Why the "Handheld Cartridges Storage"?

I have a good number of loose retro games for GameBoy and GameGear. I looked online for storage solutions for a while, printing some I also found, but was often, if not always, dissatisfied with them. Printed racks I downloaded pinched the cartrigdes too hard, leaving faint marks on them. What I also wanted was a closed box, to protect cartridges from UV lights. We all have seen yellow or brown Gameboy carts...

So, I finally decided to create my own solution, fitting my needs. And publishing it online was the next logical step, as I'm sure it can fit the needs of other game collectors.

Updates!

2024-10-21 - Added DS/3DS Maxi storage.

2024-03-26 - Renamed project. Added two storages for Switch carts.

2024-03-15 - Added storage for DS/3DS carts.

2024-03-05 - Added storage for GameGear Codemasters Carts and with protective cases.

2024-02-18 - Added storage for GBA Special Carts (WarioWare Twisted, Boktai, ...)

2024-02-10 - Added storage for GB/GBC carts with protective cases.

2024-02-04 - Added storage for GBCamera and Tallcarts.

2024-01-31 - Reworked drawers to make the front more sturdy while printing. Corrected some inconsistencies between models. No need to print new ones, dimensions unchanged if you are happy with existing prints.

2024-01-29 - Added new storage : GB/GBC Rumble carts. See description for more details.

2024-01-24 - Added more printing tips for drawer, and recommended print orientation photos.

What are the features of these boxes?

All storages are made of a box, and a drawer. Each drawer can usually fit 10 loose games for standard cartridges size. This number may vary for special carts. Each game slot should hold the cartridge without pinching, and are chamfered on top to not scrape again the carts. Each slot is also made to never rub against the cart label. A rail is present on box and drawer, so the drawer never moves in vertical direction. A small "UP" text with an arrow is visible on the front of drawer, so you don't open the box upside down, letting you dear cartridges fall to the floor. A groove on each side of the box enables you to grab the drawer front to open it. They can be stacked, stored horizontally or vertically.

What game cartridges are compatible?

Here are descriptions for each model of storage, with printed size, estimates of PLA weight and length needed (standard 1,75mm filament diameter). This may vary with your slicer settings.

GameBoy / GameBoy Color

The "gbgbc-normal" variant can hold grey, black and clear GameBoy / GameBoy Color carts with standard form factors. Holds 10 games. Incompatible with Rumble carts or Camera. Compatible with Kirby Tilt'n'Tumble.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 76 x 125mm
Material : Box 112g / 37,5m - Drawer 43g / 14,3m

GameBoy / GameBoy Color With Case

The "gbgbc-withcase" variant can hold carts in their official protective cases. Holds 7 games. Untested with unofficial cases, it should work but some may scrape on the inside top of the box.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 80,7 x 81 x 125mm
Material : Box 118g / 39,5m - Drawer 55g / 18,4m

GameBoy / GameBoy Color Rumble Carts

The "gbgbc-rumble" variant can hold black and clear rumble carts. There are 10 slots but it can only hold 5 rumble carts. The other slots are for storing Advance games if you want, as they can fit under the battery bump of rumble carts. Carts must be oriented with labels facing away from the drawer front, or you'll not close the box properly. Storing normal GB/GBC carts is not recommended as they will rattle if the box is upside down.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 93,5 x 125mm
Material : Box 120g / 40m - Drawer 61g / 20,4m

GameBoy Camera & "Tallcarts"

The "gbgbc-camera-tallcarts" variant is made for GameBoy Camera. It has 9 slots. You can store 3 Camera Carts. By chance, bumps under the Camera are the height of one GBA cart and one GB/GBC cart. So you can store other games with your cameras. This case is so tall it can also hold "Tallcarts" like "Tamagotchi Osucchi to Mesucchi!". However tallcarts may rattle arround if the box is flipped over. Also compatible with Action Replay and Mega Memory. GameGenie NOT compatible. Max height of carts is 118mm.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 120 x 125mm
Material : Box 140g / 46,9m - Drawer 63g / 20,8m

GameBoy Advance

The "gba-normal" variant is compatible with GameBoy Advance carts of standard form factor. Holds 10 games. Unusual carts are not compatible.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 45 x 125mm
Material : Box 79g / 26,5m - Drawer 51g / 16,9m

GameBoy Advance Special Carts

The "gba-special" variant is made for unusual GBA Carts. Mainly those that stick out of the console with a gimmick. Can hold up to 10 games. Compatible with Boktai games, WarioWare Twisted (JP and US, uses 3 slots), Yoshi's Universal Gravitation (Topsy Turvy), Drill Dozer, and Koro Puzzle.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 65 x 125mm
Material : Box 103g / 34,3m - Drawer 37g / 12,4m

DS/3DS

The "ds3ds-normal" variant, for DS and 3DS carts. Holds 15 carts, and is the first box where I try a locking mecanism to keep drawer in place.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 46,2 x 45 x 125mm
Material : Box 60g / 19,9m - Drawer 26g / 8,6m

DS/3DS Maxi Storage

The "ds3ds-maxi" variant, for DS and 3DS carts. Holds 25 carts.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 45 x 125mm
Material : Box 79g / 26,5m - Drawer 46g / 15,5m

Switch

The "switch-normal" variant is a small box storing 17 Switch carts, with a locking mechanism. Ideal for travels.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 34,7 x 40 x 125mm
Material : Box 48g / 15,8m - Drawer 19g / 6,2m

Switch Maxi Storage

The "switch-maxi" variant is a huge storage box. It can contain 42 Switch carts. Don't lose that box ! It's more meant as a home storage than for traveling.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 72,3 x 40 x 125mm
Material : Box 79g / 26,4m - Drawer 41g / 13,6m

GameGear

The "gg-normal" variant is compatible with GameGear carts of standard form factor. Holds 10 games. Codemasters carts and other unusual carts will not fit.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 82,7 x 79 x 135mm
Material : Box 133g / 44,4m - Drawer 53g / 17,7m

GameGear Codemasters

The "gg-codemasters" variant is for those taller carts sticking out of the console made by Codemasters. It can hold 7 of these special carts.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 82,7 x 96 x 135mm
Material : Box 162g / 54,2m - Drawer 62g / 20,6m

GameGear With Case

The "gg-withcase" variant is for storing games in their official plastic sleeves. It is the most inefficient storage, holding only 6 carts.

Outer size (WxHxL) : 93,7 x 94 x 135mm
Material : Box 150g / 50,5m - Drawer 90g / 30m

Printing tips (important)

Modeling was made for FDM printers, using PLA. Untested with anything else. If you want to test fitting, you should cut the parts with your prefered software, to print the front of drawer with one or two cart slots, and the top of the box (when viewed like a vase).

No supports needed. I use 0.4mm nozzle, with 0.2mm layers.

Boxes should be printed upright, like a vase (don't use "vase mode" !). As the structure is thin, you should use a fill density of 25% minimum. If possible, have a full layer every 40 layers to make it stronger.

Drawers are printed flat. Minimum of 25% infill is recommended, as well as a full layer very 40 layers, mainly for toughness of the drawer front.

If your printer has a moving bed on an axis (lots of printers) then the drawer must be printed with the front parallel to the axis, to minimize wobble. Else the drawer front will be skewed like the Tower of Pisa.

What's next?

No more boxes planned. For now...

Special thanks

• March on the GameBoy Discord for feedback on drawer front.
• olDirdey on the GameBoy Discord for Tallcarts measurements.

Final advice

Games should be played. Don't let them too long in storage and enjoy playing them from time to time. :D

Also, please post makes if possible. That would make me happy.