Once you've dumped your games, it's time to submit the metadata to a preservation project for validating and cataloging. No-Intro focuses on game cartridges while Redump focuses on disc-based media.

If you are new to dumping and want to start sending in your dump information to places such as No-Intro, the below information is the minimum that's required. Complete this before submitting, so you don't have to go back and forth with the staff to verify your information.

Make a copy of the following template and fill it out to the best of your abilities. The more details the better!

If you need help, please come chat with us on the VGPC or No-Intro discord servers.

--Game--
Game name:

--Dump--
Dump tool: 
Dumper (who dumped the ROM): 
Affiliation (if applicable): 
Dump creation date (YYYY-MM-DD):
Link(s) to release (if applicable):

--ROM(s)/file(s)--
Size in bytes: 
CRC32: 
MD5 hash: 
SHA-1 hash: 
SHA-256 hash:

--Physical media-- 
Photos/scans: 

--Etc--
Dump logs: 

Dump tool should include hardware, firmware, and software version.

Photos should be of the specific instance of hardware that was dumped, and should be of all sides of packaging, physical media and the PCB (PCB photos are unnecessary for DS/3DS), with all text clearly readable, including any imprinted/stamped text and any serials on ROM chips hidden under batteries (you may need to take a separate photo(s) at an angle to capture those two). PCB photos are an important, but often overlooked aspect of preservation. Along with providing some evidence that the game is genuine, they also help with verifying version numbers, manufacturing dates, and documenting component usage across games.

Please note if you have modified the physical media in any way.

For DS/DSi/3DS dumps, you should provide hashes for the originally dumped (encrypted) file, plus the decrypted equivalent, made by making a copy of the file, then using ndecrypt. You can use the –hash option to hash the ROM at the same time as decrypting it, saving time.

Dump logs: any text/metadata file outputted by the dump tool or any ROM checking tools you've used

If the game is made up of a folder with subfolders, follow this Dir2Dat guide for generating the hashes.

Example:

--Game--
Game name: Super Mario 1024
System: Nintendo 4DS

--Dump--
Dump tool: Sanni's Cart Reader v3 with firmware v8.0
Dumper: Nickname1234
Affiliation (if applicable): https://dumping.guide
Dump creation date (YYYY-MM-DD): 2022-04-05
Dump release date (YYYY-MM-DD) (if applicable):
Link(s) to release (if applicable):

--ROM(s)/file(s)--
Size in bytes: 40960
CRC32: 6ccc74cd
MD5 hash: 5cb884a924c5557477d0e91a0b9e2e5d
SHA-1 hash: df612f60bf925435d64535569ae8b39aacbc456d
SHA-256 hash: 5cecc3ef2e2791c4e19af34eb86065993a237d3599922e7f953cd97e3ff9d00b

--Physical media-- 
Photos/scans:
https://dumping.guide/_media/carts/nintendo/ds/cart_front.jpg
https://dumping.guide/_media/carts/nintendo/ds/cart_back.jpg

--Etc--
Dump logs: 
https://dumping.guide/_export/code/carts/nintendo/ds?codeblock=1

To submit your dump to No-Intro, please see their wiki for more information. For Redump, check this forum post for instructions on submitting new dumps and verifications.