A Guide: Are Your GBA Games Bootleg?

[SkyGheNe]

I saw a thread on bootleg games and thought this was good to post. Thanks to slash at penny-arcade.com for organizing the information and spreading the news.

Before you start bidding for a GBA game on Ebay, consider this information. GBA bootlegging is becoming a notorious problem on Ebay, so I compiled a small presentation on how to spot the bootlegs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/xetrov99/pirate2.jpg

The most obvious identifier is the wrong label on the game. If you get a GBA game on ebay, make sure that the correct labels are on there. Here, the Fusion and CastleVania labels are incorrect.

Secondly, many bootlegs have the wrong color plastic made for their carts. You can see that the CastleVania cartridge color is slightly darker than the legitimate Zelda cart.

Third, legit GBA carts actually have a small number imprinted on the label. This is usually only visible by reflecting some light off the label and looking closely at it. Bootleg GBA carts don't often have these imprinted labels.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/xetrov99/pirate1.jpg

Here are two photos of the Gameboy Advance logo at the top on the front of GBA carts. You can see that the bootlegged cart has a noticeably different style to it - smaller font, and it has a very obvious circle around the text. It is usually imprinted deeper than the legit logos, too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/xetrov99/pirate3.jpg

Here are two photos of the 'grips' at the top of GBA carts. As you can see, legitimate GBA carts' grips smoothly dissappear into the plastic. The bootleg carts' grips almost always end abruptly in a sharp corner, as shown.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/xetrov99/pirate4.jpg

Probably the second most obvious way to tell if a GBA cart is bootlegged is by looking at the back side of it. Bootleg carts will not have the Pat.Pend or Made in Japan text imprinted, and the model number will be in the wrong font. Furthermore, the Nintendo logo is also slightly wrong, and in some cases (as shown) misspelled. Lastly, the bootlegs have a deeper indentation of this information on back.

Lastly, most GBA bootlegs come from Sellers in Hong Kong, China, and otherwise come with no manual or box. So if you find a good deal on a game, and it comes without a manual or box and the Seller is from China - check for these above listed signs for bootlegs.

Ebay GBA bootlegs may have any combination of the above boot-leg identifiers. Most, however, are only identifiable by the 'sharp' versus 'smooth' thumb tab, and the back side of the cart.


So consider these warning signs before bidding on what appears to be a good deal on Ebay. Trust me, you do not want to wind up with one of these things - saved files last in their memory for about a week before they corrupt and vanish. This is such a vast problem that it's starting to infiltrate used sections at game stores - I've seen bootlegged Metroids in the used section at GameStops - no doubt traded in by someone fed up with their saved files being corrupted every 6 or 7 days. So, be wary of the games that USA sellers might post, as well. Better safe than sorry.


===========================
*******__UPDATE___**********
===========================

Ziggymon wrote:
Bought a copy of Pokemon Emerald over the weekend and found out that it is indeed a pirate. Luckly i managed to get a refund from the shop i purchased it from (UK), but i was completely stumped to the quality of this pirated copy. After reading a topic on here about 6 months ago about eBay and non legal GBA games i thought i was pretty aware of what to look out for in terms of 'nintondo' on back of cart, bad colour artwork on front, laminated box etc. (Had seen these types of copied games before in stores).

now let me tell you what features this game had when comparing it to an actual Pokemon Emerald game (imported from a specialist):

Box art was exact to the original artwork sans the connectivity logo at the bottom conrner, this included the holofoil style background and colour scheme, the box was also not poor lamination but the same as those used on actual nintendo GBA boxes.
The box was sealed using similar plastic to those used on actual GBA games.

The cartridge was exactly the same as the original, with Nintendo logo on back and patent code same. The only difference i noticed on this was that it was slightly more difficult to fit the cartridge into the GBA slot on a Nintendo DS (fitted fine on a Nintendo SP though).

The only aspect that pointed to me that the version i purchased at the weekend wasn't a legal copy was the instructions and the lack or promotional leaflets inside. The instructions didn't have Pokemon written on the cover and had only about 6 pages with a badly written explaination into playing the game. The layout and artwork was the same as the original.

So I'd seriously advise anyone buying or importing GBA games, to check them carefully and take these things into account now to stop you getting fooled like i did. Others may not be so lucky to get a refund.
I managed to contact the shop owner who after pointing out the differences to the original copy was shocked as he is a local but respected wholesaler of videogames to have been fooled aswell.
I'm going to ask the owner if i can take some photos later in the week if he still has the copy.

Just a Heads up to you guys.

Note: if this is in anyway against the rules (i know that pirated games are touchy waters) then please lock this.






*****UPDATE*****

From SOSTrooper's post...

One of the old ways to tell whether a cart is a bootleg or not is to look inside right above where the metallic contacts are to see if there is a white printing of @2001 Nintendo and some numbers. Like this picture here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sostrooper/sale/sfa33.jpg


If it is there, most likely it's legit, if not, you probably got gypped. Not sure how this method is a sure proof nowadays. I would call Nintendo again like someone said to see if another rep say the same thing. That rep could've been just trying to brush you off the phone because he/she doesn't want to handle such a case, or maybe they get soooo many calls nowadays regarding the same thing that they are aware of the situation but wants to get you off the phone and be happy knowing you 'might' have a legit cart.

For more information regarding piracy and how to spot differences in battery's and physical appearance, visit http://ap.nintendo.com/.

[rabidmonkeys]

As someone who has only dabbled in the GB/GBC/GBA/GBASP scene, this thread made me realize just how little I knew about this subject. A great post, for sure OP.

[rabidmonkeys]

Edit: no idea why it posted twice. please delete this one.

[judyjudyjudy]

I'm surprised they don't mention this stuff above the contacts, which I think are still the best and easiest way to see if it's bootleg or not. There was a post with a good picture of this recently...
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1046274&postcount=25
Maybe someone else can add that information to the OP. And don't forget Nintendo's anti-piracy site.
http://ap.nintendo.com/


Edited to add:
Here's an older post from SOSTrooper with another good pic of the contacts:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sostrooper/sale/rcrex2.jpg

In case anybody needs a visual for what Wet Ninja said. Right above the metallic contacts, you can see a white printing of @2001 Nintendo and some numbers. If its there, then most likely its a legit cart.

[RelentlessRolento]

good article. It's fun to see all the little details of how things look differently when looked with a good eye.

[rynomite]

My experience with bootlegged GBA games on ebay involved Yoshi's Island. It came with the box but no instructions. The front of the box depicted Yoshi's Island but the back of the box showed screen shots from Super Mario World. And the game had massive slowdown.

[Chacrana]

Ebay has got a metric shitload of pirated GBA games... hell, I can't really even find a copy of stuff I'm looking for save for those $6.99 pirate carts. The easiest way to tell if their bootleg is that there's a bunch of the carts listed for $6.99 or $7.99... enough to be suspicious. Then, there should be terrible inguurish like "Game include cartridge and box is fold so as to avoid the crushing." Then, there's typically, but not always, a location in China or Taiwan or something.

[DT778]

Logo in the front doesn't really help. I'm looking at some of my boots and they have the "legit" logo.
And the back of them all look legit except for one that has the font too thin.

The best way to tell, like others have mentioned, is the contacts.

[rebenns]

It amazes me that someone goes through the trouble of duplicating a GBA cart, yet lets such obvious "tells", such as the Nintondo, missing writing on back, or, in the one example, a poorly written manual. This is equivalent to making fake money, but with the wrong presidents on the bills. Why, if someone has the resources to make a convincing duplicate, would they make such stupid blunders?

[SkyGheNe]

I'm surprised they don't mention this stuff above the contacts, which I think are still the best and easiest way to see if it's bootleg or not. There was a post with a good picture of this recently...
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1046274&postcount=25
Maybe someone else can add that information to the OP. And don't forget Nintendo's anti-piracy site.
http://ap.nintendo.com/


Edited to add:
Here's an older post from SOSTrooper with another good pic of the contacts:

I'll add it into the OP. Thanks for calling attention to it!

[ericx]

nintondo. in spanish if you split up nintondo to nin and tondo and replace the D to a T you'll get tonto. tonto in spanish means dumb or stupid, so i guess the maker of the bootleg must be saying the buyer must be stupid for not knowing it's a bootleg. that's what i think.

Also, will gamestop or ebgames ever take a gba bootleg? I don't own any bootlegs, but i want to see there reactions.

[SkyGheNe]

nintondo. in spanish if you split up nintondo to nin and tondo and replace the D to a T you'll get tonto. tonto in spanish means dumb or stupid, so i guess the maker of the bootleg must be saying the buyer must be stupid for not knowing it's a bootleg. that's what i think.

Also, will gamestop or ebgames ever take a gba bootleg? I don't own any bootlegs, but i want to see there reactions.

Most people working are ignorant of bootleg GBA carts. They don't even check. I've seen so many bootleg copies at gamestop which is why I only purchase sealed/games here.

[D4rkewolfe]

Yes, this is defnitely a problem and not only online as Sky mentioned. Me and my friend recently were at EBgames and I immediatly spotted a pirated GBA game. They didn't even try in this one, it was a warped DKC 2 picture with no seal of approval or an ESRB rating. Yes it still was there and at 26.99 like most GBA games.

[Rig]

Also, will gamestop or ebgames ever take a gba bootleg? I don't own any bootlegs, but i want to see there reactions.

In most cases, the clerk will not realize it is a boot, and yes, they will probably take it. I saw my first boot GBA game at the local EB last week. I promptly told the manager, who saw the game and cringed. He had a talk with his employees the next day, to show them what to look for.

[mookiemeister]

Why are GBA games so susceptable to bootlegging than disc-based games? Isn't there more money to be made in those disc-based games than cart games? A new disc game can retail $50 when it first come out. But a cart game is around $30.

[judyjudyjudy]

Not to still up trouble, and just for the record I dont think I own any bootleg's as I have not gotten any used gba games, they all came from best buy or target.

But from what I understand they look nearly the same except for these minor differences
(and with the different lables if you dont have a legit one to compare to how would you know it was wrong???) and they play the same, so who really cares??? I mean you dont need a mod chip, they play fine yes? So whats the big deal?

I guess I am not picky enough, but if you are getting basically the same product, who care's if it came from some chinese street corner or from japan?? Is there something i'm missing here ??? I mean if I had not read this post and I got one off ebay I would not have known it was not legit as long as it played fine. I'm guessing most people would be clueless to the fact. I would beat it, turn around and sell it and my luck have one of you guys jump down my ass for it, leave me neg. feedback and I would have never even understood, lol. I guess what i'm trying to say is why is this such a serious matter?
This has been discussed many times before... here's a sample thread:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41095
I think the main points are 1) you're supporting the illegal activity of pirating software and helping the game company lose money, 2) the quality sucks (batteries die early, etc.), 3) they're worthless and have no resale value (unless you count people who don't know it's a bootleg), and 4) if you're going to rip off the software, why are you even paying for a bootleg?

And I've purchased PSX bootlegs in Asia before, and I knew I was buying bootlegs. The thing about the GBA carts is that they're advertised as being legit on eBay, and a lot of people can't tell the difference. Also, with PSX/PS2 bootlegs, you need to have a modded console to play them. The GBA doesn't need any modification to play bootleg carts.

Edited to add: Last couple sentences more in reference to mookiemeister's post.

[crazyboxer12]

just don't buy any gba games from hong kong. I bought a pirated one once a couple of years ago. The rest of them I bought from stores or gaming forums

[masterh]

A quick warning - I just tested a couple of bootlegged GBA games on my Nintendo DS, and while they work fine on my GBA, the DS won't run them at all. I don't know if they're just not compatible or if Nintendo did some funky copy protection, but ...

Not to say that all bootlegs will not work in the DS, by the way. A friend has a few more bootlegs and most work on the DS. It's pretty hit-and-miss - something to watch out for, at least.

[techstar25]

I'd like to nominate this thread (or one like it) for "sticky" status. I just bought an SP, and I looked on ebay and found a ton of games from Hong Kong for very cheap, and I was about to bid, but I came here to ask about the quality of them. Unfortunately I unknowingly bought pirated DVD's on ebay (from Hong Kong) and one of them didn't work (he gave me a refund so it' okay). Because of that experience I'm not sure I'll buy anyting from Hong Kong again.
This one guy has Super Mario Bros 3 for $6.99 and Super Puzzle Fighter for $6.99, and I was about the fall for it...
Thanks for the heads up.

[stag8603]

Did Pokemon Green for the GameBoy ever come out in the US? The reason I ask is because I was in NYC back when Pokemon was popular and they had Pokemon Green for the Game Boy at an electronics store I went to. I was like "whoa, sweet". I picked it up not even thinking that I was pretty sure it didn't even come out in the US. But I played it and I was pretty sure it was fake. The next day I took it back and they gave me a refund right away. I am just curious because this just reminded me of that.

[ericx]

It was never released in the US. If it was in japanese it could have been a import.

[stag8603]

It was never released in the US. If it was in japanese it could have been a import.

Nope, it was in English.

[Quackzilla]

The only definitive way is looking at the stamp on the circuit board by the contacts, if it's there than the game is legitimate, if it is not there the game is a bootleg.

[ericx]

these games seem bootlegs. the pokemon games have always had the non gray cartridge, but i don't know for imports.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=62053&item=8198549695&rd=1

Update:
another possible bootleg? Game color.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=62053&item=8199342763&rd=1&tc=photo

link you should look at:

http://images.google.com/images?q=pokemon+green&hl=en

[gopro]

lol, im wondering if my astro boy is a bootleg or not now. I dont see the numbers inside it.

[Sailorneorune]

I think that the Japanese edition Pokémon games don't have the colored carts for their earlier versions.

Then again, I could be mistaken...

I saw a pirated Pokémon Sapphire at a local game store. I feel sorry for the dumb kid who picked it up, as it was gone the next time I visited the store.

[SkyGheNe]

these games seem bootlegs. the pokemon games have always had the non gray cartridge, but i don't know for imports.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=62053&item=8198549695&rd=1

Update:
another possible bootleg? Game color.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=62053&item=8199342763&rd=1&tc=photo

link you should look at:

http://images.google.com/images?q=pokemon+green&hl=en

Lmao that last link had me in stitches.

[axekiller]

I made a site up about GBA bootlegs. It's a little rough but it does the trick. I have had it running for about 9 months now. Here's the link -> http://axekiller.orcon.net.nz/pirate/

[jputahraptor]

A good idea if your going to buy used GBA games off of ebay is to refine your search for items only sold in the U.S., while that doesn't guarentee that all the games will be legit it will seriously increase your odds of getting an official cart.

[mookiemeister]

Does anyone know if the legit GBA carts all have number stamped on label of the cart? The reason I'm asking is that I've purchased over 30 GBA games and recently bought a complete GBA game with manual and the box. On inspection, I noticed that there is no number stamped on the label where all my other carts have. Does this mean this cart could be pirated? Or do some legit GBA carts not have a number on the cart label?

[judyjudyjudy]

Does anyone know if the legit GBA carts all have number stamped on label of the cart? The reason I'm asking is that I've purchased over 30 GBA games and recently bought a complete GBA game with manual and the box. On inspection, I noticed that there is no number stamped on the label where all my other carts have. Does this mean this cart could be pirated? Or do some legit GBA carts not have a number on the cart label?
Looking at the carts I have on hand, all my US & JPN carts have the number stamped, but I have a European one that doesn't have it. Did you check the contacts? It should still have the contact stuff no matter where it's from.

Edited to add: nm, the European cart I had also had the number stamped, so I guess they all have them?

[mookiemeister]

Ok. I just did a closer inspection and the cart does have a number (22) on the label. I guess I didn't see it before because the number was so faded because the cart is kinda worned.

[ericx]

do gba bootlegs work on the DS? i read somewhere they don't.

[axekiller]

My site is up again ;-)

[NesHavok]

aww crap I got a bootleg!! Fuzzlenuts!!

[bjlarson2]

Thank you for this thread. I would not have even thought to check the used GBA games I've purchased for signs of being bootlegs. Well, I just received a used copy of Pokemon LeafGreen that I ordered from EBGames.com and, sure enough, it had the "Nintondo" logo on the back. That, and it was a grey cartridge (the real one is green). I tried running it and the first thing it said was "Saved game file corrupted". Oddly enough, the packaging was perfect (box, full manual, wireless adapter, Nintendo promotional items, etc.).

The advantage of purchasing used games from EBGames is that I was able to go down to the physical store in town and get it replaced with a real copy. Once I showed the clerk the item he laughed at the "Nintondo" and even checked out the contacts. He said that people had tried to pass them off as trade-ins but that he was surprised that a counterfeit had worked its way into the central warehouse system. He checked my receipt and handed me another used copy right away. That's good customer service.

Unfortunately, it looks like eBay is not the only place that you can run across these bootlegs.

[SevereTireDamage]

Great opening post, and very useful. Just wanted to give my thanks for such good information, AND pictures, which help the most.

[skygunnerblue]

Thanks for the info OP. Quite helpful.

[Ziv_Zulander]

This really should be a sticky.

[mcgavin27]

i think i saw a bootleg Pokemon: sapphire at Eb the other day. It was a black cartridge last time i checked, pokemon games have the same color cartridge as the game i.e. Fire Red has a red outside and leaf green is green.

[Survivor Charlie]

I know mine are not because I bought them all in person, and every game I've bought was brand new except the extra Advance Wars 2 that I bought for multiplayer matches.

The bootlegs frost my ass though. I wanted to buy Mr. Pants off Ebay but who knows if I'm getting a legit copy... nobody would sell it for $10 new, so scratch that. If anyone has it, I'm really looking for a legit copy (an import from Canada). I'll trade for it, and I really want it because I'm a puzzle game fanatic.

[daroga]

I've been to gamerush a few times recently and saw a copy of that Pokemon Pinball game and Mario 3 (Mario adv. 4) that the labels were of terrible quality and the wrong images. But, the cart looked fine (I couldn't see the back) AND it had the Nintendo copyright at the contacts of the cart. Are the bootlegs getter better and better or does GR just print up labels for games if they're missing them?

daroga

[coolz481]

Bah! I just got Tactics Ogre from Ebgames.com in the mail today and wouldn't you know it, it's a bootleg - the cartridge casing is darker than normal, the 'Gameboy Advance' imprint above the label is in the wrong font and there's no 'copyright 2001 Nintendo' on above the cartridge connections. I called and they told me I could either send it in for a refund or try one of the B&M stores. I'm just bummed because I the website can't do an exchange because they're sold out and I've never come across the game in a store. Thanks for the post; I never would have thought to check!

[blandstalker]

The bootlegs frost my ass though. I wanted to buy Mr. Pants off Ebay but who knows if I'm getting a legit copy... nobody would sell it for $10 new, so scratch that. If anyone has it, I'm really looking for a legit copy (an import from Canada). I'll trade for it, and I really want it because I'm a puzzle game fanatic.

I got mine off of eBay about six months ago, and it's legit. And no, I have no intention of parting with it. ;)

Looking today, about half of the listings for Mr. Pants were from Malaysia (wouldn't trust 'em) and half were from the states. One included a 'no-bootleg' guarantee, but it would end up costing $19-$20 after shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8207429994 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8207429994&category=62053&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1)
(disclaimer: I don't vouch for the seller, and have never done business with them, but they'd pass my smell test)

I'm cheap to the core, but Mr. Pants is worth twenty bucks. It's about what I paid. Good luck.

[ne2eire]

After buying a few games I've concluded that the most accurate way is to look at the circuit board and see if it has Nintendo on it. Also look at the thickness. Sometimes all the other stuff can be faked too well.

I got mine off of eBay about six months ago, and it's legit. And no, I have no intention of parting with it. ;)

Looking today, about half of the listings for Mr. Pants were from Malaysia (wouldn't trust 'em) and half were from the states. One included a 'no-bootleg' guarantee, but it would end up costing $19-$20 after shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8207429994 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8207429994&category=62053&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1)
(disclaimer: I don't vouch for the seller, and have never done business with them, but they'd pass my smell test)

I'm cheap to the core, but Mr. Pants is worth twenty bucks. It's about what I paid. Good luck.

What the fuck? That guys auction has embedded music in it. Good luck getting me to bid with crap like that, hit the back button immediatly.

[Epic Wolf]

:-k So maybe that GBA copy of Chronotrigger wasnt legit....

[Brak]

I saw a GBA bootleg somewhere. The cart was made out of, like, birthday candle wax. And I wish I was kidding.

[WolfPac_Ite]

Still with a good eye, you should probably be able to find some point of difference in the game. Of course, I am the type that would open up my games if I had any suspicions that could not be dealt with via exterior looks.

[Squee]

Speaking of exterior looks, here (http://cgi.ebay.com/Mega-Man-Zero-2-GBA-GAMESP-1097_W0QQitemZ8209663836QQcategoryZ62053QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) is one really lame ebay auction.
The cover of the game box has "MEGAMAN ZERO 2 OFFICIAL STRATEGY GUIDE" ! WTH. If ANYONE falls for that...

[jbroush99]

Speaking of exterior looks, here (http://cgi.ebay.com/Mega-Man-Zero-2-GBA-GAMESP-1097_W0QQitemZ8209663836QQcategoryZ62053QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) is one really lame ebay auction.
The cover of the game box has "MEGAMAN ZERO 2 OFFICIAL STRATEGY GUIDE" ! WTH. If ANYONE falls for that...

This doesn't help make it seem too legit either:
"Quantity: ONE brand new Mega Man Zero 2 SONY GBA GAME"

[mcgavin27]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8208613511&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores

the game isn't even out yet, but they have a copy.

[usickenme]

I only have one Bootleg. I kind of figured it was and it is an EA game, so I don't feel so bad.

It works fine even with a battery save.

Personally, I've just stopped buying GBA games from ebay and half.

[Squee]

Look here (http://cgi.ebay.com/CASTLEVANIA-HARMONY-OF-DISSONANCE-gameboy-advance-gba_W0QQitemZ8209979988QQcategoryZ62053QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem) for another Hong Kong knockoff.
The box doesn't have the ESRB rating on it, and the game title is in the top right corner (it should have been on the bottom right).

[Nephilim]

I wrote a FAQ as well posted in the CAG FAQS, link below my sig

[depascal22]

I appreciate the info. I've never bought a used GBA game and now I don't think I ever will. It's funny that people will go to such trouble to bootleg these games and pass them off as real when people sell bootleg movies in the middle of Manhattan without any trouble. Some of the bootleg vendors do better business than Virgin, Best Buy, or the other big chains.



It's a great time to be a cheap ass gamer.

[Quigoni]

What to look for (in addition to what was posted already here) -

http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=Bulletin&message.id=421

List of sellers that they're (NOA) aware of -

http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=Bulletin&message.id=471

[cletus]

One of my games has the white printing above the metal contacts but not the whole '@2001 Nintendo'. It only has 'Nintendo'. Does this mean it's a bootleg. I don't see any other differences with it and the rest of my games.

[briandadude]

Hey guys, I think I caught a counterfeiter. Could you pros double-check for me?

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpixiesatworkQQhtZ-1

[Chacrana]

All those GBA games are definitely bootlegs.

Oh, and it's depressing to see this thread rise again. It's a relic from when you could read posts on CAG without feeling like the world is completely hopeless.

[briandadude]

All those GBA games are definitely bootlegs.

Oh, and it's depressing to see this thread rise again. It's a relic from when you could read posts on CAG without feeling like the world is completely hopeless.
Thanks, I thought so. Thanks to this thread I found out that my Minish Cap game that I bought off of Amazon Marketplace (in January) was a bootleg. :cry: I feel so stupid. I emailed both the seller and Amazon and both were great about it. The seller said that they didn't sell bootlegs (ha!) but that they would offer me a refund and Amazon said they would refund me the shipping charge.

Thanks for the hard work that went into this thread, I feel much more educated about counterfeit GBA games now.

PS - Why isn't this a sticky?!

[SaraAB]

Hello guys,

I wrote a guide on ebay (i figured it would be a good place to write it since thats where the majority of bootlegs are sold, and will help with proving to my buyers that I do not sell fake games) about this and it got into the top 200 guides, here is a link to the guide, please read it and vote for it so more people know about counterfeit gba games and how to avoid them :

http://reviews.ebay.com/HOW-TO-IDENTIFY-COUNTERFEIT-GAME-BOY-GAMES_W0QQugidZ10000000000906542

My views on this guide are insane, i have like 33,000 views, just goes to show you how big of a problem this really is.

[anotherpoorgamer]

This thread is why I'm afraid to buy used GB/GBC/GBA games from my local Gamestop/Ebgames!

[johnnypark]

Here's an excellently shitty story.

Gamestop has buy 2/get 1 free right now, and what did I find but a copy of Fire Emblem 1 and Tactics Ogre. I didn't realize til I got out of there that Tactics Ogre had incorrectly been tagged as Super Street Fighter and it rang up for even cheaper. I popped it on my DS to make sure it worked, tested Fire Emblem, and went on my way.

Peeled the stickers off, who needs them, right? A few hours later I get home and take a closer look at the cartridge, and what do you know - it's made by Nintondo. So, my receipt is rang up for the wrong game and the sticker is probably un-retrievable.

Am I shit out of luck?

[SaraAB]

I am not sure about that, you would have to discuss it with the employees of the store, maybe they will remember that you came in and bought the games, especially if you are a regular customer or if it was not a busy day that day. Since the b2g1 free just started I say you have a chance. If you have a reciept you have a good chance of being able to return the games without stickers, I have returned many stickerless games with no problem.

Also keep in mind that its ILLEGAL for them to be selling bootleg games, and they are counterfeit merchandise, if you mention this to them and say you are gonna call the police on them because they are selling bootleg games I am sure they would be happy to help you out :)

Tactics ogre is a known rampant bootleg, meaning there are lots of bootleg copies of TO floating around, so if your looking to buy that game you might want to be on extra-special alert for bootlegs of it.

Just check the games carefully if your gonna buy them and your worried about bootlegs, if you live near a high traffic location like a location in NYC (lots of fake stuff around the NYC area) I would say you have a lot more to worry about than a normal location with average traffic.

[briandadude]

Here's an excellently shitty story....

Am I shit out of luck?
I would definitely go back and speak to the manager. If all else fails, threaten to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau for selling you a pirated product.

[iazybandit]

Here's an excellently shitty story.

Gamestop has buy 2/get 1 free right now, and what did I find but a copy of Fire Emblem 1 and Tactics Ogre. I didn't realize til I got out of there that Tactics Ogre had incorrectly been tagged as Super Street Fighter and it rang up for even cheaper. I popped it on my DS to make sure it worked, tested Fire Emblem, and went on my way.

Peeled the stickers off, who needs them, right? A few hours later I get home and take a closer look at the cartridge, and what do you know - it's made by Nintondo. So, my receipt is rang up for the wrong game and the sticker is probably un-retrievable.

Am I shit out of luck?
Just bring the game back along with receipt. You dont need their price sticker in order to return. If they give you trouble, ask to talk to DM (district manager) regarding the sale of bootleg game. If that doesnt work, call Nintendo and BBB (Better Business Bureau)

[iazybandit]

All those GBA games are definitely bootlegs.

Oh, and it's depressing to see this thread rise again. It's a relic from when you could read posts on CAG without feeling like the world is completely hopeless.
Hard to tell from those pictures. Just because its GBA carts only..doesnt mean its always fake. When it comes to sellers selling games that may be counterfeit, email them and ask for additional pictures of the back and the bottom of the cartridge. If they cant supply it, then dont buy from them.

If you feel you're ripped off or need to file for mail fraud, you can see my guide on eBay
http://reviews.ebay.com/HOW-TO-FILE-FOR-MAIL-FRAUD_W0QQugidZ10000000003448709

[G33]

Can anyone tell from this picture if this game is bootlegged or not?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture055.jpg

http://myworld.ebay.com/gamesr4u

It's from a seller on ebay, who seems to be getting rid of games from his or her collection. When I asked about the games, this is the reply I received:

hello,

i never shipped to hawaii before. but i will make it the same shipping rate as all the others. these games are previous games i have bought for my kids from variety of stores (eb games, gamestop, etc...). these are all used game from the store and from my kids. do expect old data or files that are still on game.

thankyou,
gamesr4u

The grammar and the double assertation of where they came from imply a bootlegger, but the first and last parts are more typical of a legitimate seller, so I can't decide on whether the person just has bad grammar, or is knowingly selling bootlegs.

Some of the games appear to be legit, so I'm wondering if the seller just happens to have bought both real and bootlegged carts, and can't tell the difference. The bootlegged games look fairly convincing, except for the fact that the labels on them aren't quite right.

There's a few that look convincing (Do bootleggers use translucent carts for games? I can't tell if there's a color difference or not on the regular ones either):
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture032.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture035.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture014.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture002.jpg

And a bunch that aren't:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/gameboy/supermario2.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)3/Picture048.jpg (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)

Can anyone help me on this?

[briandadude]

Can anyone tell from this picture if this game is bootlegged or not?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture055.jpg

http://myworld.ebay.com/gamesr4u

It's from a seller on ebay, who seems to be getting rid of games from his or her collection. When I asked about the games, this is the reply I received:



The grammar and the double assertation of where they came from imply a bootlegger, but the first and last parts are more typical of a legitimate seller, so I can't decide on whether the person just has bad grammar, or is knowingly selling bootlegs.

Some of the games appear to be legit, so I'm wondering if the seller just happens to have bought both real and bootlegged carts, and can't tell the difference. The bootlegged games look fairly convincing, except for the fact that the labels on them aren't quite right.

There's a few that look convincing (Do bootleggers use translucent carts for games? I can't tell if there's a color difference or not on the regular ones either):
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture032.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture035.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture014.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture002.jpg

And a bunch that aren't:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/gameboy/supermario2.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)3/Picture048.jpg (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)

Can anyone help me on this?
Sapphire looks fake, the placement of "The Pokemon Company" & the character string are out of place.

I want to say LeafGreen is authentic but it's hard to tell for sure.

Honestly, I wouldn't buy anything from this guy.

[Cao Cao]

The Super Mario World cart is definitely a bootleg. As for the translucent Pokemon carts, upon closer inspection, I certainly don't see any writing above the contacts, so I'm going to assume that they're bootlegs. Heck, it looks like the seller is entirely into bootlegs, and I couldn't help but laugh at this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/gameboy-advance-star-wars-3-fun-great-kids-game_W0QQitemZ330111813878QQihZ014QQcategoryZ62053 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[fatbeer]

Can anyone tell from this picture if this game is bootlegged or not?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture055.jpg

http://myworld.ebay.com/gamesr4u

It's from a seller on ebay, who seems to be getting rid of games from his or her collection. When I asked about the games, this is the reply I received:



The grammar and the double assertation of where they came from imply a bootlegger, but the first and last parts are more typical of a legitimate seller, so I can't decide on whether the person just has bad grammar, or is knowingly selling bootlegs.

Some of the games appear to be legit, so I'm wondering if the seller just happens to have bought both real and bootlegged carts, and can't tell the difference. The bootlegged games look fairly convincing, except for the fact that the labels on them aren't quite right.

There's a few that look convincing (Do bootleggers use translucent carts for games? I can't tell if there's a color difference or not on the regular ones either):
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture032.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture035.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture014.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture002.jpg

And a bunch that aren't:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/gameboy/supermario2.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)3/Picture048.jpg (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)

Can anyone help me on this?

This seller is definatly selling bootleg gba games. That Shining Soul ii have a wrong image on it. Most of these bootleg copies make the same mistake, having the same artwork on label as the box art. If i were you, just buy your games from a legimate retail store like bestbuy or circuit city. If you buy used game make sure there is a Nintendo logo beneath the cart. I seen several bootleg games at gamestop as well

[Draekon]

This seller is definatly selling bootleg gba games. That Shining Soul ii have a wrong image on it. Most of these bootleg copies make the same mistake, having the same artwork on label as the box art. If i were you, just buy your games from a legimate retail store like bestbuy or circuit city. If you buy used game make sure there is a Nintendo logo beneath the cart. I seen several bootleg games at gamestop as well

Agreed.


I can take a pic of my Summon Night: Swordcraft Story GBA Cart if needed as well to prove it. Not only is the art wrong, but the ESRB rating is wrong as well as the missing ATLUS and BANPRESTO logos. Plus the final thing that's wrong with all that were linked is the the top part of the cartridge where it humps up. It's not long enough compared to legit GBA games.

[parKer]

I've got Sapphire right in front of me and as others mentioned before, there is a difference with what's printed on the cart, the color of its font, and its placement.

[G33]

Thanks, I'm glad I asked here first before buying it. Some of them I could tell were blatant bootlegs (as I own a couple of these games, one being SMA2), but I didn't know that bootleggers were using the translucent carts as well. I guess I won't even try buying GBA games off ebay, and just stick to Gamestop for older games (where I can inspect the cart and return it if it's fake).

[Quintessence]

Can anyone tell from this picture if this game is bootlegged or not?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture055.jpg

http://myworld.ebay.com/gamesr4u

It's from a seller on ebay, who seems to be getting rid of games from his or her collection. When I asked about the games, this is the reply I received:



The grammar and the double assertation of where they came from imply a bootlegger, but the first and last parts are more typical of a legitimate seller, so I can't decide on whether the person just has bad grammar, or is knowingly selling bootlegs.

Some of the games appear to be legit, so I'm wondering if the seller just happens to have bought both real and bootlegged carts, and can't tell the difference. The bootlegged games look fairly convincing, except for the fact that the labels on them aren't quite right.

There's a few that look convincing (Do bootleggers use translucent carts for games? I can't tell if there's a color difference or not on the regular ones either):
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture032.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture035.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture014.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture002.jpg

And a bunch that aren't:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/gameboy/supermario2.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)3/Picture048.jpg (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)

Can anyone help me on this?

From looking at the games I have right here I can say that Sapphire is fake because words are in the wrong place. LeafGreen is fake because the label is supposed to be shiny.

[iazybandit]

Can anyone tell from this picture if this game is bootlegged or not?

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture055.jpg

http://myworld.ebay.com/gamesr4u

It's from a seller on ebay, who seems to be getting rid of games from his or her collection. When I asked about the games, this is the reply I received:



The grammar and the double assertation of where they came from imply a bootlegger, but the first and last parts are more typical of a legitimate seller, so I can't decide on whether the person just has bad grammar, or is knowingly selling bootlegs.

Some of the games appear to be legit, so I'm wondering if the seller just happens to have bought both real and bootlegged carts, and can't tell the difference. The bootlegged games look fairly convincing, except for the fact that the labels on them aren't quite right.

There's a few that look convincing (Do bootleggers use translucent carts for games? I can't tell if there's a color difference or not on the regular ones either):
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture032.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture035.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture014.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture002.jpg

And a bunch that aren't:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/gameboy/supermario2.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)3/Picture048.jpg (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u73/gamesr4u/arcade3/Picture048.jpg)

Can anyone help me on this?
Ask for pictures of the back of the cartridge and the bottom opening of the cartridge to see if it shows © 200x Nintendo. You can also ask them to look and tell you.

As for clear cartridges, there are some games that come in clear cartridges. Bootleggers will match whatever casing the original is. if its clear, the bootleg will be clear. If its grey, bootleg will be grey.

[Puffa469]

We should start a list of names of sellers on Ebay known to sell bootleg games.

[SaraAB]

Nintendo has a list of known bootleg sellers on their website, its in the forums section, but its kinda hard to find. They also release updates to this list periodically.

Those pokemon games are DEFINITELY fake, sapphire has a shiny label as normal (and that cart doesn't), and the leaf green cart isnt a foggy leaf green, its the color of the pokemon emerald cart, which proves the seller is selling bootleg games by skimping on using the shade of green for the emerald cart to create a leaf green cart. I call BS on the part about, "the games are from my personal collection and I bought them for my kids at EBgames", they are just lying to cover up the fact that they are a bootlegging operation, I would report the seller to Nintendo immediately.

Sapphire cart specifics, " The Pokemon Company" should be printed on the top right of the game, if your holding the cart so that you can see it, Instead on the fake its on the opposite side. The numbers: AGB-AXPE-USA should be on the bottom right under the Nintendo logo, and in a much smaller font. "Licensed by" should not be printed above the Nintendo logo at all. If you look closely also the printing on that cart is quite foggy and is not up to the traditional quality of nintendo-cart labels.

Oh and thanks for alerting me about the fake carts in different colors, I was sure that bootleggers only used gray carts because they were the norm and the cheapest to manufacture.

Edit: Ok I reported every one of those fake games to ebay, it took a while but we need to get these scum people off ebay.

Report nintendo auction piracy here: auctionpiracy@noa.nintendo.com

Nintendo's list of countefeit game sellers is here:

http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=Bulletin&message.id=507

[Roufuss]

Just bring the game back along with receipt. You dont need their price sticker in order to return. If they give you trouble, ask to talk to DM (district manager) regarding the sale of bootleg game. If that doesnt work, call Nintendo and BBB (Better Business Bureau)

No offense, but how would this even work? Who cares if he calls the BBB, because he has no proof that he even bought the game at Gamestop, since his receipt has a totally different game on it.

The only thing he can hope for is that he gets the exact same employee and they remember him from the other day.

I mean, what, is he going to bring the game back with the receipt and say "Hi, I'd like to return this game, it had the wrong sticker on it, but I have no proof that I actually bought this game".

He can't talk to the DM because he can't even prove he got the game there. The employees can assume a wide number of things, but that's like me buying God of War 2, going home and grabbing Twilight Princess, and trying to return that with my GoW 2 receipt.

He has Tactics Ogre, but his recept doesn't show it at all, just Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, so I think he's pretty shit out of luck. You can't return something if you can't even prove you bought it. He'd have to get the same employee and hope that the employee remembers him and what he bought.

[SaraAB]

Looks like my reports did some good, that seller of games is "no longer a registered user on ebay", one counterfeit seller of games taken down... only a million more to go!

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=gamesr4u&&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller&sspagename=VIP:feedback:2:us&iid=330115678816

[itachiitachi]

YC-Collection is one of the biggest bootleggers on ebay; he is not on the Nintendo list (which it looks like it has not been updated for over a year).

[iazybandit]

No offense, but how would this even work? Who cares if he calls the BBB, because he has no proof that he even bought the game at Gamestop, since his receipt has a totally different game on it.

The only thing he can hope for is that he gets the exact same employee and they remember him from the other day.

I mean, what, is he going to bring the game back with the receipt and say "Hi, I'd like to return this game, it had the wrong sticker on it, but I have no proof that I actually bought this game".

He can't talk to the DM because he can't even prove he got the game there. The employees can assume a wide number of things, but that's like me buying God of War 2, going home and grabbing Twilight Princess, and trying to return that with my GoW 2 receipt.

He has Tactics Ogre, but his recept doesn't show it at all, just Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, so I think he's pretty shit out of luck. You can't return something if you can't even prove you bought it. He'd have to get the same employee and hope that the employee remembers him and what he bought.
Whoops missed the part with the sticker. Was reading the post too quick. Then I guess YMMV.

[johnnypark]

I was fearing everything you said, Roufous, but I lucked out. I called the store Wednesday night and spoke to the same girl that rang me up. Well, she says she doesn't remember me because they were really busy. I explain to her the receipt and the mislabeling of the game, and she insists it's no problem and to bring it in.

I went there this morning, the manager and a slightly airheaded guy (but extremely friendly and helpful; just a bit of a stoner vibe) were working. I explained to them what happened, and I was actually able to bring in the labels from the games (I had been visiting my parents and the labels were in their trash, so my mom was able to get them).

They actually had another copy of Tactics Ogre in the game case, surprisingly, so I just swapped them. I think I saw the manager put a price tag on the pirated copy, though - not cool. In fact, the guy who was helping me even asked, "So you just wanted to exchange it? You just don't want to have a pirated copy? How come?" I was kind of dumbfounded... I suppose if the carts functioned identically to the real ones (battery life, etc) then most people would care a lot less about having fakes. I told him how unreliable the fakes can be, and then showed them the Nintendo stamp on the circuit board to encourage them to check the games they buy from customers.

I felt like I was being humored, though. They don't give a shit if a game is a fake so long as it functions, especially since it's one that they already paid money for. I'm surprised corporate (or even Nintendo) doesn't try to crack down on it more, if they do at all.

Long story short, I didn't get screwed.

[SaraAB]

Yes, this is my #1 reason for hating gamestop above all else, they have NO policy against trading in bootleg games, and they sometimes will knowingly sell you a bootleg game, just to make profit for their store! It takes about 3 seconds to check each game to see if its real or not by looking at the edge connector, so there is absolutely no excuse for them not having a policy against the trading in of bootleg games.

[briandadude]

Found another ebay bootlegger

http://video-games.search.ebay.com/_Games_W0QQcatrefZC12QQsacatZ62053QQsassZpattibitt ner

[SaraAB]

Ok, I reported that one too

[briandadude]

Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that this thread isn't a sticky?

[johnnypark]

Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that this thread isn't a sticky?

Extremely. Especially with Gamestop having no policy on it, I'm positive that people even CAGs are getting duped every day. If it doesn't get added, I think we should bump it at least once a week to keep it near the top.

[briandadude]

Haha, so I asked one of the ebay bootleggers, "Why are you selling pirated games?".

Not expecting a reply, I got "HOW DO YOU FIGURE THIS IS PIRATED? HOW DO YOU PIRATE A GAME ANYWAY? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

Haha!

[SaraAB]

It would be helpful if every time someone found a pirated game being sold on ebay if you would click the "report this item" link at the end of the auction page, then email the name of the seller and a link to the auction to Nintendo. Do this before you post here please, this way it doesn't leave all the reporting to one person, me heh.

I can understand if you don't have an ebay account, then you can post it here and I will take care of it

Ebay DOES remove these pirate game sellers, so its worth it to report each and every one, its the only way we are going to clean up the problem.

Not only are CAG's being dumped on every day by these people but many legitimate buyers are as well, the most recent seller of pirated game posted here had lots of bids on their items, we can only hope that ebay will take care of it before the items end so that the bidders do not get screwed. Unfortunately I cannot email everyone who has been bidding on those auctions as its against ebay policy to do this.

[JJSP]

http://cgi.ebay.com/GAME-BOY-ADVANCE-GAME-POKEMON-CHAOS-BLACK-VERSION_W0QQitemZ200105732542QQihZ010QQcategoryZ11 2698QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem

The label is even upside down.

[briandadude]

Ebay is part of the problem in my opinion, they make reporting items way more difficult than it should be.

For example, if you click "Report this item" from the item page, you should not have to look up the item #.

[SaraAB]

You don't have to, it puts the item # in for you. All you do is click, but if you want to add additional item #'s you have to look them up obviously. Just make sure you click on "email us" at the end of the process, thats where they put the item# in.

The bootleg listings that I just reported have already been pulled, they do a pretty good job of taking it down fast!

[briandadude]

The bootleg listings that I just reported have already been pulled, they do a pretty good job of taking it down fast!

If you are talking about the seller I listed, they all ended normally.

[SpazX]

The problem with ebay is that if it's a power seller chances are they won't do shit.

That pixiesatwork dude has sold 4 bootleg GBA games since the middle of march (who knows how many they've sold before then), but they're a power seller and you could report every one of their listings and I doubt anything would happen to them.

[Puffa469]

http://cgi.ebay.com/GAME-BOY-ADVANCE-GAME-POKEMON-CHAOS-BLACK-VERSION_W0QQitemZ200105732542QQihZ010QQcategoryZ11 2698QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem

The label is even upside down.


lmao, That is soo great!

The guys at my local EB/GS think Im nuts. I got a bunch of GBA games during the b2g1 sale and before he rang them up I asked if I could look at them. I pull out my keychain led light and start shining it up inside the game looking for the Nintendo logo on the circuit board.

The clerk asked what i was doing and I explained about how many bootlegs are out there. He says 'Well we test all our games in a GBA:SP before we accept them in as trades.' So I explained that a bootleg will still work, and I showed him the other ways to check. He thanked me and it seemed like I made a small bit of difference. In defense of that store tho, I have NEVER seen a bootleg gba game there. And Ive bought alot of carts from them.

[SaraAB]

Some stores do check, but it all depends on the employees and their willingness to refuse trade in's instead of taking them in and having the store profit off them. I know the ebgames near me has very good employees that do check because I have never seen a bootleg in there either, and I know the employees know about bootlegs because they know their games.. I seem to see more bootlegs in "high traffic" mall locations, where the employees generally care less.

Although that logic is kinda faulty, wouldn't it save them more money in the long run assuming they checked every game for bootlegs, as they would just have to take returns (which would cost them more money in the long run to do returns) on every bootleg game most likely unless the person buying was a real idiot. You figure most bootlegs are going to get returned on the simple fact that bootlegs NEVER save properly. Most GBA games require save files, but there are a few that don't.

You would think this would be a good enough reason for them to have a policy against bootleg games, plus they would help build a better reputation with their customers.

[Roufuss]

I traded in Donkey Kong: King of Swing this weekend to EB, and sure enough, the employee did check it to make sure it wasn't a bootleg.

[ihadFG]

I just picked up pinball of the dead from GS but it seems to be a bootleg, oh well, I'll just keep it for 2.99...it works fine and it doesn't really matter for save files since its pinball.

[Ruahrc]

As a new GBMicro owner (first portable gaming device) I am glad I stumbled across this thread! I have bought 3 carts total now (FF I+II, Golden Sun, and Zelda Minish Cap) and they all were used. Two came from a local import/retro gaming store (both check out okay) and the third came from a local EBGames.

The one from EBGames is FF I+II: DoS and everything checks out okay except the writing on the PCB. It does not have the full (c)2001 Nintendo, but rather just a Nintendo logo and a serial number after it. I am inclined to say it's legit since all the other features seem to check out (including the imprinted 2-digit number on the label) but has anyone else seen this type of labeling on their PCB's too? Since I have yet to see evidence of a pirated PCB having any kind of forged nintendo text above the contacts I think this was just a different style of labeling that Nintendo used for a little while (or maybe this cart is even some kind of overseas cart?). Still though, anyone with FF I+II out there can confirm this?

Again, great info and I will be aware from now on to keep an eye out for counterfit carts.

P.S. has anyone ever had problems with buying bootlegged carts off of amazon.com? I do not buy things from ebay (I have only bought maybe one thing from ebay ever and don't even think I have an account there anymore) but I did buy my GBMicro from an independent seller on amazon.com.

Ruahrc

[briandadude]

I bought Minish Cap off of an Amazon independent seller and it turned out to be bootleg.

I will try to bump this thread so that it is always on the 1st page until the mods sticky this thread instead of stupid things like Wifi night.

[Ace Harding: Private Eye]

That's a good idea.

[johnnypark]

As a new GBMicro owner (first portable gaming device) I am glad I stumbled across this thread! I have bought 3 carts total now (FF I+II, Golden Sun, and Zelda Minish Cap) and they all were used. Two came from a local import/retro gaming store (both check out okay) and the third came from a local EBGames.

The one from EBGames is FF I+II: DoS and everything checks out okay except the writing on the PCB. It does not have the full (c)2001 Nintendo, but rather just a Nintendo logo and a serial number after it. I am inclined to say it's legit since all the other features seem to check out (including the imprinted 2-digit number on the label) but has anyone else seen this type of labeling on their PCB's too? Since I have yet to see evidence of a pirated PCB having any kind of forged nintendo text above the contacts I think this was just a different style of labeling that Nintendo used for a little while (or maybe this cart is even some kind of overseas cart?). Still though, anyone with FF I+II out there can confirm this?

Again, great info and I will be aware from now on to keep an eye out for counterfit carts.

P.S. has anyone ever had problems with buying bootlegged carts off of amazon.com? I do not buy things from ebay (I have only bought maybe one thing from ebay ever and don't even think I have an account there anymore) but I did buy my GBMicro from an independent seller on amazon.com.

Ruahrc

Could you post a picture? It'd be much easier to give an opinion with a visual :)

[Rozz]

Many of the newer GBA games just have the Nintendo logo and a serial number.

[SaraAB]

Yeah, thats fine, its just a variation of printing nintendo uses, older games just have the word Nintendo with a year after it and newer games have the logo. I would assume they changed it because the first kind of printing could be easy to duplicate on pirate carts (if the pirate was so ambitious to do this heh) and the logo would be harder to duplicate.

[briandadude]

ttt

[iamthekiller]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/xetrov99/pirate3.jpg

counterfeit?
http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/a1/ag/74d0_1.JPG
http://cgi.ebay.com/Max-Payne-Game-Boy-Advance_W0QQitemZ250121255637QQihZ015QQcategoryZ62 053QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[briandadude]

Sticky This

[SaraAB]

The Max Payne looks legit, it looks like it has the 2 numbers stamped into the label and the Game Boy Advance font at the top is correct. The only way is to check the contacts though, as I do not own that particular game to compare your copy to.

[briandadude]

Sticky this

[Rozz]

That Max Payne cat is definitely legit, no bootleg games have that stamp and no bootleg game carts quality is that good.

[parKer]

Sticky this They already have a very detailed guide on bootleg GBA games in the CAG FAQ. The FAQ probably isn't frequented as often as this GBA forum, but maybe this existing guide is the reason why no one is listening to you every time you request this thread to be stickied. Just a thought as you may be wasting your time with posting sticky requests.

[briandadude]

They already have a very detailed guide on bootleg GBA games in the CAG FAQ. The FAQ probably isn't frequented as often as this GBA forum, but maybe this existing guide is the reason why no one is listening to you every time you request this thread to be stickied. Just a thought as you may be wasting your time with posting sticky requests.

Haha, thanks for the heads up. Never thought to look there. :oops:

[Nephilim]

I made a GBA Bootleg guide for CAG a year or more ago that is posted in the trading FAQ. It has lots of photos.

It should really be a sticky in the Trade Forum.

CAG Pirate GBA game FAQ (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/faq.php?faq=cag_trading_guide#faq_bootleg_pirated_ gba_gameboy_advance_games)

[Ruahrc]

So I happened across this site with some interesting wares:

http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/fjanjie/product-listrMoEXBQjYnhA/Gameboy-advance-cassettes-catalog-1.html

http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/fjanjie/product-listUTxQmsEuepJn/GBA-games-catalog-1.html

Do you think that these carts are legit? I couldn't definitively tell from the photos. What tipped me off was that the "Gameboy Advance" engraving at the top of the carts seemed a little deep when compared to my carts. Could be the lighting though. But some other tip-offs like the Pokemon carts that aren't in colored casings, also potential misspellings like Pokemon: Perla version???

They have some convincing pics where they show like Pokemon:Emerald in the green translucent casing but there are also photos of Pokemon:Fire Red in grey casings and also Leaf Green, etc. Not to mention their "multi-cart" games being offered.

I don't have any of those games though so I can't compare the photos of carts/boxes to the real thing. Maybe some of you guys can...

Ruahrc

PS- if they are not legit carts, there is quite a lot of company info posted on their site, would be fairly easy to pass this on to Nintendo.

PPS- I looked again and it appears that many (if not all) of these GBA cart postings were put up yesterday 6-18-2007.

[EXStrike]

Those are definitely not legit. There's some nice Pokemon version names though. Frigo Returns? Quartz Version? Naranja Version? (Unless that actually translates to something... but Celebi was never a boxart Pokemon). And yeah, the Ruby, Sapphire, Fire Red and Leaf Green carts are supposed to be colored.

Summon Night GBA's cart sticker is also wrong.

Oh, and their DS game is a GBA cart :D

[AshesofWake]

so where the hell am i supposed to get legit GBA games? I'm too scared to buy them off of ebay and gamestop has such a shitty selection...

[EXStrike]

You go for the trusted online sellers - i.e. Amazon.

[Nephilim]

eBay is tricky, you really have to look at the Feedback and even then who knows.

I have emailed a few sellers and asked them to kindly tell me not to bid if I am looking for an authentic game.

Check out my FAQ in my sig too.

[CottonGamer]

Oh why didnt I look here before I made a purchase on ebay! Stupid stupid. I was looking for a good deal for Legend of Zelda Minish Cap, and I felt I got one. Well, I got it in the mail, put in my recently aquired ds lite and tried to play it. Unfortunatly the game froze in the create/choose a file screen when I scrolled up. I even tried to bypass it by creating a new file and yet again frozen. Fearing the worst I check online and now this thread and I understand that I have a pirated copy. Hell, the sticker is white, isnt the background of it supposed to be red?

Anyway, I sent the seller an email about the item, how its not working and that I think its a pirated copy (sent it before I really knew for certain (after reading this thread)) I asked for a refund and if we could work something out I could send him the game back or other. Now after reading this thread I'm not so sure that I might get my money back. What should I do now? I payed for it through paypal with a credit card. I want to bust this guy, but can I do it and still get a refund? I mean, whats the luck that I get a pirated version and it doesnt work. Hes got alot of positive feedback too and looking at their buys they look like real buyers. Advice for an idiot please.

[GaveUpTomorrow]

I've been buying a bunch of GBA games lately, from local retailers, gamestop, and 2 off of ebay, and who would have guessed that the two games I bought off of ebay were the only two counterfeits I bought....oh well. I compared the two games I got from ebay (FF:Tactics and Metal Slug Advance) with my other games and they are different for sure, and they have the wrong labels. On the bright side, they both work great and I actually like the fake labels over the real ones, so I'll just keep them. I mean the games work, and I bought them for less than half I could get them elsewhere, so I'll just suck it up this time. I won't be buying anymore GBA games off ebay though....I didn't know GBA games held a chance to be counterfeit, but now I know...

[itachiitachi]

Just tell paypal you got a pirated copy and they will give you a refund. Then you can just throw away the game sell it th GS or what ever. Just for future reference almost all GBA games on e-bay or bootlegs.

[itachiitachi]

I've been buying a bunch of GBA games lately, from local retailers, gamestop, and 2 off of ebay, and who would have guessed that the two games I bought off of ebay were the only two counterfeits I bought....oh well. I compared the two games I got from ebay (FF:Tactics and Metal Slug Advance) with my other games and they are different for sure, and they have the wrong labels. On the bright side, they both work great and I actually like the fake labels over the real ones, so I'll just keep them. I mean the games work, and I bought them for less than half I could get them elsewhere, so I'll just suck it up this time. I won't be buying anymore GBA games off ebay though....I didn't know GBA games held a chance to be counterfeit, but now I know...

I would get a refund. They may work fine now but once the battery dies they will start giving you problems.

[blandstalker]

I would get a refund. They may work fine now but once the battery dies they will start giving you problems.

I would get a refund too. Even if the battery is okay, the saves are known to be unreliable. It may work great for awhile...and then you lose all your work.