The debate around physical and digital games has become louder in recent weeks, especially after Sony confirmed it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028. While digital libraries offer convenience, many players still miss the feeling of owning physical games and swapping cartridges or discs before jumping into a title.

One PC gamer has come up with a creative way to bring some of that experience back. Instead of keeping every game installed on a single drive, they have turned their Steam library into individual SSD “game cartridges” that need to be inserted before playing.

How do the catridges work?

The project was shared on the popular r/pcmasterrace subreddit by Reddit user Jibril-sama, who said they picked up several used 2.5-inch SATA SSDs at a low price and decided to give each game its own dedicated drive. Every SSD is placed inside a custom case with the game’s cover art, making the collection look similar to a shelf full of physical game cartridges.

The system is more than just a display piece. Each SSD actually stores the game files, and when it is connected to the PC through a SATA dock, a script automatically directs Steam to that game’s page. The creator also said the setup can be configured to launch the game automatically, making the process feel similar to inserting a cartridge into a console.

According to the creator, the setup uses Valve’s Steam URL protocol along with Linux tools that detect when an SSD is connected. Once the drive is inserted, the system identifies the cartridge, reads the launch script stored on it, and opens the correct game in Steam without requiring the user to browse their library manually.

The Redditor explained that the SSDs used for the project were 128GB drives purchased in bulk for around €7 each, making the idea surprisingly affordable in their case. However, they admitted they simply got lucky with the deal, meaning recreating the project today could cost significantly more due to current SSD prices.

While the setup has attracted plenty of attention online, it does have some limitations. Since the games are still tied to Steam, players must launch them through Valve’s platform, so the cartridges do not replace digital ownership or remove DRM. Updates also need to be handled through Steam whenever they become available, although the creator noted that most of the games stored on these drives are titles they revisit occasionally rather than live-service games with frequent patches.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.