Serials

This page talks about the 3DS products' serial structure (the console, manual, accessories, games, etc...).

Codenames

Device	Codename
3DS	CTR
3DS XL/LL	SPR
2DS	FTR
New 3DS	KTR
New 3DS XL/LL	RED

The DS was codenamed NTR, so we see the TR is recurring.

Serial structure

[Product][Retail/Demo]-CTR-[Type][Identifier][Region]

Product: Length=2, LN - Product type (cartridges are LN, game boxes are TS, instruction manuals are MA, leaflets are FA, quick-start guides are MK)

Retail/Demo: Length=1, [A/Z] - Retail / Demo

CTR - 3DS' codename rumored to be Horizon

Type: Length=1, [A/C/H/J/S/P/T] - Retail / C is part of the default serial 'CTAP' / H is used for built in applications like Mii Maker / J is for a normal eShop Title / S is usually a 3D Classics eShop title / P is used with GBA e-shop titles / T is used with NES e-shop titles.

Identifier: Length=2, game's name (made from letters and digits).

Region: Length=1, [E/P/J/A] - English (US) / PAL (Europe/Australia) / Japanese (Japan) / All (region-free)

The longer version of the serial number adds a geographical region (usually because of extra languages).

Those are 3 letters codes at the end of the serial (can be found mostly on demos).

For example, the code of the Canadian version of Mario Kart 7 is CAN (link removed, links to incorrect image).

Product Code

This is similar in structure to the serial, this is like the Title ID, in the sense that it is a per title identifier, but it is not checked by the 3DS Applications (like an internally used name) and follows this structure:

CTR-[P/N/T/U]-[Type][Identifier][Region]

• P/N/T/U - P Generally used for card based games (& Digital Download versions) / N Used for built in applications like Mii Maker and some eShop titles / T is used in some e-Shop demos / U is used for Add-on Update Data
• [Type][Identifier][Region] - Same as in serial structure

So, for example, a Japanese copy of Ridge Racer 3D would have a product code of "CTR-P-ARRJ" and a serial of "LNA-CTR-ARRJ".

NOTE: The product code "CTR-P-CTAP" is the default product code for NCCH files. So when a product code isn't assigned, this product code is usually used.

Electronic Manuals

Some eShop titles have Electronic Manuals which store the product code at the end of the 'Health & Safety' section of the manual. However, product codes can differ from the above format as shown below:

CTR-[P/N/T/U]-[Type][Identifier][Region]-[Region]-[Digit]

CTR-[Type][Identifier][Region]-[Region]-[Digit]

• P/N/T/U - Same as in product code structure
• [Type][Identifier][Region] - Same as in serial structure
• [Region] - A three character representation of the title region, i.e. 'EUR' (not always present)
• [Digit] - A single digit usually '1' or '0' (not always present)

Note: These alternate versions of the product code, potentially found in Electronic Manuals don't represent the actual product code, as found in the game's CXI. They are only found in the game's Home Menu manual, and on the game's packaging and external labeling.