CartKid – GameBoy Cartridge Case

I recently picked up an old GameBoy Color and have been reacquiring some of my favorite games from childhood. Because entropy will always increase in a closed system, most second-hand cartridges lack the original cases. This… will not do.

I was originally going to buy a set of empty cases online, but my wife looked at me and said, “you know you really want to make a case yourself.”

And she was right!

Helpful Tools:

3D Printer (or printing service)

Super Glue (I used Gorilla Super Glue Impact-Tough formula, and that seemed to work best for me).

1. Print out Parts

Files are available for free on MyMiniFactory.

March 2020 UPDATE: Files can be downloaded directly from this site at the bottom of the page.  They are also available on Prusa Printers!

CK-Front and CK-Back can be whatever colors you want. Because my goal was to quickly design a solution that was functional on more than only one level (storage), I used “natural” PLA for CK-Window to allow for vague visibility of which cartridge was in each case. If you so choose, you could leave CK-Window out, but I’d rather sacrifice some clarity while keeping the cartridge on the safer side from dust and scratches.

Alternatively, if you have access to the proper materials and tools, you could cut CK-Window out of a thin sheet of acrylic. Approximate dimensions are 42.5 mm X 53.0 mm X 0.5 mm and 1 mm radius on the corners.

2. Assemble Window

Add a small amount of super glue to the recessed mating area on CK-Front. There’s a slight lip CK-Window snaps into for added retention.

3. Assemble CartKid

Snap CK-Front assembly onto CK-Back at the hinge, and you’re in business!

4. Store Your Collection

Original GameBoy and GameBoy Color cartridges fit inside without any issue. Also, the CartKid is only slightly larger than the original cartridge cases, which I consider an extra success.

Like what you’re seeing here? Leave me a comment below, follow me on Twitter @DragonMtnDesign, or say hey if you see u/DragonMountainDesign milling about on Reddit.

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March 2020 UPDATE:  Files are available here!  Click the Download button below for a zip file.

Files are available under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.

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