Click on pictures to see a larger and more detailed view.

Here is a picture of two GBA cartridges. The top is Original and the bottom is a pirate. Notice the fuzzy and out of centre label on the Tactics Ogre cartridge. This is a sign that there is something not right.

Here is a picture of the genuine game. Notice the fine detail. The label is also on straight.

Here is a picture of the pirate cartridge. Look at the fuzzy label. Also how it sits crooked. A sure sign that the cartridge was manufactured in a shoddy fashion. Another giveaway is the Nintendo logo and Gold seal of quality icon, both are fuzzy.

Here is a picture of the back of the Original cartridge. Notice the spelling on the back. Compare this to the next picture of the back of the Pirate cartridge.

Notice the incorrect spelling of the Nintendo brand name? It is spelt Nintondo. This is not always the case with pirate cartridges but it sometimes is. A sign the game was made in an unlicensed factory.

Originals also have the Pat. Pend Made in Japan on the back where as a lot of pirates do not.

Here’s the main way to tell the difference between a pirate copy and an original game cartridge. The top cartridge is the original and the bottom is the pirate. Notice the difference in thickness of the game pcb. The pirate one is a lot thinner and inferior. This is because the pirate cut costs in manufacturing the pcb so make them thinner. There is also a rectangular hole just above the pirate PCB which is not on an original cartridge.