Multiple people asked me on Bluesky why Game Card 2 uses eMMC instead of something faster. Judging from the GC2 patents, it seems to be for backward compatibility:
GC2 contains two memory areas, one for NS2 and one for NS1 (image 1 below). The two separate areas a) make “NS2 Edition” cards possible, and b) ensure that even when a GC2 with an NS2 exclusive game is inserted in the NS1 console, it doesn’t explode (joke) but displays an incompatibility message stored in the memory area for NS1 (image 2).
Inside the console, since GC1’s proprietary protocol is converted to eMMC before being executed, GC2 simply uses eMMC directly to bypass the converter (image below).
The cost barrier is primary on the memory chips, not eMMC. MegaChips (one of the GC suppliers) in a recent financial report disclosed that they developed a tech to use 3D memory >100 layers as ROM. May this lead to cheaper cards in the near future?
[Originally posted on 2025-09-05 Pacific Time]
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