Cartridges

bob · 07/06/2016, 10:43 AM

So the "NX" thread got me thinking. I miss cartridges. Neat shells of plastic where the company had complete creative license to design it however they wanted. Some were space savers, and some were space wasters. The question here is, what was your favorite cart shape?
Here are most of the home console carts for reference. The timeline is very loose and not meant to be a factor here, just wanted to take a pic of each one. I left out the handhelds and Virtual Boy just because. Personally, I was a fan of the 32x shape/size/weight overall, but you can't deny the basic Hu either. (also left out the sega card for bias.)
Obviously, I stuck to 20 USA releases below just to start the discussion, but if you have a different cart that you prefer, then by all means mention it (and show it).

Fairchild Channel F:
/fairchild.jpg

RCA Studio II:
/studio.jpg

Atari 2600:
/2600.jpg

Bally Videocade:
/videocade.jpg

Magnavox Odyssey 2:
/odyssey.jpg

Intellivision:
/intel.jpg

Coleco:
/coleco.jpg

Vectrex:
/vectrex.jpg

Emerson Arcadia 2001:
/arcadia.jpg

Atari 5200:
/5200.jpg

NES:
/nes.jpg

Sega Master System:
/sms.jpg

Atari 7800:
/7800.jpg

TurboGrafx-16:
/tg.jpg

Sega Genesis:
/genesis.jpg

Neo Geo:
/neo.jpg

Super Nintendo:
/snes.jpg

Atari Jaguar:
/jaguar.jpg

Sega 32x:
/32x.jpg

Nintendo 64:
/n64.jpg

NecroPhile · 07/06/2016, 10:56 AM

Hueys are the best, obviously, but I can't say any of 'em are exactly bad. The only thing that sucks is when they don't put a label on the end and don't provide a nice case for storage, making it difficult to neatly store and play your games.

bob · 07/06/2016, 10:58 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/06/2016, 10:56 AMHueys are the best, obviously, but I can't say any of 'em are exactly bad. The only thing that sucks is when they don't put a label on the end and don't provide a nice case for storage, making it difficult to neatly store and play your games.

i think the studio II is pretty bad with all that exposure. at least the hueys had a nice sleeeve for protection

esteban · 07/06/2016, 11:36 AM

Since HuCARDs are CARDs, there is no need to discuss them, beyond the simple trüth: CARD>CARTRIDGE for ever and ever...

IMPORTANT: It is hard for me to base this entirely on aesthetics alone...since these carts are meant to be held and used. I love the shape and size of SMS, but I wish it felt as heavy and solid as an NES cart. SMS still wins, though.

I know we are not discussing Japanese consoles, but I like the Famicom the best (there was a wide variety of shapes and colors, and I like the horizontal shape and size).

Sega SMS is the best size and has a horizontal shape, so I like 'em a lot. However, they don't feel as SOLID and as indestructible as other CARTS. I must say...I have a ton of SMS carts and they are not particularly exciting when it comes to labels. There are times I can't even figure out what game is in my SMS because I have to turn up the lights and move closer to read the label...so the labels are weakest element on SMS. Even the "all text" design of early NA HuCARDs were a billion times better than the SMS labels. Despite the ugly SMS labels, I still think it is my favorite cart.

I love how SOLID (the heft) of NES carts, even though they are goofy-looking and huge. I guess there is an awkward charm to them, but even Atari 2600 is more practical to hold and to "grip" than the NES, IMHO, anyway.

N64, Jaguar, and SNES are too big, as far as I am concerned (for the time they were released...I like huge carts in early 80's consoles...I know, it's not fair, but the context is important for me). I think the goofy tube handle on the Jaguar is ugly, but it gets credit for at least trying something slightly different. Of course, the fact that the JagTube has not been home to cart labels annoys some people (it doesn't bother me...)

I never owned the RCA Studio II, but the cart looks pretty awesome (however impractical it might be). It looks like electronic gear used by Soviet Cosmonauts...and there is a certain utilitarian charm in *not concealing* the raw metal bolts and contacts.

I just love all these carts, really. Atari/Coleco/Intellivision all felt great to use and hold, even if they suffered from the "hollowness" that I spoke of earlier.

The Odyssey 2 handle looks goofy as hell, but I bet I would absolutely LOVE to actually use it.

NOTE: The above image has been recycled 38 times over the years. Trüe storie.

CrackTiger · 07/06/2016, 11:36 AM

You'd probably like these Intellivision carts:

museumofplay .org/online-collections/images/Z002/Z00275/Z0027570.jpg
museumofplay .org/online-collections/images/Z008/Z00871/Z0087147.jpg

Some of my favorites include Japanese Mega Drive, Sega Mark III and 32X. I love clear shell carts in misc colors and in general, translucent shells for console stuff, so you can see the pcbs inside. I have a recent Intellivision hombrew release in the new style shape, with clear plastic and a brand new blue pcb inside. The game itself is a masterpiece, but having at least one cool Intellivision cart like this is a nice bonus.

Gentlegamer · 07/06/2016, 11:40 AM

I love Atari VCS carts for their superb artwork that was the equivalent of bullshots for the era.

xcrement5x · 07/06/2016, 12:28 PM

I'm gonna be a dick and say I like the one you didn't put up, the Japanese Mega Drive carts. The US ones are more utilitarian since they're pretty much square and you can stack them a million ways, but I like the curved top on the JP MD titles and the superfluous ridging/bumps on the sides. The only drawback is that you can't open them easily since the screws are behind the back sticker.

After that I'd probably say HuCards though, they have a pretty sleek/classic look with plenty of room for artwork.

bob · 07/06/2016, 12:38 PM

nah, this isnt exclusive to USA releases. like i said above, anything is fair game. i just used the 20 pictures to get conversation started.

xcrement5x · 07/06/2016, 01:04 PM

Bitch you didn't even post a decent game like Pepe's Puzzles!

ToyMachine78 · 07/06/2016, 01:07 PM

My favorite cart styles were the NES carts, iconic shape, and so much cool art. Also, the Imagic Atari 2600 carts:

Gredler · 07/06/2016, 02:10 PM

I miss the floppiest floppers in floppville

thefloppydisk.com:80/games/indiana_jones_and_the_last_crusade_ibm_ega_525/

Floppier than Hillary playing soccer.

esadajr · 07/06/2016, 02:16 PM

After much deliberation my vote goes to the huge ass space waster that is the NES cart. Nostalgia plays a part sure, but as LEGrafx mentioned they are sturdy and they impose.

SignOfZeta · 07/06/2016, 04:46 PM

I think b/w Gameboy, HuCARD, and Neo MVS are my favorite, none of them are here.

JP Megadrive is pretty good.

esteban · 07/06/2016, 05:08 PM

All this love for MegaDrive carts....when Mark III were superior in every way (except labels, perhaps).

SORRY YOU HAVE POOR TASTE!

I love all the carts, though.

crazydean · 07/06/2016, 05:49 PM

NES carts are best. There isn't a cooler cartridge than Legend of Zelda. Plus, it's ribbed for her pleasure.

The Famicom cartridges are pretty cool too. I like how they were made in a rainbow of colors.

wildfruit · 07/06/2016, 08:39 PM

Hands down micro machines 2 on mega drive. It's got 2 controller ports in it. That is genius. Provided no one forgot this of course and yanked the MD across the room.

Don't forget this monstrosity that code masters used as pass through for NES games

My personal favourites are standard mega drive, sexy smooth black and game boy. Lot of nice art on a lot of GB games.

bob · 07/06/2016, 08:46 PM

there was another cart with the controller ports and i cant remember what it was

csgx1 · 07/06/2016, 08:54 PM

For standard cart shape, Hucards are definitely my favorite. I do like the style and how massive Neo Geo AES carts are even though I'll most likely never buy or own any.

Also, some of the unique shaped carts that have handles, additional functions, inputs, etc. (or cartridge accessories) are pretty cool looking...
2600 Air Raid:

Genesis Sonic & Knuckles:

J-Cart Genesis cart with controller ports:

GBC Rumble carts like Pokemon Pinball:

GBA Warioware Twisted:

Super Gameboy 2:

X-Band:

SignOfZeta · 07/06/2016, 10:21 PM

It's amazing how many of those stupid things I own.

I once owned both US and JP versions of Pokemon Pinball. That game was my at-work jam in 1999. The only thing that could pry me from my Neo Geo Pocket.

TheClash603 · 07/06/2016, 11:41 PM

Odyssey 2 are the best carts on the list, and I played the hell outta it as a kid so I have that nostalgia. Famicom carts do look great from above in a drawer, with all the fun colors.

I like how 2600 carts are awesome, 5200 are so so, and then 7800 are complete shit. Kinda appropriately follows the life of Atari as a business.

NES carts are fun, I was also always a fan of the special SNES carts (Killer Instinct, Doom, etc.), but N64 carts are awful.

CGQuarterly · 07/07/2016, 12:03 AM

This thread is missing MVS carts. Those probably look the most badass. As for my favorite, it's hard not to say NES carts. Although if we're talking total package, I love Genesis games with those awesome cases.

SignOfZeta · 07/07/2016, 12:59 AM

I mentioned MVS! As big as a Bible with two edge connectors and a plain white lable. The bullshit stops here. Mega mega mega. So many mega.

esteban · 07/07/2016, 01:05 AM

I am sorry, but I have never liked the Genesis/Mega Drive carts (when it comes to aesthetics).

I'm not trolling you, but they are only slightly better than Jaguar carts and N64 carts.

SNES carts look like a goofy battery pack accessory you clip to your belt for Lazer Tag. However, once they are inserted into the SNES, I admit the entire ensemble looks nice.

Plus, SNES carts feel pretty damn solid. Actually, the texture of SNES/NES carts is my favorite. I mean *literally* how they feel (just the right amount of slipperiness).

Yeah, that sounded incestuous. Oh well.

MOST OTHER CARTS don't have the same satisfying texture to them...what is that sweet, glossy sheen that makes SNES/NES carts feel so good?

Hefty + solid + sheen = SNES/SNES (2nd place)

Horizontal + utilitarian rectangle + feel fucking awesome to hold = SMS (winner)

wildfruit · 07/07/2016, 03:18 AM

Super famicom/ pal SNES > North American SNES carts.

ClodBusted · 07/07/2016, 06:36 AM

Quote from: wildfruit on 07/07/2016, 03:18 AMSuper famicom/ pal SNES > North American SNES carts.

Yes.

CGQuarterly · 07/07/2016, 12:07 PM

SNES carts look cool, for sure. I just wish that Nintendo had used plastic cases instead of cardboard boxes, but I know that we're talking about carts and not packaging. I don't agree about SFC carts being cooler than SNES. No end label, and they just look like big grey Genesis carts.

Genesis carts are sleek-looking, especially compared to their predecessors. Jag carts look kind of cool with those weird round pieces at the top, but I don't like it when carts don't have end labels. N64 carts are probably the worst in my opinion. Actually, tied with SMS, which just look totally unimaginative. At least Famicom carts had the angled beveling and came in different colors. SMS carts are just the most basic thing you could possibly have.

Still gonna have to give the prize to MVS carts. They're so fucking badass that they have to have vents. And they came in different colors. Holo labels look fucking cool, too.

csgx1 · 07/07/2016, 01:28 PM

I've never gave much thought to MVS carts looking cool since most of mine are all in poor condition. The few carts that I own have ripped labels, cut out serials, stickers, hand writing, yellowed clear/white casing, etc. I suppose that's part of the charm of arcade gear.

I have to agree, MVS carts are pretty awesome looking with the different colors, vents, and the sheer size.

SignOfZeta · 07/07/2016, 04:00 PM

I love the battle damage. The recent trend in collectards hoarding "complete" MVS (seriously...WTF) makes me love it even more.

I'm not a huge fan of SNES or SFC carts but the SFC ones sure feel more solid. Obviously in the box department SFC wins hand down. Ignoring the SNES box template that ate up a huge part of the area with redundant "SUPER NINTENDO" and whatever crap, ignoring the usually terrible art, the SFC box is better because they used real card stock instead of whatever that tissue thin bullshit NoA used was.

It was like some kind of unwritten law in the video game world that US packaging had to be garbage in the 90s.

CGQuarterly · 07/07/2016, 04:23 PM

I'll admit that I prefer my MVS carts to be in nice condition, but a few battle scars just adds character. As far as collecting complete kits, I would say that I don't "get it", but of course I do. I just think it's stupid. If I had an MVS cab, then it would be cool to have the mini marquees and maybe the move strip, but since I have a candy cab I don't give a shit about that stuff.

I'd really love to see some video game writer like the folks at USGamer do a feature on US vs. Japanese box art. Some of those guys speak fluent Japanese and could try to talk to some folks in the industry about what the thinking was behind the subdued US packaging.

CrackTiger · 07/07/2016, 04:58 PM

I don't care about kits, but I like having shockboxes for mvs carts so I can keep them in order and find games easily. I wish there was a good solution for arcade boards. Just like a series of boxes, cardboard/plastic/whatever, which come in different thicknesses so I could keep my board stacked or lined up vertically. They take up the most space in my game room closet, but not because of their size, because I have to keep a handful per box inefficiently.

ClodBusted · 07/07/2016, 05:09 PM

For myself, it's not only the carts themselves, but also the feeling of how well they can be inserted into the slot and ejected after playing. Thus, the SFC/PAL SNES carts are pure porn to me still to this day, and a gold standard for other consoles to match.

bob · 07/07/2016, 05:54 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/07/2016, 04:00 PMIt was like some kind of unwritten law in the video game world that US packaging had to be garbage in the 90s.

well, to be fair, packaging for the sake of packaging is just that...garbage.
i dont keep the boxes my kids fruit snacks come in.

TR0N · 07/07/2016, 06:03 PM

All ways like how the games for the famicom came in different shape and color.

jtucci31 · 07/07/2016, 06:06 PM

That LaGrange cart alone (with you know, the sweet tunes packed inside) makes me want a Famicom/Twin.

I also like MVS carts, they're badass to hold and look pretty cool when lined up next to one another. I kind of want shockboxes but it's a bit of an investment when windygaming's sleeves are much cheaper and smaller

SignOfZeta · 07/07/2016, 08:22 PM

Quote from: gynt on 07/07/2016, 05:54 PM
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/07/2016, 04:00 PMIt was like some kind of unwritten law in the video game world that US packaging had to be garbage in the 90s.
well, to be fair, packaging for the sake of packaging is just that...garbage.
i dont keep the boxes my kids fruit snacks come in.

That must have been their philosophy too. Personally, the design of record sleeves, book covers, game cases, etc is very much a part of the same overall project as the software inside. If I want to play a game with Akira Toriyama art in it for 60 hours it stands to reason that I would like it to come in a nice durable box with Akira Toriyama on it too. Apparently you're ideologically opposed to that.

csgx1 · 07/08/2016, 03:10 AM

Quote from: gynt on 07/07/2016, 05:54 PM
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/07/2016, 04:00 PMIt was like some kind of unwritten law in the video game world that US packaging had to be garbage in the 90s.
well, to be fair, packaging for the sake of packaging is just that...garbage.
i dont keep the boxes my kids fruit snacks come in.

I was curious so I searched fleabay for fruit snack boxes and surprisingly found some and were sold. Wtf, people are buying/collecting actual garbage.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1980S-SUNKIST-DINOSAURS-FRUIT-SNACKS-BOX-VERY-RARE-NICE-CONDITION-/182084742723

wildfruit · 07/08/2016, 04:29 AM

I wouldn't ever say that cardboard video game boxes were ever intended to be thrown away. It's not necessarily important to have it now on the second hand market, but when you're the first owner I don't really understand the mentality of throwing it away. It does serve more than aesthetics alone.

ClodBusted · 07/08/2016, 04:42 AM

European N64 and GBA cardboard boxes looked rather unpleasant to me when standing on the shelf. All the small warning and copyright text boxes near the games' logos and titles on all sides made it quite impossible to align them in any way that looked neat.

That's why I got rid of my N64 boxes eventually and stored the carts in a shoebox, may somebody else have fun with the cardboard.

TheClash603 · 07/08/2016, 08:11 AM

Quote from: csgx1 on 07/08/2016, 03:10 AM
Quote from: gynt on 07/07/2016, 05:54 PM
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/07/2016, 04:00 PMIt was like some kind of unwritten law in the video game world that US packaging had to be garbage in the 90s.
well, to be fair, packaging for the sake of packaging is just that...garbage.
i dont keep the boxes my kids fruit snacks come in.
I was curious so I searched fleabay for fruit snack boxes and surprisingly found some and were sold. Wtf, people are buying/collecting actual garbage.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1980S-SUNKIST-DINOSAURS-FRUIT-SNACKS-BOX-VERY-RARE-NICE-CONDITION-/182084742723

Quite a few of us on this forum (self included) own Timeball, which I would argue is worse than actual garbage, rotting food, sewage, etc.

esteban · 07/08/2016, 08:41 AM

TIMEBALL IS NOT A BAD PUZZLE GAME!

And the music is great.

I still like Clash, though, because I know he secretly enjoys Timeball.

CrackTiger · 07/08/2016, 09:53 AM

Quote from: wildfruit on 07/08/2016, 04:29 AMI wouldn't ever say that cardboard video game boxes were ever intended to be thrown away. It's not necessarily important to have it now on the second hand market, but when you're the first owner I don't really understand the mentality of throwing it away. It does serve more than aesthetics alone.

TG-16 cardboard boxes were superfluous and not intended to be used to house the games. Even after they later scrapped the jewel cases.

Collectards thanks their gods for this.

xcrement5x · 07/08/2016, 11:19 AM

Quote from: csgx1 on 07/08/2016, 03:10 AM
Quote from: gynt on 07/07/2016, 05:54 PM
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/07/2016, 04:00 PMIt was like some kind of unwritten law in the video game world that US packaging had to be garbage in the 90s.
well, to be fair, packaging for the sake of packaging is just that...garbage.
i dont keep the boxes my kids fruit snacks come in.
I was curious so I searched fleabay for fruit snack boxes and surprisingly found some and were sold. Wtf, people are buying/collecting actual garbage.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1980S-SUNKIST-DINOSAURS-FRUIT-SNACKS-BOX-VERY-RARE-NICE-CONDITION-/182084742723

You'd be surprised, there is apparently a decent community of people who collect cereal boxes as well.

SignOfZeta · 07/08/2016, 11:58 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/08/2016, 04:42 AMEuropean N64 and GBA cardboard boxes looked rather unpleasant to me when standing on the shelf. All the small warning and copyright text boxes near the games' logos and titles on all sides made it quite impossible to align them in any way that looked neat.

That's why I got rid of my N64 boxes eventually and stored the carts in a shoebox, may somebody else have fun with the cardboard.

American N64 boxes are terrible too.

TR0N · 07/08/2016, 05:49 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/07/2016, 06:06 PMThat LaGrange cart alone (with you know, the sweet tunes packed inside) makes me want a Famicom/Twin.

I also like MVS carts, they're badass to hold and look pretty cool when lined up next to one another. I kind of want shockboxes but it's a bit of an investment when windygaming's sleeves are much cheaper and smaller

I have a complete copy of lagrange point myself the music is quite some thing.Still,need to find some one that can swap it's rom for the translated one.For the mvs shockboxes yeah there kind of pricey but they fit the games really well.Beside i like how fans have come up with there own inserts.

cr8zykuban0 · 07/12/2016, 01:26 AM

aes carts cuz them thangs are huge! you can bop somebody in the head with em and kill em!

i also love the famicom carts and the variety of colors they came in.

i do like the shape of megadrive and super fami carts too.