Identify Unknown Video Game Cartridge, Disc or Prototype

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide helps you identify an unknown video game cartridge, disc, or prototype by examining physical clues, label markings, and internal data. You’ll learn a systematic process to narrow down the console, region, and exact title, and how to spot signs of a prototype or pre-release build. Start with the most obvious visual checks, then move to hardware and data inspection if needed.

What You’ll Need

Magnifying glass or smartphone camera with macro mode
Soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol (for cleaning labels/contacts)
Small screwdriver set (security bits like tri-wing or Torx for many consoles)
Flashlight or bright light source
Access to a computer with internet (for databases and ROM hashing)
Optional: USB cartridge reader (e.g., Retrode, INLretro) or a disc drive that can read the media
Optional: Emulator or console to test the media

Step-by-Step

Identify the physical shape and size. Measure the cartridge or disc. Cartridges come in distinct shapes: NES (rectangular, 5.5″ wide), SNES (rounded front, 5″ wide), Genesis (black, 4.5″ wide), Game Boy (small, 2.5″ tall), and so on. Discs: 5.25″ CD/DVD, 3.5″ mini-disc, or 2.4″ GameCube disc. The shape alone narrows it to a few consoles.
Look for a console logo or patent text. Most cartridges have a small “Licensed by Nintendo� or “Sega� logo on the back or label. Discs often have a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo logo printed on the inner ring or label. This tells you the console family.
Read the label and any printed text. Note the title, publisher, and any catalog number (e.g., “SNS-AA-USA� for SNES, “SLUS-12345� for PlayStation). Write down everything, including numbers on the edge of the disc or the cartridge spine.
Check the region code. For cartridges, look for a letter in the catalog number: USA, EUR, JPN, or a regional suffix like “-CAN�. For discs, the region is often in the catalog number (e.g., SLUS = USA, SLES = Europe, SLPS = Japan). Also check the label language and any ratings board (ESRB, PEGI, CERO).
Search online databases. Use sites like GameFAQs, MobyGames, or console-specific databases (e.g., Sega Retro, NintendoAge). Enter the catalog number, title, and publisher. If you find an exact match, you’re done.
If no match, inspect for prototype signs. Prototypes often have handwritten labels, no final artwork, “NOT FOR RESALE� or “PROPERTY OF [Developer]� stickers, or a different catalog number (e.g., “PR� or “PROTO� prefix). They may also have a different chip layout or an EPROM window (a quartz window on the chip) that allows UV erasing.
Open the cartridge (if safe). Use the appropriate screwdriver to remove the screws. Look for a printed circuit board (PCB) with a part number (e.g., “NES-AP-01�). Search for that number online. Prototypes often have hand-written numbers or “REV� marks.
Read the ROM data (advanced). Use a cartridge reader to dump the ROM. Then run a hash (like SHA-1) and compare it against known ROM databases (e.g., No-Intro, Redump). If the hash matches a known dump, you have the exact version. If it doesn’t match, it could be a prototype or an unreleased variant.
For discs, check the data track. Put the disc in a computer drive and view the file structure. Compare the files and executable dates to known releases. A prototype disc may have a different executable name, debug menus, or a “build� date in the files.
Test the media on compatible hardware. If you have the console, try to play it. Note any unusual behavior like debug menus, level select, or different text. This can confirm a prototype.

Common Mistakes

Assuming the label is original. Many cartridges have replacement labels. Check for glued-on paper or misaligned text.
Ignoring the back label. The back often has the patent number and sometimes a different catalog number.
Mixing up region codes. For example, “E� can mean Europe (e.g., SNES) or “E� for Everyone (ESRB rating) – they are different.
Overlooking the small numbers on the disc’s inner ring. These often contain the true catalog number, not the label.
Using a normal Phillips screwdriver on security screws – you’ll strip the head. Use the correct bit.

Tips

Take clear photos of the front, back, and any numbers before searching. Zoom in on labels.
Clean the label gently with a dry cloth. If it’s dirty, use a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, but do not soak.
Search the catalog number with and without spaces or hyphens. Sometimes databases have it in a different format.
For prototypes, check the EPROM window. If it’s covered with a sticker, it may be a prototype. If the window is exposed, the chip is erasable.
Join collector forums (e.g., NintendoAge, Sega-16, AtariAge) and post photos. Experienced collectors can often identify obscure items quickly.
Check the date codes on the chips. They can indicate a manufacturing date, which helps narrow down a prototype’s timeframe.

Troubleshooting

No catalog number found. Look for a stamped number on the cartridge spine or the back of the PCB. For discs, check the clear inner ring with a bright light.
Label is torn or faded. Use a UV light to see if any hidden text appears. Also, the shape and color of the cartridge plastic can be a clue (e.g., a gray NES cartridge is common, but a yellow one might be a special edition).
Search online yields nothing. Try searching for the publisher name and the title without the catalog number. Also, try searching for the PCB part number.
The ROM hash doesn’t match any known dump. This is a strong sign of a prototype or an unreleased variant. Check if the ROM has a different header (for NES/SNES) or if it has a debug menu. Do not share the ROM online – it may be copyrighted.
The disc won’t read on a PC. The disc may be damaged or use a proprietary format (e.g., GameCube discs). Use the original console or a compatible drive.
The cartridge doesn’t fit any console. It might be from a less common system like the Sega Master System, PC Engine, or a Famicom clone. Compare the pinout and size to known systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I tell if my cartridge is a prototype without opening it?
A: Look for a “NOT FOR RESALE� sticker, handwritten text, or a different label design. Also, a cartridge with an exposed EPROM window (a small quartz window on the chip) is almost certainly a prototype or early production.

Q: What does the number on the back of a PlayStation disc mean?
A: That is the catalog number, like “SLUS-12345�. The letters indicate region (SLUS=USA, SLES=Europe, SLPS=Japan). The number is unique to the game.

Q: My cartridge has a different label but the same game title. Is it fake?
A: It could be a re-release, a variant, or a reproduction. Compare the catalog number and the PCB. If the PCB has a different part number, it might be a different revision.

Q: Can I identify a disc by its file structure?
A: Yes. Look for a folder with the game’s executable (e.g., “SLUS_123.45�). If the date or size is unusual, it might be a prototype. Also, check for a “SYSTEM.CNF� file on PlayStation discs – it contains the game’s ID.

Q: What should I do if I think I have a prototype?
A: Do not modify it. Take high-resolution photos of every side and the PCB. Research the developer and the game’s development history. Then, consider contacting a reputable game preservation group (like the Video Game History Foundation) for advice, but do not send the physical item unless you trust them.

Q: Is it safe to clean the contacts with alcohol?
A: Yes, 90% isopropyl alcohol is safe for the gold contacts. Use a cotton swab and gently rub. Let it dry completely before testing.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.