Aftermarket Guide - Revision history

Rarenight at 13:59, 11 March 2026

2026-03-11T13:59:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:59, 11 March 2026
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	* If the (Pirate) tag is present, the (Unl) tag is omitted for brevity because an unlicensed status is implicit.		* If the (Pirate) tag is present, the (Unl) tag is omitted for brevity because an unlicensed status is implicit.
	* If the (Aftermarket) tag is present without the (Pirate) tag, the (Unl) tag is added to emphasize that the (Aftermarket) tag only applies to unlicensed content.		* If the (Aftermarket) tag is present without the (Pirate) tag, the (Unl) tag is added to emphasize that the (Aftermarket) tag only applies to unlicensed content.
	* All licensed and unlicensed content in DAT-o-MATIC (DOM) span these tag combinations:

	==Licensed and Unlicensed Definitions==		==Licensed and Unlicensed Definitions==
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	* Homebrew built by solo developers or small indie teams that were released on unofficial websites		* Homebrew built by solo developers or small indie teams that were released on unofficial websites
	* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios		* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios

			All licensed and unlicensed content in DAT-o-MATIC (DOM) span these tag combinations:

	Licensed Game		Licensed Game

Rarenight at 20:10, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T20:10:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:10, 18 January 2026
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	On a philosophical level, it's still the same ROM that was once approved by Nintendo / Sega / etc. Just because it gets officially re-released, or has minor changes, or has additional content added to it, the core experience that was once licensed remains intact. And, as stated previously, it's much more efficient for us to structure our database this way. When the ROM is ported in such a way to where it ceases to be compatible with the original console (like with the 2013 Sonic the Hedgehog native iOS ports) that's when it should be no longer bundled in the same set.		On a philosophical level, it's still the same ROM that was once approved by Nintendo / Sega / etc. Just because it gets officially re-released, or has minor changes, or has additional content added to it, the core experience that was once licensed remains intact. And, as stated previously, it's much more efficient for us to structure our database this way. When the ROM is ported in such a way to where it ceases to be compatible with the original console (like with the 2013 Sonic the Hedgehog native iOS ports) that's when it should be no longer bundled in the same set.

	So we must consider licensing status on a per-game basis, not per-release, and ROM re-releases cannot be aftermarket or unlicensed.		So we must consider licensing status on a per-game basis, not per-release, and official ROM re-releases of licensed games cannot be aftermarket or unlicensed.

	==So at what point does a ROM re-release become sufficiently distinct so that it is now an unlicensed aftermarket release?==		==So at what point does a ROM re-release become sufficiently distinct so that it is now an unlicensed aftermarket release?==

Rarenight at 20:09, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T20:09:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:09, 18 January 2026
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	On a philosophical level, it's still the same ROM that was once approved by Nintendo / Sega / etc. Just because it gets re-released, or has minor changes, or has additional content added to it, the core experience that was once licensed remains intact. And, as stated previously, it's much more efficient for us to structure our database this way. When the ROM is ported in such a way to where it ceases to be compatible with the original console (like with the 2013 Sonic the Hedgehog native iOS ports) that's when it should be no longer bundled in the same set.		On a philosophical level, it's still the same ROM that was once approved by Nintendo / Sega / etc. Just because it gets officially re-released, or has minor changes, or has additional content added to it, the core experience that was once licensed remains intact. And, as stated previously, it's much more efficient for us to structure our database this way. When the ROM is ported in such a way to where it ceases to be compatible with the original console (like with the 2013 Sonic the Hedgehog native iOS ports) that's when it should be no longer bundled in the same set.

	So we must consider licensing status on a per-game basis, not per-release, and ROM re-releases cannot be aftermarket or unlicensed.		So we must consider licensing status on a per-game basis, not per-release, and ROM re-releases cannot be aftermarket or unlicensed.
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	==So at what point does a ROM re-release become sufficiently distinct so that it is now an unlicensed aftermarket release?==		==So at what point does a ROM re-release become sufficiently distinct so that it is now an unlicensed aftermarket release?==

			* If the ROM re-release is not sanctioned by the license holder
	* If the ROM re-release is no longer playable on original console hardware		* If the ROM re-release is no longer playable on original console hardware
	* If the ROM re-release has been merged into a multi-cart ROM to craft a brand new experience that the original game didn't deliver		* If the ROM re-release has been merged into a multi-cart ROM to craft a brand new experience that the original game didn't deliver

Rarenight at 20:07, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T20:07:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:07, 18 January 2026
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	* All licensed and unlicensed content in DAT-o-MATIC (DOM) span these tag combinations:		* All licensed and unlicensed content in DAT-o-MATIC (DOM) span these tag combinations:

	==Licensed ~~Definition~~==		==Licensed and Unlicensed Definitions==

	Licensed content include all of the following:		Licensed content include all of the following:

Rarenight at 19:36, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T19:36:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 18 January 2026
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	* Unfinished prototypes of games and applications that were built for the console by licensed studios		* Unfinished prototypes of games and applications that were built for the console by licensed studios
	* Tech demos that were built for the console by licensed studios		* Tech demos that were built for the console by licensed studios
	* Official re-releases of games and applications that were originally built by licensed studios and not significantly altered (see below for exceptions).		* Official re-releases of games and applications that were originally built by licensed studios and not significantly altered (see below for exceptions)

	Unlicensed content include all of the following:		Unlicensed content include all of the following:

Rarenight at 19:36, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T19:36:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 18 January 2026
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	* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail		* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail
	* Applications unofficially released at retail that enable cheats on-device		* Applications unofficially released at retail that enable cheats on-device
	* Homebrew built by solo developers or small teams that were released on unofficial websites		* Homebrew built by solo developers or small indie teams that were released on unofficial websites
	* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios		* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios

Rarenight at 19:35, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T19:35:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:35, 18 January 2026
Line 61:		Line 61:
	Unlicensed content include all of the following:		Unlicensed content include all of the following:
	* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail		* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail
			* Applications unofficially released at retail that enable cheats on-device
	* Homebrew built by solo developers or small teams that were released on unofficial websites		* Homebrew built by solo developers or small teams that were released on unofficial websites
	* Applications released at retail that enable cheats on-device
	* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios		* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios

Hiccup at 19:34, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T19:34:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 18 January 2026
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	This page documents the current system for categorising "aftermarket" games.		This page documents the current system for categorising "aftermarket" games.

	{{todo\|Potentially add more granular demarcation of re-releases, like a Licensed -> Re-release flag that auto-appends a (Re-release) tag and a [Unlicensed, aftermarket re-release of a licensed game] note. ~~Also, potentially~~ further debate the definition of Unlicensed and how it applies to tech demos.}}		{{todo\|1=<b></b>
			* Potentially add more granular demarcation of re-releases, like a Licensed -> Re-release flag that auto-appends a (Re-release) tag and a [Unlicensed, aftermarket re-release of a licensed game] note.
			* Potentially further debate the definition of Unlicensed and how it applies to tech demos.}}

	==tl;dr==		==tl;dr==

Rarenight at 19:33, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T19:33:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 18 January 2026
Line 58:		Line 58:

	Unlicensed content include all of the following:		Unlicensed content include all of the following:
	* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail.		* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail
	* Homebrew built by solo developers or small teams that were released on unofficial websites.		* Homebrew built by solo developers or small teams that were released on unofficial websites
	* Applications released at retail that enable cheats on-device.		* Applications released at retail that enable cheats on-device
	* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios.		* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios

	Licensed Game		Licensed Game

Rarenight at 19:33, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T19:33:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 18 January 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	This page documents the current system for categorising "aftermarket" games.		This page documents the current system for categorising "aftermarket" games.

	{{todo\|Potentially add more granular demarcation of re-releases, like a Licensed -> Re-release flag that auto-appends a (Re-release) tag and a [Unlicensed, aftermarket re-release of a licensed game] note}}		{{todo\|Potentially add more granular demarcation of re-releases, like a Licensed -> Re-release flag that auto-appends a (Re-release) tag and a [Unlicensed, aftermarket re-release of a licensed game] note. Also, potentially further debate the definition of Unlicensed and how it applies to tech demos.}}

	==tl;dr==		==tl;dr==
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	* Pre-production builds of retail games and applications		* Pre-production builds of retail games and applications
	* Unfinished prototypes of games and applications that were built for the console by licensed studios		* Unfinished prototypes of games and applications that were built for the console by licensed studios
			* Tech demos that were built for the console by licensed studios
	* Official re-releases of games and applications that were originally built by licensed studios and not significantly altered (see below for exceptions).		* Official re-releases of games and applications that were originally built by licensed studios and not significantly altered (see below for exceptions).

			Unlicensed content include all of the following:
			* Pirate or homebrew carts that were unofficially released at retail.
			* Homebrew built by solo developers or small teams that were released on unofficial websites.
			* Applications released at retail that enable cheats on-device.
			* Tech demos built by solo developers or small indie teams independently of licensed studios.

	Licensed Game		Licensed Game
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	:::::(Example: Magic Girl for Genesis on Evercade)		:::::(Example: Magic Girl for Genesis on Evercade)

	:::'''Is it an old application that originally released before the Aftermarket Start Year?'''		:::'''Is it an old cheat application that originally released before the Aftermarket Start Year?'''
	::::Licensed -> no: other, Aftermarket -> no		::::Licensed -> no: other, Aftermarket -> no
	:::::(Example: Action Replay DS on DS)		:::::(Example: Action Replay DS on DS)