Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Talk about just about anything else that is non-gaming here, but keep it clean
User avatar
Hobie-wan
Next-Gen
Posts: 21705
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:28 pm
Location: Under a pile of retro stuff in H-town
Contact:

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by Hobie-wan »

manaman wrote:Also, have you noticed the amount of metal in an N64 pak? It's beefy. It's solid. It weighs more than an NES pak!


N64 games have full RF shielding inside that completely covers the PCB except for the plastic bit that is on the plug end.
User avatar
SpaceBooger
Moderator
Posts: 4411
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:40 am
Location: The AK-Rowdy
Contact:

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by SpaceBooger »

A lot of folks like the design of the N64... to me they are really similar to the Genesis... but the clamshell and top label gives the Genesis cart the win to me.
Plus, the N64 was the least liked system I ever owned... so mabye I'm bias against it.
BLOG | BST
Systems Owned: Atari 2600 & 5200, NES, Game Boy (Original, Pocket, Color & Advance SP), DSi, 3DS, Genesis,
Sega CD, Nomad, SNES, Saturn, PS1, Dreamcast, XBox, PS2, Gamecube, Nintendo DS, Wii, PSP, PS3, WiiU, XBONE & Switch.
User avatar
emwearz
Next-Gen
Posts: 4835
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:24 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by emwearz »

The only ones I don like is the Megadrive carts, they have always felt flimsy to me. And the fact PAL SNES games dont have end labels. That sucks.
User avatar
pepharytheworm
Next-Gen
Posts: 2853
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:14 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by pepharytheworm »

manaman wrote:
sevin0seven wrote:The Cartridge looks clean and it has a carrying case to protect from the dust unlike it's old NES. . . .

I was already beaten to the punch, but yes, the NES games did have protective sleeves--but I think the SNES concept was superior because no part of the sleeve overlapped the artwork and the SNES sleeve fit snugger around the pak than the NES sleeves did. The only unfortunate thing is that Nintendo stopped production of these sleeves sometime during the lifespan of the SNES figuring, I assume, that most people didn't use them and they could make a quick buck by selling them separately. I was one of the people who did make a purchase each time I got a new game.

As far as cartridge design goes, though, I think the Nintendo 64 wins hands down. The build quality is terrific and probably because it was the one of the last console systems to use cartridges--does anyone know if I can say it was the last console to use cartridges?

I think the lines are sleek and the only complaint I have is that it doesn't have a top label but I am honestly okay with that. My method of organizing my N64 paks is to have them in plastic cases anyway. Also, have you noticed the amount of metal in an N64 pak? It's beefy. It's solid. It weighs more than an NES pak!

As for the DS, I'd say they aren't really cartridges--they're cards. As for handheld systems in general, my vote for best cartridge design would possibly go to the Virtual Boy. Yeah, I think it would.

Peace,

manaman

PS: In the category of who got it wrong, I would say that the Genesis has some nice cartridges but Sega got it wrong to allow all these other companies to mess with the standardization. I really don't like anyone else's design of the Genesis cartridges but Sega's. Then, too, the Jaguar got some really weird cartridges.


I could be wrong but I think the Vii t,he Wii copycat, is the newest cartridge system I can think of 2007. The carts look like GBA games
Where's my chippy? There's my chippy.
User avatar
sevin0seven
Next-Gen
Posts: 8984
Joined: Wed May 14, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Fremont, CA
Contact:

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by sevin0seven »

Luke wrote:
sevin0seven wrote:I think the SNES cartridges got it the most right. They went to the limit with the FX Chip, Gameboy player and Donkey Kong Graphics. The Cartridge looks clean and it has a carrying case to protect from the dust unlike it's old NES, Genesis, etc.

NES games have dust sleeves, but for some reason most people chucked them out with the box and instructions.

Gotta love the Gameboy player. For me, it made all the difference for Metroid II.

manaman wrote:
sevin0seven wrote:The Cartridge looks clean and it has a carrying case to protect from the dust unlike it's old NES. . . .

I was already beaten to the punch, but yes, the NES games did have protective sleeves--but I think the SNES concept was superior because no part of the sleeve overlapped the artwork and the SNES sleeve fit snugger around the pak than the NES sleeves did.


Thanks for the correction luke and manaman. I don't know why I don't remember the NES having one. The sad part about it is I even have some. :lol:

But the SNES dust case was far more superior. I would also agree that the N64 shape and size did improve from the SNES. Nintendo should had continue having cases with their cartridge. However, they did continue having Gold version of their Zelda cartridge which is nice and collectors edition. 8)
Visit my stores: Mercari Store, sevin0seven RacketBoy Marketplace
Bay Area Cali: Meet-up Thread
Custom Art Covers & Labels: Click here
Game Room: Click here
User avatar
Weekend_Warrior
Next-Gen
Posts: 2152
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 2:48 am
Location: Parts Unknown

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by Weekend_Warrior »

Ack wrote:I like Genesis carts, but the variation in sizes bugs me, especially when trying to organize them.
That's a really good point. I agree with that

I think if we're judging solely on the cartridge itself, I would vote for the NES cartridges. I've always liked them. But for overall package, I would vote for the Sega Genesis carts because of their small size (great for Nomad and future handhelds) and the nice hard case they came in (most of the time).
"Welcome to the circus of values!"

Currently Playing: Crysis (360), Destiny demo (PS3), Roadblasters (MAME)
Breetai
Next-Gen
Posts: 5100
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:13 am
Location: Make you humble in Canada

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by Breetai »

Pulsar_t wrote:He meant the Famicom.. Which is short for Family Computer
I know what he meant. I own two Family Computers. I've just never heard anyone ever call it "family game" before. For someone with nearly 900 posts, I thought it was pretty strange to call it "family game".

BTW, do you live in Korea? On of the MSX games in your pic is in Hangulmal. Also, the prices are things like 15,-. I take it they didn't feel like writing the three extra zeros in the prices?
Curlypaul
Next-Gen
Posts: 1693
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:25 pm
Location: UK - Dudley

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by Curlypaul »

English is not kingmohd84's first language ;)
User avatar
BoringSupreez
Next-Gen
Posts: 9738
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:09 pm
Location: Tokyo

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by BoringSupreez »

I like Genesis carts best. I don't like their style, their weight, or their size. But they have one amazing quality: I have NEVER had to clean a Genesis cart to get it to work, and they can endure so much abuse too. I have a Sonic 2 cart that was "washed" in a sink full of water that still works fine.
prfsnl_gmr wrote:There is nothing feigned about it. What I wrote is a display of actual moral superiority.
User avatar
Ack
Moderator
Posts: 22475
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Cartridges: Who got it right, who got it wrong.

Post by Ack »

BoringSupreez wrote:I like Genesis carts best. I don't like their style, their weight, or their size. But they have one amazing quality: I have NEVER had to clean a Genesis cart to get it to work, and they can endure so much abuse too. I have a Sonic 2 cart that was "washed" in a sink full of water that still works fine.


Honestly, I think you just have gotten lucky. I've bought a few that had to be cleaned to work consistently, and the only cartridge I've ever bought that flat out did not work was a cart for the Genesis. Golden Axe, too. Real bummer, that one.
Image
Post Reply