What does it mean to dump a game?
Dumping a game means copying the data from a cartridge or disc into a file on your computer. The file is a “dump”: a ROM for cartridges or a disc image for discs. A clean dump is an exact copy, byte for byte, of the original. It’s how you get the game data a fan port needs from a copy you own.
Why do recomps and web ports need my own game files?
Fan ports, such as recomps and decomps, publish only their own code. The game’s graphics, levels, sound and often its program code still belong to the publisher, so ports leave them out. On first start, the port reads your dump and takes what it needs from it. Ports that skip this step and ship the game themselves are the ones that get taken down.
Which file does each port ask for?
Many ports accept only one exact version of the game. Check the project’s page before you dump anything. These are real requirements from current projects:
| Port | What it asks for |
|---|---|
| LCS Recomp (GTA Liberty City Stories, PSP) | The US version 1.05 (serial ULUS-10041) |
| OpenSmash-Ultimate (Smash Bros. Ultimate, Switch) | Your own copy, version 13.0.4 or 13.0.5 |
| Zelda 64: Recompiled (Majora’s Mask, N64) | Only the US version of the N64 cartridge |
| DriveClub Recomp (Driveclub, PS4) | Your own game files with PS4 patch 1.28 installed |
| Skate 3 Recomp (Xbox 360) | Files from your own Xbox 360 copy, extracted during setup |
Which consoles can I dump without modifying anything?
| Console | What you dump | How | Console changes needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES, SNES, N64, Genesis | Cartridge ROM | A USB cartridge reader on your PC | No |
| Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance | Cartridge ROM | A USB cartridge reader for handheld games | No |
| PlayStation 1 and 2 | Disc image | Your PC’s CD/DVD drive and a disc-imaging program | No |
| GameCube and Wii | Disc image | A homebrew app on a Wii | Yes |
| Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Switch, 3DS, Wii U | Disc or cartridge image, often with keys | Tools that run on a modified console | Yes |
For the consoles marked “yes”, you have to modify the console first. We don’t give instructions for that. It can break the console’s terms of service, void its warranty or damage it. In some countries, getting around copy protection is illegal even for games you own.
How do I dump a cartridge with a USB reader?
- Pick a reader that supports your console and your cartridge’s region. Several open-source and commercial readers exist; the project page of each lists the consoles it supports.
- Clean the cartridge’s contacts gently, then insert it.
- Use the reader’s own software to save the ROM. Many readers also back up the save data on the cartridge.
- Check the dump’s checksum against a preservation database (step below). A bad contact can cause a corrupt dump.
How do I dump a PlayStation 1 or PlayStation 2 disc?
- Put the disc in your PC’s CD or DVD drive. PS1 and PS2 discs read in normal PC drives.
- Use a disc-imaging program to save a full image of the disc.
- Compare the checksum with Redump, the disc preservation database. A match means your image is a perfect copy.
How do I check that my dump is correct?
Preservation groups list the checksums of verified dumps: Redump for discs and No-Intro for cartridges. Your disc-imaging or cartridge software shows your dump’s checksum, often as MD5, SHA-1 or CRC32. If it matches the listed value for your game and region, the dump is clean. Many ports check the same values and refuse a dump that doesn’t match, with errors like “unsupported version” or “invalid ROM”.
What does “region” or “version” mean?
The same game was sold in different versions. NTSC-U means North America, PAL means Europe and NTSC-J means Japan. Games also got updates and revisions, such as version 1.05. A port built for one version expects that version’s code at exact addresses, so another region usually fails. The game’s serial number, printed on the disc or box, tells you which one you have.
Do I need the updates and DLC too?
Sometimes. Ports for newer consoles often expect the game with a specific update installed, because they are built against that exact code. Smash Bros. Ultimate’s port wants version 13.0.4 or 13.0.5, and DriveClub Recomp wants patch 1.28. Older cartridge and disc games rarely had updates, so the original release is usually enough. The project page always lists what it needs; follow it exactly, and you avoid most “game not found” errors.
What should I do with the dump afterwards?
Keep it for yourself, in a folder you back up. Don’t upload it, share it in a Discord or post it with a mod. Keep the original cartridge or disc as well: it’s your proof of ownership, and you can make a fresh dump if a file gets damaged.
Is it legal to dump your own games?
It depends on where you live. Making a personal backup of a game you own is commonly treated as low risk, especially for older cartridges and discs without copy protection. Breaking copy protection is riskier, and some publishers argue that any copy is illegal. Sharing a dump with anyone, or downloading a dump someone else made, is clearly copyright infringement. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I download a dump instead?
No. Downloading a ROM or disc image of a game is the same as pirating it, even if you own the cartridge. We never link to game files, and ports never need you to.
Sources
- Dumping guides for cartridges
- Redump disc preservation database
- Legal guide: is downloading retro game files (ROMs) illegal?
- LCS Recomp README (required game version)
- Zelda 64: Recompiled README (accepts only the US N64 ROM)
- Driveclub now runs natively on PC without emulation (needs patch 1.28)
- OpenSmash-Ultimate README (required game version)
- Need for Speed: Underground 2 is back in your browser with online free roam