General syntax
You can utilize legacy search in two ways, by using either a Title ID or a search "query" (using the name of the content you want to search for).
Legacy search is designed to take all of your search parameters into one piece of text for speedier searches.
This is achieved by making use of a syntax similar to command-line switches, where each different "switch" controls
a different search parameter (what to sort by, which categories/subcategories to include or exclude, etc.)
The simplest way to search using legacy search is to enter the name of the title you want to search for.
In most cases, this is all you will need to accurately find what you are looking for.
Limitations
Legacy search shares its limitations with normal search.
-
Character limit: you must enter no less than three characters to be able to search. This is done as a preventative measure against spam attacks and/or inaccurate search results.
-
Filter limit: you must specify no more than fifteen filters (includes both include and exclude filters). This is yet another preventative measure against high server resource usage.
Syntax reference
Anything coming after the colon (:
) must not include any spaces, and there cannot be a space after the colon!
The parentheses (()
) are for illustration purposes only. Do not include them when writing a legacy search query.
-
Include filters
Using include filters, you can specify a entire category (or a category with a subcategory) to include in the search results.
Syntax:
-
Including an entire category:
include:(category)
-
Including a category with a subcategory:
include:(category).(subcategory)
-
Example:
include:games,updates.eu,dlc.jp
Note: you can use i:
or inc:
as shorthand ways of using this switch.
You cannot include a (sub)category you excluded, and vice versa.
-
Exclude filters
Using exclude filters, you can specify an entire category (or a category with a subcategory) to exclude in the search results.
Syntax:
-
Excluding an entire category:
exclude:(category)
-
Excluding a category with a subcategory:
exclude:(category).(subcategory)
-
Example:
exclude:games,updates.eu,dlc.jp
Note: you can use e:
or ex:
as shorthand ways of using this switch.
You cannot exclude a (sub)category you included, and vice versa.
-
Sort direction
Specifies whether the specified sort method should be used in ascending or descending order.
Syntax:
-
Ascending:
direction:ascending
-
Descending:
direction:descending
-
Example:
sort:size direction:ascending
Note: you can use order:
, sd:
, d:
or o:
as shorthand ways for using this switch.
Furthermore, you can use asc
instead of ascending
and desc
instead of descending
.
You need to specify a sort method to be able to use this switch.
-
Sort method
Specifies what the search results should be sorted by.
Syntax:
sort:(sort method)
- Example:
sort:size direction:descending
Available sorting methods:
-
Size:
size
or blocks
-
Name:
name
-
Category:
category
or type
-
Subcategory:
subcategory
or region
-
Added date:
added_date
or uploaded
-
Updated date:
updated_date
or edited
-
Title ID:
tid
-
ID:
id
-
Download count:
downloads
or dls
-
Example:
sort:uploaded direction:ascending
Note: you can use sb:
, s:
and r:
as shorthand ways for using this switch.
-
Title ID
This switch is unique. When using this switch, you cannot use any other switches, because you are narrowing down your search results to a single Title ID. Therefore, no other search parameters are required.
Syntax:
titleid:(Title ID)
- Example:
t:00040000001C1900
Note: you can use tid:
and t:
as shorthand ways of using this switch.
-
Product Code
This switch is unique. When using this switch, you cannot use any other switches, because you are narrowing down your search results to a single (or part of a) Product Code. Therefore, no other search parameters are required.
Syntax:
productcode:(Product Code)
- Example:
pcode:CTR-P-AMKJ
Note: you can use prodcode:
and pcode:
as shorthand ways of using this switch.
-
Content Type
Specifies the target content type.
Syntax:
type:(Content Type)
- Example:
type:standard
Available content types:
- Standard:
standard
- Legit:
legit
- Pirate Legit:
piratelegit
Note: you can use typ:
and p:
as shorthand ways of using this switch.