a game cartridge is described that retains a player &# 39 ; s current holdings related to game play in a write - once memory . the cartridge thus becomes closely identified with the previous play of a player to simulate non - electronic collectable card or other status games . further , some aspects of the invention allow for initialization of the player &# 39 ; s holdings . in one embodiment of the present invention , the game cartridge provides an environment for playing a collectable card game , such as a pokémon ™- type game , and the game cartridge remembers and can update the current holdings of electronic cards . the game cartridges of the present invention are collectable items in that they retain a current accounting of a player &# 39 ; s holdings and can be traded among different players .