Type in the product code from any Nintendo cartridge label to see the system, game type and region it stands for.
Every Nintendo cartridge carries a product code, usually printed along the bottom of the label: something like AGB-BPEE-USA. It looks cryptic, but each part means something. The first part names the system, the middle identifies the game and often its special hardware, and the end tells you the region. Codes are also one of the quickest ways to spot a fake.
Look along the bottom of the front label, or on the back sticker.
How to read a Nintendo product code
Take AGB-BPEE-USA. AGB is the Game Boy Advance. In the four-letter game code, B marks a newer GBA title, PE is the short title code and the last E means the English (US) version. USA is the region printed for the market it was sold in.
Older games are simpler. NES, early SNES and early Game Boy codes, like NES-SM-USA, use a two- or three-letter game code without the type and language letters.
Spotting fakes: On DS games, the code on the back of the card should start with the same four characters as the front label. A mismatch is a classic sign of a bootleg. Try the Fake Cartridge Checker.
System codes
| Code | System | What it stands for |
|---|---|---|
| HVC | Famicom (Japan) | Home Video Computer |
| NES | NES (Outside Japan) | Nintendo Entertainment System |
| SHVC | Super Famicom (Japan) | Super Home Video Computer |
| SNS | Super NES (North America) | Super Nintendo System |
| SNSP | Super NES (PAL regions) | Super Nintendo System, with P likely for PAL |
| NUS | Nintendo 64 | Nintendo Ultra Sixty-four |
| DMG | Game Boy | Dot Matrix Game, after the original screen |
| CGB | Game Boy Color | Color Game Boy |
| AGB | Game Boy Advance | Advanced Game Boy |
| NTR | Nintendo DS | Nitro, the DS's development codename |
| TWL | Nintendo DSi | The DSi's product code |
| CTR | Nintendo 3DS | The 3DS's product code |
| KTR | New Nintendo 3DS | A variation on the 3DS's CTR code |
| VUE | Virtual Boy | The Virtual Boy's product code |
| DOL | GameCube | The GameCube's product code |
| RVL | Wii | The Wii's product code, from its Revolution codename |
| WUP | Wii U | The Wii U's product code |
| HAC | Nintendo Switch | The Switch's product code |
| BEE | Nintendo Switch 2 | The Switch 2's product code |
Region codes
The last part of the code shows the market. European cartridges often just say EUR, even when the box has a more specific code.
| Code | Region |
|---|---|
| USA | United States |
| CAN | Canada |
| JPN | Japan |
| EUR | Europe (general PAL release) |
| UKV | United Kingdom |
| AUS | Australia |
| NOE | Nintendo of Europe |
| FRA | France |
| FAH | France and the Netherlands (reported; sources vary) |
| HOL | Netherlands |
| ESP | Spain |
| ITA | Italy |
| SCN | Scandinavia |
| KOR | South Korea |
| CHN | China |
Language letters
On four-letter game codes, the last letter shows the version’s language or destination.
| Letter | Language or destination |
|---|---|
| A | Asia |
| C | China |
| D | Germany |
| E | United States (English) |
| F | France |
| H | Netherlands |
| I | Italy |
| J | Japan |
| K | South Korea |
| L | United States (second code) |
| M | Sweden |
| N | Norway |
| O | International |
| P | Europe and elsewhere |
| Q | Denmark |
| R | Russia |
| S | Spain |
| T | United States and Australia |
| U | Australia |
| V | Europe and Australia |
| W–Z | Other European versions |
Special first letters
Game Boy Advance
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | A normal game, usually an older title (mainly 2001 to 2003) |
| B | A normal game, usually a newer title (2003 onward) |
| C | A normal game |
| F | A Classic NES Series game (NES games running on the GBA) |
| K | A cartridge with a motion (tilt) sensor, used by Yoshi Topsy-Turvy and Koro Koro Puzzle |
| P | An e-Reader card scanner cartridge |
| R | WarioWare: Twisted!, with rumble and a gyro sensor built into the cartridge |
| U | A Boktai cartridge, with a real-time clock and a solar sensor |
| V | Drill Dozer, with rumble built into the cartridge |
Nintendo DS
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | A standard DS game |
| B | A standard DS game |
| C | A standard DS game |
| D | A DSi-exclusive game, which won't run on an original DS or DS Lite |
| I | A game with a built-in infrared port, like Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black and White |
| T | A standard DS game |
| U | A game with unusual extra hardware built into the card |
| V | A DSi-enhanced game, with extra features on a DSi or 3DS |
| Y | A standard DS game |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the product code on a cartridge?
On most Nintendo cartridges it’s printed along the bottom of the front label. GBA and DS games also have a code on the back sticker or card.
What does USA, EUR or JPN at the end of the code mean?
It’s the region the cartridge was made for: the United States, Europe or Japan. Other endings include UKV for the United Kingdom, AUS for Australia and NOE for Nintendo of Europe.
What does the E in a code like BPEE mean?
The last letter of a four-letter game code marks the language or destination. E is the English (US) version, J is Japanese and P is European.
Why does my DS game code start with I or V?
I marks DS games with a built-in infrared port, like Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. V marks DSi-enhanced games, which get extra features on a DSi or 3DS.
Can the product code tell me if my game is fake?
It can help. A code that doesn’t follow the format, or that doesn’t match between the front and back, is a red flag. But some fakes copy the correct code, so check the cartridge itself too.