Original vs. Counterfeit Game Boy Cartridges - How To Tell the Difference

All these years i have layed eyes n played with many not original cartridges for Game Boy and Game Boy Advance as well. Judging by the first look counterfeit carts seem quite legit but if u take a closer look many differences become obvious. Ok, fake cartridges might be a little cheaper than the original but they are quite unreliable products. There isnt any guarantee for ur system in case of damage, and the game saves usually get corrupted without any specific reason. Im gonna explain n display with photos some of them, so u know how to tell the difference by urself. 

1. Nintendo Logo

First of all as u all should have noticed on the top of front side of a game boy cartridge u can see clearly the "Nintendo GAME BOY Tm" logo. Well, in the fake cartridges all u can see there is just "GAME BOY" or "GAME" etc. Thats a serious reason to start suspecting that something is wrong with ur cart.

2. Printed Sticker 

There are some cases where the stickers on the fake carts are well made so many times we can be cheated. But in some cases the printed sticker is:

- Blur

- Not fit exactly to the sticker frame

- Wrong colors

- Out of proportion 

- The sticker may say that its a Gameboy Advance game although its on a gameboy cart

Sticker Comparison ( left - original / right - fake)

Original / Fake Gameboy Cartridge Screw

3. Nintendo Screw

On the back of the cart u can see the screw that holds the front n back sides together. In the original carts that screw is a very peculiar one, that needs specific screwdrivers in order to unscrew it. On the other side, the fake carts, use convensional screw that u can find in any hardware store. They cover up those screws with stickers saying things like "dont remove" or something like that, to prevent users from removing it and revealing the fake screw.

4. Bottom Side (Nintendo/Date Printed)

As far as the Gameboy Advance carts there is a very easy way to tell the difference between fake and original ones (if u dont consider things as the not so well printed sticker or the not so well molded logo). If u turn the cart over, u can see the side that actually connects with the Gameboy system in order to function. There are some "golden" stripes (we used to blow them when the cart didnt function right!!!). Right Behind those golden stripes in the original carts u see printed the word "Nintendo" and the release date. Guess what? In the fake ones theres nothing printed there. Here is a link explaining exactly what i mean.

http://www.gamerascal.co.uk/counterfeits.php

You can also open a cartridge to see and compare the inside but that requieres some technical knowledge ( u can also use guides from all over the internet).