Bootlegs are getting better all the time...

sp00ge

sp00ge

CAGiversary!
Feedback
149 (100%)
I ordered Super Princess Peach off a third party seller on Amazon for an unbelievable price, especially for it being complete. It showed up yesterday and what did I see? Very poor case art, the images were grainy, text was blurry and obviously not original, yet the NintendoDS border/spine were crisp and clear.

I open the case and the manual is laughably worse. Grainy, print is blurred, etc... But the cartridge was a bit more believable, in comparison to the pics we have of bootlegs in the FAQ. But still, it looked wrong.

But the unbelievable part? It played in my DSi. From everything I've read, a telltale sign of a fake is it won't work in a DSi.

I've already contacted the seller and they didn't seem to be concerned about it being a fake. They even said that they are sorry it didn't work as well as I had hoped.... :roll:

Once I get my money back, I'm negging them (due to their lack of concern and making me front the cost to ship it back), reporting them to Amazon and Nintendo.

But anyway, for your enjoyment, here are a few pics:














And FYI, the seller's name on Amazon is Exposure Game
 
Wow, that is very good for a bootleg. Unless you knew something about counterfeiting games, the average person would just assume the game was busted.

Kinda scary
 
report them for sure.. make sure you take a lot of pictures and keep the email saying that they basically knew they were selling you a bootleg copy of a game..
 
[quote name='shadyfozzie']report them for sure.. make sure you take a lot of pictures and keep the email saying that they basically knew they were selling you a bootleg copy of a game..[/QUOTE]

The OP should definitely cover his ass and report and negative the seller, but there's no indication the seller knew they sent a bootleg. The Op says they didn't seem concerned, not that they knew it was a bootleg. There's a difference.
 
[quote name='dchrisd']The OP should definitely cover his ass and report and negative the seller, but there's no indication the seller knew they sent a bootleg. The Op says they didn't seem concerned, not that they knew it was a bootleg. There's a difference.[/QUOTE]

But the trouble is, just looking at the case made me suspicious. If they had just looked at it, they would question the authenticity. And even if they gave the old "we process X orders each day, so there's no way we can check every single item" routine, I wouldn't believe it.

My GF and I list hundreds of items each day and every single one gets inspected. We sell, pack and ship 30-40 orders each day by ourselves and we inspect them again prior to packing. There are only two of us. This is a seller that is either a) lazy and doesn't check what the hell he is selling or b) full of crap and fully aware of the bootlegs they're selling.

And looking at their feedback, there's at least one more bootleg complaint, with a lame-ass response that makes no sense.
 
Why should you front the cost to ship it back? They sell you a fake ass game and then you're supposed to at least initially pay to send it back? I wouldn't. Can't they send the shipping cost via paypal or something?
 
I ended up with a bootleg pokemon platinum. I never realized until it started freezing. I scrutinized the packaging more and noticed. When compared to a real one though, it becomes very obvious.
 
[quote name='soonersfan60']It sucks that the game works in a DSi. That was my quick and easy way to weed out the fakes.[/QUOTE]

^----- I always tested them on my DSi XL, I guess I have to look very closely now. =/ Thanks for the post!
 
the biggest lie is the SN code stamped on the back.

cp3en0j09 is for a pokemon game, not SPP.

That number should match the outside too, the first four characters that are printed sideways near the barcode: NTR P ASPE USA

And for reference, the real SN should be ASPEN0J20
 
Here are some pictures for you sp00ge, they correspond with everything xycury has said, this game was bought brand new day one by me.

 
I had the same incident few weeks ago when I got Pokemon Diamond for $20 from ebay. The case was thick, the cover art is a photocopy and the manual is an f*****n IGN review of the game. Even though the game works I had to get rid of it and got a refund.
 
[quote name='dchrisd']The OP should definitely cover his ass and report and negative the seller, but there's no indication the seller knew they sent a bootleg. The Op says they didn't seem concerned, not that they knew it was a bootleg. There's a difference.[/QUOTE]
:applause: I know I for one wouldn't know a fake GB/GBA/GBC/DS/DSL/DSi cart from a real one.

Some people are just NOT that knowledgeable and prefer to stay that way.

Most people would just be happy enough the damn thing works.
 
[quote name='Zaku77']I ended up with a bootleg pokemon platinum. I never realized until it started freezing. I scrutinized the packaging more and noticed. When compared to a real one though, it becomes very obvious.[/QUOTE]

I remember when I got my replacement copy of Platinum when it was stolen from me, the cover art was way too shiny and the color was a bit off compared to the original case
 
Actually I have received bootleg anime DVDs from a couple of vendors. Called Amazon right up and immediately after the conversation, )since the vendor used name XXX and was actually Sun Devil DVDs or some such name which sells bootlegs.) I was refunded the money for my purchase and about 3 weeks go by and I get an e-mail from the seller telling me if I return the DVDs on my dime they will see I get a refund.

Before sending them back call Amazon and let them know ahead of time that what you received as a bootleg, they may have you send it to them instead but I would trust them first before I would send the item back to a crook. Also since I rarely buy expensive items thru marketplace, I just go straight to the negative feedback, and usually I get my refund right away since they want me to revoke my feedback. (for misrepresentation I will do it, for actual bootlegs, oh so sorry to bad, I have my refund and you get to keep your negative feedback)
 
Am I the only one who doesn't care if it's a bootleg, as long as I works?
I mean, if I'm looking to build a collection, sure, it better be the real thing.
But if it's just some game I wanna play, regardless of value or how pretty it looks in a shelf, I couldn't care less.
 
[quote name='Oaxan']Am I the only one who doesn't care if it's a bootleg, as long as I works?
I mean, if I'm looking to build a collection, sure, it better be the real thing.
But if it's just some game I wanna play, regardless of value or how pretty it looks in a shelf, I couldn't care less.[/QUOTE]

if you don't care, just download it illegally. bootlegs don' help nintendo at all either
 
[quote name='mcdaking84']if you don't care, just download it illegally. bootlegs don' help nintendo at all either[/QUOTE]
Buying games from private sellers on Amazon or Ebay doesn't exactly roll in the dough either, but people still do it.
 
[quote name='Oaxan']Am I the only one who doesn't care if it's a bootleg, as long as I works?
I mean, if I'm looking to build a collection, sure, it better be the real thing.
But if it's just some game I wanna play, regardless of value or how pretty it looks in a shelf, I couldn't care less.[/QUOTE]

But with a bootleg you always have to worry about the game freezing up or save not holding late into the game experience.
 
[quote name='Oaxan']Buying games from private sellers on Amazon or Ebay doesn't exactly roll in the dough either, but people still do it.[/QUOTE]

That.
 
Come on Nintendo combat the piracy/fake copies. Bring on the Nintendo Selects to the DS/DSi/Can be played on 3DS. $14.99-$19.99 for a legitimate copy of New Super Mario Bros./Super Princess Peach/Super Mario 64 DS/Mario Kart DS would be awesome.
 
To everyone on this thread: thank you for the information on DS bootlegs. I just recently purchased a DS Lite and have no idea what to look for concerning bootlegs, nor do I have a DSi to test them out on.

To sp00ge--OMG, I almost purchased that game from that exact same seller! Imagine if I had gotten it, a newbie DS owner, I'd probably never know that I had been given a bootleg.
 
[quote name='GizmoGC']That.[/QUOTE]

Except for the fact that at one point, Nintendo did profit from the legit copy that is now being resold.

I went ahead and reported the guy to Nintendo's piracy division, with full details. Thanks for the extra info on what the legit copy should have, guys/gals.

And to those saying that maybe he couldn't tell; it's his job, his business. He should know how to spot a fake. And based on his response, he knows and doesn't care.
 
[quote name='Oaxan']Am I the only one who doesn't care if it's a bootleg, as long as I works?
I mean, if I'm looking to build a collection, sure, it better be the real thing.
But if it's just some game I wanna play, regardless of value or how pretty it looks in a shelf, I couldn't care less.[/QUOTE]

I don't get why anyone would pay for a bootleg when they can download an illegal copy for free. If you want to stay legal, then buy a legit copy, otherwise why not download it? I don't understand why anyone would want to pay for bootlegs that're illegal.
 
[quote name='sunghost']I don't get why anyone would pay for a bootleg when they can download an illegal copy for free. If you want to stay legal, then buy a legit copy, otherwise why not download it? I don't understand why anyone would want to pay for bootlegs that're illegal.[/QUOTE]

Some people want to play on the original console instead of a computer, where you have to adjust a bunch of things. (which is even more of a pain if you're computer illiterate)
I've used many emulators so I know how much of a bitch it can be at times.
Bootlegs are better simply because you have the feel of the original game and it's hard to tell them apart from the real thing.
I don't see why anyone would bother making a DS bootleg though, even I have a flashcard so I can take all my games with me without packing around 20 game cartridges. And downloading games and playing them on your console/handheld is even harder since you have to modify it (Wii, PS2, 360, PSP ect ect ect) or have to buy special equipment. (Gameboy, DS)
So, in effect, buying/selling bootlegs is the stupid and/or lazy person's path to piracy and a thief's way to a full wallet.
And jailtime.
 
Pics make it hard to tell if it's blurry printing or blurry pics. I had a buddy of mine buy some UFC dvds off ebay that turned out to be bootlegged. Thankfully the guy used his bday and last name in his user name. I was able to find out he lived less than an hour away. Last I heard he had been arrested and was going to plead guilty.
 
[quote name='silentevil']Pics make it hard to tell if it's blurry printing or blurry pics. I had a buddy of mine buy some UFC dvds off ebay that turned out to be bootlegged. Thankfully the guy used his bday and last name in his user name. I was able to find out he lived less than an hour away. Last I heard he had been arrested and was going to plead guilty.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I took them with my iPhone since I can't find the charger for my good camera. But rest assured, the text is blurred, almost like it was double printed. The case art is stretched and grainy, while the generic DS case art stuff is crisp and clear.

I just got off the phone with Amazon and they are sending over to their fraud dept, or whatever their equivalent is.
 
Because of the bootlegging issue I just can't buy DS or GBA games sight unseen online anymore. I got some incredible deals on legit DS games on half.com years ago before bootlegging really took off, but after so many horror stories and seeing how thoroughly infested ebay is with bootlegs of almost every major DS title, it's almost impossible to trust anyone. Nintendo is throwing money away (and to bootleggers, mostly) forcing people to go to ebay and amazon marketplace for old titles that they can't be bothered to reprint. At least it looks like Amazon is going to fix things in this instance.

[quote name='blackdog60']Actually I have received bootleg anime DVDs from a couple of vendors. Called Amazon right up and immediately after the conversation, )since the vendor used name XXX and was actually Sun Devil DVDs or some such name which sells bootlegs.) I was refunded the money for my purchase and about 3 weeks go by and I get an e-mail from the seller telling me if I return the DVDs on my dime they will see I get a refund.[/QUOTE]

SunDevil scammed me out of hundreds on bootleg DVDs in my teenage years when I didn't know better :bomb: They're some of the biggest bootlegging fraudsters on the internet and I don't know how they're not in prison.
 
just FYI.. if it was from an Amazon seller you shouldn't have had to pay crap to return it. Ive had a couple bootleg items before from them (mostly memory sticks) and a simple email/call to customer service gets me a full refund every time. I didn't even have to return the item most of the time.

I had a question actually about those numbers stamped on the back.. are those just in ink? I always try to clean and wipe down used DS games i get and it seems if i go over it with alcohol it wipes off. I have to be very careful when wiping the back off. I almost totally wiped the code off my castlevania game >_< I was just wondering if thats normal? It seems to happen on some games that im damn positive are not bootlegs
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='Kenshindono'] I had a question actually about those numbers stamped on the back.. are those just in ink? I always try to clean and wipe down used DS games i get and it seems if i go over it with alcohol it wipes off. I have to be very careful when wiping the back off. I almost totally wiped the code off my castlevania game >_< I was just wondering if thats normal? It seems to happen on some games that im damn positive are not bootlegs[/QUOTE]

Yep, even on authentic games if you wipe the back off too hard or with alcohol or something else semi-wet then they will come off.
 
Well holy shit, Amazon actually did something about it. I just checked the seller's storefront and his entire inventory is GONE, except for one listing that is out of stock.

Good riddance to that piece of shit.
 
sp00ge - congrats. Also, with several other posters in noting that you should have had an immediate refund from Amazon given the issue. eBay/Paypal will do the same thing, just a little slower. You should never have to return counterfiet merchandise.
 
Unfortunately there are still plenty of bootlegs on Amazon and eBay. One of the Pokemon White listings on Amazon states "Shelf Pull-game plays on DS or DS Lite only DOES NOT PLAY ON DSi OR 3DS no manual or case."
 
[quote name='Rozz']Unfortunately there are still plenty of bootlegs on Amazon and eBay. One of the Pokemon White listings on Amazon states "Shelf Pull-game plays on DS or DS Lite only DOES NOT PLAY ON DSi OR 3DS no manual or case."[/QUOTE]

Report it here.

I ended up filing an A-Z on the guy, using that item was not what I ordered as a reason, and the seller is making me pay return shipping. I also emphasized that the game was a fake and the seller showed no concern for it, more or less showing that he knows he sells fakes.
 
[quote name='sp00ge']Report it here.

I ended up filing an A-Z on the guy, using that item was not what I ordered as a reason, and the seller is making me pay return shipping. I also emphasized that the game was a fake and the seller showed no concern for it, more or less showing that he knows he sells fakes.[/QUOTE]

Could you refuse return shipping AND get your full refund from Amazon because its perhaps illegal to send bootlegs through the mail, and you don't want to commit any illegal acts? (I'm not sure if that would fly, and of course that explanation is also ripe for fraud.)
 
[quote name='kodave']Could you refuse return shipping AND get your full refund from Amazon because its perhaps illegal to send bootlegs through the mail, and you don't want to commit any illegal acts? (I'm not sure if that would fly, and of course that explanation is also ripe for fraud.)[/QUOTE]

Well, the guy didn't put up a fight and within hours refunded my money with no mention of returning the game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top