The first 192 bytes at 0x08000000-0x080000BF in ROM are used as cartridge header.
Offset
Size (bytes)
Description
ROM entry point (4 bytes)
Space for a single 32-bit ARM instruction that jumps over the header.
When the GBA boots, it will begin execution at 0x00000000, which is the GBA BIOS. The BIOS will show the Game Boy Advance logo, and play a chime, then jump to 0x08000000 in ARM mode.
The ROM must then jump over the header to the start location of the program, by storing a b <start> instruction at this location in the header.
Nintendo logo (156 bytes)
The Nintendo logo must be in the GBA header. It is checked by the BIOS before the game starts. If the data is missing or modified, then the BIOS won't jump to the ROM start.
There are two bytes in the logo that can contain different values:
0x9C Debugging Enabled
FIQ/Undefined Instruction handler forwards exceptions to 0x080000B4
0x9E Cart Key Number
Typically set to 0xF8, however bits 0-1 may be set to other values.
It is suspected that this was used to interface with different debug cartridges during development.
Game title (12 bytes)
Uppercase ASCII, max of 12 characters. If the title is less than 12 characters, the remaining bytes should be 0x00.
Game code (4 bytes)
Uppercase ASCII, broken down into three sections:
Unique code (1 byte)
Normal game, titles released mainly 2001-2003.
Normal game, titles released 2003+.
Normal game, newer titles
Yoshi and Koro Koro Puzzle (acceleration sensor)
WarioWare Twisted (cartridge with rumble and z-axis gyro sensor)
Boktai 1 and 2 (cartridge with real-time clock and solar sensor)
Drill Dozer (cartridge with rumble)
Short title (2 bytes)
Game initials, for example, 'PM' for Pac-Man.
Language (1 byte)
Maker code (2 bytes)
Identifies the commercial developer. For example, '01' is Nintendo.
Device type (1 byte)
Normal, or if using a hardware debugger, then default settings.
Alternative debugging settings.
Software version (1 byte)
Version number of the game, typically 0x00.
Header checksum (1 byte)
The checksum must be correct, or the game won't boot. It's calculated by subtracting all the values in the ROM from offset 0xA0 to 0xBC, then subtracting 0x19. I.e.,:
