You are using an outdated browser. Please update your browser for a better user experience.

These methods of verification have been debunked. As a result, we should not be using these methods as a sole means of verification. Ever.

Nintendo DS

The Dual-Screen Logo

Every DS cart should have the dual-screen logo. However, there are instances where the logo has been omitted due to printing errors. This is rare. Most dual-screen logos include a skewed marker, but there are some carts have the marker squared off, such as Pokemon Black 2. This is also normal, and as a result, we shouldn't be using this as a verification method.

Legitimate Dual-Screen logos for the NTR-005 and NTR-031 carts. Skewed, straight and missing.

NTR-031 - The "Light Trick"

Pokemon games are among some of the most counterfeited carts, including those that use the Pokewalker add-on. Luckily, these fake carts are very easy to spot in comparison with other grey NTR-005 carts. The main difference between the standard NTR-005 and NTR-031 carts are that the NTR-005 carts are grey, NTR-031 are black with a reddish tint when held up to any form of light - this is because of the IR used with the Pokewalker add-on. NTR-031 carts were also used with DS games that required the use of a pedometer, such as Personal Trainer: Walking.

The issue with the light trick however, is that the translucent carts aren't as foolproof as once thought. There are three main issues with using the light trick for a verifcation:

  1. Relabels: It's easy to remove the label from Walk With Me/Active Health, and tack a third-party label for an NTR-031 Pokemon game. Consider the profit gained from a £3 game, with a £7 label. £10 upfront cost for £40+ profit, based on loose prices in 2024.
  2. Counterfeits: Yes, the NTR-031 casings can be faked. These cartridges have been on sale on AliExpress since May 2023, regularly available loose for £10 +shipping. The casing is close to the originals, being 0.12mm thicker, however. The majority have NTR-031 engravings, although we have noticed more fakes including NTR-005.
  3. Recasings: This is entirely dependent on the mounting mechanism used on the NTR-005 cartridges, as some NTR-005 cartridges use 2-pin or 4-pin casings. Due to the rear and front casings being "hot-welded" together, it's very difficult (but not impossible) to re-close the casings after disassembly. The NTR-031 cartridges require the 2-pin variants.
1. Example of the "light trick" using a relabeled HeartGold. Not a verification method as a result. Backside image of same cart, code is for Active Health.
2. Example of the "light trick" using a gen 3 counterfeit SoulSilver. Not a verification method as a result.
3. Example of an IRC PCB in a NTR-005 shell, disproving the misconception that failing the light trick automatically means fake.

Top Seam

The method of using front and rear bezels, and the top seam for a verification was commonly spread on YouTube from 2020 onwards, but we do not recommend the use of this method due to the fact that some legitimate cartridges lack the identifying molding lines and indents this method was known to use. There are five main issues with using the top seam for a verifcation:

  1. Some legitimate cartridges lack the molding lines on the rear bezel.
  2. Some legitimate cartridges lack the rectangular indents within the top seam, separating the front and rear bezels.
  3. Some legitimate cartridges lack the molding lines on the rear bezel, AND the rectangular indents within the top seam, separating the front and rear bezels.
  4. Recasing a fake PCB into a legitimate casing, or relabeling a cheaper cartridge.
  5. It is becoming more common for fake cartridges to include the molding lines and rectangular indents, as counterfeits evolve over time.
Top Left: Legitimate NTR-005 cart lacking molding lines on rear bezel.
Top Right: Legitimate NTR-005 cart including molding lines on rear bezel.
Bottom Left: Legitimate NTR-031 lacking both molding lines on rear bezel and rectangular indent on seam.
Bottom Right: Fake NTR-005 lacking both molding lines on rear bezel and rectangular indent on top seam.

As a result, the top seam is not a valid verification method.

Inked Codes:

Contrary to popular belief, games with the stamp ending in "xxxxN0J09" and "xxxxN0J22" do not equal a fake game. Legitimate games also have these inked codes. There are instances where the inked code looks pretty piss poor compared to a legitimate cartridge, and also instances where they look very close to the really thing. Take a look at Pokemon Diamond below. It's almost perfect.
Fake US Pearl with 0J09. Legit PAL Platinum with 0J09. Fake US Diamond with 0J22. Legit White 2 with 0J22.

There are some cases where the inked codes on legitimate cartridges do not match to a label. This is why we can not use this as a verification method.

Nintendo Game Boy

Number Stamps

Any bloke and his dog can obtain a 3mm die-stamp kit and a rubber mallet for less than $15, and get stamping away on fake carts. This is exactly why we don't use the number stamps for a verification method. Whilst the majority of legitimate cartridges do have number stamps; a number of third-party titles, and even games produced by Nintendo themselves are known to completely omit the number stamps.
Fake Pokemon My Ass, with number stamp. Not a verification method.
Legitimate Fightbox GBA, no number stamp. Not a verification method.

4x Golden Rectangles

As with the previous Game Boy PCB iterations, 4x gold rectangles will ALWAYS be on the back of legitimate PCB's. No 4x gold rectangles, not legit.

Unfortunately, some counterfeiters have cottoned onto this, and readily produce games with the 4x golden rectangles. As a result, this is no longer a verification method. This goes for DMG, GBC and GBA cartridges.

There are some cases where legitimate games do not include the 4x golden rectangles. In the DMG era, Nintendo used to off-load manufacturing to third-parties, these cartridges do not include the golden rectangles. Other GBC and GBA titles have also had the same fate. For the Game Boy Advance, WarioWare Twisted is one of these games that does not feature the golden rectangles. This is why using the 4x golden rectangles is a relatively shitty verification method, and shouldn't be used.
Fake Shantae GBC including the 4x golden rectangles. No longer a verification method.
Fake Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen including the 4x golden rectangles. No longer a verification method.
Legitimate Tetris DMG excluding the 4x golden rectangles, outsourced manufacture. Third times the charm... NOT a verification method.

2x Golden Squares

There are also 2 gold squares on the top left and bottom right of the cartridge's board, front side. This confirms the authenticity of the board. If you're looking through the translucent plastic, three should be one easily seen square on the top left corner of the cartridge.

Again, some counterfeiters have cottoned onto this, and readily produce games with the 2x golden squares. As a result, this is no longer a verification method.
Fake Mother 3 US GBA including the 2x golden squares. No longer a verification method.
This cartridge is even foreshadowing the next section...

Pins

There are perfectly lined up holes above the pins of legit games. Some fakes have been spotted that share this trait, therefore it is no longer considered a reliable point of verification.
Fake Generation Three Pokemon games with perfectly lined up holes. Not a verification method.

GB Operator

The GB Operator is a device marketed by Epilogue that allows you to play, back up saves and detect bootleg cartridges - this is the issue. It doesn't detect all of them.

Here's an example of a bad fake of Pokemon Gold for the Game Boy, marked as "legit" by the GB Operator.

Fake Pokemon Gold, marked as "Legit" by GB Operator. Not a verification method.
Legitimate Pokemon Silver, marked as "Rewriteable Cartridge" by GB Operator. Not a verification method.

Credits

  • Thanks to u/jakacop for the image of the PAL Pokemon Platinum in the "Stamps" section.
  • Thanks to u/flygon333333 for the images of the US Pokemon Diamonds in the "Top Seam" section.
  • Thanks to u/DonkeyKongOnN64 for the images of the fake Pokemon Gold in the "GB Operator" section.
  • Møøse trained to mix concrete and sign complicated insurance forms by u/Frontzie.