Bee Card (game cartridge): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|ROM cartridge medium for MSX computer software}} |
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A '''BeeCard''' is a [[memory card]] developed by [[Hudson Soft]] for use with [[MSX]] computers. The name "BeeCard" is derived from Hudson Soft's corporate [[logo]], which features a [[bee]]. |
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A '''Bee Card''' (ビーカード, ''Bī Kādo'') is a [[ROM cartridge]] developed by [[Hudson Soft]] as a [[software]] distribution medium for [[MSX]] computers. Bee Cards are approximately the size of a credit card but thicker. Compared to most game cartridges, the Bee Card is small and compact. Bee Cards were released in Japan and Europe but not North America because the MSX was unsuccessful. However, [[Atari Corporation]] adopted the Bee Card for the [[Atari Portfolio]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/atari-magazine-fr-s2-18|title=Atari Magazine (France, 2e série) 18|date=December 13, 1990|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> a [[handheld PC]] released in 1989 in North America. Some Korg Synthesizers and workstations also used Bee Cards as external storage of user content like sound programs or song data. Even though these systems all use Bee Cards, they are incompatible. |
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== Design == |
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Only a few MSX software titles were published on Bee Card: six in Japan and only two in Europe and Italy. To accept a Bee Card, the cartridge slot of the MSX had to be fitted with a removable adapter: the Hudson Soft BeePack. The first mass-produced Bee Cards, however, were [[EEPROM]] [[Telephone card|telephone cards]] manufactured by [[Mitsubishi Plastics]]; these were first sold in Japan in 1985.<ref>{{US patent|D305886}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/basic-1985-07|title=マイコン BASIC 1985 07|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The [[Trade name|trade names]] ''Bee Card'' and ''Bee Pack'' derive from Hudson Soft's corporate [[logo]], which features a cartoon [[bee]]. |
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BeeCards are the size of a credit card and were used for the commercial distribution of games, mostly by Hudson Soft themselves. The card contains an [[integrated circuit]] (IC) that is placed close to the connectors and protected by a thin plastic layer. Compared to the more traditional [[ROM cartridge]]s used by most early game consoles, the BeeCard is relatively small and compact. |
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==MSX software published on Bee Card== |
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== History == |
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Hudson Soft and other [[software publisher]]s distributed at least eleven MSX software titles on Bee Card:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.msx.org/wiki/BeePack |title=BeePack |website=MSX Resource Center |accessdate=30 December 2013}}</ref> |
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The first BeeCards were sold in [[Japan]] in 1985 and were manufactured by [[Mitsubishi Plastics]], Inc.<ref>{{US patent|D305886}}</ref> |
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Hudson Soft later developed the [[HuCard]] for the NEC [[PC Engine]] and [[SuperGrafx]] game consoles. HuCards are slightly thicker than BeeCards and contain 38 pins while a BeeCard has only 32. |
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| ''T-Plan'' (exclusive to Italy) || BC-M4 || [[Toshiba]] || 1984 |
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| ''Buggy Jump'' (exclusive to Japan, unreleased) || BC-M6 || Hudson Soft || 1986 |
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| ''[[Star Soldier (video game)|Star Soldier]]'' (exclusive to Japan) || BC-M8 || Hudson Soft || 1986 |
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| ''Videotel'' (exclusive to Italy) || 128-8 5509 || Micro Technology B.V. || {{dunno}} |
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== |
==HuCard== |
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{{Main|HuCard}} |
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Hudson Soft later collaborated with [[NEC]] to develop a new [[video game console]] called [[PC Engine]]. The companies elected to use Hudson Soft's slim ROM cartridge technology to distribute PC Engine software. Hudson Soft adapted the design for their needs and produced the [[HuCard]]. HuCards are slightly thicker than Bee Cards; whereas a Bee Card has 32 pins, a HuCard has 38. |
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The MSX and the [[Atari Portfolio]] were the only systems known to have used BeeCards. The MSX required a "BeePack", a special adapter the size of a traditional MSX cartridge which contains a slot on the top into which the BeeCard is placed. |
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MSX Games released on BeeCard: |
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* ''T-Plan'', BC-M4, unknown publisher |
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* ''Star Soldier'', BC-M8, ''Hudson Soft'', 1986 |
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* ''E-Piano III'' |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1985]] |
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[[Category:Solid-state computer storage media]] |
[[Category:Solid-state computer storage media]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Konami]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:MSX hardware]] |
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[[Category:MSX]] |
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{{videogame-hardware-stub}} |
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[[nl:BeeCard]] |
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[[ja:BEE CARD]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:25, 15 October 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2013) |
A Bee Card (ビーカード, Bī Kādo) is a ROM cartridge developed by Hudson Soft as a software distribution medium for MSX computers. Bee Cards are approximately the size of a credit card but thicker. Compared to most game cartridges, the Bee Card is small and compact. Bee Cards were released in Japan and Europe but not North America because the MSX was unsuccessful. However, Atari Corporation adopted the Bee Card for the Atari Portfolio,[1] a handheld PC released in 1989 in North America. Some Korg Synthesizers and workstations also used Bee Cards as external storage of user content like sound programs or song data. Even though these systems all use Bee Cards, they are incompatible.
Only a few MSX software titles were published on Bee Card: six in Japan and only two in Europe and Italy. To accept a Bee Card, the cartridge slot of the MSX had to be fitted with a removable adapter: the Hudson Soft BeePack. The first mass-produced Bee Cards, however, were EEPROM telephone cards manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics; these were first sold in Japan in 1985.[2][3] The trade names Bee Card and Bee Pack derive from Hudson Soft's corporate logo, which features a cartoon bee.
MSX software published on Bee Card
[edit]Hudson Soft and other software publishers distributed at least eleven MSX software titles on Bee Card:[4]
| Title | Catalog number | Publisher | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball Craze | BC-M1, BC-M1E | Hudson Soft | 1985 |
| Star Force (exclusive to Japan) | BC-M2 | Tehkan | 1985 |
| Jet Set Willy | BC-M3 | Hudson Soft | 1985 |
| T-Plan (exclusive to Italy) | BC-M4 | Toshiba | 1984 |
| Pooyan (exclusive to Japan) | BC-M5 | Konami | 1985 |
| Buggy Jump (exclusive to Japan, unreleased) | BC-M6 | Hudson Soft | 1986 |
| Bomber Man Special (exclusive to Japan) | BC-M7 | Hudson Soft / Japanese Softbank | 1986 |
| Star Soldier (exclusive to Japan) | BC-M8 | Hudson Soft | 1986 |
| Master Takahashi's Adventure Island (Japan-exclusive) | BC-M9 | Hudson Soft | 1986 |
| Videotel (exclusive to Italy) | 128-8 5509 | Micro Technology B.V. | ? |
HuCard
[edit]Hudson Soft later collaborated with NEC to develop a new video game console called PC Engine. The companies elected to use Hudson Soft's slim ROM cartridge technology to distribute PC Engine software. Hudson Soft adapted the design for their needs and produced the HuCard. HuCards are slightly thicker than Bee Cards; whereas a Bee Card has 32 pins, a HuCard has 38.
References
[edit]- ^ "Atari Magazine (France, 2e série) 18". December 13, 1990 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ U.S. patent D305886
- ^ "マイコン BASIC 1985 07" – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "BeePack". MSX Resource Center. Retrieved 30 December 2013.