how to know if a box is fake or not

luke9511

hey everyone! been a long time since i last posted! i am finally at a better financial point in my life and can now starting getting boxed copies of games i grew up with so probably 15-20 games max,



but i recently saw a game on ebay that was just the game and box no inserts and i figured it might be fake but i would get it anyway as its a game i like (tetris for nes),



but how do i tell if the box is fake or not? i am currently at work but will be heading home soon so i can post the pictures from the auction once i get home but i just wanted your input!



anyway til then take care all!



 

rockyyaknow

Can't imagine there would be many if any Tetris counterfeit boxes out there. Many times they are obviously fake with cheaper artwork or different colors than the originals even font differences. Can always look up online to compare what a real one should look like. Always could post on here as well with pictures for everyone on here to see. But in most cases common titles should be safe. But weirder things have happened.

Gex

Originally posted by: luke9511



but i recently saw a game on ebay that was just the game and box no inserts and i figured it might be fake but i would get it anyway as its a game i like (tetris for nes),

It's not a problem for $10 CIB games, moreso an issue for new collectors who nosedive into rares. They see something like CIB Hagane get posted for a good deal, pull the trigger and spend crazy $$ without hesitating. They receive the CIB and immediately notice it's fake, new collector starts a claim stating its a reproduction and will most likely lose because eBays claim policy with fake collectibles is a joke.

Let's Sing 2016

Exactly what was said above! The vast majority of games on any system are highly unlikely to have any sort of boxes faked for them. The economics of it for a would-be scammer just don't add up. The only instance where you should at all be concerned is if it is a roughly $500 or more game for NES, SNES, N64 and possibly a few other systems such as the Genesis and Neo Geo, and some Atari boxes. Those are the systems that have 99% of the fake/repro/whatever copies, and even then it is usually only on "rarer"/high-dollar titles. You just don't see anybody faking boxes for the Emerson Arcadia, Telstar Arcade, Phillips CD-I, etc.



It will also help if the copy of whatever game you're hoping to buy also comes with the manual and any other paperwork that might have been included back in the day. Those items are a lot less likely to be faked.



Also, consider buying less than mint copies. One reason that a few collectors actually do like vintage store tags and stickers on boxes is that they are much more likely to confirm that a particular box is indeed something from back in the day. A box with minor tears, bends, etc is also much more likely to be real.

Mega Tank

Be like Gloves and eat a piece of it. If it tastes like old cardboard, you are good, legit box for your Nintender tape.

luke9511

here is the pictures from ebay, if you need me to i can get better ones

DefaultGen

There has never been a realer Tetris box.

rockyyaknow

100% real. As it sure be. Would be ridiculous to make a fake one.

coffeewithmrsaturn

Spend some time searching and you will run across plenty of boxes and/or inserts with no cartridge. Enjoy!

Oneinchbiceps

Looks good to me.

pujolsfan

Buy a few games and you'll be able to tell the difference.

Maertens29

This is a reality that I don't ever think about, being a veteran and all. Being a new collector in 2019 would be terrifying haha. You'd basically have to buy fakes just so you can learn how to tell the differences.

fsped09

Thats a real box!