Draft:List of home computers with game cartridge support

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The Atari 800, one of the early cartridge-compatible home computers.

This is a list of home computers, released primarily between 1977 and the mid-1990s, that supported software distributed via ROM cartridges.

Home Computers with Game Cartridge Support

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This is a comprehensive list of home computers that supported software distributed via game cartridges, a format primarily associated with video game consoles. The use of cartridges allowed for fast loading times and increased durability compared to cassette tapes and floppy disks, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. While the popularity of cartridges declined in favor of disk-based media in the 1990s, several hybrid and niche systems continued to support the format.

8-bit Era

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Note: Some systems listed below contain 16-bit CPUs (e.g., IBM PCjr, TI-99/4A), but are grouped here based on their software architecture, performance characteristics, and alignment with the 8-bit home computer market segment of the era.

System Region Year Approx. Cartridge Game Count Notes
Commodore 64 Worldwide 1982 ~300 Used for both games and utilities; cartridge use was secondary to disk/tape.[1]
Atari 400/800/XL/XE Worldwide 1979–1983 ~100 Strong software library in cartridge format.[2]
TI-99/4A USA 1981 ~100 Solid State Software Command Modules.[3]
MSX Japan/Europe 1983+ >500 Cartridge-based platform with titles from Konami, Compile, etc.[4][circular reference]
VIC-20 Worldwide 1980 ~180 Cartridge was primary software delivery early on.[5]
TRS-80 Color Computer USA 1980 ~73 Used "Program Pak" cartridges.[6][circular reference]
Sinclair ZX Spectrum + Interface 2 UK 1983 ~10 Supported limited ROM cartridges.[7]
Sega SC-3000 Japan/Europe 1983 ~26 Cartridge support shared with SG-1000.[8]
Commodore 64 Games System Europe 1990 ~30 Console-style C64 with cartridge-only design.[9]
ColecoVision ADAM USA 1983 Shared with ColecoVision Fully compatible with ColecoVision carts.[10][circular reference]
Spectravideo SV-318 / SV-328 USA/Europe 1983 ~137 MSX predecessor; supported ROM carts.[11]
IBM PCjr USA 1984 Limited Educational and early games in ROM.[12]
APF Imagination Machine USA 1979 ~15 Early hybrid console/computer.[13]
Bally Astrocade USA 1977 29 Console with optional BASIC cartridge; also marketed as a computer.[14]
Tomy Tutor Japan/USA 1982 ~44 Arcade-style games and educational software.[15]
Enterprise 64 / 128 UK/Hungary 1985 Very limited ROM slot mostly unused.[16]
Memotech MTX UK 1983 Limited Supported cartridge expansions.[17]
Casio PV-1000 / PV-2000 Japan 1983 ~15 / ~11 Brief market life.[18]
Sharp X1 Japan 1982 Limited Cartridge slot via expansion.[19]
Sord M5 Japan/Europe 1982 ~20 Mainly educational titles.[20]
Bandai RX-78 Japan 1983 ~9 Based on Gundam franchise; limited releases.[21]
NEC PC-6001 Japan 1981 Limited Supported multiple media formats.[22]
Fujitsu FM-7 / FM-77 Japan 1982–84 Limited Cartridge expansion modules available.[23]
Canon V-20 / Canon V-10 Japan/Europe 1983 Shared with MSX library Compatible with MSX cartridges.[4][circular reference]
Tatung Einstein UK 1984 Very limited Cartridge slot present but rarely used.[24]

16-bit / 32-bit Era and Hybrid Systems

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Note: This section includes systems with 16-bit or 32-bit CPUs, or hybrids that combined home computer and console hardware. Some entries may not use cartridges directly but are included for their relevance to the cartridge-based ecosystem.

System Region Year Cartridge Support Approx. Cartridge Game Count Notes
Sega Teradrive Japan 1991 Mega Drive slot ~700+ IBM-compatible PC + Mega Drive hybrid.[25]
Amstrad Mega PC Europe 1993 Mega Drive slot ~700+ Full Mega Drive compatibility.[26]
FM Towns Marty Japan 1993 ROM cartridges <10 Mostly CD-based; few cartridge games.[27]
Pioneer LaserActive (PAC-S1/N1) Japan/USA 1994 Sega Genesis / PC Engine via expansion ~100–300 Modular system; required PAC expansions.[28][circular reference]
Pioneer LaserActive PAC-PC1 Japan 1994 Cartridge-style PC expansions 0 Allowed limited PC functionality; not used for games.[29]
Amiga CD32 + SX-1/SX-32 Europe 1993 Cartridge expansion 0 No official cartridge games; modules used for RAM, etc.[30]
Amiga 1200 Worldwide 1992 ROM module expansions 0 Primarily used for expansions; no game cartridge support.[31]
Atari ST (with expansions) Worldwide 1985 Limited expansion ROMs 0 No commercial game cartridges.[32]
Apple IIGS USA 1986 ROM card expansion 0 Used for utilities or OS enhancements.[33]
FM Towns II Japan 1990s ROM boards 0 Not game-focused.[34]
Sharp X68000 Japan 1987 No cartridge support 0 Included for context; famous for arcade-accurate ports like Gradius II.[35][circular reference][36]

Notable Systems and Legacy

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  • An MSX computer (Sony HitBit HB-10P) known for its extensive cartridge library.
    An MSX computer (Sony HitBit HB-10P) known for its extensive cartridge library.
  • Sharp X68000, notable for arcade-accurate home ports.
    Sharp X68000, notable for arcade-accurate home ports.
  • Commodore 64, the best-selling home computer with cartridge support.
    Commodore 64, the best-selling home computer with cartridge support.
  • FM Towns Marty, a 32-bit CD-based hybrid with cartridge input.
    FM Towns Marty, a 32-bit CD-based hybrid with cartridge input.

Several home computers listed above stand out not only for supporting cartridge-based games but also for their historical or technical significance:

  • MSX series: The MSX platform was the first standardized home computer architecture adopted across multiple manufacturers. With a rich library of cartridge-based games, it introduced titles like Metal Gear and Contra in their original home formats.[4][circular reference]
  • Commodore 64: While tapes and disks dominated its software library, the Commodore 64 supported a significant number of cartridges that allowed instant loading, giving it console-like functionality for games like International Soccer.[1]
  • Atari 400/800/XL/XE: These computers featured robust multimedia hardware and a cartridge-based software ecosystem inspired by the Atari VCS. Cartridges offered fast access to games and educational software.[2]
  • Sega Teradrive / Amstrad Mega PC: These rare hybrid systems combined an IBM-compatible PC with a Sega Mega Drive console, allowing users to play console-quality cartridge games and run PC software in one unit.[25][26]
  • Sharp X68000: Though it did not use cartridges, the X68000 is included for its unique arcade-accurate hardware. It was often used by developers to create home ports of arcade titles like Gradius II and Final Fight.[35][circular reference][36]
  • FM Towns Marty: Recognized as the first 32-bit CD-based home console, it also supported a small number of cartridges. Its role as a transitional system between PCs and consoles is historically significant.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b AtariAge: C64 cartridge game count
  2. ^ a b Atari 8-bit cartridge list
  3. ^ TI-99 cartridge list
  4. ^ a b c List of MSX games - Wikipedia
  5. ^ Digital Press VIC-20 archive
  6. ^ TRS-80 game category - Wikipedia
  7. ^ StackExchange: ZX Interface 2
  8. ^ SC-3000 Cartridges
  9. ^ C64 Cartridge Wiki
  10. ^ Coleco ADAM games - Wikipedia
  11. ^ SVI 328 Game List
  12. ^ IBM PCjr Cartridge List
  13. ^ LaunchBox Game DB
  14. ^ MobyGames: Astrocade
  15. ^ Pyuuta Game List
  16. ^ EnterpriseForever.com
  17. ^ MTXWorld
  18. ^ Old Computers: Casio
  19. ^ Sharp X1 Memorial
  20. ^ SordM5.com
  21. ^ Bandai RX-78
  22. ^ PC-6001.net
  23. ^ FM-7.com
  24. ^ Tatung Einstein - Old Computers
  25. ^ a b SegaRetro
  26. ^ a b SegaRetro
  27. ^ a b Retronauts
  28. ^ LaserActive - Wikipedia
  29. ^ SegaRetro
  30. ^ Amigapedia
  31. ^ Amigapedia
  32. ^ AtariWiki
  33. ^ Apple IIgs Product Info
  34. ^ RetroNN.de
  35. ^ a b X68000 game list
  36. ^ a b BlockFort