Dimensions for Game Cartridges

From ConsoleMods Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
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.

First generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Images
Original Magnavox Odyssey "Game Cards" 60 100 5.5 At the bottom of the game card, the width of the PCB is 90.5mm, expanding to just under 100mm width at the top of the handle. The height of the PCB portion is 26mm, and approx. 60mm in total (including the handle). The thickness of 5.5mm is at the thickest point (the handle). Note that the black molding is not exact between different cards so some deviation from these measurements can be expected. Zach Horton & 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 ? ? ? This could arguably be said to be the first "true" cartridge for a home gaming console. Whereas the earlier Magnavox Odyssey game cards merely turned on or off certain electronics inside the console (like a set of switches or jumpers), the Telstar Arcade cartridge actually contained small 512-word programs in ROM. The cartridge has a unique triangular shape which connects on the top of the Telstar Arcade console. ? 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 Images
Atari 2600 87 81 19 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Atari 2600 cartridge.jpg Atari-2600.png
Sears Video Arcade II/Atari 2800 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Magnavox Odyssey 2 cartridge 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 Odyssey 2 cartridge (front).jpg Odyssey 2 cartridge (rear).jpg
Philips Videopac G7000 cartridge (European release of the Magnavox Odyssey 2) 127 80 21 The cartridges for the PAL and NTSC versions of the console (Magnavox Odyssey 2 and Videopac G7000 respectively) are the same size and shape; anecdotally the Videopac carts have a more crisp casting (and possibly molding).

The American Odyssey 2 cards have a more rounded-ness to the straight edge. It's possible the mould for the Odyssey 2 cards was made by taking a mould of one of the Videopac carts in much the same way we see similar sculpts degradation in other bootleg cards and toys.

Avon Fox (www.the-liberator.net) VideoPac cartridge (front).jpg VideoPac cartridge (rear).jpg
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 Images
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) * Neseuropean version.jpg
Famicom * 108 71 17 ? Reddit User: gsx115 ? Famicom.png
AV Famicom * ? ? ? ? ? ? AVFamicom.png
Famicom Disk System * ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Twin Famicom * ? ? ? ? ? ? TurboTwinFamicom.png
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 * ? ? ? ? ? ? MarkIII.png
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 Images
Atari Lynx * ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
NEC TurboGrafx-16 HuCard/TurboChip * 53 84 2 ? ApolloBoy TG16 HuCard (front).jpg TG16 HuCard (rear).jpg
Standard PC Engine HuCard * 53 84 2 Most PC Engine HuCards are physically identical to their TG-16 counterparts but have a different pinout Reddit User: gsx115 PC Engine HuCard (front).jpg PC Engine HuCard (back).jpg
NEC PC Engine SuperGrafx 53 84 2 Same as the PC Engine but the label is flipped around as HuCards are loaded into the rear of the console ApolloBoy SuperGrafx HuCard (front).jpg SuperGrafx HuCard (rear).jpg
NEC PC Engine CD * N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media ApolloBoy Optical disc icon (public domain).png PCEngineCDROM.jpg
NEC TurboGrafx-CD * N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media ApolloBoy Optical disc icon (public domain).png TurboGrafxCD.png
NEC TurboExpress/PC Engine GT 53 84 2 This is not a unique console with its own dedicated games library. Rather it is a miniaturized version of the existing TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine consoles, and uses the same HuCards.

The North American TurboExpress and the Japanese PC Engine GT version are cross compatible.

RifeXD (YouTube) TG16 HuCard (front).jpg TurboExpress.png
NEC TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo 53 84 2 The TurboDuo integrates the capabilities of the TurboGrafx-16 and the TurboGrafx-CD) into a single, redesigned unit. The PC Engine Duo does the same for the Japanese PC Engine and the Super CD-ROM2. However, neither the TurboDuo nor PC Engine Duo any additional hardware on the HuCard side. ? ? TurboDuo.png
NEC Super CD-ROM2 N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media ApolloBoy Optical disc icon (public domain).png SuperCDROM2.jpg
NEC PC Engine LT 53 84 2 Similarly to the PC Engine GT, the PC Engine LT uses the same HuCards as a standard Japanese PC Engine home console (the LT was released exclusively in Japan, and does not support American Turbochips). Due to the exclusivity of the LT, it seems unlikely (though not confirmed) that the LT received its own exclusive Hucards. Unconfirmed PC Engine HuCard (front).jpg PC Engine LT.jpg
NEC PC Engine Duo-R/Duo-RX ? ? ? ? ? ? DuoR.png
Standard Sega Mega Drive Japanese Cartridges 67 93 17 The PCBs are always ~83 mm since the receiver is around 85 mm. Japanese carts have a rectangular footprint 93 mm wide, 67 mm tall, 17 mm 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 95 mm wide shape and widens into 108 mm with rounded sides, 67 mm tall and 17 mm 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 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, 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 Standard Sega 32x NTSC Cartridge.png Sega 32X.png
Standard Sega 32X NTSC-J Cartridge 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". Genesis version is identical to PAL version. NagaTen, Adam Koralik 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) Sega Genesis J Cart (front view).png Sega Genesis J Cart (rear view).png
Sega Genesis/Mega Drive 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 was used for all regions, and is an identical shape to a standard PAL Mega Drive/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/Mega Drive console from any region. As with standard cartridges, the Mega Key footprint goes from a rectangular 95 mm wide shape and widens into 108 mm. The cartridge being converted would sit on top of an adapter which is 87 mm wide and 9 mm thick. The Mega Key cart itself is 67 mm tall, but 127 mm 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 Cartridge.png Game Boy.png
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket Game Boy Pocket.png
Standard NTSC-U Super Nintendo Cartridges 85 134 20 ? ? ? SNES.png
Super Famicom * 86 127 20 PAL and Japanese cartridge casings are identical, with the exception of the base from which the PCB extrudes. Bomb Bloke SNES Cartridge (PAL).png Super Famicom.png
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 Images
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 68.36 75.8 6.61 The Virtual Boy was never released in PAL regions; the NTSC-U and NTSC-J cartridges are identical, with the only different carts being the HyperFlash32, HyperBoy, and Flash Boy. The cartridge is 73.74 mm tall when including the dust cap. Virtual Girl (Candi's Classic Game Shrine) Virtual boy cart (front).png Virtual boy cart (back).png
Nintendo Game Boy Color 65.5 57 9 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Game Boy Cartridge.png File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Color-FL.jpg

Sixth generation of consoles

Console Height (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Notes Confirmed by Images
Game Boy Advance 60 35 9 ? Reddit User: gsx115 Game Boy Advance Cartridge.png 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 Images
Nintendo DS 35 33 3.8 ? Reddit User: gsx115 NDS Cartridge.png DS.png
Nintendo DS Lite DS-Lite.png
Nintendo DSi series DSi XL.png
Sony PSP (except N1000/Go) N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media Glitchgod Optical disc icon (public domain).png 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 Xbox 360 S.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 Images
Nintendo 3DS/2DS Series incl. New 35 33 3.8 ? Reddit User: gsx115 ? 3DS.png
Sony PS Vita 30 22 2 ? Reddit User: gsx115 PSVita game card minus artwork.jpg Vita.png
Sony PS Vita TV 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 Images
Sony PlayStation 5 N/A N/A N/A Console uses disc-based physical media TheRealOC Optical disc icon (public domain).png PlayStation 5 and DualSense with transparent background.png
Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition N/A N/A N/A Console does not use physical media TheRealOC NA.png PS5.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