ROM cartridge
A ROM cartridge, also simply referred to as a cartridge or cart, is the storage device in which many of the Pokémon games have been contained.
Throughout the Pokémon game series, all of the core series games have been stored on ROM cartridges, with many variances between them. Many side games have also been on cartridge but some have been for the GameCube and Wii (on discs, not cartridges). The ROM cartridges for the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo 64 are officially called Game Paks, while Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch ROM cartridges are officially called Game Cards.
Specifications
- Game Boy: 2.125 × 2.5 inches.
- Game Boy Color: 2.125 × 2.5 inches.
- Game Boy Advance: 2.125 × 1.375 inches.
- Nintendo DS: 1.25 × 1.375 inches.
- Nintendo 3DS: 1.25 × 1.375 inches. (Not counting anti-DS knob on side)
- Nintendo Switch: 1.25 × 0.8125 inches.
- Nintendo 64: 4.5 × 3 inches. (Measured from top of arch)
Core series
All core series games are contained on cartridges.
Generation I
All Generation I core series games were released on Game Boy cartridges. The Western version of Pokémon Yellow was released on a Game Boy cartridge, but is enhanced when played on a Game Boy Color.
Generation II
Pokémon Gold and Silver were released on Game Boy cartridges, but are enhanced when played on a Game Boy Color; they were marketed as Game Boy Color games that are backwards compatible with the Game Boy.
Pokémon Crystal was released on a Game Boy Color cartridge.
Generation III
All Generation III core series games were released on Game Boy Advance cartridges.
Generation IV
All Generation IV core series games were released on Nintendo DS cartridges.
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum were released on the dark gray-colored NTR-005 cartridges. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver were released on the black-colored NTR-031 DS cartridges, which are for games that use Infrared connections, such as connecting to the Pokéwalker.
Generation V
All Generation V core series games were released on Nintendo DS cartridges, specifically the black-colored NTR-031 DS cartridges, due to being able to connect to each other through infrared. These games are also DSi-enhanced, bearing special DSi exclusive features such as video chat and region locking. Such features are also compatible on the Nintendo 3DS. Because of these features, these games all have a serial number that starts with TWL instead of NTR.
Generation VI
All Generation VI core series games were released on Nintendo 3DS cartridges.
Generation VII
Pokémon Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were released on Nintendo 3DS cartridges.
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! were released on Nintendo Switch cartridges.
Generation VIII
All Generation VIII core series games were released on Nintendo Switch cartridges.
Non-handheld
Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 cartridge was seen in the Pokémon Stadium series, Hey You, Pikachu!, Super Smash Bros., Pokémon Snap, and Pokémon Puzzle League.
Irregular cartridges
Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Pinball had a special Game Boy Color cartridge for a vibration feature.
Pokémon mini
The Pokémon mini was a special game system specifically for Pokémon. It had its own cartridges.
Gallery
Game Boy and Game Boy Color
Nintendo 64
Pokémon mini
Game Boy Advance
Nintendo DS
Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo Switch
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Detective Pikachu Returns |
This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |