Hey Nintendo, make the switch to paper boxes permanent!

147 Comments by Vladimir Cole Sep 28th 2006 6:45PM
Filed under: Nintendo DS, Portable, Business

Nintendo's apologizing to European customers because they've had to temporarily switch to cardboard game boxes as a result of shortages afflicting that territory, according to Gamasutra's David Jenkins. Nintendo, ever sensitive to gamer needs (and we can't fault them there), is tossing a coupon into paper boxes offering customers a plastic case once supply issues have been resolved.

We admit, those are some high quality plastic cases, but c'mon. The DS cartridge is tiny and holds just 128 megabytes of content. Does it really need to ship with plastic that weighs many times more than the product (3.5 grams)? It's environmentally irresponsible. We understand that large game cases help titles fight for attention on a retail shelf, but there's no reason that they can't do that fighting using more responsible materials.

Comprised of bits, games should be the most environmentally-friendly products to distribute. Nintendo (and other industry players) should use this opportunity to examine packaging.

Tags: cartridge, dd, digital distribution, ds, ds lite, nds, nintendo

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Protofunk: Sep 28th 2006; 6:50PM

Oh blow it out your ass. Some (dare I say, Most?) of us like having cases that actually -protect- our games.

Jedimonkey27: Sep 28th 2006; 6:51PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I love the environment and think we need to do more to help it but what you are suggesting would really suck. Cardboard gets damaged and bent so easily. I bought spare DS game cases just to hold my GBA games.

Psaakyrn: Sep 28th 2006; 6:52PM

Or better yet, use both: the cardboard box contain a game case that is actually small enough to fit in my pockets. (Granted those carts are durable enough to exist without boxes, but putting them inside a plastic box helps to maintain a sense of safety/security..)

Afraid: Sep 28th 2006; 6:53PM

Hippie.

S the F: Sep 28th 2006; 6:53PM

Yeah. I definately like the plastic cases considering how small a ds cart is. I think I'd lose them if not for the cases.

Mowgli: Sep 28th 2006; 6:56PM

...Does it really need to ship with plastic that weighs many times more than the product (3.5 grams)?...

Absolutely, completely, totally yes - it needs to. Those card-board boxes (GBA for example) are a nightmare to maintain and keep "nice". Nintendo gamers absolutely deserve a game case that a. protects the cart and b. is stackable and / or can be lined up on a shelf.

Ninegauger: Sep 28th 2006; 6:56PM

They could be smaller and maybe thinner but I'd prefer plastic as a durable organizational solution. Cardboard boxes are terrible in this regard as the constant removal of the game invariably destroys, or a least degrades, the box. Giant N64 cartridges are one thing but the tiny DS cartridges need a durable shell that's larger than the cartridge to avoid loss and damage.

Cody S.: Sep 28th 2006; 6:56PM

Anyone have a picture of one?

Terry: Sep 28th 2006; 6:56PM

Hey, I'm your typical bleeding heart environmentalist... I recycle, mulch, bike to work, the whole shebang.

But you're gonna have to pry my jewel cases and plastic cartridge holders from my cold, dead, hands.

It's why my Master System, Genny, and TG-16 collections are in much better shape than my NES & SNES stuff... I don't intend on throwing the package away, and I don't intend on thowing the cart/disc away, and there's no better place for a cart than the protective "box" it came in... and cardboard... well that dog won't hunt.

Besides, it's not like it's the stupid-huge packaging that was common with PC games not too long ago... this stuff is already pretty svelte.

/digital distribution is the work of the debil!
//stay off my lawn!

Pheonix Gamma: Sep 28th 2006; 6:56PM

Sorta like how Canada has that whole Milk in a bag thing going on.

Besides, cheaper cases = less money on manufacturing = lower prices for consumers

Ritz: Sep 28th 2006; 6:56PM

Hrm... I have to agree with Protofunk with the desire to protect our games. It prevents me from losing them, also. Always used to be a problem with the cardboard boxes of old. If there was a greener way to produce the plastic cases or find some sort of comprimize, that would be cool... but the plastic cases are ftw, for the most part.

Eric Von Shpeel: Sep 28th 2006; 6:57PM

in the US you get nice thin black DS cases but for some reason us europeans get much fatter, ugly transparent cases. I have no idea why they do this but I now import because the boxes are better and the prices are ALOT cheaper. £16.99 for Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Swish.

ElChibo: Sep 28th 2006; 6:59PM

No way, I love the DS game boxes! It's the genesis all over again... Cardboard boxes always get messed up and ruined, while the plastic are always really nice. 2 out of 4 of my GBA boxes are in terrible condition, and barely any GBC boxes are still in good condition.

Ritz: Sep 28th 2006; 6:59PM

Pheonix Gamma, haha, WHAT. Milk in a bag? I remember those.. but that was 10+ years ago. =( You're crazy =D

hortense: Sep 28th 2006; 6:59PM

The game cases could be the size of the protective case used for the Xbox 360 memory unit, shown here:

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000AYYACK.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

There's no reason for these games to ship with so much plastic.

troc 59: Sep 28th 2006; 6:59PM

Oh bullshit!! Cut the hippy-dippy environment crap would ya? It costs trees to make the environmentally friendly boxes. Those no-minds that sit around thinking this shit up should get real jobs!

CS7: Sep 28th 2006; 6:59PM

I've tossed all my gba and DS games loosely in my backpack. They all still work.

I'm pro recyclable cardboard gameboxes. ~Netherlands

vc: Sep 28th 2006; 7:00PM

The carts need no protection. They're sturdy as hell, and a lot more durable than your average CD/DVD/UMD.

LaughingTarget: Sep 28th 2006; 7:01PM

Since I've found out that instruction manuals are redundant as you can figure out how to play it in about 10 seconds or many games have a tutorial, just sell the cartridge in that form-fitting plastic case they used to use for the GB/C games.

Miniboss: Sep 28th 2006; 7:02PM

I disagree. I like my plastic boxes that protect my games. I preferred Sega's plastic Genesis boxes to their easily destructible and flimsy multiple piece cardboard boxes with the ugly Genesis logo on the left side.

Yami: Sep 28th 2006; 7:02PM

How about we go back to the 1990's and ship cardboard and plastic together, in harmony, like with ye ol' Game Boy.

Linkman2004: Sep 28th 2006; 7:02PM

If Nintendo switched all the DS game cases to cardboard permanently, I would be extremely peed off at them. I love my DS game cases, they don't bend, break, rip, or tear like cardboard. It's beautiful.

Biddy: Sep 28th 2006; 7:02PM

I smell a collector's item :).

Sagan: Sep 28th 2006; 7:04PM

Why is plastic bad for the environment? I have never heard that before. Has anyone got a link where that claim is actually proven?

KR: Sep 28th 2006; 7:05PM

I would be annoyed with this post, but since it will fall on deaf ears, no big deal.

Absolutely ridiculous. Some of us like having stuff that doesn't look like you pulled it out from under your bed in your trailer park home.

Miniboss: Sep 28th 2006; 7:05PM

And how is it more environmentally irresponsible to use plastic cases than cardboard boxes? If I recall correctly, I've thrown away all of my cardboard boxes, yet I have kept every single one of my plastic cases. If it doesn't end up in a landfill somewhere, I'd say that's better, don't you think?

LaughingTarget: Sep 28th 2006; 7:06PM

Sagan -

The goal of the hippy is for all of us to completely dismantle all technology and live in the woods, naked. Since plastic is made from technology, it is immediately bad for the environment.

Probot: Sep 28th 2006; 7:12PM

Sagan & LaughingTarget,

Most plastics are petroleum (oil) based. That's where the environmental edge comes from.

Personally though, the environment can worry about itself. DS games don't need protecting. And getting rid of the plastic would lower the manufacturing costs. That's more important.

Blink: Sep 28th 2006; 7:14PM

This topic sure is causing controversy.

Anyways, why not have the best of both worlds? Do exactly what they're doing in Europe, but forever! Ship in a carboard box, but be allowed to send in for a free plastic case if you really want one. Considering that when you buy a new game, it'll stay in your DS until well after the case has arrived, I'd say this could work quite well. Those that care for cases get them, and those that don't, don't.

Chessasaur: Sep 28th 2006; 7:15PM

Gotta love the DS boxes. Keeps the game and manual together, stacks neatly on a shelf, has an easy to read spine, and doesn't collapse under weight.

MasterDePong: Sep 28th 2006; 7:15PM

When I'm spending $35 for a game, I want a nice plastic box to keep it in good shape.

CB

LaughingTarget: Sep 28th 2006; 7:15PM

Probot -

I know that. I just had to jab at hippies, especially any at a gaming site. Gaming requires electricity, and all forms of electrical generation pollutes or destroys the environment in some way. Wind kills owls and hawks, the production of solar panels creates toxic byproducts. So, nailing a hippy is always in good fun, especially those who partake in any modern convenience.

cheese: Sep 28th 2006; 7:16PM

How is making plastic game cases (which nobody throws away) better than making cardboard boxes (which most people throw away)?

There is more trash as a result of the cardboard boxes, such as was the case with big (and even small) PC game boxes. Now that they come in plastic dvd-like cases, they are easier to collect (less apt to break like jewelcases) and produce less cardboard trash. Sorry but you're wrong on this one.

Robert Jung: Sep 28th 2006; 7:19PM

"So, nailing a hippy is always in good fun, especially those who partake in any modern convenience."

And where do you find those, outside of stereotypical joke posts on conservative forums?

--R.J.

el moco: Sep 28th 2006; 7:19PM

long-hair-having tree-hugging hippie......

AirIntake: Sep 28th 2006; 7:21PM

Pheonix Gamma:

I've lived in Canada all of my life, and I have yet to see any "milk in a bag" like you state. Our milk comes in plastic jugs or paper cartons for 500mL to 2L, same as the U.S., just in metric. We also have 4L plastic jugs. The closest I've ever seen to bagged milk is powdered milk on the shelf, but that's not very popular.

For a portable system, wouldn't a simple protective case like what the original GameBoy had be a good enviro-friendly idea? Just put a better full colour picture on it.

Jason Westhaver: Sep 28th 2006; 7:21PM

Excuse me, but WTF is this post doing here? It serves no purpose as an actual news story and it appears to simply exist to push an adgenda. The adgenda of someone who A: Doesn't know business, B: Doesn't know that Card board cases are worthles crap that ruins easily and will nmost likely be trashed, not recycled, and C: Never really owned a GBA.

Keep your personal opinions about unrelated issues off the site. Joystiq is about gaming, not how to help the enviroment and it is a business.

cringer8: Sep 28th 2006; 7:21PM

If I brought a display case to the clerk behind the counter and he handed me a DS cart sandwiched between two small pieces of corrugated cardboard held together with twine, It wouldn't matter to me (even if there weren't *pictures* on it, [gasp]).

Cases are for the ladies. Real men make their cartridges go commando.

LK: Sep 28th 2006; 7:21PM

Cardboard boxes? Yes. Cheaper and more enviromentally friendly. From Nintendo's standpoint, they could make more money by selling more separate carrying cases.

And for the consumers (or the people moaning and bitching), get a real case. The damned DS case is far too big and bulky to fit into any pockets.

Also, LaughingTarget, I do not think that is such a good idea since it will make the games physically easier to steal them from stores.

Finally, plastic is non-biodegradable. Meaning that plastic will never rot or be burned safely and can never be disposed of without polluting the enviroment. Take some Enviromental Science classes, they are easy credits and not all of it is total hippie crap (just some of it).

colin: Sep 28th 2006; 7:22PM

@32

The effect of wind power on migratory birds is greatly exagerated, also the toxic byproducts produced by solar panels are signifcantly less than those produced by fossil fuels and other, less sustainable means of energy production.

The H: Sep 28th 2006; 7:23PM

Stop buying games!!! Think of the innocent animals!! Uh huh, because video game cases are just so damn destructive to the environment. Tardfest.

Kaemon: Sep 28th 2006; 7:24PM

What the heck... cardboard? Seriously, I like the cases, if it really was a better idea, we would be shipping GCN games in tiny CD cases, Wii PS3 and 360 games in just slim CD cases, not the things we use now... but seriously, the caseing was the first thing I noticed about DS games, and how nice it was...
PSP came caseing isnt bad either, I rather like it...
But yeah, its a stupid idea to go back to cardboard.

Psaakyrn: Sep 28th 2006; 7:26PM

to #24 Sagan

Plastic is considered bad because of two reasons: (a) It's considered non-biodegradable (technically it is, but over 1000+ years for plastics non-engineered for biodegradability, and about 500 years for those which are, if I recall correctly) and (b) it's a petroleum product. (And the problem with petroleum products is that petroleum is currently used as an unlimited resource, when most (if not all) sources point otherwise.)

Ryan: Sep 28th 2006; 7:26PM

I agree that the plastic cases are nice. Those cartridges are really, really small and would totally get lost if it wasn't for those cases.

Also, anyone who thinks that Nintendo would pass along any savings from switching to cardboard is an idiot.

LaughingTarget: Sep 28th 2006; 7:27PM

The point I was trying to make is everything and everything we do is bad for the environment. No point is sitting around cutting off pieces of society, especially before a viable alternative is perfected (like insisting on wind generation, which requires massive chunks of land for minimal energy production).

That is what this entire debate boils down to. Which is worse? Cutting down acres of trees to make a video game box or drilling oil? Doesn't seem to be a happy medium in either one of those choices.

leojsoap: Sep 28th 2006; 7:28PM

I'm sure the current design is the most cost effective, maybe not the most enviromental, but I would like to see a better design for the same price, I could see a 50% reduction in materials just by looking at the current DS case.

Maybe some of us here have more knowledge of case manufacturing? That would be a pretty cool project for Joystiq, assemble greener case design suggestions from the community, not just for the DS, but all casing, collaborate between the top designers, and submit a final proposal to various companies.

Lower our prices, help the enviroment, help the gaming industry, and helping Joystiq, not too shabby.

The H: Sep 28th 2006; 7:28PM

Hey Vladimir Cole, nobody cares!

cheese: Sep 28th 2006; 7:29PM

I use Compact Flash card cases for my DS games for portability.

colin: Sep 28th 2006; 7:29PM

@47

Trees grow back though.

Judd: Sep 28th 2006; 7:30PM

To be the one guy to actually(partially) agree with Vlad, I will say that even though I don't think games should be shipped in paper boxes, I do think the cases could be a little smaller. Like he said cases are made bigger to attract customers to a store, so the picture on the case can remain the same size, but there is no need for a DS case to be as thick as a console case.

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