Anyone have tips for spotting fake GBA games?

BerserkerBerserker
in Help Wanted!
Got one from ebay. Pokemon Fire Red.

When I compared it to my Leaf Green I noticed:



There were no codes imprinted on the label.

The clarity level of the carts were different.

The boards inside were different.

(It also booted differently, but I'm looking for cosmetic signs. Especially ones that don't require comparison.)



Link of the Fire Red I bought...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120872711677?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

Comments

  • removed04092017removed04092017
    A really shitty label with the wrong games graphics usually does it for the really shitty ones.
  • ocdgamerocdgamer
    Not to region profile, but stick to USA sales only. That won't protect you 100 but it will weed out a lot of fakes. Also the labels are a bit off if you compare a known original to the one you are buying. All the Pokemon labels I've seen are not the same as the original.
  • BerserkerBerserker
    Added a link to the Fire Red I bought. (Label looks fine to me...)
  • removed04092017removed04092017
    Well the holes on the connector should have been a dead give away, Nintendo would never do that. Plus the label doesn't look good, it's not glossy at all. Probably worse in real life though. It's also very very crooked.
  • spoonmanspoonman

    Originally posted by: Berserker



    Got one from ebay. Pokemon Fire Red.

    When I compared it to my Leaf Green I noticed:



    There were no codes imprinted on the label.

    The clarity level of the carts were different.

    The boards inside were different.

    (It also booted differently, but I'm looking for cosmetic signs. Especially ones that don't require comparison.)



    Link of the Fire Red I bought...

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/120872711677?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:I...

    There are some tips/comparison pics here too

    http://www.videogameobsession.com/videogame/hk/GBA_boots



    The easiest way to tell for sure without opening the cart seems to be the pin stamping on the contacts.


  • VGS_captmorgandrinkerVGS_captmorgandrinker
    Have you filed a paypal claim yet?
  • NightowljrmNightowljrm
    Just to give the benefit of the doubt, maybe the seller didn't know...
  • BerserkerBerserker
    Yeah, it seems like the seller didn't know. And it was for a friend, who doesn't care, so no action will be taken.
  • DxSDxS

    Originally posted by: Berserker



    Yeah, it seems like the seller didn't know. And it was for a friend, who doesn't care, so no action will be taken.







    Your friend may not care now, but what about a few months from now when he/she starts the game up and finds that the save file is gone?



    Legitimate Fire Red carts don't need batteries to retain save data. They also keep two save files backed up on the flash chip, so if the 1st gets corrupted somehow, the game will load the 2nd.
  • NightowljrmNightowljrm

    Originally posted by: DxS




    Originally posted by: Berserker



    Yeah, it seems like the seller didn't know. And it was for a friend, who doesn't care, so no action will be taken.







    Your friend may not care now, but what about a few months from now when he/she starts the game up and finds that the save file is gone?



    Legitimate Fire Red carts don't need batteries to retain save data. They also keep two save files backed up on the flash chip, so if the 1st gets corrupted somehow, the game will load the 2nd.



    That's interesting to know... that explains a few things with other pirate cartridges I've seen.
  • VGS_captmorgandrinkerVGS_captmorgandrinker

    Originally posted by: DxS




    Originally posted by: Berserker



    Yeah, it seems like the seller didn't know. And it was for a friend, who doesn't care, so no action will be taken.







    Your friend may not care now, but what about a few months from now when he/she starts the game up and finds that the save file is gone?



    Legitimate Fire Red carts don't need batteries to retain save data. They also keep two save files backed up on the flash chip, so if the 1st gets corrupted somehow, the game will load the 2nd.

    This exactly.   Or corrupt saves.



    And I'm not suggesting the seller knew that this was a pirate, but had I unknowingly sold a pirate that's worthless like that, I'd be more than happy to fully refund.




  • removed04092017removed04092017
    Actually I think pirates are worth more. Well, for NES maybe, but GBA does seem to have more of them so they may be worthless.
  • AlderAlder
    This may be irrelevant if you're buying it online, but if you see the game in person, check under the top plastic piece (the one with the label)... on the underside, there is a code engraved on legitimate copies; pirates usually don't have these. And the labels are often slightly different.
  • TaiTai
    all of the pokemon games gb-gba are heavily pirated, i have also come across a pirate minish cap, label was completely different.
  • rokubungirokubungi
    so are final fantasy 4,6 and the mario advance games.
  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos
    It's sometimes hard to tell from just a photo, but if you know the differences, ask 1,000 questions to the seller if you got to.



    Some differences may include labels, info on the pcb (real ones have the Nintendo name on them WITH the oval around it with a part #, most pirates either have just the name with no oval and no part #, or nothing at all), the font on the carts themselves (front and back logos), contacts are different, and overall the build quality is different.



    If you want, I do collect pirates, and I'm willing to go in on a trade if you don't want your pirated Pokemon (Yes, I do have a real one). Shoot me a PM.
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