How to Tell Original Nintendo Consoles and Games from Copies (Guide 2025)

In the world of retro collecting, authenticity is everything.
There are more and more copies and replicas on the market, some so well made that they can fool any fan.
From MartZ Gaming, we teach you the key points to recognize if a Game Boy , a Nintendo 64 or a classic cartridge is original or fake .

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🎮 1. Inspect logos and brands

• Nintendo always engraves its logo on molds, cases and labels.

• Check that the "Nintendo" logo is spelled correctly , without errors or strange letters.

• On consoles, the model number should also appear (such as "DMG-01" for the classic Game Boy).

✅ A blurry, misspelled, or poorly placed logo is a big red flag for copying.

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🕹️ 2. Quality of materials

• The original Nintendo plastic is durable, high-quality, and has a solid texture.

• Clones often use shiny, very light, or cheaply finished plastics.

• Weight is also a factor: the originals weigh a little more .

✅ If you feel something is too light or fragile, be suspicious!

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📀 3. Check the circuit boards (PCBs)

• On Game Boy, GBA and N64 games, if you open the cartridge (carefully), you will see a green plate .

• Nintendo often engraves its name or logo on the board as well.

• Copies have cheap, unbranded or very simple PCBs.

✅ If you don't see any "Nintendo" type engraving inside, it's probably a bootleg.

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🔍 4. Tags and original art

• The original game labels are brightly colored, well aligned, and do not peel off easily.

• Cheap copies have labels:

  • Pixelated

  • With dull colors

  • Poorly centered or crooked

✅ Also look at the serial number (on Game Boy cartridges it usually appears small and engraved).

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🧠 5. Too good a price = suspicion

• If you find a rare game like Pokémon Crystal Version or Zelda: Majora's Mask for a bargain price... it's probably not the original .

• In retro gaming, the market is already very established: good things don't come cheap.

✅ Always shop at trusted stores like MartZ Gaming to avoid surprises.

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🎯 Conclusion

Identifying a copy of a Nintendo console or cartridge requires a keen eye and some experience.
At MartZ Gaming we make sure to sell only original, inspected and guaranteed products for demanding collectors.

✅ Trust the experts.
✅ Bet on real quality.
✅Relive your nostalgia the way it should be.

✅ Checklist

• Check Nintendo logo.

• Check the quality of the plastic.

• Look at labels.

• Beware of ridiculously low prices.

🚀 Visit our online store and get authentic pieces for your retro collection! 🎮