ROM patch formats
Short answer
ROM patches come in about ten formats. They differ in three ways that matter: whether they verify you have the right ROM, whether they can change the ROM’s size, and how large a file they can address. BPS is the best default; the rest exist for specific reasons.
Format matrix
| Format | Ext | Verifies ROM | Create here |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPS | .ips | NO | YES |
| BPS | .bps | YES | YES |
| UPS | .ups | YES | YES |
| APS | .aps | YES | YES |
| RUP | .rup | YES | YES |
| PPF | .ppf | NO | YES |
| xdelta / VCDIFF | .xdelta | NO | APPLY ONLY |
| BSDiff | .bdf | NO | APPLY ONLY |
| EBP | .ebp | NO | YES |
| Star Rod .mod | .mod | YES | APPLY ONLY |
“Verifies ROM” is not decoration. Where it says YES, the patch stores a checksum of the ROM it was built from and this site will not apply it to a file that does not match. Where it says NO, the format stores nothing to check, so the patch applies to whatever you give it and confirming the base ROM is up to you.
IPSSmall hacks and translations for 8-bit and 16-bit ROMs under 16 MB.BPSAlmost everything. The best default for new patches unless a community expects otherwise.UPSOlder GBA and DS hacks that were released before BPS took over.APSNintendo 64 translations and older GBA hacks.RUPDistributing several related patches, or patches with author metadata, in one file.PPFCD and DVD disc images: PlayStation, PS2, Saturn, Dreamcast.xdelta / VCDIFFLarge ROMs and disc images: N64, GameCube, Wii, PlayStation.BSDiffOccasional romhack releases and general binary patching outside the ROM scene.EBPEarthBound hacks built with CoilSnake.Star Rod .modPaper Mario (N64) mods built with the Star Rod editor.