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Your guide to identifying counterfeit games
http://www.psypokes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22763
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Author:  Krisp [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

People have made a lot of topics about their Pokemon games in the 3rd generation acting up. Well, it's been discovered that greedy pirates in poor Asian countries have been manufacturing fake Pokemon cartridges. Yes, they go through all that trouble to make a quick buck. Well, I've decided to put an end to these threads by writing this guide.

How to identify a fake Pokemon cartridge:

Since I don't own any fake games, I've browsed EBay in search of fake cartridges. Here are some pictures:

Image

(Compare to mine/Frost's pictures later in this post)

Image

The cartridge is the wrong shade of green; it is more like LeafGreen Version's color. The box is also wrong.

Image

The label is on slightly crooked. The box does NOT say it includes a wireless adapter OR that it is a Player's Choice game. It is also poorly photoshopped and should be compared to my box for further proof that it is indeed a fake.

Image

Totally fake. Compare it to Frost's official game.

Image

...I don't really think this one needs an explanation.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: THERE IS NO ENGLISH GREEN VERSION. IF IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE FOLLOWING IMAGE IT IS A FAKE:

Image

Okay, now for the REAL Pokemon cartridges. (I made them big so you can identify detail, so click on them instead)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4599/1000852kh7.jpg

Pokemon LeafGreen box, and manual. Pokemon Sapphire box and manual. Pokemon Ruby cartridge and instructions. Pokemon Emerald box, and cartridge. Pokemon FireRed cartridge and box. Since it's hard to see the cartridges, I took another picture.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6966/1000854lh6.jpg

For the games/boxes I missed, here's an image of them:

Image

And as for the first, second, and fourth generation games, please refer to these images:

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/892/1000858ce0.jpg

(Gold/Silver/Crystal; Crystal's manual is similar to G/S but is lavender instead of gold or silver)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4048/1000859xj8.jpg

(Red/Blue/Yellow; also note that my Red Version's book is faded for some reason. It should look like the book on the left. Yellow's manual is identical to R/B).

Image

Diamond/Pearl cartridges

Image

Diamond/Pearl boxes

Author:  Frost [ Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

-random trolling because i helped get pictures and krisp's avatar + frost's avatar = hot-

Author:  Russellah [ Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

To be honest i think the 3rd Gen fakes are pretty good.
You only notice if you know what to look for.

Author:  hammythepig [ Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

I knewly got LeafGreen, can you show pics of real games so I can see if its fake?

EDIT: Sorry Krisp :oops:

Author:  Krisp [ Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Um...can you read?
I wrote:
Okay, now for the REAL Pokemon cartridges. (I made them big so you can identify detail, so click on them instead)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4599/1000852kh7.jpg
Image

Author:  Prof. Dom [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

My LeafGreen is grey like that of a normal Advance catridge, it is compatible with other pokemon games but doesn't work on Collosseum.
It also says "the save file is ok." when I turn it on, I've been told that's abnormal. Other than that it hasn't played up. Is mine a fake?

Author:  Pokemaniac [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Quote:
My LeafGreen is grey like that of a normal Advance catridge



Well you just answered your own question. Why it works with the other Pokemon games but not with Colosseum is odd.

Author:  JsXtm [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Prof. Dom wrote:
My LeafGreen is grey like that of a normal Advance catridge, it is compatible with other pokemon games but doesn't work on Collosseum.
It also says "the save file is ok." when I turn it on, I've been told that's abnormal. Other than that it hasn't played up. Is mine a fake?


Yes, that would be a fake copy, according to this guide.

If it works just fine, though, there's no reason to buy a new (legit) one.

Author:  Krisp [ Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

I was going to reply to this thread with my phone, but the pictures in the first post crashed it. :(

As for your fake cartridge, I suggest you get a real copy. It saves with a BATTERY back up, not flash memory. If you've seen my guide for replacing the battery in G/S/C cartridges, you'll know what a pain this is. Your file will poof eventually, when the battery dies. The battery is most likely very poor quality (those damn Koreans), and I'd say it won't last longer than a GSC battery.

I'm interested to know what it looks like though - could you possibly take a picture of it? Can you migrate Pokemon to Diamond/Pearl from it?

Author:  jupiter [ Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

To Krisp:

Hi,may i request sumthing? can u post in ur guide the pics of the original GBA SP and NDS Pokemon games?or just pm it to me or just give me the website wer i can find the pics of those original pkmn games?OR can u take a picture oF ur original pkmn games in possession?i guess u have original pokemon R/S/E and pkmn Diamond And Pearl.^^tnx


Um a Little off topic:i noticed sumthing funny here it says on my data that i joined here in Dec 31 1969 wat the HECK!? why is that?ahhaah^^

Author:  Horadrius [ Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

As someone who was fooled twice on eBay (got both counterfeit Ruby AND Sapphire cartridges) I thought I'd put in my two cents.

The first weird thing I noticed was that upon starting the game, I would get a message that said "The save file is OK" after the title screen. Then after losing my game data TWICE after attempting to trade with Colosseum, I started to look for information.

The piece of information I came across proved to be extremely useful. If you look up the bottom of the cartridge, on the green circuit board you should actually see the word "Nintendo" printed on it, in its signature oval shape.

Author:  Veilor [ Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Hi, I bought Pokemon Emerald on internet and it's really a GOOD fake, but there's just a few things that I noticed for it to be a fake.

1. The obvious box, where the art looks printed and the front shiny like on the picture above(and the 7 page book!)
2. The clock doesnt work.
3. The sticker doesnt match whats on the pictures

Now the cartridge looks like the real deal, it does, says made in japan and everything. But when I flip it, it's some black text on the circuit board and missing what previous poster said nintendo logo thing.

It says when I start the game, ''The save file will be loaded'' and ''The game can be played'', I don't know if thats normal or not.

Well anyway my conclusion is that its a fake, hope the seller will be nice to return the money, heres a picture of the cartridge...looks blurry as I took it with the webcam

ImageImage

Another thing I noticed is that EU versions of the games have a CE mark on the right side of the cartridge and the nintendo logo to the left, might help.

Author:  JsXtm [ Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Veilor wrote:
It says when I start the game, ''The save file will be loaded'' and ''The game can be played'', I don't know if thats normal or not.

Well anyway my conclusion is that its a fake, hope the seller will be nice to return the money


Not normal, and ha ha ha ha ha, good luck with that, the seller most likely knew that it was fake, and was intentionally trying to rip you off.

Author:  Veilor [ Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

No sorry I cant =/ I got a hold of the guy and I've sent it back. I will get my money back =)

I did however get a shot of the text on the circuitboard, a decent pic with my webcam(with the help of a flashlight though...)

ImageImage

EDIT: Wow didn't think this was possible, but I now present to you pictures of a fake Pokemon Pearl! (I am an unlucky guy :frustrated: ). When I first opened it looked really suspicious and then other things got noticed.

ImageImageImageImage
Pics of the front, as you see it's missing the wifi icon. Other than that it looks alright.

ImageImage
Totally different picture than whats on your cartridges up there.

Image
Now I havent seen the back of Pokemon Diamond or Pearl, but this background sure looks suspicious to me. if I am wrong just correct me :). But to me it looks fake..
and also, Pokemon is written really weird in the weird looking book I got with it. And it looks copy pasted in the book also. can take a pic of it too if you want.

Author:  Krisp [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Today, I was in another town, so I decided to visit their Gamestop. I looked at the GBA games, and....

Image

This is either a fake cartridge (a very well done one) or it's the European version. Can anyone in Europe confirm this is the official Ruby Version cartridge?

Author:  Patchy [ Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

My Ruby doesn't look like that. The Nintendo seal of approval sticker is in the wrong place on that one, the text looks bolder and my cartridge is a shinier colour. I'll post its picture in the morning.

Edit: here it is
Image

Author:  petz629 [ Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Here's a better picture of the box of the cartridge:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

I have few questions:
1. Do the boxes of Pokemon cartridges look the same evn if they are not from the same region?
2. Do Leafgreen and Firered come without a wireless daptor?
3. Does "The save file is OK." an indication that the cartridge is fake? What are the other indications that it's fake aside from the box and the picture on the cartridge?
4. How much does a genuine Pokemon cartridge cost in USA? Please list each version's price.


I have a friend that is coming home from California and I am requesting her to buy for me genuine Pokemon cartridges. I want genuine cartridges but I can't find any here. The previous posts saying that "piracy is common here" is true.

Author:  JsXtm [ Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

petz629 wrote:
I have few questions:
2. Do Leafgreen and Firered come without a wireless adaptor?


Yes, pretty frequently. The version with the wireless adapter was only available for a few months, I think, most versions in stores right now are without.

Author:  Patchy [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Quote:
3. Does "The save file is OK." an indication that the cartridge is fake? What are the other indications that it's fake aside from the box and the picture on the cartridge?
4. How much does a genuine Pokemon cartridge cost in USA? Please list each version's price.

3. Yes, unless it says something else about the internal battery and clock-based events.
4. Hopefully someone actually from the USA can clarify this, but I think they're about $30-$40. Al long as you get them from somewhere reliable, like Toys R Us or Gamestop, they should be genuine. :)

And I'm not sure about the boxes. My DP boxes are American and they're sort of sparkly, and I think the ones in shops here were just plain.

Author:  DarkMegaMan [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Patchy wrote:
Quote:
4. How much does a genuine Pokemon cartridge cost in USA? Please list each version's price.

4. Hopefully someone actually from the USA can clarify this, but I think they're about $30-$40. Al long as you get them from somewhere reliable, like Toys R Us or Gamestop, they should be genuine. :)


Actually, RSE and FRLG have pretty much disappeared from most stores, all they have is DP. When they were first released they were $29.99. If you see any on store shelves they will most likely be around $19.99.

Author:  Krisp [ Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

The last copies of Sapphire, LeafGreen, and Emerald Versions at Walmart are marked down to $10. I picked up Sapphire Version because I gave my old game to my brother, and I was thinking about buying the last Emerald Version and pawning it off on EBay, but I can't be assed.

Author:  Pokemaniac1237 [ Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

DarkMegaMan wrote:
Patchy wrote:
Quote:
4. How much does a genuine Pokemon cartridge cost in USA? Please list each version's price.

4. Hopefully someone actually from the USA can clarify this, but I think they're about $30-$40. Al long as you get them from somewhere reliable, like Toys R Us or Gamestop, they should be genuine. :)


Actually, RSE and FRLG have pretty much disappeared from most stores, all they have is DP. When they were first released they were $29.99. If you see any on store shelves they will most likely be around $19.99.


Where do you live? I get them for $30! :cry:

Author:  jirachiX [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

The first cartridge I bought won't save! Gaaahhhh!!!!

Author:  Beav232 [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

I saw the worst attempt at a fake the other day on Ebay.

Sorry for no pics.

But:
1. It was titled 'Sea Blue' (obvious)
2. Has a 3-D Blastoise on the front
3. Cartridge looked like a non-tansparent Sapphire.

I E-mailed the buyer and told him it was a fake not to pay for it. Then I e-mailed the seller and reported him. :)

ANd my leafgreen at Wal-Mart was $14.99.

Author:  Pokemaniac1237 [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Your guide to identifying counterfeit games

Beav232 wrote:
I saw the worst attempt at a fake the other day on Ebay.

Sorry for no pics.

But:
1. It was titled 'Sea Blue' (obvious)
2. Has a 3-D Blastoise on the front
3. Cartridge looked like a non-tansparent Sapphire.

I E-mailed the buyer and told him it was a fake not to pay for it. Then I e-mailed the seller and reported him. :)

ANd my leafgreen at Wal-Mart was $14.99.


Sea blue is a [forbidden word] hack. A guy put it on a cartridge and sold it.

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