Sofia Martinez
Nintendo is one of the biggest video game companies in the world, producing consoles and games that are beloved by many. The Nintendo Switch, for example, can be played on the go or at home, and has brought the company even more success. Nintendo remains vague about its environmental policy, but it is known that the Nintendo Switch relies on plastic as an outer layer of protection and for the overall shape of the console. The majority of the Switch, including the JoyCons, buttons, and tablet, are covered in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. Nintendo cartridges are also made of ABS plastic. Nintendo Switch game casing is made from fully recyclable No. 5 plastic, which is made from polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic polymer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | ABS |
| Plastic properties | Self-healing |
| Plastic colour | Black, green, red, yellow, gold, silver, purple, pink, brown, grey, translucent |
| Other materials | Molten plastic |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Nintendo cartridge plastic types
Nintendo has used several types of plastic in its cartridges over the years, with some cartridges featuring unique colours. The original Game Boy cartridges, for instance, were standard grey, while later cartridges for the Game Boy Color were made of dark, translucent plastic.
Some Nintendo cartridges have also been known to feature distinctive colours, such as the "banana yellow" cartridges for the Donkey Kong Land series, which complemented the games' theme of banana-hoarding primates. Other examples include the red cartridge for Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage and the black cartridge for Killer Instinct.
Nintendo has also utilised different types of plastic in the design of its cartridges to prevent users from removing cartridges while the console is still on. The DMG GB, for instance, featured a piece of plastic that slotted over the corner notch of GB carts, while the SNES had a tab that locked into the slot in the cart.
In terms of the specific type of plastic used, one source speculates that the plastic used in Joy-Con controllers is likely to be regular ABS plastic, while another mentions the use of a "self-healing" plastic, possibly similar to that used in the LG G Flex phone.
Additionally, some Nintendo cartridges have plastic casings that house internal components such as a gyro sensor or a small motor. These cartridges are bulkier in size compared to those with simpler internal mechanisms.
The Beauty of Plastic Palm Trees
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.99
Nintendo cartridge colours
Nintendo has historically been the most prominent and prevalent company to release cartridges in special colours. They released special cartridges for the NES, SNES, N64, and every iteration of the Game Boy.
The Legend of Zelda was released as a gold cartridge in North America, while in Japan, it came out on a green Famicom cartridge. The Legend of Zelda and its sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, were also released as gold cartridges in North America, standing out from every other game on the market.
In 1995, two games were released with black cartridges: Killer Instinct, and Pokémon Pinball. Pokémon Gold and Silver cartridges were also gold and silver, respectively. Donkey Kong Land cartridges were banana yellow, and the two Donkey Kong games were white.
In 1994, Doom was released on a red cartridge, and Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage also came out on a red cartridge for the SNES in 1995.
Some Nintendo Switch cartridges have a black or green part above the gold part. It has been speculated that the black cartridges are ports from the Wii U, while the green cartridges are newer titles.
The Pacific's Plastic Island: A Massive, Growing Problem
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nintendo cartridge design
Nintendo has used plastic in its cartridge design since the release of the original Game Boy in 1995, with Donkey Kong Land being the first game to feature a coloured cartridge. Since then, Nintendo has released numerous games with specially coloured cartridges, such as Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver, which featured gold and silver cartridges respectively. The plastic used in Nintendo cartridges is likely ABS, a common type of plastic, although some have speculated that Nintendo uses a self-healing plastic called "Nintendium".
Nintendo has also utilised plastic in the physical design of its cartridges to lock them into place and prevent users from accidentally removing them while the console is still on. The DMG GB, for example, featured a piece of plastic that slotted over the corner notch of GB cartridges, while the SNES had a tab that locked into the slot in the cartridge.
In recent years, with the miniaturization of cartridge technology, Nintendo has prioritised the game's label over its plastic housing. As a result, cartridges for the Nintendo DS and 3DS are tiny, and colourising them would be unnecessary. Instead, Nintendo chose to distinguish the DS and 3DS formats by colour, with the former being black and the latter light grey.
Nintendo cartridge shells are also available for purchase individually, often used for bootleg games or for custom game cartridges. These shells are widely available in different colours and designs, including translucent shells and those with the ""Nintendo Game Boy" logo. However, using shells with the Nintendo logo for personal games could potentially lead to copyright issues if the game gains popularity and catches Nintendo's attention.
Additionally, some Nintendo fans have explored 3D printing their own cartridge shells, allowing for high customizability and the ability to print unique designs or branding. FDM 3D printing, which works by squeezing out molten plastic layer by layer, is the most common and affordable option for creating custom cartridge shells.
Creating a Plastic Lace Keychain: Finishing Touches
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nintendo cartridge production
Nintendo has used various plastics in its cartridge production over the years, with some cartridges also featuring internal electronic components. Nintendo's cartridges are typically made of plastic, with some featuring a notch at the top corner to facilitate use in different console versions. The type of plastic varies, with some cartridges being produced in dark, translucent plastic, while others are made in bright, opaque colours. For example, Donkey Kong Land cartridges were produced in "banana yellow", while Pokémon Pinball cartridges were black.
Some Nintendo cartridges feature internal electronic components, such as gyroscopes and rumble motors. These components are housed within the plastic casing of the cartridge. The plastic casing serves to protect these internal components from damage and to secure the cartridge in the console during use.
Nintendo has also utilised different plastic designs to distinguish between different console formats. For instance, the Nintendo DS cartridges were black, while the Nintendo 3DS cartridges were light grey. This colour distinction helped users easily identify the correct cartridge for their respective consoles.
In terms of production, Nintendo's cartridges are typically mass-produced using injection moulding processes. This involves melting plastic pellets and injecting the molten plastic into moulds to form the cartridge shape. The plastic is then cooled and solidified, with the moulds often featuring intricate details to create the precise shape and features required for each cartridge type.
Some enthusiasts also opt to create custom cartridge shells using 3D printing technology. This allows for unique designs and branding opportunities, although the build quality may vary depending on the printing method and materials used. FDM printing, for instance, creates layers of molten plastic to build up the desired shape.
Plastic Bins: Effective Mouse Deterrent or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nintendo cartridge customisation
Nintendo cartridges are made of plastic. Customising Nintendo cartridges is a popular activity among Nintendo enthusiasts. Customisation can be done for various reasons, such as repairing damaged cartridges, creating homemade games, or simply for display purposes. Here are some methods and ideas for Nintendo cartridge customisation:
3D Printing and Art: One popular method is to 3D print plastic cartridges and customise them with art. You can glue tin foil or custom artwork onto the 3D-printed cartridges to create unique designs. This method is ideal for display purposes and can be a fun way to showcase your favourite games on your shelf.
Custom Box Art: For those who prefer physical copies of games, custom box art is an excellent option. You can design and create custom boxes for your cartridges, adding your own artwork or labels. This is a great way to personalise your collection and make it stand out.
ROM Hacking and Reproduction: For enthusiasts who want to play their games on the original hardware, ROM hacking and cartridge reproduction are popular customisation options. Nintendo enthusiasts have created comprehensive guides and tutorials on how to make NES reproduction cartridges. This involves using adapter boards and rewiring techniques to create homemade games or repair damaged cartridges.
PCB Colour Customisation: Nintendo typically uses different colours for their PCB boards, and you can customise your cartridges by choosing specific colours. For example, black PCB boards are often associated with more expensive and fancy gaming motherboards. Green PCB boards, on the other hand, are used for newer titles. You can customise your cartridges by choosing different coloured PCB boards to denote memory size or simply for aesthetic purposes.
It's important to note that while customising the physical appearance of cartridges is possible, creating functional custom cartridges is not feasible. Nintendo is the only entity capable of writing games to game cards. However, customisation can still be a fun and creative way to express your love for Nintendo and personalise your collection.
Drilling Plastic Anchors: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Nintendo cartridges are made of plastic and come in a variety of colours. For example, Donkey Kong Land cartridges were banana yellow, while Pokémon Pinball cartridges were black.
The plastic in Nintendo cartridges serves a functional purpose, as it helps to "lock" the cartridge into place and secure it.
Yes, you can 3D print your own Nintendo cartridge shell.
