Nintendo Game Card#Nintendo DSi Game Card

File:Nintendo-ds-cartridge.jpg

Game cards for the Nintendo DS range from 64 megabits to 4 gigabits (8–512 MB) in capacity.Ni no Kuni was the first DS game to use a 4-gigabit card {{cite web |url=http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=94312 |title=GoNintendo: Level 5's press conference - massive info roundup (Fantasy Life announced, Ninokuni's massive DS cart, and much more!) |access-date=13 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110919/http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=94312 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/8133/|title=E3 2007 News - Archaic Sealed Heat (Nintendo DS) RPG Details|author=Adam Riley|publisher=Cubed³|date=15 July 2007 |access-date=4 November 2007}} The cards contain an integrated flash memory for game data and an EEPROM to save user data such as game progress or high scores. However, there are a small number of games that have no save memory such as Electroplankton.

It has been mentioned that larger 128 MB cards have a 25% slower data transfer rate than the smaller, more common 64 MB cards; however, the specific base rate is unknown.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/blogs/mechassaultds/2006/06/16/creating-a-3d-game-on-the-nintendo-ds/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225222801/https://www.ign.com/blogs/mechassaultds/2006/06/16/creating-a-3d-game-on-the-nintendo-ds/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2016|title=MechAssault DS Developer Diary|author=Sara Guinness|publisher=IGN|date=16 June 2006|access-date=12 June 2020}}

Many Nintendo DS titles released after the launch of the Nintendo DSi in 2008 include features that enhance gameplay when played on the Nintendo DSi console. Most of these games are compatible with the older DS models. However, a select few retail game titles were released that worked exclusively for the Nintendo DSi consoles for reasons such as requiring camera functions. These titles have game cards with white-colored casings. All DSi-exclusive games are region locked. Examples of DSi-exclusive game cards include Picture Perfect Hair Salon. While these white game cards can be physically inserted into original Nintendo DS consoles, their software does not function due to the missing hardware features and will display an error message. These DSi-exclusive game cards are fully compatible with the Nintendo 3DS family.

Prior to the release of the Nintendo DSi, Nintendo encouraged developers to release DSi-exclusive games as DSiWare downloadables instead of retail game cards that would not function on older Nintendo DS consoles.{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/966/966301p1.html|title=GDC 09: DSi Hybrid, Exclusive Carts Soon|access-date=23 June 2010|date=25 March 2009|author=Craig Harris|work=IGN|publisher=Fox Interactive Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327175846/http://ds.ign.com/articles/966/966301p1.html|archive-date=27 March 2009|url-status=live}}

File:Pokémon Black Version Translucent Cartridge Demonstration.jpg

Despite all iterations of the Nintendo DS line lacking native infrared support, certain titles made use of this type of communication function using game cards with their own infrared transceivers. These game cards are generally glossier and darker than common Nintendo DS game cards, and reveal their translucency when exposed to light. Examples of such game cards include Personal Trainer: Walking and Active Health With Carol Vorderman, which connect to the included pedometers, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which connect to the included Pokéwalker accessory,{{Cite web|title=Pokewalker Operations Manual|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/Pokewalker_Tri.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313130747/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/Pokewalker_Tri.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2021|access-date=7 July 2021|website=Nintendo|quote=The Pokéwalker accessory is a pedometer specially designed for use with a Pokémon HeartGold or SoulSilver Version Game Card, by using infrared communication between the Game Card and the Pokéwalker.}} and Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which connect DS systems facing each other.{{Cite web|title=Pokemon Black 2 Instruction Booklet|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_pokemon_black_2.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617145241/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_pokemon_black_2.pdf|archive-date=17 June 2021|access-date=7 July 2021|website=Nintendo|quote=You can connect to nearby Nintendo DS systems using Infrared Connection.}}{{Cite web|title=Pokemon Black Instruction Booklet|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Pokemon_Black.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430180643/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Pokemon_Black.pdf|archive-date=30 April 2021|access-date=7 July 2021|website=Nintendo|quote=You can connect to nearby Nintendo DS systems using Infrared Connection.}}

Although all iterations of the Nintendo 3DS family support native infrared functions, Nintendo DS games still use the infrared-enabled game cards themselves when played on a 3DS system, reserving the native infrared for Nintendo 3DS-specific software.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

All iterations of the Nintendo 3DS family used a recovery measure to boot into specific Nintendo DS/DSi flash cartridges instead of the handheld's built-in firmware. This mechanism can be used to restore bricked systems with corrupted and/or damaged firmware / corrupted NAND flash. The programming community has used this exploit to allow homebrew to be run on the system reliability independent of software version.{{Cite web |title=33.5c3 |url=https://sciresm.github.io/33-and-a-half-c3/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=sciresm.github.io}}{{Cite web |last=wololo |date=2023-05-19 |title=Crazy Hacks #3: How 3 of Nintendo's consoles got defeated by everyday-life household items |url=https://wololo.net/2023/05/19/crazy-hacks-3-how-3-of-nintendos-consoles-got-defeated-by-everyday-life-household-items/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Wololo.net |language=en-US}}

File:Nintendo-3ds-cartridge.jpg

Game cards for the Nintendo 3DS are from 1 to 8 gigabytes in size,{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/24569|title=3DS Cartridges Could Store Up to 8GB |first=Karlie |last=Yeung |date=17 December 2010 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=31 January 2012|quote=The memory size for Nintendo 3DS cartridges will range from one to eight gigabytes, reports major Taiwanese newspaper China Times.}} with 2 GB of game data at launch.{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/nintendo-3ds-game-cards |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530201111/http://www.1up.com/news/nintendo-3ds-game-cards |title=A Look at the New Nintendo 3DS Game Cards |first=Chris |last=Pereira |date=21 June 2010 |work=1UP.com |publisher=UGO Entertainment |access-date=20 November 2016 |archive-date=30 May 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} They look very similar to DS game cards, but are incompatible and have a small tab on one side to prevent them from being inserted into a DS, DS Lite, DSi or DSi XL/LL.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/18/nintendo-3ds-game-cards-look-like-this/|title=Nintendo 3DS Game Cards Look Like This|publisher=Siliconera|date=18 June 2010|access-date=7 November 2012}}

While the New Nintendo 3DS accepts all game cards for the 3DS, there are a small number of game titles that were released on game cards that took advantage of the handheld's upgraded hardware. They looked identical in appearance to standard 3DS game cards and can be physically inserted into original 3DS/3DS XL systems, but are incompatible and will display an error message, similar to DSi-exclusive game cards.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

File:Nintendo-Switch-Cartridge.jpg

The Nintendo Switch uses non-volatile flash memory technology similar to SD cards that are officially called game cards. These are distinct technologies from volatile game cartridges that are similar to RAM boards. This iteration is smaller and has a larger storage capacity than its previous versions.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/10/20/13344618/nintendo-switch-nx-games-cartridges|title=Nintendo Switch will use cartridges|website=Polygon|date=20 October 2016 |publisher=Vox Media|access-date=20 October 2016}} Despite its similarities, the Switch is not compatible with DS and 3DS cards.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-switch-not-compatible-with-physical-3ds-or-wii-u-games-394759.phtml|title=Nintendo Switch not compatible with physical 3DS or Wii U games|last=Arnold|first=Cory|date=21 October 2016|access-date=21 October 2016|work=Destructoid}} The game cards used in the Switch are non-writable and save data is stored in the console's internal memory, unlike DS and 3DS game cards, which are writable and able to store save data.{{cite web|last1=Schreier|first1=Jason|title=Nintendo Answers (And Avoids) Our Switch Questions|url=http://kotaku.com/nintendo-answers-and-avoids-our-switch-questions-1791402953|website=Kotaku|date=20 January 2017|access-date=20 January 2017}} "Nintendo Switch game cards are non-writable; game save data is stored in internal NAND memory."

Because of their small size, Nintendo Switch game cards are coated with denatonium benzoate, a non-toxic bitterant, as a safety precaution against accidental consumption by young children.{{cite web |last1=Dornbush |first1=Johnathon |title=Nintendo Switch Game Cards Taste Terrible |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/02/nintendo-switch-cartridges-taste-terrible |website=IGN |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=3 March 2017 }} Videos of users intentionally tasting game cards and reacting with disgust at the taste became a meme prior to the console's launch, which originated from Jeff Gerstmann's actions on a Giant Bomb webcast.{{cite news|title=Nintendo Switch cartridges 'taste so bad'|work=BBC News |date=2 March 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-39141371|access-date=7 March 2017}}{{cite web|title=New trend: Putting disgusting Nintendo Switch cartridges in your mouth|url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/nintendo-switch-cartridges-bitter-taste-meme/|website=The Daily Dot|date=6 March 2017 |access-date=7 March 2017}}

Game cards for the Nintendo Switch range from 1 to 32 gigabytes in capacity.{{cite news |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-10-why-nintendo-switch-games-are-ending-up-more-expensive|title=Why Nintendo Switch games are ending up more expensive|last=Yin-Poole|first= Wesley|newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date=13 March 2017|access-date=13 March 2017}} Nintendo had planned to introduce 64 GB game cards by the second half of 2018, but had to push this back several times throughout the Switch's lifespan.{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/nintendo-delays-rollout-of-64-gigabyte-switch-game-cards-until-2019-1514360941?mod=e2twd | title = Nintendo Delays Rollout of 64-Gigabyte Switch Game Cards Until 2019 | first= Takashi | last = Mochizuki | date = December 27, 2017 | access-date = December 27, 2017 | work = The Wall Street Journal }} 64 GB game cards would never be available for the Switch, but did end up being available for the Nintendo Switch 2, its successor nearly eight years later.

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 uses the same game card system as the Nintendo Switch, utilizing the same non-volatile flash memory technology as used on SD cards and a smaller form factor similar to that of the original Switch. The Switch 2 will also have games available via game cards that are exclusively made for the system, in addition to providing backward compatibility with the majority of original Switch game cards.{{Cite Q|Q131782840|access-date=2025-01-17}} These game cards looked very similar to the original Switch game cards, but are incompatible and have a small notch on the bottom right of the rear portion of the game card to distinguish them from the original Switch game cards. The Switch 2-exclusive game cards are also colored in red as opposed to dark gray.

Because of their small size, Nintendo Switch 2 game cards are coated with denatonium benzoate, a non-toxic bitterant, as a safety precaution against accidental consumption by young children, utilizing the same approach that was used on the original Switch's game cards.{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=Switch 2 Carts Still Taste Bad, Designed Purposefully To Be Spat Out |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/switch-2-carts-still-taste-bad-designed-purposefully-to-be-spat-out/1100-6530649/ |website=GameSpot |date=7 April 2025 |access-date=7 April 2025 }}

Game cards for the Switch 2 will have improved read speeds over its predecessor,{{Cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |date=2025-04-02 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Gets Upgraded Red Game Cards and MicroSD Express Storage Support |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-gets-upgraded-red-game-cards-and-microsd-express-storage-support |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=IGN |language=en}} and can have a maximum capacity of 64 GB as opposed to 32 GB on the original Switch.{{Cite web |date =2 April 2025 |title=Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Comes Launch Day to Nintendo Switch™ 2! |url=https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/cyberpunk-2077-ultimate-edition-comes-launch-day-to-nintendo-switch-2/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=CD PROJEKT |language=en-US}} Certain games for the Switch 2 will also have game cards containing a digital license to download the full game instead of storing the game's data directly on the card, which are officially known as Game-Key Cards. The game card itself will still be used as a validation measure to launch the downloaded software via Game-Key Cards.{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=April 2, 2025 |title=Nintendo confirms some Switch 2 physical releases will just have a download key on the card |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-confirms-some-switch-2-physical-releases-will-just-have-a-download-key-on-the-card |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card Overview |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68415/~/nintendo-switch 2-game-key-card-overview |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Nintendo Support}} Game-Key Cards are not tied to a specific Nintendo Account and would still work on any system regardless of whether or not a Nintendo Account is used.{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards Won't Be Tied To Your Account |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-game-key-cards-wont-be-tied-to-your-account/1100-6530654/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Nintendo hardware}}

Category:Nintendo DS

Category:Nintendo 3DS

Category:Nintendo hardware

Category:Nintendo Switch

Category:Nintendo Switch 2

Category:Products introduced in 2004

Category:Video game distribution

Category:Video game storage media