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Famicom cartridge dimensions

This page documents the dimensions of common Famicom cartridges, including their cartridge shell and their corresponding PCB type. The source files are open-source and available on Github.

TODO: identify more cartridge shell forms

Famicom cartridge shell outline

Small cartridge form

HVC-TxROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

HVC-NROM/CNROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

Large cartridge form

HVC-ExROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

Miscellaneous cartridge forms

TODO: document and measure other forms

Famicom cartridge PCB outline

These outlines of different cartridge PCB types are based on the most space-filling variant, so that designers may choose to cut off unused portions that their designs may not need. Some outlines of cartridges with no maximally space filling PCB are thus modified to be such, with measurements being based on adjacent types made by the same producer.

Each cartridge type varies in how the 60 pin card edge is implemented. The pin pitch is 2.54mm, with 2 rows of 30 pads. Each pad may be uniform in dimensions, or slightly thicker and longer for power/ground.

HVC-Ax/Fx/Px/Sx/TxROM (MMC1-4 mapper boards)

This outline is based on measurements from a HVC-TGROM-01 type cartridge PCB, compatible with any cartridge shell that supports any HVC-Ax/Fx/Px/Sx/TxROM PCB or similar/bigger. These measurements are measured with vernier calipers with 0.05 mm accuracy. Note that this outline also details where the soldermask ends for the card edge.

Technical drawing of the outlines of an HVC-TGROM-01 type cartridge PCB.

Dimensions
DesignatorDimensions in mm (±0.05 mm)Description
A90Board width
A.178.4Card edge width
A.281Notched width
A.2.143Inset board width 1
A.2.233Inset board width 2
B46.1Board height
B.123.2Inset board height 1
B.220.9Inset board height 2
B.310.7Card edge depth
C1.2Board thickness
D.13Card edge base to pad top
D.24Card edge base to soldermask keepout
D.36.7Power pad height
D.45.7Signal pad height
E.10.57Power pad to card edge side
E.21.57Signal pad to card edge side
E.32.6Power pad width
E.41.6Signal pad width
E.50.94Space between pads
E.62.54Pad spacing

HVC-ExROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

HVC-N/Cx/Gx/UxROM 01-05 (discrete mapper boards)

This outline is based on measurements from a HVC-CNROM-256K-01 type cartridge PCB, augmented with dimensions from a HVC-TGROM-01 type PCB. This is compatible with any cartridge shell that supports any HVC-N/Cx/Gx/UxROM 01-05 PCB or similar/bigger. These measurements are measured with vernier calipers with 0.05 mm accuracy. Note that this outline also details where the soldermask ends for the card edge.

Technical drawing of the outlines of an augmented HVC-CNROM-256K-01 type cartridge PCB.

Dimensions
DesignatorDimensions in mm (±0.05 mm)Description
A90Board width
A.178.4Card edge width
A.268Notched width
A.2.131.5Inset board width 1
A.2.226.5Inset board width 2
A.339.5Hole 1 to board edge
A.41/2 of AHole 2 to board edge
A.53Hole 1 diameter
A.65Hole 2 diameter
B46.1Board height
B.123.2Inset board height 1
B.220.9Inset board height 2
B.310.7Card edge depth
B.419.8Hole 1 center height
B.510.3Hole 2 center height
C1.2Board thickness
D.13Card edge base to pad top
D.24Card edge base to soldermask keepout
D.36.7Power pad height
D.45.7Signal pad height
E.10.57Power pad to card edge side
E.21.57Signal pad to card edge side
E.32.6Power pad width
E.41.6Signal pad width
E.50.94Space between pads
E.62.54Pad spacing

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