| Welcome to the PGRF gaming community! Everyone here is very friendly, so don't hesitate to say hi and engage in some video game discussion with all of us! From retro to modern, there's no discrimination here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the moderators and administrators! Have fun. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free! Join our community! |
| How to tell whether a DS game is pirated or not. | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 29 2011, 12:33 AM (5,165 Views) | |
| Goza | Apr 29 2011, 12:33 AM Post #1 |
a.k.a. sexy
  ![]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/PDorr3/forum/endingpip.png)
|
Alright I'm making this post to blow off a little steam, and teach people how to tell the difference between an actual DS game, and a fake DS game. I recently (yesterday) ordered Phoenix Wright 3 for my pal, and at first glace I could tell it was pirated. Easy tell tale signs are: 1. Is this the actual box art/cartridge art for your region? After I noticed the game had the same front box art, excluding the rated "E" part, I examined the back of the box. Here's what it looks like in comparison to its real counter part. Also note the multiplier, and the label of the cartridge (pictured below) is the image of the box art (which is also wrong.) Another thing to be noted, is the quality of the printing. The copy was poorly printed (my webcam and shirking the image didn't help) and seemed miscoloured.  (Front of Fake) (Back of Fake) (Real box art)2. Does the cartridge appear to be thicker? I did put the game into my DS, and it did have a harder time fitting into my DS. 3.What does the chip/cardridge say on the green part, and is the cartridge's back darker then normal? I'd like to tell you this part can usually tell the difference (thanks to the people at Digitalpress for teaching me this.) DS games do not have Nintendo written on its green part, but instead a serial number. Also, pirated games tend to have a darker back in comparison to other normal DS games. 4. Does it boot up on a DSi, and if it's an older model how long does it take? Also as I learned, pirated games do not normally boot on the DSi, which shows, the game is a fake. I've noticed with at least my boot leg, the game takes longer then normal to boot up (first it goes white, then black, and few seconds later the game starts.) 5. Where did you get it? This one is a toss up, but Hong Kong, and China, are not exactly known for selling legitimate copies of games (but that doesn't mean NOT trust them, some sellers are good from there and such.) But US/Euro sellers can be as distrustful. Read the website's/seller's feedback or reputation beforehand to be safe. 6.The quality of the manual. If the quality of the manual seems off, and poorly done, then that should hint some suspicion.  (cartridge/manual) (comparison of quality of a real manual vs. a fake manual)7. What kind of Nintendo seal is used? This one is kinda weird, but I noticed this. If you're game for the DS says on the box/manual/cartridge, "Official Nintendo Seal of Quality," then don't trust the game (at least the later games released around 2003 (and the DS was released in 2004.)) The "of Quality" part is no longer is in use for Nintendo/3rd party products. (Update, Europe still uses the "of Quality part, so this applies to only US/Canada to my knowledge.) I'm not sure whether this will help people (or not), but I just wanted to blow off some steam, and I also did not notice any topics (at least recent wise) about this. Best of hopes while shopping for the legendary DS. (Also note, I'll update this post if any one else knows about any other signs of boot leg copies of DS games. Please, don't be afraid to say anything.) Edited by Goza, May 5 2011, 12:04 AM.
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Do not waste the infinite ammo. That's a waste, silly." 
| |
 |
 
|
| sdcpro | Apr 29 2011, 01:00 AM Post #2 |
Level 9
|
Well done on the post! I remember buying my first pirated games for Hong Kong when I was younger. Getting those old GBA games in unofficial boxes with some different languages, instructions that were almost just a front and back cover, & games that didn't save at all! They do suck in general. Your post really covered the points of a pirated game very well. |
| |
|
|
|
| KingJames88 | Apr 29 2011, 05:20 AM Post #3 |
Ds Games!
|
A couple of more things, in the fakes I have, the plastic of the cart and the box itself is of terrible quality, a little darker and a bit more rough than a real ds game. Also, the spine art is different, and manuals completely different as well, with the cover of the manual being a reprint of whats on the cover of the box, being printed on horrible quality paper, and the inside is just a summary of the story to the game. One last thing, the ink on the back of the cartridge is much darker than on the real ds game, and each of the two fake games I have each have the same series of numbers on them. |
 >>My DS Collection Here<< 194 games and counting! | |
|
|
|
| Goza | Apr 29 2011, 02:12 PM Post #4 |
|
a.k.a. sexy
|
I did forget to mention the manual part, and I'll update about the quality of the paper, and the darker color of the cartridge's back. Thanks. |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Do not waste the infinite ammo. That's a waste, silly."
| |
|
|
|
| Richard | Apr 29 2011, 03:55 PM Post #5 |
Link
|
Hong Kong/China is the biggest give away. Consistently super low prices by a seller is another. Cross platform checking is another way as some games don't work on a certain ds if they are pirated, but at that point you have the pirated copy and there isn't much you can do about it. |
 In a realm beyond sight. The sky shines gold,not blue. There,the triforce's might Make mortal dreams come true. PSN: MicrosoftSnake XBL: xCKx Snake YouTube Gaming Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TriforceRich | |
|
|
|
| KlaasPlekk | May 2 2011, 09:01 AM Post #6 |
A Softcore Gamer
|
"The Official Seal of Quality" is still used on games from PAL region. Just thought that I'd clarify that. |
|
|
|
| mlsterfahrenheit | May 9 2011, 01:05 AM Post #7 |
Level 2
|
PAL games say "Original Nintendo Seal of Quality", US games just say "Official Nintendo Seal" |
| |
|
|
|
| Goza | May 11 2011, 10:48 PM Post #8 |
|
a.k.a. sexy
|
Alright, I edited the post, with that bit of information added. |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Do not waste the infinite ammo. That's a waste, silly."
| |
|
|
|
| mlsterfahrenheit | May 19 2011, 05:33 PM Post #9 |
|
Level 2
|
Feel Free to use these pictures i just took of all legit games http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/6528/cimg0307n.jpg http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9956/cimg0308p.jpg http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/6517/cimg0310x.jpg http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9853/cimg0311wz.jpg http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3341/cimg0312z.jpg Edited by mlsterfahrenheit, May 19 2011, 05:35 PM.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| energy | Jun 12 2011, 07:15 AM Post #10 |
Level 4
|
Can the listing be used for other console games as well? |
|
|
|
| MGS Metal Gear Solid | Jun 13 2011, 11:39 AM Post #11 |
Level 4
|
Just something funny: I bought FE Shadow Dragon, and the manual used JAPANESE images from IGN, lol. The fakes are usually from China, like you said. I also agree with your advice with American and European sellers too. PS: I got over my anger that my FE 11 copy was fake. Edited by MGS Metal Gear Solid, Jun 13 2011, 11:40 AM.
|
| |
|
|
|
| KingJames88 | Jun 13 2011, 11:42 AM Post #12 |
|
Ds Games!
|
I have both real and fake versions of N+ and Chrono Trigger. If I had a decent camera I'd post comparison pictures, although since I got those games I believe fakes a little better quality now, or at least a little more researched as Chrono Trigger and N+ each had the wrong spine art/text as well as the backs of the cases. |
|
>>My DS Collection Here<< 194 games and counting! | |
|
|
|
| DizzyDial | Jun 13 2011, 12:32 PM Post #13 |
RPG Obessed
|
The easiest way to check if the game is pirated would be to search for a peg leg or an eye patch of some sort.
Edited by DizzyDial, Jun 13 2011, 12:33 PM.
|
| |
|
|
|
| CallsignNeptune | Jun 27 2011, 10:19 AM Post #14 |
Level 1
|
I remember my fiancée ordered me a copy of Animal Crossing off ebay. It seemed legit as the guy ran a shop on there and had fantastic feedback however when we received the item right away we could tell it was a fake. The shrink wrap was a mess and felt like the wrapping you get on sandwiches or bread and the manual and front and back covers were terrible print outs just straight from a computer. We contacted the seller and told him we were aware of it being a fake to which he replied he had no idea however he soon gave us our money back. We contacted ebay telling them the situation and left extremely poor feedback to try and warn off buyers but the guy is still selling today. Well done ebay for clamping down on piracy. 
|
  | |
|
|
|
| majinpowers | Jun 27 2011, 11:41 AM Post #15 |
Sega Does What Nintendon't
|
Luckily the only fake I have in my collection so far is Final Fantasy VI Advance for the GBA I got off eBay. Here are some picks of FFVI (Fake) and FFV (Real). No Nintendo logo is the first key sign as well as not being printed as well.   No Nintendo Seal of Quality and very poorly done "Engrish"   No Nintendo logo - cart is a darker color   The book is the biggest way to tell, the pics are of the Japanese game and the text is poor "Engrish"   When I got this game from eBay I immediately reported the seller and eBay refunded my money and told me not to bother sending the game back. The game plays fine and saves like it should. |
 Click here to check out my game room and a closer look at my collections! Check me out on DinkyDana.com! | |
|
|
|
| mlsterfahrenheit | Jul 15 2011, 07:42 PM Post #16 |
|
Level 2
|
bought my first fake game today, another sign is to look by the contacts of the game if it says something like Nintendo 808-1 its fake, if the label is on crooked its fake also the code on the back of the cart look it up on the internet if you find other games with the code its fake |
|
| |
|
|
|
| sushi_b | Nov 19 2011, 09:29 PM Post #17 |
Level 4
|
Yes, there are fakes coming out of HK, but that doesn't mean every game from there is fake. Plenty of stores there are legitimate and only sell the real deal. One other thing of note is that, especially on GBA carts, the name Nintendo itself is often spelled incorrectly. It may say something such as "Ninfendo" on it. Obviously seeing a picture of the back of a cart online is going to be difficult to get from a seller, but if in person you can clearly see that. Boxes are often really glossy too. |
|
Power on Podcast Portablel - Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Power on Podcast Latest episode: Episode 44 - Death | |
|
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
 |
|
| « Previous Topic · Classic Gaming · Next Topic » |
11:32 AM Jul 13