Are Your Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver Games Real? Hands-On Checklist

I got these games in with a collection of Nintendo DS titles, all complete in the box. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver were the only loose cartridges in the order, which made them easy to flag right away. The games looked clean and undamaged, but during testing, one failed to load entirely, and the other froze shortly after starting. Every other DS game in the lot ran fine, so the cartridges were the problem.

When I told the customer the games were counterfeit, the reaction was pretty indifferent. Make of that what you will.

We compared them against real DS titles, and the differences were clear across serial codes, fonts, and shell color. The steps below are the exact checks we use to verify a cartridge is legitimate.

4-Steps on How to Spot Counterfeit Pokémon DS Games: 

Expert Tip: The Pokéwalker test: Real cartridges connect to a Pokéwalker. Most fakes can’t do this at all. If your game can’t link to a Pokéwalker accessory, it is most likely counterfeit. This quick check is often overlooked by guides, but it’s a reliable way to confirm authenticity.

The Table of Contents

Step 1: Inspecting the serial code

1. The easiest way to spot a fake is the serial number. If you look at the bottom of the front label, you will see some numbers, such as (NTR-IPKE-USA).
2. The "middle code" is the first four letters of the serial number on the back of the cartridge.

• Check the middle four-digit code against the first four digits of the back serial number. This will help you determine if the cartridges are real or fake. Make sure the numbers match. This is the fastest way.

Step 2: Look at the Font

1. The main noticeable difference is the font on the cartridge's back. The Nintendo logo on the back of the cartridge is in a larger font than that on a real game.
2. Then, if you look at the font for the model number and the [Pat. Pend.], it is the same, larger font as the "Nintendo lettering." Refer to the photo below.
3. Look at the font above the letter “E” on the front of the cartridge.
4. Compared to an authentic game, the wording “everyone” is much more legible in a real game. This also goes for the basic font on the front of the label.
5. In the legitimate game, the font is much clearer and more pronounced, as shown in the photo.

Step 3: The Shell Color

1. When you look closer at the game "BELOW," you'll notice the games are different colors. The shell on the fake cartridge in the photo is a grayish color.
2. The color should be black, like the authentic one in the image.

Step 4: Analyzing the Label

1. Look at the bottom left corner of the cartridge. This helps you spot fake copies versus real games, like the ones in the photo. It has a unique angle.
2. When you look at fake copies, notice that the bottom left corner of the label is rounded. Real labels have a cut at a 45-degree angle.
3. The label on the front of the game looks like a real one. The only difference is the rounded bottom-left corner on the cartridge above.

💰 Sell your Nintendo DS games!