Handheld Cartridges Storage (Gameboy, Color, Advance, DS, 3DS, Switch, Game Gear, PSP, Vita)

Why the "Handheld Cartridges Storage"?

I have a good number of loose retro games for GameBoy and GameGear. I looked online for storage solutions for a while, but was never satisfied. Printed racks I downloaded pinched the carts too hard, leaving faint marks on them. I also wanted a closed box, to protect cartridges from UV light and yellowing.

I finally decided to create my own solution, and publish it for all game collectors.

Updates!

2025-11-08 - v3-rev02 - Corrected an error on the sliced plates.

2025-09-11 - v3-rev01 - Added "gba-pico", "gba-bigboy", "gbgbc-pico", "gbgbc-bigboy", "ds3ds-bigboy" models. Now at 26 storage types.

2025-08-02 - Version 3 (rev00) of all models. Better locking of tray, tighter rails with less wobble. Added a "switch-bigboy" model.

2025-05-03 - Version 2 of all models is here. Also added some "pico" models for all the smaller carts. 20 storages types available.

2025-02-17 - All actual released v1 models, updated since initial release (17 storage types).

Cut down update log for better reading...

2024-01-21 - Initial release (GB/C, GBA, GameGear).

What are the features of these boxes?

All storages are made of a box, and a drawer. Each drawer can usually fit 10 loose games for standard cartridges size (may vary for special carts). Each game slot should hold the cartridge without pinching, or scraping the carts. Each slot is also made to never rub against the cart label. A small "UP" text with an arrow is visible on the front of drawer, with a bottom text describing the type of carts it can hold. A groove on each side of the box enables you to grab the drawer front to open it. A better lock was introduced in v3.

No screw, magnet or anything else is needed for these models. It's designed to be simple and cheap to print and use.

The storages have nothing fancy, no hidden tricks or "Wow" effect : they do the job.

What's new in v3?

All models now boast a more robust locking mechanism (4 lock points instead of 2). Don't shake the box like a chimp though or it will open.

These models will be tagged v3, even if not existing in previous releases, just so you know they are up to the standard of these newest models.

Take note that v1 and v2 models are incompatible with v3. Older model versions will still be avaiblable in case you need to print a replacement part.

I also will provide all files in a zip archive, containing all stl and 3mf files. The number of files tends to grow a lot and this makes it easier for me at release, instead of posting all individual files.

What boxes are available?

Here are descriptions for each model of storage, with final printed size, estimates of PLA weight needed, and estimated printing time. These values may vary with your print settings.

For each storage, these informations are provided.

Outer size : Width, Height and Length in millimeters.
Slots : Number of slots and details for specific storages.
Front text : The text on the front lower left of the drawer.
Material : Average weight of material needed for the box, drawer, and both. It's just an average and will change depending on your slicer settings and material used.
Total print time : It's cumulative for drawer and box. Depends on your printer and slicer settings.

Storage data is now in a table format, as I was reaching character limit for description.

Models information

Model Name	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Length (mm)	Slots	Front Text	Box Weight (g)	Drawer Weight (g)	Total Weight (g)	Print Time (@300mm/s)	Comment
gbgbc-normal	72,6	76	125	10	GB&GBC	106	44	150	4h14m
gbgbc-bigboy	145,2	76	125	20	GB&GBC	171	93	264	6h37m	UNTESTED
gbgbc-pico	47	76	70,5	3	GB&GBC	51	22	73	1h27m
gbgbc-withcase	81	81	125	7	GB&GBC IN CASE	117	55	172	4h47m
gbgbc-rumble	72,6	93,5	125	10	GBC RUMBLE	120	63	183	5h10m
gbgbc-camera-tallcarts	72,6	120	125	9	GB CAMERA & TALL	142	62	204	5h46m
gbgbc-printer	84	64.7	150	1	GB PRINTER	125	55	180	4h49m
gba-normal	72,6	45	125	10	GBA	81	38	119	3h26m
gba-bigboy	145,2	45	125	20	GBA	139	80	219	5h29m	UNTESTED
gba-pico	47	45	70,5	3	GBA	81	38	119	1h45m
gba-special	72,6	65	125	10	GBA SPECIAL	97	51	148	4h11m
ds3ds-normal	46,5	45	125	15	DS&3DS	61	28	89	2h58m
ds3ds-maxi	72,6	45	125	25	DS&3DS	81	46	127	3h50m
ds3ds-bigboy	145,2	45	125	57	DS&3DS	139	91	230	6h13m	UNTESTED
ds3ds-pico	46,5	45	50,5	6	DS&3DS	27	15	42	1h27m
switch-normal	35	40	125	17	SW1&2	48	20	68	2h30m
switch-maxi	72,6	40	125	42	SW1&2	76	43	119	3h52m
switch-bigboy	145,2	40	125	93	SW1&2	131	84	215	6h12m
switch-pico	35	40	50,5	6	SW1&2	21	10	31	1h13m
gg-normal	83	79	134,5	10	GG	125	52	177	4h52m
gg-codemasters	83	96	134,5	7	GG CODEMASTERS	140	60	200	5h27m
gg-withcase	94	94	134,5	6	GG IN CASE	149	85	234	6h16m
psp-normal	77,9	75,5	86,5	10	PSP	80	48	128	3h42m
vita-normal	36	39,5	86,5	17	VITA	35	17	52	1h56m
vita-maxi	77,9	39,5	86,5	43	VITA	57	38	95	3h06m
vita-pico	36	39,5	50,5	9	VITA	21	12	33	1h16m

Extra Files

Some extra files are now provided and are totally optional.

• "switch-tabs" : Sorting tabs for Switch storages. Just simple tabs the size of a cart, for alphabetical sorting and more.

Printing tips (important, do not skip this)

Modeling was made for FDM printers, using PLA. Untested with anything else!

A modern printer will have the best results (think those newer Core XY models). Tolerences are tighter in v3 so you may want to print a small model first, like "switch-pico", to be sure your printer is calibrated correctly.

Recommended print settings are as follow :

• 0,4mm nozzle

• 0,2mm layers

• 2 walls

• Detect thin walls enabled

• 25% infill, cubic, gyroid or honeycomb

• No supports

All prints can be made on printers with a volume as small as 150x150x150mm.

Boxes should be printed upright, like a vase. Drawers are printed flat.

If your printer has a moving bed on Y axis (lots of printers) then the drawer must be printed with the front parallel to the bed axis, to minimize wobble. Else the drawer front may be skewed like the Tower of Pisa.

Let your prints fully cool down before assembly of drawer and box. This will prevent unwanted deformations on tabs and pegs for the locking mechanism.

Where to buy? Tip me?

I don't sell storages myself, and don't want to. Feel free to ask your local 3D print creators to print those models for you. The licence (CC BY-SA) does not restrict them to sell prints, but they still need to give credit! It's a pretty permissive licence.

You can also tip on Ko-fi if you like my designs and want to support me.

What's next?

No plan for now. Give ideas in comments maybe?

Special thanks

• March on the GameBoy Discord for feedback on drawer front.
• olDirdey on the GameBoy Discord for Tallcarts measurements.

Play your games!

Games should be played. Don't let them sit too long in storage, and enjoy playing them from time to time. :D

Also, please post makes if you like these storages!