Custom Steam cartridges launch games when inserted into a SATA dock
© Jibril-sam A PC gamer has turned a collection of old 2.5-inch SATA SSDs into physical Steam game cartridges. Each drive contains an installed game and a script that opens its Steam page or launches it automatically when inserted.
Reddit user Jibril-sama built the system after buying ten used 128GB SSDs for around €70. This works out to roughly €7, or $8, per drive. Some of the cartridges also use 256GB SSDs that the creator already owned.
The SSDs are placed inside custom 3D-printed shells with labels based on the installed games. A standard SATA docking station reads the drives, which makes the setup function like a large PC game cartridge slot.
Linux detects and launches each cartridge automatically
The system runs on Linux and uses a udev rule to detect when an SSD is connected. This triggers a systemd service that searches the drive for a script and runs it.
The script can use Steam’s URL protocol to open the correct library page or start the game immediately. The games remain installed on their individual SSDs, so the internal system drive does not need to store every title.
The creator says the cartridges are mainly intended for older games that are replayed occasionally rather than live-service releases. Steam can still download updates directly to the inserted SSD when required.
Jibril-sama has since published the 3D-printing files and code needed to reproduce the project. The system remains a DIY novelty rather than a replacement for normal Steam storage, but it offers a practical use for older low-capacity SATA SSDs that may otherwise remain unused.
Source: Reddit , 3D-Files (Reddit)
