How to spot fake games and bootlegs
Published on August 5, 2026 by GamerVault ยท 6 min read
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Why this matters
As retro game prices rise, so do fakes. A bootleg EarthBound cartridge that looks real can cost you โฌ500 โ while it's worth nothing.
Cartridge checks
Label: Bootlegs have faded colors, grainy prints, or missing serial numbers. Housing: Original plastic feels smooth and heavy; bootlegs feel cheap. Screws: Original Nintendo cartridges use specific "gamebit" screws. Regular Phillips screws = opened or fake. Contact pins: Originals have genuine gold coating; bootlegs use cheap coatings that wear off.
Boxes and manuals
Original boxes use thick cardboard with sharp prints. Bootlegs use thinner material. Compare with known originals online before purchasing. Manuals should have colored pages and high-quality paper.
Protect yourself
- Buy from reliable sources
- Compare with known originals before purchasing
- Check prices in GamerVault โ if it's too good to be true, it probably is