Tabs on the top of cartridges - What are they for?

[Trenton_net]

Hey everyone,

I always wondered what the two tabs on the top of Famicom cartridges were for. I thought perhaps it was designed for some special tool to open them with, but it seems more likely that it was for some special attachment or peripheral?

[petik1]

If I remember correctly, it's a way the two halves of the cart fit into each other.

[untinip]

You mean the holes on top of certain (most?) cartridges? I think they're purely cosmetic, perhaps to make the cartridges look like cassette tapes. Not all cartridges have these holes, either...

If you ever want to open a Famicom cartridge (at your own risk), check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgCiAOmgeFc

[Trenton_net]

Ah, well I thought the two holes on the top of some carts were for some crazy attachment. Because cosmetically it adds nothing to the game (For me anyways).

Another idea is that perhaps in Japan stores display games differently, so the taps are for plastic hooks and whatnot.

[jpx72]

My opinion is that somebody planned a special tool for pulling the cartridges out of the Famicom slot, something that attaches to the holes...

[Parodius Duh]

they are purely cosmetic and perhaps to let some heat pass through if you play the same game for hours on end......