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

• 
  Pokémon Red cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Blue cartridge
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  Pokémon Yellow cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Pinball cartridge without the battery cover
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  Pokémon Trading Card Game cartridge
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  Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR! cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Gold cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Silver cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Crystal cartridge

Nintendo 64

• 
  Pokémon Snap cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Stadium cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Puzzle League cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Stadium 2 cartridge

Pokémon mini

• 
  Pokémon Party mini cartridge

Game Boy Advance

• 
  Pokémon Ruby cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Sapphire cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire cartridge
• 
  Pokémon FireRed cartridge
• 
  Pokémon LeafGreen cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Emerald cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team cartridge

Nintendo DS

• 
  Pokémon Dash cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Trozei cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Ranger cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Diamond cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Pearl cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Platinum cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky cartridge
• 
  Pokémon HeartGold cartridge
• 
  Pokémon SoulSilver cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Black cartridge
• 
  Pokémon White cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Conquest cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Black 2 cartridge
• 
  Pokémon White 2 cartridge

Nintendo 3DS

• 
  Pokémon Rumble Blast cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity cartridge
• 
  Pokémon X cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Y cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Art Academy cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Omega Ruby cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Alpha Sapphire cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Sun cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Moon cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Ultra Sun cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Ultra Moon cartridge
• 
  Detective Pikachu cartridge

Nintendo Switch

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Detective Pikachu Returns

• 
  Pokkén Tournament DX cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee! cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Sword cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Shield cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Brilliant Diamond cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Shining Pearl cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Legends: Arceus cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Scarlet cartridge
• 
  Pokémon Violet cartridge

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.