Understanding Serials

Todo: might be a good idea to move this to the dumping guide pages

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 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.