The HuCard is an evolution from an earlier Hudson Soft technology, the
Bee Card, which it developed in the early 1980s as a distribution medium for
MSX software. The Bee Card is an
EEPROM device that is slightly thinner than the HuCard. It has 32 connectors whereas the HuCard has 38. In July 1985, Hudson approached and pitched
Nintendo a new add-on for the
Famicom that played games using the patented Bee Cards. Nintendo liked this concept, as it had the ability to store full games and overwrite existing ones. However, as the technology for it was expensive, and that they would have to pay royalties for each card sold, Nintendo decided to pass on Hudson's proposal and would go on to develop the
Famicom Disk System instead. Hudson next approached NEC, who would end up partnering with Hudson to use the HuCard on its consoles. Most
video game cartridges have a large plastic housing to protect the
PCB while providing enough space inside for radiant heat and, in some cases, a
button cell battery. The PCB in a HuCard or Bee Card is protected by a rigid, glossy polymer that conducts heat; since one side of the card is left partially exposed while inserted in the console, heat disperses with less obstruction. == Releases ==