BIN

BIN (binary) files consist of unspecified data and code. In the case of games dumped from cartridges or CDs, it is an exact copy of the data on its original medium, i.e. not compressed or rearranged. The *.bin file extension is commonly used for CD images (such as those of Sega Mega CD or Saturn games) and is accompanied by a *.cue file which describes where on the disc the data was found. Sega Mega Drive ROMs are often found with a *.bin file extension, or occasionally renamed with a *.gen extension. Another file format, SMD, is used for Mega Drive ROMs and is distinctly not the same as BIN since its contents have been altered.