Understanding Serials

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This is to help you identify the exact game/version without having to dump the ROM.

(sources: gbatek, 3dbrew)

Nintendo - Game Boy Advance

For Game Boy Advance, the ROM image in use is identified by the combination of four-character serial and the revision number. To get to the the ROM chip, you will need to use a tri-wing screwdriver to open up the cart, and you may need to temporarily remove components to get at it.
Four-character serial: The first four characters of the large text, and also the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth characters of the third line of small text, on the ROM chip. Usually (always?) this will be duplicated exactly on the physical media (label) serial.
Revision: The last character of the large text, and also the tenth character of the third line of small text, on the ROM chip.

Nintendo - Nintendo DS

For Nintendo DS, the ROM image in use is identified by the combination of four-character serial and the revision number. Four-character Serial: First four characters of code printed on back of card. Usually (almost always) this will be duplicated exactly as the second part of the label serial.
Revision: Sixth character of code on back. This number is in hex, but it doesn't usually matter as it is very rare for a game to have more than 9 revisions.

Nintendo - Nintendo 3DS

For Nintendo 3DS, the ROM image in use is identified by the combination of the LNA/LNZ, the four-character serial and the revision number. LNA/LNZ Code: First three characters of text printed on the front of the cart. LNA tells you its a normal cart. LNZ tells you its a demo version. It is unclear if there is an equivalent identifier on the ROM chip or the back of the cart, but all European demo carts that have been found seem to have 08B or 08H as the production run ID (the last three characters of the back of cart serial). Four-character Serial: First four characters of code printed on back of card. Usually (always?) this will be duplicated exactly on the physical media (label) serial.
Revision: Seventh character of code on back. This number is in hex, but it doesn't usually matter as it is very rare for a game to have more than 9 revisions.

Nintendo - Nintendo Switch

For Nintendo Switch, the ROM image in use is identified by the combination of five-character serial and the revision number. Five-character Serial: first five characters of the code on the back of the card. Usually (always?) this will be duplicated exactly on the physical media (label) serial e.g. LA-H-XXXXX-USA.
Revision: Last three characters of the back code.