2 Lotcheck

What Is Lotcheck?

Development > Debugging > Submitting a Master ROM > Lotcheck > Release

Lotcheck refers to the certification testing that all applications must pass before being released for a Nintendo platform. Nintendo checks whether applications are adversely affected by different versions of hardware, internal components, or firmware, and whether applications comply with the Guidelines set by Nintendo.

Note

The Lotcheck process is not a debugging process.

In every case, only submit master ROMs after debugging is complete.

Even if the submitted ROM meets the quality standards established by Nintendo, it could still fail Lotcheck depending on the severity of the bug. In this case, you must perform Lotcheck again.

The Term "Lotcheck"

Normally, when you refer to "checking" a "lot," you may imagine the sampling quality inspection performed during the final production process.
However, "Lotcheck" is a unique term for Nintendo.

This term was generated in the past when Nintendo was manufacturing and selling the Nintendo Entertainment System.
At the time, there were differences in the component parts depending on the time period when the console hardware was manufactured, and these differences affected software operations. For this reason, we verified whether the software would work without any problems regardless of the console specifications.
Because we were using various manufacturing "lots" to perform "software checks," this process became known as "Lotcheck."

With transitions to different hardware, in addition to testing combinations of console hardware and software, this term has come to include the quality certification process of verifying whether the product satisfies Nintendo's standards.
Currently, the process is weighted toward the latter component of quality certification.

What Tests Are Performed?

Production Device Compatibility Test

Testing involves retail unit hardware with different components, retail unit hardware with multiple firmware versions, and multiple hardware models (see the Note). Nintendo checks applications to make sure they work without bugs across multiple combinations of these factors.

Note: Hardware from a different series with the same platform. Example: Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL

Guideline Testing

Guidelines are the set rules that applications must comply with, and serve the following purposes.

  • Preventing accidents and other types of issue in the marketplace
  • The application is designed with consideration of individual differences in the device, and can be played on any device.
  • Ensuring that Nintendo services can operate without problems
  • Ensuring the projected hardware lifespans by preventing using application specifications that would dramatically reduce hardware lifespans
  • Maintaining the brand image of the platform by standardizing specifications across all applications
  • Ensuring applications observe standard contractual agreements such as copyright statements

Guideline testing checks whether applications comply with Nintendo Guidelines.

Where Is Lotcheck Performed?

Lotcheck occurs at Nintendo's three largest sites: Nintendo Co., Ltd., (NCL) in Japan, Nintendo of America (NOA) in the United States, and Nintendo of Europe (NOE) in Germany.


 


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