PlatformWe have
a lot of platforms!
This is the category in which an item resides. It should all be self-explanatory, but there are some things we can say about it.
Games Released for multiple or co-branded platformsThere are some instances where a game release has multiple console branding or compatibilities listed. In these instances, the game should be put into the category for the
older console. See
here for a list of some console release dates to assist in choosing a category.
Examples- Atari 2600 / 7800 co-compatibility: should go into the Atari 2600 category. See
Venture- PS One / PS2 co-branding: should go into the PlayStation category. See
Kowai Shashin- Xbox / Xbox 360 co-compatibility: should go into the Xbox category. See
Sneak King- Xbox 360 / Xbox One co-branding: should go into Xbox 360 category. See
Bully - Scholarship Edition- Xbox One / Xbox Series X co-branding: should go into Xbox One category. See
Gears Tactics- Xbox One branding with Xbox Series X compatibility note, should go into Xbox One category. See
The Dark Pictures: Little Hope- PS4 branding with PS5 compatibility note, should go into PS4 category. See
Watch Dogs: LegionGames Released in a Country with No Country Specific CategoryGames and products are released all over the world and we do not have individual sub-categoriess for every one. So sometimes an item is put into the closest relevant category, at least temporarily. Here are some examples:
Releases in Asian or African countries can vary depending on the release. In general, for an item released in a country that has no dedicated sub-category, use this priority:
1. [CN] China
2. [JP] Japan
3. [HK] Hong Kong
Examples:
Sangokushi Eiketsuden [HK] was released on the Sega Saturn in
Hong Kong and is put into the Sega Saturn [JP] sub-category.
Sangokushi Eiketsuden [TW] was released on the Sega Saturn in
Taiwan and is put into the Sega Saturn [JP] sub-category.
Flicky [KR] was released on the Samsung GamBoy in
South Korea and is put into the Sega SG-1000 [JP] sub-category.
The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath International Design Stuff [IN] was released for PC in
India and is put into the PC [CN] sub-category.
Gran Turismo Sport - Day One Edition [SA] was released on PlayStation 4 in
Saudi Arabia and is put into the PlayStation 4 [CN] sub-category.
FIFA 12 [SA][GR] was released on PlayStation 3 in (at least)
Greece and
Saudi Arabia and because Greece is in Europe, it is put into the PlayStation 3 [EU] sub-category.
Sega Rally 2: Sega Rally Championship - Xplosive was released on PC in
Israel and is put into the PC [CN] sub-category.
FIFA Soccer 95 [AE] was released on Sega Mega Drive in
United Arab Emirates and is put into the Sega Mega Drive [CN] sub-category.
New Zealand releases where no [NZ] sub-category exists should be put into the Australia [AU] category.
Example:
Heavy Rain [NZ] on PlayStation 3.
South African Sega Mega Drive releases are European releases but with a label on the front cover. There is no South African category, so they are placed in the Sega Mega Drive [EU] sub-category.
Example:
Sampras Tennis 96 [ZA] was released on the Sega Mega Drive.
Online Exclusive ReleasesPhysical games that are released outside of the normal retail channel and instead are sold exclusively through websites can be put in various categories. This is one of the most difficult type of item to track because the products are typically not region limited and are made available worldwide. In general, a game of this type should be put into the appropriate regional category that relates to the website that has exclusive distribution rights, or if it has a wider online release, then the developer and/or publisher's home country.
DUX on Sega Dreamcast is published by Hucast.net which is based in Germany, so their games are placed into the Dreamcast [EU] sub-category.
If the publisher has created different versions to match different regions, then these may be put in the category that the packaging design is meant to homage. As an example, JoshProd, an EU company, will release US, EU and JP editions of games that can be put into their respective categories.
Example: 4x4 Jam with
US design is in Dreamcast [NA], with
EU design is in Dreamcast [EU] and with
JP design is in Dreamcast [JP].
BootlegsBootlegs should be categorized based on the country in which they originate from. If this is not known, then they should be placed into one of the Asian categories, using this order:
1. [CN] China
2. [HK] Hong Kong
3. [TW] Taiwan
4. [JP] Japan
If the country of origin is known, but the item is put into a category that is for a different country, then it should be put into the description what country the item came from.
Games with Accessories or Accessories with GamesThe community has decided that all accessories with games or games with accessories should be put into the appropriate games category for a platform. So it does not matter if the accessory or the game title has more prevalence on the box design, it will be considered a game.
Items of this nature that include download codes for games, but no physical games, are also to be put into the game category.
However, the item title is dependent on which has prevalence.
The naming rules for games with accessories are:
game name (accessory title)
The naming rules for accessories with games are:
Manufacturer Accessory name - Game Name
Console Accessories vs HardwareConsole add-ons such as the Sega CD or Gamecube Game Boy Player are considered accessories and not hardware.
Console add-ons of this type that include
a game are considered games as outlined above
Sega 32X [US] is an accessory and is put into the
Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Accessory category.
Sega 32X - Doom is an accessory with a game, so it is put into the
Sega 32X [NA] games category. In addition, because the pack-in title for the Sega 32X - Doom is a Doom (Not for Resale) cartridge, the entry for
the game cartridge itself is also put into the Sega 32X games category.
Console Accessories vs GamesCurrently, the community has not decided whether the games categories should only have games or should also have software. As a result, non-game software releases may exist in either the game or accessory category. Examples of this are GameShark/Action Replay discs, Sega Saturn Photo CD Operator, Game Boy Player. We do not differentiate currently between standalone software, movies or software for hardware.
Mega Anser for Sega Mega Drive is banking software and is in a games category.
Photo CD Operator for Sega Saturn is a boot disc to allow for usage of Photo CDs and is in a games category.
Game Boy Player Start-up Disc is software for using the Game Boy Player on Gamecube and is in an accessory category.
Web Browser for Sega Dreamcast is a web browser and is in a games category.
NetLink Custom Web Browser for Sega Saturn is a web browser and is in an accessory category.
And then there are things like this:
Action Replay MAX+ Metal Edition is a memory card that includes a software CD-ROM but is put in an accessory category.
Until we determine how software is to be organized, be aware that they may exist in either a games or accessory category and be sure to search for them before adding new entries.
Pack-in Games from AccessoriesAs mentioned above in the Sega 32X - Doom example, the accessory pack entry is put into the relevant games category.
The pack-in game can also be put into the relevant game category but only if the pack-in is different from the retail release. Even if the pack-in item has no packaging, and is a cartridge only but the cart is the same as a retail release, it does not get a separate entry. If the pack-in games does have packaging, again it would only get a separate entry if the game packaging is different from the retail release.
Pack-in Games from ConsolesConsoles are considered hardware, whether they include a game or not. A console should never be put into a game or accessory category. The information above regarding pack-in games from accessories is the same for consoles.
Pack-in Games from Games or individual games from Multi-PacksPack-in games from games or individual games from multi-game packs are allowed to have a separate entry if the additional game has its own packaging. Loose games from games or multi-packs are not allowed a loose entry and are considered to be part of the whole entry.
ExamplesDead or Alive Ultimate was released as a box set that includes
DOA1 and
DOA2 in their own cases. These two games from within the game pack are allowed separate entries.
Half-Life Platinum Collection is a multipack that includes Half-Life, TFC, Opposing Force and Counter-Strike on individual discs with no unique packaging. Entries for these individual discs are not permitted.
Bayonetta 2 (Bonus Bayonetta Game Included) was released on Wii U and contains an additional disc for Bayonetta in the case. Since this additional disc does not have its own packaging, an entry for the individual disc is not permitted.
Pack-in Accessories from Games or ConsolesAs outlined above, any accessory that includes a game is considered a game. Like the situation where a pack-in game can have its own entry in the game category, similarly the accessory can have an entry in the accessory category.
If the accessory was only available as a pack-in with a game or with a console, it can have an entry in the accessory category as a loose item. This means that the front art slot can be of the loose item.
However, if the accessory was also sold separately in retail packaging, the loose accessory entry is not allowed. This includes both controllers and memory cards.
Typing of the Dead Keyboard Set for Sega Dreamcast is a game with an accessory and is in the game category. It includes the regular large white
Sega Dreamcast Keyboard. Since this keyboard had its own stand-alone retail release, a loose entry of the keyboard is not created.
Pack-in Items That are Not Games or AccessoriesOften there are special edition releases of games that include bonus pack-in items that are not games or accessories. These may include pins, movies, t-shirts, posters, statues, toys, soundtracks, etc. These items can be added to the database as loose items and they are typically put into the swag category.
ExamplesSurging Aura was released on Sega Mega Drive in Japan and includes a limited edition pin.
Mega RPG Project pin badge - Surging Aura is put into the
Swag - Clothing Items category.
Bundled Items from Online Orders or Pre-OrdersFor games that are sold online and include additional bonus items, but are not packaged with the game itself, the items included can have separate entries typically created in the appropriate Merchandise category. There should not be an entry created for the game + the additional items, rather the game should have in the description that the additional items were shipped together when ordered from x website or retailer.
If the additional item is a SteelBook, it can be created in the console's accessory category if the SteelBook is a console exclusive. If the SteelBook is not a console exclusive, it can be put into the Steelbook Merchandise category.
Built-in Games and SoftwareBuilt-in games for a console should not get a separate entry. Examples of this would be Snail Maze for Sega Master System, which is a game you can play on some consoles without inserting a cartridge. This game is considered part of the SMS and should be put into the description of the appropriate SMS console release entries.
Likewise, any built-in games or software on modern consoles that have online store platforms should not have a separate entry created.
Examples of this would be built-in apps that come pre-installed on the Nintendo 3DS and are not downloadable from the platform store, such as
Nintendo Zone, Face Raiders, Mii Plaza or the
eShop itself. Non-game apps are
currently allowed to have entries, such as
YouTube.
Where to put an item that has no categoryThere are generic categories for:
- Other Accessories
- Other Consoles
- Other Games
- Merchandise Miscellaneous
In the Other category for games, names should be formatted as:
Manufacturer ConsoleName - GameTitle