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| Media type | Flash ROM |
|---|---|
| Capacity | |
| Developed by | |
| Dimensions |
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| Weight | 3.5 g (0.12 oz) |
| Usage | Nintendo DS family Nintendo 3DS family Nintendo Switch family Nintendo Switch 2 |
ANintendo Game Card is a physicalflash storage card produced byNintendo that containvideo game software for theNintendo DS andNintendo 3DS line of handheld game consoles as well as theNintendo Switch andNintendo Switch 2 line of hybrid game consoles. They are the successor to theROM cartridge-basedGame Boy Game Paks used in Nintendo's previous handheld game consoles.
Game cards for theNintendo DS range from 8 to 512megabytes in capacity.[a] The cards contain an integratedflash memory for game data and anEEPROM 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 asElectroplankton.
It has been mentioned that larger (>64 MB) cards had a 25% slower data transfer rate; however, the specific base rate is unknown.[3]
Many Nintendo DS titles released after the launch of theNintendo 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. While these 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 theNintendo 3DS family.
Examples of DSi-exclusive game cards includePicture Perfect Hair Salon. All DSi-exclusive games areregion locked.
Prior to the release of the Nintendo DSi, Nintendo encouraged developers to release DSi-exclusive games asDSiWare 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 nativeinfrared support, certain titles made use of this type of communication function using game cards with their own infraredtransceiver. These game cards are darker colored than regular DS/DSi game cards, and reveal their translucency when exposed to light.
Examples of game cards with infrared support includePersonal Trainer: Walking andActive Health WithCarol Vorderman, which connect to the included pedometers,Pokémon HeartGold andSoulSilver, which connect to the includedPokéwalker accessory,[5] andPokémon Black andWhite andPokémon Black 2 andWhite 2, which connect DS systems facing each other.[6][7]
TheNintendo 3DS uses a recovery measure that can boot into specific Nintendo DS/DSiflash cartridges instead of its built-in firmware, which was used to restorebricked systems with corrupted or damaged firmware orNAND flash. Hackers and modders have found a way to exploit this approach, allowinghomebrew and other unsigned software to run reliably on any system regardless of the software version, as well as for installingcustom firmware.[8][9]
Game cards for the Nintendo 3DS are from 1 to 4gigabytes in size, with 2 GB of game data at launch.[10] Though it was reported storage options range up to 8 GB, no game cards >4 GB were ever released.[11] 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.[12] All 3DS games are region locked, similar to that of DSi-exclusive games.
While theNew 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]
TheNintendo Switch uses non-volatile flash memory technology similar to SD cards that are officially calledgame cards. These are distinct technologies from volatilegame cartridges that are similar to RAM boards. This iteration is smaller and has a larger storage capacity than its previous versions.[13] Despite its similarities, the Switch is not compatible with DS and 3DS cards.[14] 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.[15] Games for the Switch are region free, unlike DSi-exclusive games and 3DS games.
Because of their small size, Nintendo Switch game cards are coated withdenatonium benzoate, a non-toxicbitterant, as a safety precaution against accidental or deliberate consumption by young children.[16] Videos of users intentionally tasting game cards and reacting with disgust at the taste became ameme prior to the console's launch, which originated fromJeff Gerstmann's actions on aGiant Bomb webcast.[16][17][18]
Game cards for the Nintendo Switch can have capacities of 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB in size.[19] There were plans to introduce 64 GB game cards by the second half of 2018, however this was pushed back several times throughout the Switch's lifespan.[20] Ultimately, they never ended up being available for the Switch, but it did end up being available for theNintendo Switch 2, its successor released nearly eight years later.
TheNintendo Switch 2 uses the same non-volatile flash memory technology as with the original Nintendo Switch officially known asgame cards. They share the same size and dimensions, but are colored red instead of dark gray and have a small notch on the bottom right of the rear portion to distinguish them; the notch itself has no impact on inserting them into an original Switch unlike with Nintendo 3DS game cards being inserted on a Nintendo DS system. Similar to the original Switch, games for the Switch 2 are region free.
Again, due to their small size, Nintendo Switch 2 game cards are coated withdenatonium benzoate, a non-toxicbitterant, as a safety precaution against accidental or deliberate consumption by young children, using the same approach that was used on the original Switch's game cards.[21]
Games for the Nintendo Switch 2 are distributed in two different ways: a standard game card with a 64 GB capacity (also known as "64 GB game cards") and a Game-Key Card.[22] While these game cards can be physically be inserted into the original Switch, their software does not function due to their reliance on the Switch 2's newer hardware and will display an error message. On the other hand, the Switch 2 isbackward compatible with original Switch game cards, however some games may exhibit problems when played on the newer hardware. Nintendo has made a list of backward compatible games on the Switch 2 to determine which games are playable on the newer hardware without any problems.[23][24]
The standard game card for the Switch 2 serves as one of the two official distribution methods for the platform. Game cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 only have a capacity of 64 GB, more than that of the original Switch game cards.[22][25] Thus, they are referred to as "64 GB game cards" to distinguish them from the Switch 2's own Game-Key Cards. More recently, rumors of game cards for the Switch 2 with capacities smaller than the fixed 64 GB size circulated in mid-to-late December 2025, which confirmed that they were reportedly in production but may take longer to distribute than 64 GB game cards as well as being more expensive to produce due to theongoing chip shortages and the rising cost of materials.[26] For instance,R-Type Dimensions III was planned for release on game cards rather than being released on Game-Key Cards, which are reportedly known to be available in two smaller capacity game cards.[27][28]
Game cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 also have improved read speeds over the original Switch's game cards.[29] Games can store up to the maximum capacity for each and every game card produced, with file sizes varying between games.
Repackaged Nintendo Switch games for the Switch 2 featuring both the game in original Switch format and Switch 2-exclusive upgrades known as "upgrade packs" that contained enhancements (and in some cases additional features) in one game card are known as "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" game cards. These can be used on both the original Switch and Switch 2 systems, which on the former can be played as if it were a copy of the original Switch game, unlike Switch 2 exclusive game cards.[30] They can be identified by a unique identifier located on the game card's label indicating Switch 2-enhanced game cards as well as the text reading "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition". It uses the same 64 GB capacity as with Switch 2 game cards to store both the original Switch software alongside Switch 2 upgrades to said software.
A Game-Key Card is a type of game card for the Switch 2 that serves as one of the two official distribution methods for the platform. Although they look similar to standard Switch 2 game cards (also known as "64 GB game cards" to further distinguish them), they contained no data on them other than a digital license for the game, which requires the software to be downloaded free of charge before it can be used. Once downloaded, the physical game card is still needed for validation purposes. These game cards can be identified by a small key symbol located at the top-right on the game card's label. They are not tied to a specificNintendo Account; therefore they can be used regardless of whether or not it has been resold or if a Nintendo Account is used.[31]
Game-Key Cards have since become a common practice among most third-party publishers as a way to sell their games at retail alongside being offered via digital distribution channels without opting for the option of storing the entire game on a 64 GB game card, which some publishers are doing.[22][25][32][33] Publishers would also choose Game-Key Cards over 64 GB game cards for reasons such as games exceeding the 64 GB capacity or if a publisher deems 64 GB game cards too expensive to distribute games for (even with games below or at 64 GB capacity).
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.
You can connect to nearby Nintendo DS systems using Infrared Connection.
You can connect to nearby Nintendo DS systems using Infrared Connection.
The memory size for Nintendo 3DS cartridges will range from one to eight gigabytes, reports major Taiwanese newspaper China Times.