Carts or Discs?

[GameMasterGuy]

Like most retro gamers, I feel that there's something special about owning a physical copy of a game. Downloading the same game just doesn't feel like it's worth as much. Now, an argument still exists: Was the switch to discs worthwhile, or should we go back to carts? I'm personally a cartridge person, but I do see pros and cons of each. Carts are harder to produce, cost more, collect dust easier, and are more susceptible to water damage. On the other hand, they are harder to break, are easier to use cheating devices on (other open ended carts are also possible, as Sega discovered), can have their region lock removed easier via cheating devices, still look great on display without a box, the console they go to could instantly be seen, and don't get scratched. Discs break, get scratched, may not have a cheating device to go with it, can get mixed up with discs of other consoles, and are virtually useless display-wise without their box. They, however, can be produced easily and cheaply, are easy to clean spills off of, are unaffected by dust, take up less room (or rather, took up less room; take a look at the size of a DS cart), and if you don't have the original case, any old CD case will work.

[AppleQueso]

Not really something I've ever put much thought into actually. Don't think I have a preference either way.

One thing worth mentioning though: Discs require hard cases, which makes getting them complete a lot easier.

[GameMasterGuy]

Not really something I've ever put much thought into actually. Don't think I have a preference either way.

One thing worth mentioning though: Discs require hard cases, which makes getting them complete a lot easier.

Doesn't need to be the original, though. Generic ones can be used.

[BoneSnapDeez]

CARTS FTW!!!

As someone who mostly buys used games, carts are the way to go. Much more durable and resilient.

As a general rule, when buying used games from the local retro game shops I only get carts. I simply don't trust them when it comes to CDs, many of them scratched to shit, and those that are resurfaced typically have the telltale splotches and swirls. I will only buy used disc games from reliable internet distros like estarland and JJgames.

[Hobie-wan]

Carts and cart systems will be working for years to come. Even if they get a little abused, they can usually be cleaned or whatnot and be brought back to life. Probably the worst repair they might need is capacitor replacements. If a drive in an optical system dies, you might be SOL.

[GameMasterGuy]

Carts and cart systems will be working for years to come. Even if they get a little abused, they can usually be cleaned or whatnot and be brought back to life. Probably the worst repair they might need is capacitor replacements. If a drive in an optical system dies, you might be SOL.

Which reminds me of another negative for carts: Memory battery dying. You'd lose all of your save data, and wouldn't be able to save again until you replace it.

[AppleQueso]

Not really something I've ever put much thought into actually. Don't think I have a preference either way.

One thing worth mentioning though: Discs require hard cases, which makes getting them complete a lot easier.

Doesn't need to be the original, though. Generic ones can be used.

Uh... yeah, but that's not what I mean.

I'm saying getting a complete copy of a disc based game is generally a lot easier than getting a complete copy of a cart based game.

[GameMasterGuy]

Not really something I've ever put much thought into actually. Don't think I have a preference either way.

One thing worth mentioning though: Discs require hard cases, which makes getting them complete a lot easier.

Doesn't need to be the original, though. Generic ones can be used.

Uh... yeah, but that's not what I mean.

I'm saying getting a complete copy of a disc based game is generally a lot easier than getting a complete copy of a cart based game.

Ah, thought you were saying that one of the downfalls of discs is that they basically need their cases.

[CRTGAMER]

Either cart or disc is a preference for me over a download.

I like carts for the instant load but I disagree with the OP concerning cheat devices. A cheat cart with a N64 or GBA are sometimes a pain to work no matter how clean the contacts are. This is especially true once you start playing around with the N64 different cart boot codes.

Game discs do load slower, but more room on a disc including music tracks. I am impressed with the music in N64 Conker though.

[flojocabron]

It was all a matter of technology.

carts in the early days were dependent on capacitors and computer chips. If those ran out or became scarce, then the price of carts went up. Some of us here remember when the N64 came out and thier games were $70+ ?

Discs were easier to make and had less parts to assemble and that made it easier to mass produce. It also improved the profit margin of the company (game). No longer did they have to use mulitiple manufacturers to assemble carts, nor wait for that supply of microchips to come in.

It also helped them to have them on disc too. Can you imagine the higher losses if a game flopped? The wasted product just sitting on shelves with no one buying them? E.T anyone?

I think that it is possible to make carts again. With more energy effiecient components and flash memory, carts are feasable again.

but sadly, thats just not gonna happen. With the future of cloud computing and download games, why are videogame companies gonna waste plastic, when they can just transfer it directly to your system?