Do you know the Nintendo 64’s cartridges had a unique connector that could identify their orientation inside the console preventing accidental flips

The Nintendo 64 (N64) cartridges were designed with a clever feature that prevented players from accidentally flipping them around in the console. Unlike traditional cartridges, the N64’s connector had a unique shape with protruding “fingers” that aligned with specific slots on the console.

This unique design ensured that the cartridge could only be inserted in the correct orientation. If a player attempted to force the cartridge in sideways or upside down, the fingers wouldn’t line up, preventing insertion altogether. Essentially, the connector acted like a puzzle piece, ensuring that the game loaded correctly and avoided any configuration issues.

Prompt:
Share an intriguing fact about a classic gaming console, focusing on a lesser-known technical detail or design choice that impacted gameplay.