How to Spot Fake Game Boy Cartridges
▼ Summary
– The Epilogue GB Operator is a $50 device that can now connect to phones via a new app to verify Game Boy cartridge authenticity and value.
– In testing, the app’s reliability was inconsistent, sometimes misidentifying both counterfeit and authentic cartridges.
– The reviewer criticizes the app’s “authentic”/”counterfeit” labels and confidence percentages as misleading and unhelpful.
– The article states the only foolproof verification method is to physically open the cartridge to inspect its internal chip.
– The same company is releasing an SN Operator for Super Nintendo games next month, which will also work with the app.
The latest update for the $50 Epilogue GB Operator introduces a significant new feature. This device, which already allows users to back up and restore saves from Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on a PC, can now connect to smartphones. A new app called Retrace for Android and iOS aims to help collectors quickly verify a cartridge’s authenticity and estimate its market value before a purchase or sale. This tool promises to add a layer of security and convenience for anyone navigating the booming retro game market.
However, practical testing reveals the system’s current reliability needs improvement. After scanning approximately 50 different cartridges, the results were mixed. While the app correctly identified the majority of my English and Japanese games, it also made several critical errors. It mistakenly labeled a few confirmed counterfeit cartridges as authentic, while incorrectly flagging a number of genuine ones as counterfeit or possible counterfeit. Furthermore, roughly ten percent of the cartridges required multiple attempts before the app could read them at all, and one legitimate cartridge failed to scan entirely.
The visual evidence from this testing process highlights these inconsistencies. The app’s terminology also presents an issue. Its previous labels of “Official,” “Unofficial,” and “Unrecognized” were arguably more accurate than the new “authentic” and “counterfeit” designations. For instance, a modern release from a licensed publisher like Incube8 or a well-made romhack is a legitimate product, even if it wasn’t produced by Nintendo. The accompanying confidence percentages seem largely meaningless as well, rarely dipping below 95 percent and fluctuating even when re-scanning the exact same cartridge.
Despite these flaws, the core concept remains compelling. The ability to instantly identify a game and see its approximate value by simply plugging it into your phone is a powerful utility for collectors. The price check feature eliminates a manual search, and the identification tool is invaluable for games with damaged labels or titles in unfamiliar languages. Future iterations could enhance this further by integrating links to reviews or gameplay footage, helping users discover new titles to enjoy.
For now, the most reliable method for verifying authentic Nintendo cartridges still involves physical inspection. A small screwdriver is essential, specifically a GameBit 3.8mm for original Game Boy and Game Boy Color carts, or a tri-wing Y0 for Game Boy Advance units. Opening the cartridge allows you to examine the board and match the alphanumeric code on the ROM chip against known databases. A simpler, non-invasive check is to look for a small, two-digit number imprinted into the game’s label, a common hallmark of official Nintendo releases.
The technology behind this app is poised to expand. The same company is preparing to launch an SN Operator for Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges next month, which will also be compatible with the Retrace app, potentially bringing this same suite of tools to another popular segment of the retro gaming community.
(Source: The Verge)
