With the resurgence of retro gaming and the craze for older versions of Pokémon (Red, Sapphire, Emerald, etc.), counterfeit cartridges have become commonplace. If you want to avoid a nasty surprise or simply check the authenticity of a game, here's how to tell the difference between a real Pokémon cartridge and a fake one .
1. The sticker (front label)
This is the first item to inspect.
✅ On a real cartridge , the sticker is well centered, with a shiny or silver effect for rare versions. The colors are clear and deep.
❌ On a fake , the printing is often dull, off-center, or blurry. There may also be spelling mistakes or a logo difference.
Tip: Official GameBoy Advance cartridges have a code printed on the label (e.g. AGB-AXVE-FRA).
2. The cartridge shell
The quality of plastic is a good indicator.
✅ A real cartridge has a smooth, solid finish, and the screws are of the "tri-wing" (triangular) type.
❌ A fake cartridge is often lighter, with shinier or grainier plastic. The screws are sometimes Phillips (classic).
Caution: Some fake cartridges are well imitated on the outside, so you have to go further...
3. The transparency test (for colored versions)
Versions like Pokémon LeafGreen or Sapphire have a semi-transparent shell.
✅ A real one has a clean and uniform transparency.
❌ A fake often has an odd tint or uneven transparency.
4. The label on the back
This is an often forgotten but important point.
✅ An official GameBoy Advance cartridge has a gray label on the back with clear information and the words "Made in Japan".
❌ Fakes sometimes have a blank back, a blurry label, or even a complete lack of text.
5. Inside the cartridge (if you can open it)
The ultimate test! By unscrewing the cartridge:
✅ A real motherboard has well-aligned components and serial numbers etched on the PCB.
❌ A fake will have a simpler circuit, without Nintendo markings, or with approximate soldering.
Tip: Compare the inside with photos of original cartridge PCBs available on the internet.
6. Game behavior
If you can throw it...
❌ A counterfeit cartridge may bug, fail to save, or lose your data. Some have different file menus or text.
✅ Authentic game works perfectly and saves correctly on internal memory.
Do you absolutely need a real cartridge?
Owning an original is great for collectors. But if you simply want to relive your Pokémon adventures without the risk of lost saves or bugs, there's a reliable alternative:
🔹 Ready-to-use retro console emulators
Models like the Mini RETRO Pocket PRO or the RETRO Pocket PRO offer more than 20,000 pre-installed games , including all Pokémon versions for the GameBoy, GameBoy Advance and DS.
- 🔄 Fast backups
- 🎉 No configuration required
- 🌐 Playable anywhere, even without a cartridge
Conclusion
Verifying the authenticity of a Pokémon card requires a little observation and method. But for maximum security, discover our ready-to-play solutions , secure and adapted to true Pokémon fans!
🎯 See all retro consoles with pre-installed Pokémon games on Retroxmania.com