Description Of Rom Registration Data - Nintendo GAME BOY Programming Manual

Game Boy Programming Manual

10.1 Description of ROM Registration Data

1. Start Address (0102H, 0103H)
The Game Boy (Super Game Boy) program starts after Initial Program Load (IPL) is run
on the CPU. The low byte of the starting address is stored first, then the high byte.
2. "Nintendo" Character Data (0104H~0133H)
Register the character pattern of "Nintendo" to be displayed when the Game Boy is turned
on. The following hexadecimal data must be store since IPL verifies it when the program
begins.
3. Game Title (0134H~013EH)
Store the game title (up to 11 characters) using ASCII code. The table "Character Code
List for Game Title Registration" is provided for your convenience. Use code 20H for a
space and code 00H for all unused areas in the game title. Please use only those
characters listed in the provided table when registering a game title. The game title
registered should be close to the title under which the game will be marketed. Please do
not register a tentative name which is used for development.
4. Game Code (013FH~0142H)
Store the 4 character game code, assigned by Nintendo, using ASCII code from the table
used in item 3. Please use only "upper case" letters, listed in the provided table, when
registering a game code.
This requirement only applies to new titles. If the program is changed and a master ROM
resubmitted for a game title which has already been marketed, it is not necessary to insert
a game code for this submission. (If the Game Code is added to an existing game, please
be aware of potential problems with software verification routines in serial communication
protocols or GB Pak routines. For example, the Game Titles for the old version and the
new version MAY be different, causing the new version to be unrecognized by the
software verification routine.)
Example:
When the Game Code is "APCJ", the following codes would be
stored.
41H('A') → Address 013FH
50H('P') → Address 0140H
43H('C') → Address 0141H
4AH('J') → Address 0142H
296