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Acceptable formats for the submission of computer games

Below are the acceptable formats for the most commonly submitted computer game platforms. The list is not exhaustive and is subject to change, so if you are unsure please contact us prior to submitting your application. If games are submitted in formats other than those listed, this may cause a delay in the classification process.

Nintendo

Nintendo DS

Applicants need to submit a DS game as a working version on a Nintendo DS cartridge. No other method is available.

Nintendo DSi

DSi games should be submitted on DSi cartridges.

Applicants wishing to submit a DSiWare game (for DSi console) must submit a working version of the game on a DSi cartridge (also called a Flash ROM).

If this is not possible then an applicant can provide a DSiWare game in one of the following formats:

  • As a ‘.TAD’ file on an SD Card
  • As a ‘.TAD.SRL’ file on a DSi cartridge.

Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS games must be submitted as either as a playable version on a Nintendo 3DS game cartridge or as a .cia file on an SD card.

Nintendo Wii (Commercial) and Nintendo WiiWare (debug console)

When a Wii or WiiWare game is submitted for classification, it should be submitted as a full working version on an RVT-R disc (i.e. Wii optical disc). This is our preferred option.

Should an applicant not be able to provide an RVT-R disc, then they may submit an SD card containing a ‘.wad’ file.

Sony

Sony PS3 debug unit

Acceptable formats for the PS3 console are:

  • DVD optical discs (formatted for PS3 debug console)
  • Package install file on DVD optical disc (formatted for PS3 debug console)
  • Playable version on a Blu-ray disc for PS3 debug console (with system software version 3.50 or above)
  • USB key with installation package file.

Sony PS2 debug unit

Only DVD optical discs (formatted for PS2 debug unit) are acceptable.

Sony PS Vita

PS Vita games should be submitted as a .PKG file on either a DVD or a USB key.

Sony PSP debug unit

Submissions for PSP must be presented on either a UMD or a DVD Optical disc (DVD).

PSPgo and PSP mini game formats

These formats are Playable on the Sony PSP debug unit and should be provided as an installable version on a CD/DVD.

Play Station Network (PSN)

Play Station Network (PSN) games are games that can be played on-line (via PS3 or PSP) or downloaded from the Play Station Store to a PS3 or PSP and played on that console.

Play Station Network (PSN) games, should be submitted as fully working stand alone games for their intended console (PSP or PS3). That is, when the game disc is inserted into the debug console (PSP or PS3), the game will load (upon selecting it from the menu), or it will be an easily installable version for that console.

For a PSP, a PSN game should be on a UMD or a CD or DVD.
For a PS3, a PSN game should be provided on a PS3 optical disc (CD/DVD formatted for PS3)

Please note: No game should require any sign on to the PSN in order to work. The games submitted must work in stand alone mode.

Xbox

Xbox 360 Debug unit

There are two formats that are acceptable:

  • Xbox 360 hard disk drive (HDD)
  • Xbox 360 DVD optical disc (i.e. an optical disc formatted for Xbox 360).

In addition, where DVD optical discs are submitted and the DVD discs are dual layer (i.e. contents of disc greater than 4.7GB), the DVD disc format must be DVD+R. While both are acceptable, the DVD optical discs are more error prone than HDD. HDD is the preferred option.

Where games are submitted on DVD disc and contents are in a raw archived file state, they need to be unzipped on a PC networked to the Xbox 360 and then transfe rred file to the Xbox 360 by third party software such as "Xbox Neighbourhood".

Xbox memory card

Some games may be small enough to be provided on an Xbox memory card. These cards have a maximum capacity of 512MB. The Memory card must contain a playable stand-alone version of the game or be an installable version of the game.

Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA)

There are two formats that are acceptable:

  • Xbox 360 hard-disk-drive (HDD)
  • Xbox 360 DVD optical disc (i.e. an optical disc formatted for Xbox 360).

The disc must contain a playable stand-alone version of the game or an installable version of the game.
The Classification Branch will not connect or subscribe to Xbox Live or any online service to play a game.

PC games

All games submitted for PC platform need to be compatible with Windows operating system Windows XP Professional.

The applicant should provide the game on a CD or DVD and it must be a working version that is installable on the PC. The applicant should also provide clear installation instructions and any necessary codes to play the game to prevent delays in processing the application.

Online games e.g. World of Warcraft

If the PC game requires internet connection to play we request the latest version of the game client be submitted to minimise downloaded content and avoid any delays with the application, as well as an active game account to login.

Windows LIVE Games

All games for Windows LIVE submitted for classification must work in stand alone mode. No game should require any sign on to Windows LIVE in order to work.

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