diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy-site.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy-site.yml
index 1703638b..183deaba 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy-site.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy-site.yml
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ on:
       - "scripts/deterministic_zip.py"
       - "scripts/dumpcatalog.py"
       - "scripts/exporter/baseline.py"
+      - "scripts/exporter/candidates.py"
+      - "scripts/gamedata.py"
       - "scripts/generate_pack.py"
       - "scripts/generate_readme.py"
       - "scripts/generate_site.py"
diff --git a/schemas/install-manifest.schema.json b/schemas/install-manifest.schema.json
index cca54788..1dd9e05f 100644
--- a/schemas/install-manifest.schema.json
+++ b/schemas/install-manifest.schema.json
@@ -44,6 +44,14 @@
       "minLength": 1,
       "description": "Hardware target this manifest was filtered for, absent when unfiltered"
     },
+    "categorized": {
+      "description": "Every game data file carries category: game_data. Without it the list records no category, and the installer refuses --no-game-data.",
+      "const": true
+    },
+    "no_game_data": {
+      "description": "Built without game data, absent when the game data is listed",
+      "const": true
+    },
     "platform": {
       "type": "string",
       "minLength": 1
@@ -170,6 +178,10 @@
               "below_platform_folder"
             ]
           },
+          "category": {
+            "description": "game_data: a game's own data, not firmware. Absent on firmware.",
+            "const": "game_data"
+          },
           "held": {
             "description": "The pack builder holds this file and the installer cannot download it. Region narrowing counts it held, as the builder does, so it displaces the same fallback.",
             "const": true
@@ -685,6 +697,10 @@
             }
           }
         },
+        "category": {
+          "description": "game_data: a game's own data, not firmware. Absent on firmware. The installer's --no-game-data leaves these out, as a pack built with --no-game-data does.",
+          "const": "game_data"
+        },
         "executable": {
           "description": "The repository keeps the file executable, and the installer gives it the execute bits the umask allows.",
           "type": "boolean"
diff --git a/scripts/gamedata.py b/scripts/gamedata.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2035c9a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/gamedata.py
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+"""Leaving a game's own data out of a pack, a manifest or a report.
+
+A platform list can name the files a game reads beside the firmware its
+emulator needs, and a core profile marks the data files of the games it runs
+`category: game_data`. `--no-game-data` keeps the firmware: the platform's
+entries categorized as game data and the profiles' game data entries are left
+out, and each one is named with the reason.
+
+Every caller cuts from the full platform config and the full profiles. The
+category of a platform entry is read from the profiles' game data entries, so
+cutting twice would find no evidence the second time.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+from common import resolve_platform_cores
+from exporter.candidates import GAME_DATA, EntryCategories
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class LeftOut:
+    """One game data file left out, and who reads it as game data."""
+
+    layer: str  # "platform" (the platform's list) or "core" (a core profile)
+    system: str
+    name: str
+    readers: tuple[str, ...]
+
+    def describe(self) -> str:
+        where = f"{self.system}/{self.name}" if self.system else self.name
+        if not self.readers:
+            return where
+        return f"{where} (game data of {', '.join(self.readers)})"
+
+
+@dataclass
+class GameDataCut:
+    """The config and profiles without game data, and what was left out."""
+
+    config: dict
+    profiles: dict[str, dict]
+    left_out: list[LeftOut]
+
+    def report_lines(self) -> list[str]:
+        """What the cut left out, named, one line per layer.
+
+        The platform layer names each entry and the cores that read it as
+        game data. The core layer names each core with the files its profile
+        declares `category: game_data`, held by the collection or not.
+        """
+        lines = []
+        platform = [item.describe() for item in self.left_out if item.layer == "platform"]
+        if platform:
+            lines.append(
+                f"Left out as game data, {len(platform)} entries of the platform's "
+                f"list: {', '.join(platform)}"
+            )
+        by_core: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
+        for item in self.left_out:
+            if item.layer == "core":
+                names = by_core.setdefault(item.readers[0], [])
+                if item.name not in names:
+                    names.append(item.name)
+        if by_core:
+            count = sum(len(names) for names in by_core.values())
+            named = "; ".join(
+                f"{core}: {', '.join(names)}" for core, names in sorted(by_core.items())
+            )
+            lines.append(
+                f"Left out as game data, {count} files the cores declare "
+                f"category: game_data ({named})"
+            )
+        return lines
+
+
+def is_game_data(entry: dict) -> bool:
+    return entry.get("category") == GAME_DATA
+
+
+def _entry_names(entry: dict) -> set[str]:
+    names = {str(entry.get("name") or "")}
+    names.update(str(a) for a in entry.get("aliases") or [])
+    path = str(entry.get("path") or "")
+    if path:
+        names.add(path.rstrip("/").rsplit("/", 1)[-1])
+    return {n.casefold() for n in names if n}
+
+
+def platform_game_data(
+    config: dict, profiles: dict[str, dict], data_registry: dict | None
+) -> set[int]:
+    """The `id()` of every platform entry categorized as game data."""
+    categories = EntryCategories(config, profiles, data_registry)
+    return {
+        id(fe)
+        for sys_id, system in (config.get("systems") or {}).items()
+        for fe in system.get("files") or []
+        if isinstance(fe, dict)
+        and categories.category(
+            fe, str(fe.get("destination", fe.get("name", ""))), sys_id
+        ) == GAME_DATA
+    }
+
+
+def without_game_data(
+    config: dict,
+    profiles: dict[str, dict],
+    data_registry: dict | None = None,
+    target_cores: set[str] | None = None,
+) -> GameDataCut:
+    """The platform config and the profiles with every game data entry removed.
+
+    The profiles lose their `category: game_data` files, so no core extra
+    of that category reaches the pack, the manifest or the report. The
+    platform keeps every entry that is not categorized game data.
+    """
+    dropped = platform_game_data(config, profiles, data_registry)
+    examined = sorted(resolve_platform_cores(config, profiles, target_cores=target_cores))
+    readers_by_name: dict[str, set[str]] = {}
+    for key in examined:
+        for fe in profiles[key].get("files") or []:
+            if isinstance(fe, dict) and is_game_data(fe):
+                for name in _entry_names(fe):
+                    readers_by_name.setdefault(name, set()).add(key)
+
+    left_out: list[LeftOut] = []
+    systems: dict[str, dict] = {}
+    for sys_id, system in (config.get("systems") or {}).items():
+        files = system.get("files") or []
+        kept = [fe for fe in files if id(fe) not in dropped]
+        for fe in files:
+            if id(fe) in dropped:
+                name = str(fe.get("name") or "")
+                left_out.append(LeftOut(
+                    "platform", sys_id, name,
+                    tuple(sorted(readers_by_name.get(name.casefold(), ()))),
+                ))
+        systems[sys_id] = {**system, "files": kept} if len(kept) != len(files) else system
+
+    for key in examined:
+        for fe in profiles[key].get("files") or []:
+            if isinstance(fe, dict) and is_game_data(fe):
+                left_out.append(LeftOut("core", "", str(fe.get("name") or ""), (key,)))
+
+    stripped = {
+        key: (
+            {**profile, "files": [
+                fe for fe in profile.get("files") or []
+                if not (isinstance(fe, dict) and is_game_data(fe))
+            ]}
+            if any(isinstance(fe, dict) and is_game_data(fe)
+                   for fe in profile.get("files") or [])
+            else profile
+        )
+        for key, profile in profiles.items()
+    }
+    return GameDataCut({**config, "systems": systems}, stripped, left_out)
diff --git a/scripts/generate_pack.py b/scripts/generate_pack.py
index bb297cf5..dc3b3cc6 100644
--- a/scripts/generate_pack.py
+++ b/scripts/generate_pack.py
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ from manifestselect import SelectionIndex
 import slot as slot_mod
 import slots
 import split_pack
+from gamedata import GAME_DATA, GameDataCut, is_game_data, platform_game_data, without_game_data
 from deterministic_zip import _FIXED_DATE_TIME, rebuild_zip_deterministic
 from largefiles import asset_name, load_registered_paths, published_asset_name
 from nativemode import (
@@ -193,6 +194,7 @@ def _narrowings(
     one_per_slot: bool,
     required_only: bool,
     standalone: bool = False,
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
     """Every dimension that narrows a pack, as (filename tag, plain label).
 
@@ -223,6 +225,8 @@ def _narrowings(
         applied.append(("_Standalone", "standalone mode files only"))
     if required_only:
         applied.append(("_Required", "required files only"))
+    if no_game_data:
+        applied.append(("_NoGameData", "firmware only, game data left out"))
     return applied
 
 
@@ -608,6 +612,22 @@ def _matches_an_alternative(fe: dict, local_path: str, profiles: dict) -> bool:
     return False
 
 
+def _report_left_out(cut: GameDataCut, systems: set[str], cores: bool) -> None:
+    """Name the game data a --no-game-data build left out, and why.
+
+    ``systems`` limits the platform layer to the systems this pack covers,
+    and ``cores`` says whether this pack collected the core files itself:
+    a split part does not, its run names them once.
+    """
+    kept = [
+        item for item in cut.left_out
+        if (item.layer == "platform" and item.system in systems)
+        or (item.layer == "core" and cores)
+    ]
+    for line in GameDataCut(cut.config, cut.profiles, kept).report_lines():
+        print(f"  {line}")
+
+
 def generate_pack(
     platform_name: str,
     platforms_dir: str,
@@ -630,9 +650,13 @@ def generate_pack(
     one_per_slot: bool = False,
     offline: bool | None = None,
     pack_name: str | None = None,
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> str | None:
     """Generate a ZIP pack for a platform.
 
+    ``no_game_data`` leaves out the platform's entries categorized as game
+    data and the cores' ``category: game_data`` files, and names each one.
+
     ``pack_name`` replaces the derived file name: a split part is named after
     its group, and a name built from every system of a hundred-system group
     is longer than a file name can be.
@@ -646,13 +670,22 @@ def generate_pack(
         # The pipeline always passes them, but a caller that does not must get the
         # same pack, not one built without validation, slots or agnostic cores.
         emu_profiles = load_emulator_profiles(emulators_dir)
+    # Cut from the full config and profiles: the category of a platform
+    # entry is read from the profiles' game data entries.
+    cut = (
+        without_game_data(config, emu_profiles, data_registry, target_cores)
+        if no_game_data else None
+    )
+    if cut is not None:
+        config, emu_profiles = cut.config, cut.profiles
 
     verification_mode = config.get("verification_mode", "existence")
     platform_display = config.get("platform", platform_name)
     base_dest = config.get("base_destination", "")
 
     narrowings = _narrowings(
-        source, regions, target_name, one_per_slot, required_only
+        source, regions, target_name, one_per_slot, required_only,
+        no_game_data=no_game_data,
     )
     zip_path = os.path.join(
         output_dir,
@@ -1164,6 +1197,12 @@ def generate_pack(
         zip_path, file_status, total_files, core_count, source,
         verification_mode,
     )
+    if cut is not None:
+        _report_left_out(
+            cut,
+            systems=set(pack_systems) if source != "truth" else set(),
+            cores=source != "platform" and precomputed_extras is None,
+        )
 
 
     for key, reason in sorted(file_reasons.items()):
@@ -1884,6 +1923,7 @@ def generate_split_packs(
     target_name: str | None = None,
     one_per_slot: bool = False,
     offline: bool | None = None,
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> list[str]:
     """Generate split packs (one ZIP per system or manufacturer)."""
     config = load_platform_config(platform_name, platforms_dir)
@@ -1893,7 +1933,8 @@ def generate_split_packs(
     split_tags = "".join(
         tag
         for tag, _label in _narrowings(
-            source, regions, target_name, one_per_slot, required_only
+            source, regions, target_name, one_per_slot, required_only,
+            no_game_data=no_game_data,
         )
     )
     # Two groupings write different files. Without the tag they accumulate in
@@ -1920,15 +1961,24 @@ def generate_split_packs(
     if emu_profiles is None:
         emu_profiles = load_emulator_profiles(emulators_dir)
     base_dest = config.get("base_destination", "")
+    # Each part cuts the platform's own entries from the full profiles. The
+    # extras are collected once here, already without the cores' game data.
+    cut = (
+        without_game_data(config, emu_profiles, data_registry, target_cores)
+        if no_game_data else None
+    )
     if source == "platform":
         all_extras = []
     elif emu_profiles:
         all_extras = _collect_emulator_extras(
-            config, emulators_dir, db, set(), base_dest, emu_profiles,
+            cut.config if cut else config, emulators_dir, db, set(), base_dest,
+            cut.profiles if cut else emu_profiles,
             target_cores=target_cores, include_all=(source == "truth"),
         )
     else:
         all_extras = []
+    if cut is not None and source != "platform":
+        _report_left_out(cut, systems=set(), cores=True)
     results = []
     for group_name, group_system_ids in sorted(groups.items()):
         group_extras = _extras_for_systems(all_extras, group_system_ids)
@@ -1952,6 +2002,7 @@ def generate_split_packs(
             one_per_slot=one_per_slot,
             offline=offline,
             pack_name=f"{part_prefix}_{_name_part(group_name, '_')}_BIOS_Pack.zip",
+            no_game_data=no_game_data,
         )
         if zip_path:
             results.append(zip_path)
@@ -1975,6 +2026,7 @@ def generate_split_packs(
             precomputed_extras=undistributed, extras_only=True, source=source,
             regions=regions, target_name=target_name, one_per_slot=one_per_slot,
             offline=offline, pack_name=f"{part_prefix}_Other_Cores_BIOS_Pack.zip",
+            no_game_data=no_game_data,
         )
         if zip_path:
             results.append(zip_path)
@@ -2411,6 +2463,12 @@ def _validate_args(args: argparse.Namespace, parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) ->
         if args.split:
             parser.error("--system is incompatible with --split")
 
+    # Game data is categorized against a platform's list and the cores it
+    # runs: a pack of one emulator or of a system's emulators has neither.
+    if getattr(args, "no_game_data", False) and not (has_platform or has_all):
+        parser.error("--no-game-data requires --platform or --all")
+    if getattr(args, "no_game_data", False) and has_from_md5:
+        parser.error("--no-game-data is incompatible with --from-md5")
     if getattr(args, "one_per_slot", False):
         if has_from_md5:
             parser.error("--one-per-slot and --from-md5 are mutually exclusive")
@@ -2483,6 +2541,7 @@ def _run_manifest_mode(
                     ),
                     offline=args.offline,
                     required_only=required_only,
+                    no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
                 )
                 narrow_suffix = "".join(
                     tag.lower()
@@ -2492,6 +2551,7 @@ def _run_manifest_mode(
                         _platform_target(representative, args.target, args.platforms_dir),
                         False,
                         required_only,
+                        no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
                     )
                 )
                 out_path = os.path.join(
@@ -2591,6 +2651,7 @@ def _run_verify_packs(args: argparse.Namespace) -> None:
         verify_regions,
         args.target,
         ALL_VARIANTS if args.all_variants else (("full", False),),
+        no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
     )
     on_disk = (
         set(os.listdir(args.output_dir)) if os.path.isdir(args.output_dir) else set()
@@ -2641,6 +2702,7 @@ def _run_verify_packs(args: argparse.Namespace) -> None:
                 target_cores=tc,
                 source=source,
                 required_only=required_only,
+                no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
             )
             (ok, _checked, _present, errors, bl_checked, bl_present,
              core_checked, core_present, bl_excluded, bl_absent) = result
@@ -2788,6 +2850,7 @@ def _run_platform_packs(
                         target_name=named_target,
                         one_per_slot=args.one_per_slot,
                         offline=args.offline,
+                        no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
                     )
                     print(f"  Split into {len(zip_paths)} packs")
                 else:
@@ -2806,6 +2869,7 @@ def _run_platform_packs(
                                 named_target,
                                 args.one_per_slot,
                                 required_only,
+                                no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
                             )
                         )
                         stem = _platform_pack_stem(
@@ -2834,6 +2898,7 @@ def _run_platform_packs(
                         one_per_slot=args.one_per_slot,
                         offline=args.offline,
                         pack_name=group_name,
+                        no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
                     )
             except (FileNotFoundError, OSError, yaml.YAMLError) as e:
                 print(f"  ERROR: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
@@ -2856,6 +2921,7 @@ def _run_platform_packs(
         data_registry=data_registry,
         regions=getattr(args, "regions", None),
         target_name=args.target,
+        no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
     )
     if args.split:
         for entry in os.listdir(args.output_dir):
@@ -2890,6 +2956,7 @@ def _refuse_for_all_variants(args: argparse.Namespace, parser: argparse.Argument
     for flag, given in (
         ("--source", args.source is not None),
         ("--required-only", args.required_only),
+        ("--no-game-data", getattr(args, "no_game_data", False)),
         ("--emulator", args.emulator),
         ("--from-md5", args.from_md5 or args.from_md5_file),
     ):
@@ -2978,7 +3045,10 @@ def _refuse_unapplied_flags(args: argparse.Namespace, parser: argparse.ArgumentP
 QUICK_MODE_FLAGS: dict[str, set[str]] = {
     # Checks packs already on disk against the platform's own list, narrowed
     # by region and target and by nothing else.
-    "--verify-packs": {"--platform", "--all", "--target", "--region", "--include-archived"},
+    "--verify-packs": {
+        "--platform", "--all", "--target", "--region", "--include-archived",
+        "--no-game-data",
+    },
     # One manifest per hardware target, from the target files themselves.
     "--manifest-targets": set(),
     "--list": set(),
@@ -3005,6 +3075,7 @@ def _given_flags(args: argparse.Namespace) -> set[str]:
         "--from-md5": args.from_md5,
         "--from-md5-file": args.from_md5_file,
         "--required-only": args.required_only,
+        "--no-game-data": getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
         "--source": args.source is not None,
         "--target": args.target,
         "--region": args.region,
@@ -3107,6 +3178,12 @@ def _main(held: contextlib.ExitStack) -> None:
         action="store_true",
         help="Only include required files, skip optional",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--no-game-data",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="Leave out game data (the platform's entries a core reads as a "
+        "game's files, and the cores' game data files): firmware only",
+    )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--source",
         choices=["platform", "truth", "full"],
@@ -3860,6 +3937,10 @@ def _manifest_core_entries(
                 pack_only_sizes.append(file_size)
             continue
 
+        if is_game_data(fe) and all(
+            is_game_data(claim) for claim in fe.get("other_claims", [])
+        ):
+            entry["category"] = GAME_DATA
         _attach_claims(
             entry, fe.get("other_claims", []), db, bios_dir, zip_contents,
             offline, required_only, validation_index, owners, dest,
@@ -4027,12 +4108,17 @@ def generate_manifest(
     required_only: bool = False,
     data_registry: dict | None = None,
     fold_case: bool | None = None,
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> dict:
     """Generate a JSON manifest for a platform (same resolution as generate_pack).
 
     Returns a dict ready for JSON serialization with file inventory,
     install hints, and download metadata. ``fold_case`` overrides the
     platform's ``case_insensitive_fs``, for the case variants below.
+
+    A file that is a game's data, not firmware, carries ``"category":
+    "game_data"``, so the installer can leave it out as the builder does
+    under ``no_game_data``. Firmware carries no category.
     """
     config = load_platform_config(platform_name, platforms_dir)
     if fold_case is not None:
@@ -4041,6 +4127,15 @@ def generate_manifest(
         zip_contents = {}
     if emu_profiles is None:
         emu_profiles = load_emulator_profiles(emulators_dir)
+    if data_registry is None:
+        data_registry = load_data_dir_registry(platforms_dir)
+    full_profiles = emu_profiles
+    game_entries: set[int] = set()
+    if no_game_data:
+        cut = without_game_data(config, emu_profiles, data_registry, target_cores)
+        config, emu_profiles = cut.config, cut.profiles
+    else:
+        game_entries = platform_game_data(config, emu_profiles, data_registry)
 
     platform_display = config.get("platform", platform_name)
     base_dest = config.get("base_destination", "")
@@ -4073,6 +4168,16 @@ def generate_manifest(
         platform_cores=plat_cores,
     )
 
+    # A destination is game data when every declaration of it is: a firmware
+    # declaration of the same path keeps it in a pack built without game data.
+    declared_kinds: dict[str, set[bool]] = {}
+    for system in pack_systems.values():
+        for fe in system.get("files", []):
+            bare = sanitize_pack_path(fe.get("destination", fe.get("name", "")))
+            if bare:
+                declared_kinds.setdefault(bare, set()).add(id(fe) in game_entries)
+    game_destinations = {d for d, kinds in declared_kinds.items() if kinds == {True}}
+
     seen_destinations: set[str] = set()
     # Destination -> (entry, full destination, manifest destination) of each
     # platform file, for the core claims a target build would fall back on.
@@ -4090,8 +4195,6 @@ def generate_manifest(
     # collection does not index them, a data directory cache answered.
     pack_only_sizes: list[int] = []
     rename_notes: set[str] = set()
-    if data_registry is None:
-        data_registry = load_data_dir_registry(platforms_dir)
     slot_overrides = slots.pack_overrides(
         config, emu_profiles, db, zip_contents, data_registry,
         target_cores=target_cores, source=source,
@@ -4134,6 +4237,11 @@ def generate_manifest(
             # drops the same fallback.
             **selection.fields(bare, str(file_entry.get("name") or "")),
             **({"held": True} if bare in builder_held else {}),
+            **(
+                {"category": GAME_DATA}
+                if (bare in game_destinations if cores is None else is_game_data(file_entry))
+                else {}
+            ),
         }
 
     # Read by the region grouping and by phase 2 with the same arguments.
@@ -4299,6 +4407,8 @@ def generate_manifest(
                     local_path, dest, None, db, repo_root,
                     selection.fields(dest, file_entry["name"]),
                 )
+                if entry is not None and dest in game_destinations:
+                    entry["category"] = GAME_DATA
                 if entry is not None and target_cores is None:
                     order = declaration_order(full_dest)
                     if full_dest in slot_choices or len(order) > 1:
@@ -4364,6 +4474,10 @@ def generate_manifest(
         if declared and declared != set(entry.get("systems") or []):
             entry["declared_in"] = sorted(declared)
         claims = baseline_claims.get(key, {}).get("other_claims")
+        if claims and any(not is_game_data(claim) for claim in claims):
+            # A core reads this path as firmware: a pack without game data
+            # still fills it.
+            entry.pop("category", None)
         if claims:
             _attach_claims(
                 entry, claims, db, bios_dir, zip_contents, offline, required_only,
@@ -4409,6 +4523,10 @@ def generate_manifest(
         # Absent on an unfiltered manifest rather than empty, to leave the
         # twelve default files byte-identical.
         **({"target": target_name} if target_name else {}),
+        # Every game data file below says so: the installer's --no-game-data
+        # relies on it, and refuses a list that does not record categories.
+        "categorized": True,
+        **({"no_game_data": True} if no_game_data else {}),
         "platform": platform_name,
         "display_name": platform_display,
         "version": "1.0",
@@ -4448,9 +4566,9 @@ def generate_manifest(
         # or macOS too, stays folded.
         kept = generate_manifest(
             platform_name, platforms_dir, db, bios_dir, registry_path,
-            emulators_dir, zip_contents, emu_profiles, target_cores, source,
+            emulators_dir, zip_contents, full_profiles, target_cores, source,
             regions, target_name, offline, required_only, data_registry,
-            fold_case=False,
+            fold_case=False, no_game_data=no_game_data,
         )
         folded = {entry["dest"] for entry in manifest_files}
         folded_lower = {dest.lower() for dest in folded}
@@ -4624,6 +4742,7 @@ def _expected_pack_names(
     regions: list[str] | None,
     target_name: str | None,
     variants: tuple[tuple[str, bool], ...] = (("full", False),),
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> dict[str, set[str]]:
     """Exact pack file names --verify-packs may check, per platform.
 
@@ -4638,7 +4757,9 @@ def _expected_pack_names(
         return [
             "".join(
                 tag
-                for tag, _label in _narrowings(source, regions, named, False, required)
+                for tag, _label in _narrowings(
+                    source, regions, named, False, required, no_game_data=no_game_data
+                )
             )
             for source, required in variants
         ]
@@ -4767,6 +4888,7 @@ def verify_and_finalize_packs(
     regions: list[str] | None = None,
     target_name: str | None = None,
     emulators_dir: str = "emulators",
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> bool:
     """Verify all packs, inject manifests, generate SHA256SUMS.
 
@@ -4783,7 +4905,9 @@ def verify_and_finalize_packs(
     # substring: a _Custom or regional pack left by another run was judged
     # against this run's expectation and failed it.
     registered = list_registered_platforms(platforms_dir, include_archived=True)
-    expected = _expected_pack_names(registered, platforms_dir, regions, target_name)
+    expected = _expected_pack_names(
+        registered, platforms_dir, regions, target_name, no_game_data=no_game_data
+    )
     pack_to_platform: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
     for name in _pack_archives(output_dir):
         for pname in registered:
@@ -4837,6 +4961,7 @@ def verify_and_finalize_packs(
                 regions=regions,
                 data_registry=data_registry,
                 target_cores=_target_cores_for(pname, target_name, platforms_dir),
+                no_game_data=no_game_data,
             )
             status = "OK" if p_ok else "FAILED"
             exclusion_note = "".join(
diff --git a/scripts/packverify.py b/scripts/packverify.py
index d4aa29bf..c52f466b 100644
--- a/scripts/packverify.py
+++ b/scripts/packverify.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from nativemode import reads_file_contents
 import region as region_mod
 from packresolve import resolve_file
 from exporter.candidates import BIOS, EntryCategories
+from gamedata import without_game_data
 from common import resolve_platform_cores
 from common import sanitize_pack_path
 import zipfile
@@ -634,6 +635,7 @@ def verify_pack_against_platform(
     target_cores: set[str] | None = None,
     source: str = "full",
     required_only: bool = False,
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> tuple[bool, int, int, list[str], int, int, int, int, int, int]:
     """Verify a pack ZIP against its platform config and core requirements.
 
@@ -644,6 +646,8 @@ def verify_pack_against_platform(
     ``required_only`` are the variant the pack was built as: a platform-only
     pack is held to the platform's list alone, a truth pack to the cores'
     files alone, and a required-only pack to the required entries of both.
+    ``no_game_data`` holds the pack to the firmware alone, cut as the
+    builder cuts it.
 
     Checks:
     1. Every baseline file declared by the platform exists in the ZIP
@@ -657,7 +661,7 @@ def verify_pack_against_platform(
     baseline_present, core_checked, core_present, baseline_excluded,
     baseline_absent)``. ``baseline_absent`` counts destinations the collection
     holds no file for that are a game's data or that no core the platform
-    runs opens; verify.py counts them apart from firmware.
+    runs opens. verify.py counts them apart from firmware.
     """
 
     config = load_platform_config(platform_name, platforms_dir)
@@ -668,6 +672,9 @@ def verify_pack_against_platform(
 
     if emu_profiles is None:
         emu_profiles = load_emulator_profiles(emulators_dir)
+    if no_game_data:
+        cut = without_game_data(config, emu_profiles, data_registry, target_cores)
+        config, emu_profiles = cut.config, cut.profiles
 
     expected_systems = config.get("systems", {})
     if target_cores is not None:
diff --git a/scripts/verify.py b/scripts/verify.py
index 26187b60..6b6b654c 100644
--- a/scripts/verify.py
+++ b/scripts/verify.py
@@ -1121,14 +1121,33 @@ def verify_platform(
     data_dir_registry: dict | None = None,
     regions: list[str] | None = None,
     system_filter: list[str] | None = None,
+    no_game_data: bool = False,
 ) -> dict:
     """Verify all BIOS files for a platform, including cross-reference gaps.
 
+    ``no_game_data`` reports on the pack built with --no-game-data: the
+    game data cut as the builder cuts it, and named in ``left_out``.
+
     A region priority list narrows the report to the files a pack built with the
     same list would carry, using the same selection function as the builder.
     ``system_filter`` does the same for a pack built with --system: the
     systems it keeps and the core extras those systems own.
     """
+    left_out: list[str] = []
+    if no_game_data:
+        from gamedata import without_game_data
+
+        if emu_profiles is None:
+            emu_profiles = load_emulator_profiles(emulators_dir)
+        cut = without_game_data(config, emu_profiles, data_dir_registry, target_cores)
+        config, emu_profiles = cut.config, cut.profiles
+        systems = config.get("systems", {})
+        in_scope = set(select_systems(systems, system_filter) if system_filter else systems)
+        cut.left_out = [
+            item for item in cut.left_out
+            if item.layer == "core" or item.system in in_scope
+        ]
+        left_out = cut.report_lines()
     # Normalized once: a typo in a platform YAML must not verify with one
     # mode and be scored with another.
     mode = normalize_mode(config.get("verification_mode"))
@@ -1524,6 +1543,7 @@ def verify_platform(
         "undeclared_files": undeclared,
         "exclusion_notes": exclusions,
         "region_fallbacks": sorted(region_fallbacks),
+        **({"left_out": left_out} if no_game_data else {}),
         "details": details,
         "ground_truth_coverage": {
             "with_validation": with_validation,
@@ -1833,6 +1853,8 @@ def print_platform_result(
         # them missing, as an offline build leaves them out.
         shown = ", ".join(fetched[:10]) + (f" (+{len(fetched) - 10})" if len(fetched) > 10 else "")
         print(f"  Release assets fetched when the pack is built ({len(fetched)}): {shown}")
+    for line in result.get("left_out") or []:
+        print(f"  {line}")
     fallbacks = result.get("region_fallbacks") or []
     if fallbacks:
         from packreadme import _group_label
@@ -2539,6 +2561,7 @@ def _refuse_listing_narrowings(
         ("--verbose", args.verbose),
         ("--destinations", args.destinations),
         ("--offline", args.offline),
+        ("--no-game-data", getattr(args, "no_game_data", False)),
     ):
         if on:
             parser.error(f"{flag} is incompatible with {listing}")
@@ -2562,6 +2585,9 @@ def _refuse_mode_flags(args: argparse.Namespace, parser: argparse.ArgumentParser
          "--destinations requires --platform or --all"),
         (args.offline and not (args.platform or args.all),
          "--offline requires --platform or --all"),
+        # Game data is categorized against a platform's list and its cores.
+        (getattr(args, "no_game_data", False) and not (args.platform or args.all),
+         "--no-game-data requires --platform or --all"),
         (args.destinations and getattr(args, "region", None),
          "--destinations describes the full pack and is incompatible with --region"),
     ):
@@ -2622,6 +2648,11 @@ def _main(held: contextlib.ExitStack) -> None:
         action="store_true",
         help="List available targets for the platform",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--no-game-data", action="store_true",
+        help="Report on the pack built with --no-game-data: game data left "
+        "out and named, firmware only",
+    )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--db", default=DEFAULT_DB,
         help="database file to read (default: %(default)s)",
@@ -2783,6 +2814,7 @@ def _main(held: contextlib.ExitStack) -> None:
             data_dir_registry=data_registry,
             regions=requested_regions,
             system_filter=platform_systems,
+            no_game_data=getattr(args, "no_game_data", False),
         )
         names = [
             load_platform_config(p, args.platforms_dir).get("platform", p)
diff --git a/tests/test_e2e.py b/tests/test_e2e.py
index 566d9c13..c744c2e5 100644
--- a/tests/test_e2e.py
+++ b/tests/test_e2e.py
@@ -6003,6 +6003,7 @@ struct BurnDriver BurnDrvneogeo = {
             {"target_name": "switch"},
             {"one_per_slot": True},
             {"required_only": True},
+            {"no_game_data": True},
         ]
         for kwargs in dimensions:
             applied = _narrowings(
@@ -6011,6 +6012,7 @@ struct BurnDriver BurnDrvneogeo = {
                 kwargs.get("target_name"),
                 kwargs.get("one_per_slot", False),
                 kwargs.get("required_only", False),
+                no_game_data=kwargs.get("no_game_data", False),
             )
             self.assertEqual(len(applied), 1, kwargs)
             tag, label = applied[0]
@@ -6136,6 +6138,19 @@ struct BurnDriver BurnDrvneogeo = {
             # Documented as adding core files, read by nothing.
             (["--emulator", "handy"], ["--include-extras"], "refuse"),
             (["--system", "atari-lynx"], ["--include-extras"], "refuse"),
+            # Game data is categorized against a platform's list and the
+            # cores it runs: the modes without a platform refuse it, and
+            # --all-variants builds its own fixed set.
+            (["--emulator", "handy"], ["--no-game-data"], "refuse"),
+            (["--system", "atari-lynx"], ["--no-game-data"], "refuse"),
+            (["--platform", "retroarch", "--from-md5", "d8f1"], ["--no-game-data"],
+             "refuse"),
+            (["--from-md5", "d8f1"], ["--no-game-data"], "refuse"),
+            (["--manifest-targets"], ["--no-game-data"], "refuse"),
+            (["--platform", "retroarch", "--all-variants"], ["--no-game-data"],
+             "refuse"),
+            (["--list-systems"], ["--no-game-data"], "refuse"),
+            (["--list"], ["--no-game-data"], "refuse"),
         ]
         for mode, flag, expected in matrix:
             with self.subTest(mode=mode, flag=flag):
diff --git a/tests/test_verify_listing.py b/tests/test_verify_listing.py
index 893ccec5..e58b0292 100644
--- a/tests/test_verify_listing.py
+++ b/tests/test_verify_listing.py
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ class VerifyRefusesWhatAModeDoesNotRead(unittest.TestCase):
         (("--platform", "retroarch"), "--include-archived"),
         (("--emulator", "handy"), "--include-archived"),
         (("--platform", "retroarch"), "--standalone"),
+        # Game data is categorized against a platform's list and its cores.
+        (("--emulator", "handy"), "--no-game-data"),
+        (("--system", "atari-lynx"), "--no-game-data"),
+        (("--list-systems",), "--no-game-data"),
     )
 
     def test_each_combination_is_refused(self):