same mold; their footprint goes from a rectangular 95mm wide shape and widens into 108mm with rounded sides, 67mm tall and 17mm thick, with chamfered edges. Only the sides of the cart are rounded, with the top being being flat, and there is no indentation since consoles outside Japan don't have a cart locking mechanism. NagaTen Standard NTSC Genesis cartridge.png Genesismodel1.jpg
Sega Genesis Acclaim Cartridges 67 95/108 17 Acclaim cartridges are similar to standard Genesis/PAL cartridges but with different text in the rear molding. The carts are also curved then flat on the sides unlike the SEGA-manufactured ones that are just curved. Adam Koralik Akklaim cartridge (rear).png Genesismodel1.jpg
Sega Genesis EA (Electronic Arts) Cartridges 88 95 17 Electronic Arts reverse-engineered the Genesis and produced their own (taller) carts, which were notable for the large indentation with a yellow plastic section with the EA logo molded onto it. Cartridges have flat edges at the bottom, a flat top and chamfered/slightly rounded sides. NagaTen Sega Genesis EA cartridge.png EA cartridge side view.png
Standard Sega 32x PAL Cartridge 111 72 16 Aside from text which is written into the mold, Genesis and PAL 32x carts share the same mold; the design is consistent across all regions. Unlike the Japanese Mega Drive there is no cartridge lock, but there are also no end labels. Reddit User: gsx115 Standard Sega 32x PAL Cartridge.png Sega 32X.png
Standard Sega 32x NTSC-U Cartridge 111 72 16 Aside from text which is written into the mold, Genesis and PAL 32x carts share the same mold; the design is consistent across all regions. Unlike the Japanese Mega Drive there is no cartridge lock, but there are also no end labels. Reddit User: gsx115 Standard Sega 32x NTSC Cartridge.png Sega 32X.png
Sega Mega Drive Codemasters Cartridge 75 98/65 17 Codemasters cartridge (without controller ports) are 98mm wide at the bottom, tapering away to 65mm at the top. These carts have flat edges, a flat top and rounded sides. NagaTen Codemasters Sega Mega Drive Cartridge.png Sega Mega Drive - European PAL Model 1.jpg
Sega Mega Drive Codemasters "J-Cart" Cartridge (with controller ports) 75 98/65 17 J-Carts are exactly the same as standard Codemasters cartridges, but with two front-facing 9-pin controller ports labelled "Control 3" and "Control 4". NagaTen Codemasters Sega Mega Drive Cartridge with Controller ports.png Sega Mega Drive - European PAL Model 1.jpg
Sega Genesis Codemasters "J-Cart" Cartridge (with controller ports) 75 98/65 17 J-Carts are exactly the same as standard Codemasters cartridges, but with two front-facing 9-pin controller ports labelled "Control 3" and "Control 4". Genesis version is identical to PAL version. Adam Koralik Sega Genesis J Cart (front view).png Sega Genesis J Cart (rear view).png
Sega Genesis Sonic and Knuckles cartridge 82 (incl. the cover) 95/116 17/22 "Sonic 3" and "Sonic & Knuckles" were originally conceived as a single game, however ROM size constraints meant that the game had to be split into two separate parts. The "Sonic & Knuckles" cart is an identical shape to a Standard PAL MegaDrive/NTSC Genesis cartridge at the bottom (with a "cut" on the left side of the cart for compatibility with the Japanese cart-locking mechanism).

However, the top of the cart has a swiveling cover called a "Lock-On Adapter", which allows the player to connect another cartridge on top. The footprint of the cartridge goes from a 95mm wide shape and widens into 116mm at the top, while the thickness goes from 17mm to 22mm.

NagaTen Sega Genesis Sonic and Knuckles cartridge.png Sonic and knuckles pic 3 (resized).png
Mega Key region converter cartridge 67 95/108 17 This is an unofficial region bypass cartridge that uses dip switches to convert cartridges from any region (USA/Japan/Brazil/PAL+SECAM) to work with a Sega Genesis/MegaDrive console from any region. As with standard cartridges, the Mega Key footprint goes from a rectangular 95mm wide shape and widens into 108mm

The cartridge being converted would sit on top of an adapter which is 87mm wide and 9mm thick. The Mega Key cart itself is 67mm tall, but 127mm with a regular cart on top. Despite the grey area around the concept of the cart, this was actually officially distributed in Portugal, by Ecofilmes (see Wikipedia @ shorturl.at/sDEFJ)

NagaTen Mega Key (Front view).png Mega Key in use.png
Sega Game Gear * 68 66 10 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Game Gear.png
Nintendo Game Boy 65.5 57 7.5 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Game Boy.png
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket ? ? ? ? ? ?
Super Nintendo (US) 85 134 20 ? ? SNES.png
Super Famicom * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Super Nintendo (PAL) * ? ? ? ? ? ?
SNK Neo Geo AES * ? ? ? ? ? ?
SNK Neo Geo CD N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media ? Optical disc icon (public domain).png Neo-Geo-CD-TopLoader-wController-FL.png
Pioneer LaserActive ? ? ? ? ? Optical disc icon (public domain).png LaserActive.png

Fifth generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Commodore Amiga CD32 N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Amiga-CD32-wController-L.jpg
Panasonic 3DO N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Panasonic 3DO FZ-1.png
Atari Jaguar * ? ? ? ? ? ? Atari-Jaguar.png
Atari Jaguar CD * N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Atari-Jaguar-CD-wPro-Controller.jpg
Bandai Playdia * N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Bandai-Playdia-Set-R.jpg
Sega Saturn ? ? ? ? ? ? Saturn Model 1.png
Sony PlayStation N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS1.png
Sony PSone N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PSOne.png
NEC PC-FX ? ? ? ? ? ? PC-FX-Console-Set.jpg
Casio Loopy ? ? ? ? ? ? Casio-Loopy-Console-Set.jpg
Apple Pippin N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media ? Optical disc icon (public domain).png Bandai-Apple-Pippin-Console-FL.jpg
Nintendo 64 75 116 18 ? Reddit User: gsx115 N64 cartridge.jpg N64.png
Virtual Boy 68 75 7 ? Reddit User: gsx115 ? Virtual-Boy-Set.jpg
Nintendo Game Boy Color 65.5 57 9 ? Reddit User: gsx115 ?

Sixth generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Game Boy Advance 60 35 9 ? Reddit User: gsx115 ? Game Boy Advance.png
Game Boy Advance SP ? ? ? ? ? ? Game Boy Advance SP.png
Game Boy Micro ? ? ? ? ? ? Game Boy Micro.png
Sega Dreamcast N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Dreamcast.png
Sony PlayStation 2 (original) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS2.png
Sony PlayStation 2 (slim, SCPH-7xxxx) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS2 Slim.png
Sony PlayStation 2 (slim, SCPH-9000x) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS2 Slim 2.png
VM Labs Nuon N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Samsung Nuon N2000.png
Microsoft Xbox N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox.png
Nintendo GameCube N/A N/A N/A The main media used by the Gamecube are "Gamecube Game Discs". However, the console can also play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges, via the Game Boy Player accessory. For more information about those cartridges, see the entries for those devices on this page. TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png GameCube.png

Seventh generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Nintendo DS 35 33 3.8 ? Reddit User: gsx115 DS.png
Nintendo DS Lite 35 33 3.8 ? Reddit User: gsx115 DS-Lite.png
Nintendo DSi series 35 33 3.8 ? Reddit User: gsx115 DSi XL.png
Sony PSP (except N1000/Go) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media Glitchgod PSP-2000.png
Sony PSP-N1000 series (Go) N/A N/A N/A Console does not use physical media Glitchgod NA.png PSP-Go.png
Nintendo Wii N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media Glitchgod Optical disc icon (public domain).png Wii.png
Mattel HyperScan ? ? ? ? ? ? Mattel Hyperscan.jpg
Microsoft Xbox 360 N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox 360.png
Microsoft Xbox 360 S N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png ?
Microsoft Xbox 360 E N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox 360 E.png
Sony PlayStation 3 N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS3-Fat.png

Eighth generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Nintendo 3DS/2DS Series incl. New 35 33 3.8 ? Reddit User: gsx115 3DS.png
Sony PS Vita 30 22 ? ? Reddit User: gsx115 Vita.png
Sony PS Vita TV N/A N/A N/A Console does not use physical media Glitchgod NA.png PSTV.png
Nintendo Wii U N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Wii U.png
Sony PlayStation 4 (original) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS4.png
Sony PlayStation 4 (slim) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS4 Slim.png
Sony PlayStation 4 Pro N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS4 Pro.png
Microsoft Xbox One N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox One.png
Microsoft Xbox One S N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox One S.png
Microsoft Xbox One X N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox One X.png
Nintendo Switch Game Cards ? ? ? ? ? Nintendo-Switch-Cartridge.jpg Switch.png

Ninth generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Image
Sony PlayStation 5 N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PS5.png
Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition N/A N/A N/A Console does not use physical media TheRealOC NA.png ?
Microsoft Xbox Series S N/A N/A N/A Console does not use physical media TheRealOC NA.png Xbox Series S.png
Microsoft Xbox Series X N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png Xbox Series X.png

References

  1. ↑ https://shmup.fandom.com/wiki/Tate_Mode
  2. ↑ https://www.doesitflip.com/
  3. ↑ https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60868
  4. ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/curator/14416124/
  5. ↑ https://retronauts.com/article/946/the-comprehensive-list-of-flip-grip-friendly-vertical-games-for-switch
  6. ↑ http://www.gamepilgrimage.com/content/games-tate-mode-standard-definition
  7. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/85fqso/list_of_switch_games_that_support_nonstandard/
  8. ↑ https://forums.atariage.com/topic/332013-does-any-place-make-or-sell-custom-cases-that-would-fit-this-magnavox-odyssey-multicard/#comment-5014407
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