Cartridgeformaten

Cartridgeformaten refers to the various physical formats used for storing and distributing video games. These cartridges, typically plastic enclosures containing ROM chips, were a dominant medium for early home video game consoles.

The most iconic cartridge format is the rectangular one used by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). These cartridges were often brightly colored and featured a unique connector that prevented third-party manufacturers from easily creating unauthorized games. Sega's Master System and Genesis (Mega Drive) also utilized cartridges, with the Genesis format being notably wider and flatter than the NES.

Later consoles, such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), continued the use of cartridges, often with enhanced features like support for coprocessors to increase game capabilities. The Nintendo 64 famously employed larger, more robust cartridges that allowed for greater storage capacity and faster loading times compared to CD-ROMs, which were becoming the standard for other platforms at the time.

While cartridges offered durability and quick access, their storage capacity was limited compared to optical media. They also incurred higher manufacturing costs. As technology advanced, the prevalence of cartridges diminished, with most modern consoles relying on optical discs or digital distribution methods for game software. However, some retro gaming enthusiasts and niche manufacturers still produce games on cartridges for older or specialized systems.