Spotting a copied or bootleg video game used to be a fairly easy task. For example in the days of the Amiga, games used to just be backed up onto another floppy, as we progressed to CD based storage on platforms like the Playstation it was still a fairly easy task of just looking out for a cheap CD burn or dodgy photo copied packaging.

What really makes life hard is spotting a bootleg cartridge. Companies like Nintendo and SNK have always opted for cartridge based media and spotting a fake can be hard of you don't know what to look for.

This page will go over some easy steps you can take to look out for a bootleg version of a game and also be a life saver when dealing on sites like eBay.

How to spot a copied Gameboy game?

1. Instruction booklets have fewer pages.

2. Print of the Box is different (small discrepencies / Print quality can be poor).

3. Additional leaflets like warning paper, advertisements and other stuff are not included.

4. Missing Patent and Made in Japan Prints on the back of the cartridge.

5. Incorect screw used instead of security bolt

How to spot a copied Neo Geo MVS game?

Bootleg Neo Geo carts get a little more dificult to identify externally. Also because of heavy arcade use some boxes may have been replace but the game may still be official.

Follow these steps as a guideline for identifying potential problematic carts, note the board inside may still be 100% official:

1. The cart does not feature a yellow "Caution!" sticker warning of incorect insertion.

2. The cart features a scruffy label.

3. Additional leaflets like warning paper, advertisements and other stuff are not included.

4. Missing white triange indicating direction to insert cartridge.

For a more accurate identification to wether or not the cart is fake you will need to phisicly open the cart and check the PCBs inside. Look for the following to identify a fake MVS cart:

1. The PCBs do not have an SNK label, and date (serial ed).

2. The date on the PCB should equate to the release date of the game in question.

3. There are visible wires that have been soldered to various locations on the board (On an official board there should be no wiring)

4. There a chips that have either small windows or small labels that have writing on (generally covering the windows)

In addition there are also aspects of the actual gameplay that may be effected such as:

1. Video or sound glithes may be present such as distorted character animation or whole sprites may be corrupt.

2. There may be parts of the game missing such as alternate game endings. This is the case with a Bootleg Mark of the Wolves for example