How To Spot A Fake Pokemon Game

[@ballistic199]

I’ve had a fake copy of Emerald for years. It still works, and I play it from time to time for the nostalgia.

[@okay8458]

It's not a matter of it playing good, its for collectors who wants to keep it as a souvenirs or want to resell it for a pretty penny I collect old games and I do not want a fake, authentic only, it's like getting a fake shoe, or a fake ring, fake watch you spend good amount of money on it so it will be rough if it's not even real

[@JojoTheVulture]

May i ask how the clock works without a battery?

[@okay8458]

@@JojoTheVulture what are u talking abt?

[@JojoTheVulture]

@@okay8458 don't the Gameboy advanced pokemon games come with an internal battery in the cartridge? I heard the game gets wonky without it

[@UserStupidity]

@@JojoTheVulture nah it doesnt, just clockbased events cant work

[@jhunix1312]

I got my Ruby way back 2004-2005. It had a dark cartridge like most normal cartridges. It was a gift from my mom, and we were struggling financially. I didn't care if it was fake or not. I cherished it and played for hundreds of hours, even though it would sometimes delete my progress. Thanks mom.

[@naheemniles4182]

Yo I hate when the file would get corrupted

[@SuzyyyLi]

Ok this made me smile-

[@darkbiryani501]

@@frds_skce then don’t reply

[@kevininnocenti2398]

@@frds_skce Get lost, ignorant. It would have costed you nothing to be silent yet you chose to be rude.

[@whateverforeverin]

@@frds_skce people like you who try to speak for others you dont even know are compensating for being alone. Quit with that cringey "we" crap. No one is with you

[@Jetstreme]

Most fake copies of Pokémon games now aren’t necessarily “fake”, they’re reproductions and work just as well as originals. They exist so you don’t have to pay $200 to enjoy emerald on original hardware

[@airsoftshrek2387]

Still a fake doesn't matter if it works. Most of them are also made illegally

[@Jetstreme]

@@airsoftshrek2387 as far as I care, if Nintendo isn’t letting me play Emerald, Platinum, or Heartgold/Soulsilver on my switch, then this is fair game. Also, many of the listings for these reproductions go out of their way to make sure you know what you’re buying. They’re not trying to con you out of your money.

[@taharied5643]

@@airsoftshrek2387 It being illegal only matters if you actually care about that sort of thing..If not, then yes, it actually does matter if it works lmao

[@WhoTheDev]

They're fake

[@taharied5643]

@@WhoTheDev Doesn't mean they don't work just fine though. For collectors this might make a difference, but not for somebody who just wants to play the game but doesn't want to pay up the ass for an original copy.

[@YourFluffyPalSam]

Personally if it's super low in price I don't mind owning a fake my copy firered is fake and I've sunk 100+ hours into it

[@dragonlogos1]

Yeah but you don’t want to pay original prices for, let’s be generous, “reproductions”

[@dragonlogos1]

Yeah but you don’t want to pay original prices for, let’s be generous, “reproductions”

[@timohara7717]

@@dragonlogos1 you dont want to be poor for the real deal

[@lillrice27]

@@dragonlogos1 most reproductions are only like $20 anyways

[@TCSceptre]

@@timohara7717 And they’re not really fake there just a redone version . Since older versions aren’t in the best condition usually since they were made almost two decades Ago. They work exactly the Same. I have a real copy of emerald and fire red but it works just as well as a fake one .

[@Casual-BeANs]

reproduction carts are honestly a good thing. thanks to them you aren't forced to pay 200 dollars on a game that does the same thing.

[@AiyetoroFeligrus]

exactly! Clockbased events arent necessary so if they cant also fake a clock who cares :> just be careful with your berries

[@Forzamon42069]

@@AiyetoroFeligrus Or buy a gameshark

[@Burdboy14]

Can’t migrate

[@DittosDungeon]

Very informative 👏 I just came to aquire a gba emerald and was wondering this very fact. It's almost like your a mind reader. Keep up the good content 👌

[@DKOldies]

Glad I could help!

[@Quasar0406]

was it real

[@DittosDungeon]

@@aidancommenting yes it was lol thanks for asking

[@DittosDungeon]

@@Quasar0406 it for sure was 😄

[@facial210]

Your phone listens to you and suggests things you talk about....

[@CinderTheSkulldog]

Huh... now see someone getting a fake cartridge is always the first sign to a new Pokémon creepypasta being made. Neat video anyway, so now I know what to look out for to ensure it's official

[@Err0r34]

Hello again fellow proto

[@CinderTheSkulldog]

@@Err0r34 Hi

[@thealmightyduck335]

Another tell is that real Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald cartridges all have a battery you can see through the plastic. Fake ones don't.

[@Missing-Ace]

Counterfeiters:Write that down! WRITE THAT DOWN!

[@videogamepolak0]

do a fire red cartridge those are really good fakes only can tell by board or that ident stamp in the label

[@sarthakverma2879]

Him: how to spot a fake Pokemon game Me:idc i have an emulator on my phone

[@higoodtoseeyouhere298]

Its for collectors my man

[@proxyhx2075]

@@higoodtoseeyouhere298 Yes..

[@mauricioraigosaclavijo8833]

@@higoodtoseeyouhere298 for what? Idk about that I only get games to play.

[@higoodtoseeyouhere298]

@@mauricioraigosaclavijo8833 for collecting. Collectors seek for old games like pokemon emerald. An original retro mario game is getting sold for millions. It's not that much because it's maeio it's that much because its hard to find. If you're buying games to play none if this matter but collectors want the value and rarity of the game not the actual game itself

[@SockyNoob]

@@higoodtoseeyouhere298 the million dollar Mario game is a ponzi scheme lol

[@m050alali]

6 year old me be like: if it works it works

[@Joestorm2000]

He literally missed the number 1 best way to tell a fake Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald cart from real ones: behind the top right corner of the label is a coin cell battery. It's easy to see at the right angle and no reproduction carts have the clock battery.

[@Eddi_134]

I mean, usually when you have them in person its reeeeally easy to see which ones are fake. A few years ago I had asked a local retro store if they had fr and lg, they said not atm but they could get me a pair for 40 (20 each). I expressed my concerns about fake carts cuz im paranoid like that and they swore their stuff was always legit and had a trust worthy provider. Keep in mind these dudes base their prices on what they find on the top of 'buy it now' on ebay. He gave me that price based on repro carts 🤦‍♂️. I just said f it and said go for it, payed in advance. So a few weeks go by and no call from them to come pick up anything, they said it should be here in 1 week. I call and ask and they said they got lf but are waiting on fr and if i want I can go pick them up. I get there and the dude hands me the classic repro in a clear case (first red flag) then i go to put it in the gba and it give the "game can be played" text (second red flag). I go to the guy and explain him this is fake, I dont want it, i show him and doesnt believe me or didnt want to. He then talks to his boss and theres this whole back n forth and im pretty pissed. They offer to give me a refund or if not i cant wait to see if they can get me the real deal, and pretty pissed i decided to make their lives miserable and told them i wanted my games. I then pestered them for like 3 weeks about the games i ordered until they stopped answering my calls. We then drove back to the place and asked for my copies and they handed them over. Havent bought from a local retro game store since, its a joke, ill just look online myself. Smh. Moral of the story? Know what you are buying, dont get clowned, and ALWAYS keep your reciept!

[@HeadHunter697]

All the gameboy games at my local game shop are all legit, how do I know? They all cost upwards of $70

[@jay-leebusque-blackburn6747]

An honourable story

[@justinharris9389]

Another great way to tell us the Nintendo Logo. Compare the Nintendo logo on the fake one to a legit Nintendo logo. The font is completely different and it’s usually a bit off center. That’s how I found out my Ruby was fake when it wouldn’t connect to Pal Park.

[@PTBP-CB]

I may have a "fake" version but it still runs the game fine.

[@E4439Qv5]

Does it work for trading and battling too?

[@errorgabe_0820]

So helpful! I was skeptical about my Pokemon Emerald being a counterfeit, but now I know its real. Thanks!

[@Sly88Frye]

That's actually a really good thing you showed here because I'm sure a lot of fake copies actually don't even work

[@MyNameIsTKJoker]

I still remember when I was a kid, I would ask store after store just to find these “fake” but working cartridges for a third or a forth of the price because I couldn’t afford buying the “real” thing. They all still work this day.

[@shadowowolf]

How

[@MSGSlayer1]

Here's another clue: Holding a light to where the cartridge connects to the slot, if you see the Nintendo logo with a serial number behind the pins, it's authentic.

[@ElCaCaHANDLE]

I’ve Had My Leaf Green Copy For 2 Years Now, And I Always Thought It Was Fake, And Then I Saw That It Was Real Thanks To This

[@pancakes7294]

Just an easy way to tell is if the Pokémon transfer doesn’t work, that’s why I have an official version, because game transfer to me allows me to catch a ton of Pokémon and use them in later games, it brings up the sentimental value to each and makes playing and catching rare Pokémon more exciting especially since I can see my old mons in a new game.

[@knytware]

I wish I had know a while ago. Years ago I completed Fire Red only to be greeted to the cart basically resetting itself because the battery in it apparently died.

[@FRANZTENDO64Philippines]

And also look for the Nintendo and The Pokémon Company logo (bcoz sometimes they faking Nintendo/TPC logo)

[@CLICKMENAME]

Also, if the label is in good enough condition, you might be able to make out the shattered glass pattern on the front label. I haven't found any fake ones with that on the sticker, but the shattered glass look fades quickly, so I wouldn't rely on this method too much, especially since the game is at least ten years old now

[@vicerichter1163]

Use a flashlight and a darker area. It still reflects

[@trulyirrelevant17]

In my opinion I literally don’t care if it’s a re print or not, just as long as it functions as intended

[@jonathan7369]

99% of games yeah but I'd shell out for authentic Pokemon carts just to keep your saves safe & I believe there can be some trading issues with reprints.

[@mikevaljus6771]

Thankfully I never gave away my gbc/gba games (especially pokemon ones), never thought the value would go so high.

[@katharinem9874]

I have a counterfeit copy of Fire Red somewhere. I got it from an EBGames/GameStop 10+ years ago. I didn't think I could get a counterfeit from a "trusted" source, and the only sign something was wrong was that the memory would randomly wipe itself. Didn't realize there was a problem until over a year after I bought it. These clues would've been so helpful!

[@Inv8erZlM]

The sure fire way is to look at the “GAME BOY ADVANCE” lettering imprinted on the plastic itself. On fakes or “repros” the lettering is always skinny and more raised than legit copies.

[@emiliorojas9121]

Hell, even the cartridge has braille, what were they thinking.

[@zeedause5289]

Three more points to note - some fakes won’t have triangle screws which are standard for gba cartridges, they’ll have a big black splat on the front of the circuit board where a C cell battery should be, and, in the hilarious case of my most recent fake cartridge, they’ll slightly misspell Nintendo where it’s printed on the circuit board - mine said Nihtehdo.

[@keeganmessineo5537]

Real copy: looks like a kid had it. Fake copy: brand new.

[@psychoticplayz6294]

I’m kinda proud that I spotted the fake imminently

[@leecalhoun7748]

Also the Gameboy advance/Nintendo stamps are completely different. That was always the quickest way to tell when I worked at a retro game store as fake labels often had varying qualities making it occasionally harder to tell just from that. Often fakes don't have save batteries too

[@LiatKolink]

I got a fake one once whose save file corrupted upon defeating the Elite 4. Lol

[@Freakishink292]

Bro teaching scammers to be more professional 💀

[@KahruSuomiPerkele]

they're not solder points, but vias, it's to connect top traces to bottom traces, and these vias are uncovered

[@amaogusm35]

he missed the nintendo logo

[@rolebo1]

In Europe it is fairly easy to spot fake ones. Unless it is imported from the USA real cartridges will not have a serial code ending in USA, most if not all fake labels do end their codes with USA.

[@Notsophism]

I had a counterfeit _Emerald_ cartridge with a gracefully apparent red flag: it used _LeafGreen’s_ outer shell.

[@AraiDigital]

I’d be okay with the “fakes” as long as they basically said it upfront. I don’t give a damn if it was or wasn’t, I just don’t want to pay “real” prices for fake ones, lol.

[@BadDragon420]

Damn im so happy i know how to spot a fake game cartridge for a 20 year discontinued system. Thank you 🙏

[@wiseman8728]

As long as the counterfeit doesn't have an asking price of the original. I can see a lot of people intentionally buying fakes because they just want to play the game with something close to what they experienced before

[@puppymolly123]

Thank you! I was suspicious that mine might be fake because if the dead clock battery issue. Everyone else I’ve spoken to has said that the dead battery made it impossible for their game to save but for mine it just doesn’t left me so time based events. That seemed a little odd to me. But this video verified that my copy is most likely real!

[@ExpertWeeb1]

Also the Nintendo logo is on the PCB but sometimes fakers do that to which is illegal I think. You can buy this thing I have it's called Epilogue and it can do a lot of things which includes checking fake cartridges

[@ThatGuy-mp9og]

Forgot to mention another easy distinction. The Nintendo seal on the front are different

[@g4bbe26]

This copy is real, this copy is fake and we still sell both

[@Greenpoptartover9000]

counterfiter: *taking notes*

[@Bitter.Tea.0w0]

Unfortunately I didn’t know this video existed when I got scammed, I still have the fake Ruby game, idk why

[@goose7632]

I mean if it works it doesn’t really matter

[@okay8458]

@@goose7632 it does matter if you want an authentic game, cause resellers will sell old games for high prices so it would be a bummer if you bought a fake game, it's like a person buying a really nice watch for a good amount of money just for it to be a fake watch it's not a matter of if the watch could tell time but the value of the watch, same applies for shoes I like Jordan's and I'd be pissed if someone sold me fake Jordan's for the same price as an authentic Jordan

[@goose7632]

@@okay8458 it isn’t the authenticity of the item for me, if it looks the same and functions the same, and I would have to pay the same price for it, I really don’t care that much. I don’t buy stuff with the intention of selling it

[@okay8458]

@@goose7632 I'm saying that for the original commenter cause it does matter to us collectors or anybody that values authentic things, it's not even about selling it, it's about owning it or just knowing you have something so valuable something that can totally be treasured the fact that you have a rare item or limited edition cards, games, shoes whatever, you stated "I mean if It works it doesn't matter" but it does matter to us who wants something very authentic, which is why the original commenter got scammed since he didn't know about this video beforehand, I own a sealed copy of Zelda ocarina of time for the Nintendo 64 it's very valuable to me as a collector who enjoyed playing the game long time ago I cherish it alot but I'd be very upset if it wasn't an authentic box, but that's just a collectors view point which Is what I'm trying to explain to you to understand why this video matters to others who want to have an authentic copy for the future

[@goose7632]

@@okay8458 I’m not saying it isn’t cool to covet authentic things, it’s just that, why sweat it? It isn’t going to be different experience than if I had the same thing. It’s like fake diamonds rings, just because the item is fake doesn’t mean the person loves them any less

[@orangemamba3269]

Just a heads up the imprints on the label is no longer a staple to confirm authenticity. I myself have seen several reproductions with these imprints, (the backs however were obvious fakes.) the game itself had a description before starting.

[@duscha55]

Tip 4 look inside on the pins of the game, if it says Nintendo you are good

[@CoverCode]

The easiest way for me IMO the battery inside, you can check if it is there without opening it by shining a flashlight through from the front

[@doubleoof7907]

thanks, now I can make more authentic-looking fake cartridges 😊

[@spacecutter1684]

I have a used emerald cartridge, which means it might be real, but I'll still use this to check anyways. There is a huge price sticker on it so I hope that doesn't get in the way.

[@trapnug2626]

Honestly the way the Pokémon resell game is going I hope people start making good fake cartridges and flooding the market, no one should have to pay 200-300 for a Pokémon game it’s fucked up. Ive had a few fakes over the years and what I’ve noticed is there about 50/50 some last forever with no problems and some give out and glitch really quick.

[@ChunteringBackwardsForwards]

Tip:4 the fake copy will let you choose any 9 of the first 3 gens starters.

[@brotcon]

As long as it works it doesn’t matter. Games are just data. Until Nintendo makes backwards compatibility than you need reproductions. Emulators are nice on PC but I always have issues with resolution.

[@skitheadvideos2802]

That explains why my Mother 3 cartridge looks a bit different

[@Dymino]

shame tbh, i have a legit copy of pokemon emerald but the label got busted up from usage from the previous owner 💀 id replace it but theres no decent label replacements that i could find

[@shayne537]

I almost got a Fake Copy of Pokémon Emerald, I was glad the Buyer Refunded it, I didn’t want it if it didn’t connect to Diamond and Pearl to Migrate

[@therealsquimby3191]

Another thing is that it says "Nlhlehde" on the inside because, if you only look at the bottom half, it looks like Nintendo.

[@Xero-phantom89706]

The thing is that if you are buying it to just play the game it doesn't matter which most of the community doesn't care about because they still function thensame

[@KD-bk7gd]

Paying over $100 to play an old game is ridiculous, unless you are specifically a retro physical collector. Repros serve a valuable purpose in preserving game history. The only problem with repros is scammers trying to pass them off as legitimate, but I also think it’s cool they try to look as real as possible so people can enjoy the cartridges in their entirety including art etc. Nintendo doesn’t lose a dime for these sales because they are all on the secondary market at this point. It isn’t like Nintendo gets paid when a used copy gets resold.

[@MichaelAivaliotis]

So you’re just teaching the counterfeiters

[@RedTed_Indentation45]

Question: with pokemon emerald going for $120 for the cartridge alone, would you settle for a counterfeit for $20 for the experience alone? (Obviously this question is not for collection reasons)

[@ShadTheSham]

I mean yeah, I'm pretty sure you can still transfer to newer games from them as well

[@wamuwuuwu5097]

@@ShadTheSham Some people tried and it didnt work.

[@RedTed_Indentation45]

@@ShadTheSham unfortunately you can't transfer pokemon to gen 4 games with reproduction games, but for people who hasn't experienced the game yet can actually play the game

[@SuperTheast]

I use a flash cart to play most gba games but for collecting I get real only. The big issue is that some people try to seek repros as legit carts

[@demonicyeet9669]

I got the game for last Christmas. I knew it was fake but wasn't sure. Now that I saw this video, it proves that the suspensions I had were right. I'ma go cry now ):

[@CyrenBanshi]

Every bootleg ive seen also doesnt have that circular indent in the sticker between "emerald" and "pokemon" .

[@geniussnake497]

As long as it works, saves properly and doesn't mess up your system, fake games over expensive real games doesn't seem like too much of a trade-off 🤔

[@wamuwuuwu5097]

You cant transfer/trade pokemon with this crap.

[@Khim_0129]

Maybe the counterfeit has solid state storage, instead of that small battery that makes the game unplayable when it dies...

[@jikkilthepickle8607]

I have one that has all of the fake cartridge except for the subtle blue streaks

[@Drewzero]

It gets me mad that so many people buy these fake games thinking they're real, not only that but sellers lie about it being only so few let you know it's counterfeit, if anything you got to show the DS ones cause I think those are much harder

[@carcrash3558]

For me personally, I’d obviously prefer a real copy for collection purposes BUT I think nothing it wrong with reproduction/fake carts as it’s a cheap way people can have fun and relive nostalgia

[@ya-kiri794]

A legit copy of Emerald is stupid expensive and that sucks.

[@StuartR.]

Teaching people how to counterfeit better

[@CR1MSONACE]

Fake makers are gonna now have numbers, messy wiring and blue streaks that aren't shiny

[@heythatsmypoo]

Many years ago, my mom ordered Pokémon games on eBay. Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. All came in the GBA boxes, but they were crushed, and all three games ended up being counterfeit. It really sucked

[@amamsurri5454]

Oh wow that's crazy. *Continues to emulate*

[@BrennanTheContentWhisperer]

If you’re collecting, buy real. If you just wanna play it to relive some of your childhood, just buy a repo cart.

[@iloveappleyoutube7198]

They put the official seal on the fake copy? China has barely any copyright related laws, so china factories are allowed to do that technically. It would be illegal in the USA though.

[@Niall_Sene]

The fake one was also wider

[@autismo5518]

Tip 4 don't buy over priced original copies of old games. Instead buy intentionally fake ones at a much much lower price that will practically look the same at first glance and work 100% as intended. The only thing your getting with og copies is bragging rights.

[@AmitRozee]

Bro the counterfit lable's background looks better tho

[@kalebwhitrockdingus]

I guess re labeling your cartridges because the label is so destroyed it's unrecognizable is just not allowed anymore cause it makes it fake

[@Ookami20]

Man I miss cartridges they were so beautiful 😌💚🔥

[@ayo2412]

*i had a copy of pokemon white in 2009 i always thought it was fake cause it was slightly darker.*

[@charlieworrick1759]

The fake one is the one I had when I was a kid and it survived a winter and 2 days of rain and still worked

[@comatygames2976]

Tip 4 most counterfeit Gameboy advanced cartridges have black glue on the board when you open it and I have to come yet across a real cardridge that has one

[@ithydoodles]

I've got my real copy from the early 2000s. But I have bought a few fakes of other games on purpose. (Ff6, mother 1/2 and mother 3. Misplaced my original ff6.)

[@water5951]

The fake one looks exactly like a green haribo gummy bear

[@obsidianti2170]

Now, I am wondering if the Pokemon Ruby I had as a kid is fake. It didn't have an internal battery, so I couldn't do time-based events. Another reason why I am a Sapphire fan.

[@finalminer1425]

Honestly, I have a refurbished Zero Mission cart, it’s definitely fake, I’m just happy to be able to play the game lol

[@Frostblitz96]

Good to know my copy is real

[@jasongonzaga9745]

As long as it works for the fake version then its good enough, there are many fake version that either corrupts the save file or glitches when played early. As long as they are working and had no issue then its a good fake i guess.

[@evtek3962]

Not if you are a collector and just paid a $1000 for a fake ass cartridge.

[@nw8084]

I once tried to sell a pokemon emerald and my local game store told me it was fake. Thanks for proving me right 😂

[@Alphawolf2325]

Tbf, I'll take a repro that looks good and works. I'm too scared to play my old ones now.

[@LittleRainGames]

Those arent solder points, they are vias. They just arent covered with solder mask.

[@zero00044]

As long as it plays the actual game no differently than the real one, who cares if the cartridge itself isn't the original one. Lol. I'm tempted to but the hacked cartridge of boktai 2 that someone made where you don't need the solar sensor. Partly because of not needing the sensor but mostly because the original is so expensive now, being valued around $275 for an open box used copy.

[@saberruntv]

Got the "fake" 2 days after release in a nintendo box brand new then. Its just version A and version B of the cartridge

[@TheWITE-FOX]

Official stamp and Nintendo logo…

[@dknandez]

Man, thats too many. Easist way is to look for the internal battery

[@BeatAces]

When the fake looks better than the legit thing 🤣

[@princenoreally]

Right