Identify Nintendo DS vs. DS Lite Game Cartridges: All Standard Cards Work on Both

**All Nintendo DS Game Cards work on both DS "Phat" and DS Lite.** There are no "DS Lite exclusive" cartridges.

Visual Differences (Cartridge Shell)

• Original DS Game Card: Slightly **longer** (sticks out ~5mm from DS Phat slot). Notch on bottom-right.
• DS Lite / DSi / 3DS Game Card: **Shorter** (flush with DS Lite slot). Same notch position. **Physically identical** to DS Phat cards except length.

Key: The **DS Lite slot is shorter**. It accepts *both* lengths. The DS Phat slot is deeper; it accepts *both* but short cards sit loose (still work).

Box Art Indicators

• "Nintendo DS" logo = All models.
• "Nintendo DSi Enhanced" / "DSi Exclusive" (Black cart / White label) = **DSi/3DS only** (uses cameras/CPU). Will **not** boot on DS Phat/Lite.
• "Nintendo 3DS" (White cart, tab on side) = **3DS family only**.

Summary