SNES cart model question

[theq87]

Hey guys, I was going through my SNES carts today and noticed/remembered that some of the older carts are shaped differently than the newer ones. FF2, for example, has more plastic towards the bottom of the cart, while the newer carts look more sleek, if you will.

Does anybody know why Nintendo changed this? I've never had any problems with the older ones. Just a cosmetic change?

 

[talon20299]

I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the original design was intended to prevent someone from pulling the cart out while the system was powered up but unfortunately some other company had patented that design so Nintendo was forced to change the cart's shape to remove that feature.

 

[bone_matrix]

Yeah, the old carts werent able to be pulled out without the power shut off, while the new ones could slide out like a genesis cart. I don't know about some other company had a patent or anything though. But it would make sense as to why Nintendo changed it. I also miss the dust covers they packed with the old carts.