Cartridge Switchers?

[Howard_Casto]

This is kind of off-topic but I wasn't sure where else to post it.  Does anyone know where I can get some cartridge switchers for the old console systems?

You know, you would go to the store and the display would be setup with 10 games in it and you pressed the button to switch between them?

I don't even know the real name for them so I'm having a hard time finding any info.  I have a special hardware project I'm wokring on and these would be a great help.  

thanks,
HAC

[rocket2600]

Hey HC. Yes there are commerical cart holders for console systems. I Know Atari and the NES had those that could hold 10 to 15 games each. I haven't seen any for sale in a long time but the only place I would guess to look is Ebay. Some place like Funcoland may have them. But they are out there. Collector's are probably grabbing them up so you may have to pay a high dollar to get one. Good luck.

~Rocket2600

[Howard_Casto]

Thanks, I've been trying the ebay and stuff.  I can't even get a description of one when I search for them on google.  I guess I'll keep looking.

[1UP]

I've been looking for the same thing for Gameboy.  I was considering making my own switcher, but don't know if it would work.  The cartridges usually have a ground pin, so it seems maybe you could daisy-chain all the cartridges together (except the grounds), then use a 10-channel rotary switch etc to connect the ground for the game you wanted to play.  Anyone know if this would work?

Of course, you could always use an emulator instead...  

[Howard_Casto]

Believe it or not I thoguht of the same thing.... I was afraid the voltage passed to the inactive carts could damage them... i believe it's a very small amount, but still.  That's why I was looking for more info, I wanted to either buy one and take it apart or find enough info so that i could build these on the same principal the commercial one's used.  

[1UP]

True, but why would the voltage damage them?  I mean, they're made to handle that voltage anyway.  Maybe if they all were draining voltage simultaneously, it could harm the system...  I'd just be worried about if there'd be some crosstalk or something.  But I think that must be what the cart switchers are doing though...just selectively connecting the grounds...can't be connecting and disconnecting THAT many pins for 10 different carts?

[Howard_Casto]

Sorry, I didn't clarify... I was referring to low voltage... you know, kind of like a brown out.... And come to think of it your right, the game system would probably be more likely to be harmed....

I dunno about the ground technique though.... these systems werent meant to let you switch carts while powered, so there has to be something more to it.  If I remember correctly the nes/snes one's connected to that mysterious bottom connector under the console.  I was very little though so this is just from memory.  

[1UP]

Sorry, I didn't clarify... I was referring to low voltage... you know, kind of like a brown out.... And come to think of it your right, the game system would probably be more likely to be harmed....

I dunno about the ground technique though.... these systems werent meant to let you switch carts while powered, so there has to be something more to it.  If I remember correctly the nes/snes one's connected to that mysterious bottom connector under the console.  I was very little though so this is just from memory.  

Maybe find out how they DO work, and you could hack your own...

[txcanoeman]

I've been away from the scene for a while but I do remember there being several systems that had multicarts with as many as 128 games on one cart.  Also thought there was a guy would would create multicarts for you.  If you are interested I can see if I have the links to those sites somewhere.

Bill