| Type: | Flash ROM |
| Weight: | 3.5g |
| Use: | Nintendo DS family Nintendo 3DS family Nintendo Switch family |
Nintendo Game Cards are physical flash storage cards produced by Nintendo that contain video game software for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, or Nintendo Switch families of consoles. They are the successor to the Game Boy Game Paks used for Nintendo's previous portable gaming consoles.
Game cards for the Nintendo DS range from 64 megabits to 4 gigabits (8–512 MB) in capacity.[1] [2] 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.
According to an IGN blog by Backbone Entertainment, the developer of , larger (such as 128 MB) cards have a 25% slower data transfer rate than the more common smaller (such as 64 MB) cards; however, the specific base rate was not mentioned.[3]
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.[4]
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 and Active Health With Carol Vorderman, which connect to the included pedometers, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which connect to the included Pokéwalker accessory,[5] and Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which connect DS systems facing each other.[6] [7]
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.
Game cards for the Nintendo 3DS are from 1 to 8 gigabytes in size,[8] with 2 GB of game data at launch.[9] 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.[10]
A small number of game titles that were made specifically for the New Nintendo 3DS systems were released on game cards. They are identical in appearance to the standard 3DS game cards and can be physically inserted into older, "non-New" 3DS systems, but are incompatible and will display an error message.
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.[11] Despite its similarities, the Switch is not compatible with DS and 3DS cards.[12] 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.[13]
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.[14] 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.[15] [16]
Game cards for the Nintendo Switch range from 1 GB to 32 GB in capacity.[17]