Cartridge serial numbers and game revisions!

BvanBart · Jan 4, 2018

So up on examining the different reports from people that bought Zelda Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart on their Switch that did never connect to the interwebs (whew... what a sentence!) they stumbled upon the update to 3.0.1 message.

I found out how and why!

Explanation:
Nintendo is making revisions of the game cartridges! This means that it is the same game, but with updated firmware! This is sh*t because everyone that is stuck on 3.0.0 is not able to play all the games whenever they like. At least, not when buying a new cartridge with an old game.
If you want to see what games need what firmware check the other post I made: click here!

How and what to look for:
The box is identical. The serial on the box has no way of indicating that you are dealing with a revision of the old game.
The game cartridge however has a serial number just above the metal contacts. And under the text HAC-008

000 = safe to play and probably playable on firmwares 3.0.0 and lower (of course not the newest games )
001 and up = you are dealing with an updated version! Also known as a revision. Chances are you can not play the game and will be prompted with an upgrade.

What to do when you have a newer cartridge but don't want to update?
Best bet is to return the game and hope they have an old one laying around. DO NOT UPDATE OR YOU WILL LOOSE YOU'RE PRECIOUS 3.0.0!

Oleboy555 · Jan 4, 2018

-dumb as fuck-

Greg956 · Jan 4, 2018

Wtf, we already have such thread!
https://gbatemp.net/threads/cartridge-information-collection.492311/

BvanBart · Jan 5, 2018

Greg956 said:

Wtf, we already have such thread!
https://gbatemp.net/threads/cartridge-information-collection.492311/
Click to expand...

Ah did not knew the existans of that... thnx for reporting!

loler55 · Jan 5, 2018

problem here is :
in germany stores we cant give a open game back.....

when i dont see it on the box i have to open it and i cant give it back

i tell one shop that a 3ds game have the save on the cart and the save is corrupt game is dammaged
plz give me a refund(buyed 13 days ago)
you have to tell this a few times
this hint dont work with discs lol
No one has to know that this is nonsense

in other words i played and cleared papermario for 3ds and give it back and buyed a other game for it
but thats not how it normally works

Rauliki · Jan 6, 2018

There were 3 mln of Zelda and 3 mln of Mario Cart 8 DX sold. If 1/5 was sold as carts, that means about 600 000 copies of each are carts with 000 version. Plenty to get it used from someone