10.1 Remastered Versions: General

10.1.1 Version Display

The application must display its current version after startup, in a font large enough to be readable. For example, you might display the application version on the title screen or a settings screen. Note, however, that displaying a version is not required in the following cases.

  • If the update only affected the e-manual.
  • If the only change is replacing the rating.
  • If the current remaster version is the first version to be released in the market.

See section 9.2.1 Displaying the Patch Version for best practices regarding version notation.

By looking at this version number, the user is able to verify by themselves that the application is a remastered version (i.e., different from the original base version). Having this version information also allows for more efficient user support.

 

10.1.1.1 Displaying the Version

Guideline Item

Applications must display their current version on at least one screen (such as in the title screen or a settings screen).

Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions.

Exceptions

If any of the following cases apply:

  • If the update only affected the e-manual.
  • If the only change is replacing the rating.
  • If no version currently exists in the market, because the current remaster version is the first version to be released in the market.
Test Method
Check the location (such as the title screen or settings screen) where the version is displayed.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the version is displayed.

10.1.2 Icons and Title Names

In principle, it is prohibited to change application icons or title names in a remastered version.

The title name and icon that you set for a remastered version replaces the icon and title name of the original application.
However, the icons and title names on Miiverse and Nintendo eShop are not updated when an application is remastered, so you must not change either of these with a remastered version. Set the same title name and icon in the remastered version as in the original application. If you absolutely must make changes, contact Nintendo at support@noa.com.

10.1.2.1 Prohibition Against Changes to Icons and Title Names

Guideline Item

A remastered application must have the same icon and title name as it did before being remastered.

Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions.

Test Method
  1. Check the icon and title name displayed on the HOME Menu prior to updating to the remastered version.
  2. Update to the remastered version.
  3. Check the icon and title name displayed on the HOME Menu after updating to the remastered version.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the same icon and title name are displayed in steps 1 and 3.

10.1.3 Data Compatibility

Remastered versions must be backwards-compatible with extra data and downloadable application save data created by earlier versions. (Remastered versions must be able to inherit this data.) This requirement is intended to ensure that users can resume their previous progress without issues. In contrast, data compatibility is not required in the case of earlier versions accessing data created by the remastered version or later versions.

In order to make it possible to maintain compatibility, it is prohibited for a remastered version to start using the save data rollback prevention feature if earlier versions did not use it, and it is prohibited for a remastered version to stop using this feature if earlier versions used it.

Note:

Remastered versions of card-based applications are outside the scope of restrictions on save data compatibility. However, if your card-based application cannot comply with this guideline, you must modify it in order to later release it as a downloadable application.

10.1.3.1 Supporting Extra Data Compatibility

Guideline Item

Applications must maintain compatibility for extra data, so that extra data created by earlier versions of the application can be used by remastered versions of the application.

Software to Be Tested
Remastered versions of applications that create extra data.
Exceptions
If no version currently exists in the market, because the current remaster version is the first version to be released in the market. 
Test Method

Note: If the application is planned for dual distribution as both retail and downloadable versions, and the application associates its extra data with its save data, use the downloadable version to test this guideline.

  1. Launch an earlier version of the application and create extra data.
  2. Launch the remastered version of the application and use the extra data created in step 1.
  3. If your application has more than one earlier version:
    1. Perform steps 1 through 2 for all earlier versions of the application.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the application can properly use the extra data in step 2.

10.1.3.2 Supporting Save Data Compatibility

Guideline Item

Applications must maintain compatibility for save data, so that save data created by earlier versions of the application can be used by remastered versions of the application.

Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions of downloadable applications that create save data.

Exceptions

If any of the following cases apply:

  • Virtual Console applications with remastered versions, where the remastered version can use data saved by the “suspend point” or “restore point” feature of an earlier version.
  • If no version currently exists in the market, because the current remaster version is the first version to be released in the market.
Test Method
  1. Launch an earlier version of the application and create save data.
  2. Launch the remastered version of the application and use the save data created in step 1.
  3. If your application has more than one earlier version:
    1. Perform steps 1 through 2 for all earlier versions of the application.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the application can properly use the save data in step 2.

10.1.3.3 Comparing Rollback Prevention in Remastered Versions and Earlier Versions

Guideline Item

Rollback prevention must not be either added to or removed from a remastered version of an application in comparison with earlier versions.

Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions of downloadable applications that create save data.

Exceptions
If no version currently exists in the market, because the current remaster version is the first version to be released in the market.  
Test Method
  1. Check an earlier version of the application in Master Editor by going to the Basic info (CCI) tab and checking the middleware list.
  2. Check the remastered version of the application in Master Editor by going to the Basic info (CCI) tab and checking the middleware list.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the status of rollback prevention, as indicated by "NINTENDO:SaveDataSecureValueEX," does not change between step 1 and step 2.

10.1.4 StreetPass, Local Communication, and Infrared Communication

Remastered versions and earlier versions of an application must successfully communicate with each other. If you have a reason for not ensuring communication compatibility, contact Nintendo at support@noa.com.

10.1.4.1 Supporting StreetPass, Local Communication, and Infrared Communication

Guideline Item

All remastered versions of an application must successfully communicate with all earlier versions.

Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions of applications that support StreetPass, local communication, or infrared communication.

Test Method
  1. Prepare two Nintendo 3DS systems, system A and system B.
  2. Launch the remastered version of the application on system A and the earlier version on system B.
  3. Perform communication, as follows.
    1. For local communication:
      On system A and system B, play through the application in each local communication mode from beginning to end.
    2. For StreetPass:
      On system A and system B, exchange data via StreetPass.
    3. For infrared communication:
      1. Play through the infrared-communication mode of the application from beginning to end, performing communication with system A set as the requester and system B as the responder.
      2. Play through the infrared-communication mode of the application from beginning to end, performing communication with system B set as the requester and system A as the responder.
  4. If the application has more than one earlier version, repeat step 3 with all possible combinations.
Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if the systems can establish communication without any problems in step 3.

10.1.5 Restrictions When Updating Download Play Client Programs via Remastered Versions

When updating an application via a remastered version, it is prohibited to update the SDK version of Download Play client programs in any updates to the Download Play client programs. Likewise, even if you add a brand-new client program, the SDK version of the client program must be the same SDK version that was used to build the original application.

Specifically, if the SDK version of the Download Play client program included in the ROM during first submission is 4.2, then the SDK version of the client program must remain 4.2 even in the remastered version. It is not an issue if the SDK version of the main application itself is updated, as long as the SDK version of the Download Play client program stays the same.

When updating an application via patches, refer to section 9.2.6 Restrictions When Updating Download Play Client Programs via Patches for information on updating associated Download Play client programs.

10.1.5.1 Checking the SDK When Using Remastered Versions to Update Download Play Client Programs

Guideline Item
When you use a remastered version to update a Download Play client program, the SDK version of the Download Play client program must not change in the remastered version.
Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions of applications that support Download Play.

Test Method

Check in Master Editor.

Pass/Fail Determination
Passes if the SDK version of the Download Play client program(s) is the same as that used prior to the remastered version.

10.1.5.2 Checking the SDK When Using Remastered Versions to Add New Download Play Client Programs

Guideline Item
When you use a remastered version to add a new Download Play client program, the new client program must use the same SDK version as the original application.
Software to Be Tested

Remastered versions of applications, where the remastered version adds support for Download Play.

Test Method

Check using Master Editor version 2.3 or later.

Pass/Fail Determination
Passes if the SDK version of the Download Play client program(s) is the same as the SDK version used by the original application.

10.1.6 Internet Communication Compatibility

If you do not maintain backwards compatibility of Internet communication features when making remastered versions of a card-based application, users of earlier versions will be unable to use Internet communication to play with users of the remastered version. The only ways around this are to swap out game cards (switching to the remastered version) or perform a patch update. Therefore, if you make remastered versions of a card-based application and do not provide the user with some means of updating the application, you must maintain compatibility of Internet communication features between earlier versions and remastered versions. "Maintaining compatibility" means that you are required to guarantee compatibility among all possible combinations of versions. If for some reason you do not want remastered versions of your application to communicate with earlier versions, contact Nintendo at support@noa.com.

For downloadable applications or patches, users are always able to update to the revised version in order to continue using the features. Therefore for downloadable applications or patches it is not necessary to guarantee compatibility of Internet communication between versions. However, if you wish to break compatibility with earlier versions, Nintendo must change some authentication server settings. To let Nintendo know, you must set the Network Access Restriction When Unpatched item to Required when you apply to add the patch on OMAS.

10.1.6.1 Internet Communication Compatibility in Card-Based Applications

Guideline Item

If users are provided no way of updating to the remastered version of a card-based application, the remastered version must maintain compatibility of Internet communication features with all earlier versions.

Software to Be Tested

Card-based applications that support Internet communication, have remastered version(s), and provide users no way of updating earlier versions to the remastered version.

Test Method

Play over the Internet between the remastered version and all earlier versions of the card-based application.

Pass/Fail Determination

Passes if Internet communication is established without issues and all modes that use Internet communication can be played.


10.1.7 Add-On Content Compatibility

When updating to the remastered version of an application that supports add-on content, all versions of add-on content must work without problems with all versions of the application in all combinations, as described in section 11.2.3 Items Included in Add-On Content.

Note:

See section 11.2.3 Items Included in Add-On Content for the guideline items for this section.

No required guideline items.

 


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