How to identify a bootleg game

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon (More info?)

Sorry about the barrage of questions as of late, but.

How would I go about confirming whether or not a game is a bootleg? Any
tell-tale signs?

Reason I ask is I'll want FL as soon as it's out in the US, but I've not yet
decided exactly how the importing/purchasing will be done. I'm obviously
going to avoid eBay, and will probably go for a reputable online store (any
recommendations?).

Still, I want to be forewarned with at least a basic knowledge of how to
tell the real thing from fakes in case I see a shop that's imported them,
which may save me the effort of importing them myself.

Any help appreciated.

Steffan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon (More info?)

STEFFAN HEDD ALUN wrote:
> Sorry about the barrage of questions as of late, but.
>
> How would I go about confirming whether or not a game is a bootleg? Any
> tell-tale signs?
>
> Reason I ask is I'll want FL as soon as it's out in the US, but I've not yet
> decided exactly how the importing/purchasing will be done. I'm obviously
> going to avoid eBay, and will probably go for a reputable online store (any
> recommendations?).
>
> Still, I want to be forewarned with at least a basic knowledge of how to
> tell the real thing from fakes in case I see a shop that's imported them,
> which may save me the effort of importing them myself.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> Steffan
>
>

All of the US games I've bought have been through "reputable" sources,
so I've only seen bootlegged carts in Japanese style packaging, but I
would say the easiest sign of a bootleg is package quality. Dull, faded,
or wrong colors, lack of shrinkwrap, incorrect art or markings.

Also, if the deal seems "too good to be true", it probably is.

If you're looking to import online, though, I'd suggest one of the
"big-name" sites that may ship overseas, like amazon.com,
www.ebgames.com, or www.gamestop.com

--
MechaGojira #28
http://www.rocketpunch.net
jorge[at]rocketpunch[dot]net

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon (More info?)

"STEFFAN HEDD ALUN" <sha3@aber.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:1083168323.559816@leri.aber.ac.uk...
> Sorry about the barrage of questions as of late, but.
>
> How would I go about confirming whether or not a game is a bootleg? Any
> tell-tale signs?
>
> Reason I ask is I'll want FL as soon as it's out in the US, but I've not
yet
> decided exactly how the importing/purchasing will be done. I'm obviously
> going to avoid eBay, and will probably go for a reputable online store
(any
> recommendations?).

I usually go to www.lik-sang.com or www.toysnjoys.com for my imports.
They're fast, reputable, and they carry a nice selection of Japanese and
American games.

>
> Still, I want to be forewarned with at least a basic knowledge of how to
> tell the real thing from fakes in case I see a shop that's imported them,
> which may save me the effort of importing them myself.

Take a look at the box. Most bootleg games have poorly printed boxes that
are either grainy or blurry. If you can get a look at the cartridge itself,
check for a blurry label. Those are your obvious tip offs, but there are
some more subtle clues as well. The housing of the bootleg games is made
from a cheaper plastic than that of the real games, so the bootlegs are
somewhat lighter in weight. The visible portion of the chip is much thinner
than it should be, about 1/2 as thick as the chip of an authentic cart. The
stamp on the back of the cartridge will likely be different from the stamp
on the back of a real cartridge. For example, I have a bootleg cart with a
stamp that says "Model no. AGB-022," while all of my authentic carts read
"Model no. AGB-002." The bootleg cart is also missing the patent
information that is stamped on the back of the real carts.

If you have an authentic cart on hand, just compare it to the Fire/Leaf
cart. You should be able to tell if the Fire/Leaf cart is a bootleg or not.

>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> Steffan
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon (More info?)

"Bandraptor" <bandraptor@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:KgWjc.16852$Qy.4711@fed1read04...
> I usually go to www.lik-sang.com or www.toysnjoys.com for my imports.
> They're fast, reputable, and they carry a nice selection of Japanese and
> American games.

Excellent.

> Take a look at the box.
<snip much useful info>
> If you have an authentic cart on hand, just compare it to the Fire/Leaf
> cart. You should be able to tell if the Fire/Leaf cart is a bootleg or
not.

Awesome. I'll make sure I keep Sapphire handy, then, for easy reference.

Thanks muchly for your help, and that goes for Mecha too.

Steffan