This post originally appeared on Reddit in May 2019. Since then, some of the sites used for information have gone down, and some of the “facts” have proven to be false, but here it is, as it was originally published.
Every portable Nintendo console, from the original Game Boy to the Switch, has a code printed on the cartridge, usually along the lines of TWL-IRAO-USA. But what does it mean? Let’s break it down.
Most (but not all) cartridges follow the same general format for their code as follows: ααα-βγγδ-εεε[-ζ], where:
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| ααα | Console Code |
| β | Cartridge Type |
| γγ | Alphanumeric ID Code |
| δ | Label Region |
| εεε | Packaging Region |
| ζ | (Optional) Revision |
The console code is usually the first three letters of the console it was designed for (i.e DMG/Game Boy). The cartridge type specifies of the cartridge has any special features like a rumble motor. The alphanumeric ID code identifies a single game, but it is not unique. Different regions, or even different cartridge types can have the same ID code. The label region defines what region the cartridge specifically was sold in. This usually determines the language of the game, and any ESRB or PEGI ratings that may appear on the cart. The packaging region is similar, but slightly different. This determines the region of the packaging of the game. A game may, for example, have a box entirely in Italian, but the game itself is actually multilingual with both Italian and French on it. In the case of the DSi and 3DS, this also determines region locking. The revision is optional, and only appears on games that have received some sort of update, whether it be bug fixes or, more commonly, a simple change in cartridge art. Note that not all revisions get the revision code! As far as I’m aware, no game has had more than one recorded revision, so the revision value will always be 1.
While this formula generally works, each console has its own quirks, as I shall delve into.
Game Boy
The original Game Boy was not consistent with it’s coding, and actually switched a number of times. As there are so many variations, I’m going to split this up by region.
JAPAN
Japanese Game Boy games used 2 different formats. Prior to 1994, it was DMG-γγδ, but later cartridges used DMG-Aγγδ. It appears this happened as they managed to run out of possible codes using the original system. The values are as follows:
γγ is the ID Code. The first character is always a letter, but the second is fully alphanumeric
δ is the game’s language.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| A | English or little to no text |
| J | Japanese |
| Y | Bilingual |
The one exception to the above rules is Super Deformer Lupin Sansei: Kinko Yaburi Daisakusen, which has a code of DMG-XRJ-JPN.
North America
In North America, the Game Boy was distributed in The United States and Canada. While North America also changed code formats in 1994, no Canadian games feature the later format, suggesting that they either all came out before 1994, or later ones were just labeled as USA/English. From 1989-1994, the code format was DMG-γγ-εεε[-ζ], and from 1994 to the console’s discontinuation in 1999, the format was DMG-AγγE-USA[-ζ]. The values are as follows:
γγ is the ID Code. The first character is always a letter, but the second is fully alphanumeric
εεε is the packaging language and the cartridge region.
| Code | Value |
|---|---|
| USA | United States/English |
| CAN | Canada/English and French |
Note that even some of the CAN games that feature french on the packaging may play only in English.
ζ is the revision code. Optional and when it appears, it will always be 1
Europe / Australia
Throughout the years it was on sale in Europe, the Game Boy managed to have four separate code formats, mixed together with little to no rhyme or reason. The formats are as follows:
DMG-γγ
DMG-Aγγδ
DMG-γγ-εεε[-ζ]
DMG-Aγγδ-εεε[-ζ]
γγ is the ID Code. The first character is always a letter, but the second is fully alphanumeric.
δ is the game region.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| D | German |
| E | British English |
| F | French |
| H | Dutch |
| I | Italian |
| P | Multilingual |
| U | Australian English |
εεε is the packaging region
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| AUS | Australia |
| EUR | Europe (Multilingual) |
| FRG | West Germany (1990 Only) |
| FAH | France and The Netherlands |
| GPS | Game Pak Software (See Below) |
| ITA | Italy |
| NOE | Europe (German Only) |
| SCN | Scandinavia |
| ESP | Spain |
| UKV | United Kingdom |
At the tail end of the Game Boy’s life, Nintendo of Europe rereleased a few games, but instead of the region being EUR, they put GPS for Game Pak Software. Regionally, they are identical to EUR cartridges.
ζ is the revision code. Optional and when it appears, it will always be 1
The one exception to the above rules is the EUR version of Donkey Kong Land. Its code is DMG-YTP
Other Regions (China, Korea, etc.)
Not enough data is available on these regions.
Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color cartridges can be split into two categories; black carts, which were backwards compatible with the original Game Boy, and clear carts, which would only work on the Game Boy Color. The black carts used the following code formats:
DMG-βγγδ-εεε
DMG-βγγδ
and the clear carts used these:
CGB-βγγδ-εεε
CGB-βγγδ
β is the cartridge type
| Value | Type |
|---|---|
| A or B | Standard Cartridge |
| K | Tilt Sensor (Kirby Tilt N Tumble) |
| V | Rumble Pak |
γγ is the ID code. Both characters are alphanumeric
δ is the game region.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| Code | Language |
| D | German |
| E | American/British English |
| F | French |
| I | Italian |
| J | Japanese |
| P | Multilingual |
| S | Spanish |
| U | Australian English |
εεε is the packaging region
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| AUS | Australia |
| ESP | Spain |
| EUR | Europe (Multilingual) |
| FRA | France |
| ITA | Italy |
| JPN | Japan |
| NOE | Europe (German Only) |
| USA | North America |
Note that early European cartridges lack the packaging region. A cartridge without this could be any of the European regions.
Game Boy Advance
All Game Boy Advance cartridges follow the following formula:
AGB-βγγδ-εεε[-ζ]
β is the cartridge type
| Value | Type |
|---|---|
| A or B | Standard Cartridge |
| F | Classic NES/Famicom Mini |
| K | Tilt Sensor (Yoshi’s Topsy Turvy/Universal Gravitation) |
| M | Game Boy Advance Video Cartridge |
| P | e-Reader |
| R | Gyroscope (Wario Ware Twisted!) |
| U | Solar Sensor (Boktai 1-3) |
| V | Rumble (Drill Dozer) |
| Z | Playan |
γγ is the ID code. Both characters are alphanumeric
δ is the game region.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| C | Chinese (Simplified) |
| D | German |
| E | American/British English |
| F | French |
| H | Dutch |
| I | Italian |
| J | Japanese |
| K | Korean |
| P | European Multilingual |
| S | Spanish |
| U | Australian English |
| X | Unknown |
| Y | Unknown |
| Z | Unknown |
εεε is the packaging region
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| AUS | Australia |
| CHN | Mainland China |
| EUR | Europe (Multilingual) |
| EUU | Europe (Dutch Only or Italian Only) |
| FRA | France |
| DEU | Germany |
| HOL | Netherlands |
| ITA | Italy |
| JPN | Japan |
| KOR | South Korea |
| NOE | Europe (German Only) |
| SPA | Spain |
| USA | North America |
ζ is the revision code. Optional and when it appears, it will always be 1
DS/DSi
Nintendo DS cartridges have one of the following two formats:
NTR-βγγδ-εεε
TWL-βγγδ-εεε
While there are two different formats of code, there are actually three different types of cartridge; original DS, DSi enhanced, and DSi exclusive. All original DS cartridges use the NTR code, and all DSi exclusive use the TWL code, but DSi enhanced can be both. The decision seemed to be up to the publisher.
β is the cartridge type
| Value | Type |
|---|---|
| A, B, C, T, or Y | Standard Cartridge |
| D | DSi Exclusive (TWL only) |
| I | Built-in IR Transceiver |
| U | Built-in Bluetooth |
| V | DSi Enhanced |
γγ is the ID code. Both characters are alphanumeric
δ is the game region.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| C | Chinese (Simplified) |
| D | German |
| E | American English |
| F | French |
| H | Dutch |
| I | Italian |
| J | Japanese |
| K | Korean |
| M | Swedish |
| N | Norwegian |
| P | European Multilingual |
| Q | Danish |
| R | Russian |
| S | Spanish |
| U | Australian English |
| V | British English |
| W | Unknown |
| X | Unknown |
| Y | Unknown |
| Z | Unknown |
εεε is the packaging region
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| AUS | Australia |
| CHN | Mainland China |
| DEN | Denmark |
| EUR | Europe (Multilingual) |
| EUU | Europe (Dutch Only or Italian Only) |
| FRA | France |
| GER | Germany |
| HOL | Netherlands |
| ITA | Italy |
| JPN | Japan |
| KOR | South Korea |
| NOE | Europe (German Only) |
| NOR | Norway |
| RUS | Russia |
| SPA | Spain |
| UKV | United Kingdom |
| USA | North America |
3DS/New 3DS
Original 3DS games have the following format:
LNA-CTR-βγγδ-εεε
and New 3Ds exclusive games have this instead:
LNA-KTR-Cγγδ-εεε
β is technically the cartridge type, but the three values, A, B, and E all indicate a standard release
γγ is the ID code. Both characters are alphanumeric
δ is the game region.
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| A | Region Free |
| C | Mainland China |
| E | North America |
| J | Japan |
| K | South Korea |
| P | Europe/Australia |
| W | Taiwan/Hong Kong |
εεε is the packaging region
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| AUS | Australia (Australian English) |
| CAN | Canada (English and French) |
| CHN | Mainland China (Chinese (Simplified)) |
| CHT | Taiwan/Hong Kong (Chinese (Simplified)) |
| EUR | Europe (Multilingual) |
| JPN | Japan (Japanese) |
| KOR | South Korea (Korean) |
| MDE | Middle East/Asia Pacific (Various) |
| TWN | Taiwan/Hong Kong (Chinese (Traditional)) |
| UKV | United Kingdom (British English) |
| USA | United States (American English) |
Switch
Too early to really tell, but progress is being made here.
Sources
Most of this information was gathered using the following sites:
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