Is this GBA game a fake?

[Geoff D]

Good information in this thread, thanks chaps - have just inspected my US copy of Zelda LttP that I bought from the 'bay moons ago & it would appear to be not worth the paper (or circuits) it's printed on The label is smooth...

[Darwock]

I recently went to play my copy of Cyberdrive Zoids and found that none of my save games existed anymore, bit of further testing and I discovered it would no longer save. Now I'm thinking it may be fake too, as the cartridge didn't really fit in the slot very well, and when I dismantled it to try and fix this I remember it only had one screw (at a wonky angle). Also bought from eBay.

[vertigo]

If they say anything like "box flat-packed for delivery" then it's usually a fake that just hasn't had the printed box made up yet.

Hi, that as a general rule is correct. However, I've bought games before that have been 100% legit and have been flat-packed for ease of delivery. As with me, when I sell my GBA games I dismantle the boxes down to flat so that they're easier to post and have less chance of getting mangled.
The vast majority of GBA stuff on eBay is fake though, which is disappointing.

[Lyris]

Also the logo on the box art says "SNK NEOGEO". Does it normally say that, or is it usually just "SNK"?

[Balou]

Well, I got a real copy of Metal Slug Advance now. I can put up some screenshots of the package for reference. It is the German Pal version though.

I?m still waiting for the refunding of my money. He arranged a payment via Pay Pal, but the payment process is not completed yet - since last Wednesday.
Funnily enough, he already gave me positive feedback, maybe in the hope I?d also give him positive feedback while still thinking I get my money back soon.
It?s perfectly possible in Germany to send funds via Pay Pal immediately and pay later using the debit advice precedure. So I already got a little sceptic there as he did not make use of the fast payment method.
Today I wrote him an e-mail prompting him again to transfer the money back. I got a response stating that he is now contacting Pay Pal regarding the payment. He also offered me to refund the money via bank transfer.

It seems like that seller now regularly sells US GBA carts. I can?t tell if they are fake or not (no RP-Ratings there), but it definitely looks a bit fishy.

[vertigo]

Getting a refund can often take a little while, but if you've not got it within 2 weeks make a claim to eBay.

[Balou]

It?s not really a refund - he just ought to transfer me a certain amount of money to my e-mail adress in return. According to him though, there seems to be a problem with the payment, which I find a little bit "unusual".

Anyway, on a different matter, do Nintendo DS cartridge fakes already exist?
There is a cheap copy (new & sealed but no real picture) of the US version of Zoo Keeper on eBay and I was wondering if I can just buy it, sans any concern if it may be a fake or not...

[Balou]

Again looking on eBay for some GBA games ...
Would you say the game in the picture below is a fake or not?
The seller says it?s the pal version, with manual.


or click here to go to the auction (German) itself

Thanks!

[EvilBoris]

I wouldn't of said so from the pictures, its not very often that a european release will be pirated anyway.

[importaku]

looks legit but unless you get really close pics you not going to 100% know for sure.

Looks like it has all the right marks on the box & stuff, the case the cart comes in must be a freebie as no gba came in cart protectors.

[Billyx7]

I think it's fake. Here's a picture of my US Copy Metal Slug. My US Copy has a different artwork on the cartridge. Got mine from CA Games.

[importaku]

not all games have the same artwork on the cart label as they do on the box.

My official mario vs donkey kong has different artwork on the cart & box.

[the_dude]

Make sure the Pat number on the game/instruction manual/box are all the same!

[pcb_revival]

Again looking on eBay for some GBA games ...
Would you say the game in the picture below is a fake or not?
The seller says it?s the pal version, with manual.


or click here to go to the auction (German) itself

Thanks!

Looks okay from the photo, although I can not see a number embossed in the cart label which it should have.

You can see the game pcb has rounded edges where as boots usually are right angle cut.

The flash from the camera shows the box has a matt finish which is normal for legitimate gba games.

Good luck with the auction.

[Balou]

Thanks a lot for your input!
If the game stays at this low price I think I will bid on it.

My experience is that sellers with fake cartridges often use really good photos, to lure people in by showing them the real cartridge etc.
I don?t know, it just feels a bit fishy to me ... I definitely won?t bid the amount of money I would bid on a guaranteed not-fake copy.