Only Original Games are sold on OriginalGame.EU , but how can you tell what's legit and what's not?

To tell the difference between real and fake there are several signs to watch out for and techniques to use. The best test is to open up the game. When opening a Game Boy (DMG) and Gameboy Color (CGB) game, the front and back of the cartridges are attached to each other by 1 safety screw ( 3.8 mm bit). For the Gameboy Advance games you will need a tri-wing screwdriver.

This method makes sure the PCB (Circuitboard with chips) , trulely comes from Nintendo, if you know where to look for

There are Gameboy Advance games out there with the name "Nintendo" on the PCB that are fake too so you really have to dig a bit deeper than that.                                                                                                                                                                                           Please check the video below of me opening up 2 exactly the same looking copies of Adventure Island 2 ( -USA distribution)

The Thumbs up is for the Original Game on the left <=

The Thumb down is for the Fake one on the right =>

Again, on the left a real game. Notice "DMG" on the PCB in gold letters and on the bigger chip in grey smaller letters. The fake one on the right uses chips that are never used by Nintendo. 

Below a selection of games that could have fould you from the looks on the outside. Also notitce the personal touch someone gave the chip of the fake "Nintendo World Cup"

Fake games, in general, are harder to open. The manufactures also try to hold you from opening it sometimes by placing interesting stickers on top of the screw (as seen in the slideshow above). Some cartridges do not survive the test ( and break, also as seen in the photo's above) but that's ok. Don't be afraid you will destroy a real cartridge when opening it up with the proper tool and a bit of needed pressure: They are really well build. The screw comes out really easy and you can slide the front right of the back, that simple. Once it's open: look* for the letters "DMG" ( for Dot Matrix Game(s)).

If the game looks like any of the fake examples it's bad news: You got yourself a bootleg , fake or re-production game.

Not the real deal: Not an Original Game

*Good examples are the picture with the real and the fake Joker/ Batman Game or the Pokémon Red in the slideshow With "Cartridge A, Label A , Original Battery" 

Other visual tells you can look for:

1. "The Black Blob**"  Examples are the fake Aladdin and Lion King Game (notice the round black dots instead of a square chip)  
2. "missing imprinted number" Notice the real game of the Joker has the number "20" imprinted ( just above SUNSOFT on the label).Many fake games of this generation do not have these numbers but they can easily be applied ( also afterwards)
3. The overall looks of labels and the artwork. The 2 Pokémon red versions are really easy to spot as fake because the original look so much different. You have to do some research but when you know how the real deal looks, you won't be fooled with these.

**There are many Tetris games with "Black Blob" that are not always fakes, as Nintendo had to use 3th party factories for a decent part for this particular game ( Big demand , little capacity at that moment)

Questions or Remarks? Do you have a good photo or catalogue of fake games? please send me a message!

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