Out of all the used games we buy, I see more counterfeit N64 cartridges than any other console, maybe tied with Game Boy Advance. Buying a fake Nintendo 64 game is only a few clicks away. I could probably find a fake Mario game on any online marketplace right now. The specific games in this article were returned to the customer after we told them the cartridges were bogus.
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Initial Signs of a Fake N64 Game Cartridge
Many counterfeit N64 games are made from cheap materials. You can spot them if you know what to look for.
- The Shell: Fake shells are often lighter and may have a different shade of gray.
- The Screws: Inspect the security screws on the back. Counterfeits often use screws that appear to have been roughly cut by machines.
- "Seal of Quality" Typo: Check the front label. Most counterfeit games capitalize the "O" in the "Official Seal of Quality."
- Label Quality: Check for clear flaws, a numbered imprint, blurry text, or misaligned labels.
Required tools to open the cartridge
- To be 100% certain, you need to view the game board. You will need a 3.8 mm game bit screwdriver, which is the standard tool for opening N64, NES, and SNES game cartridges.
- For handheld games like Pokémon Emerald, you usually need a "Y" shaped tri-wing screwdriver. However, the 3.8 mm bit is the main tool for home console cartridges.
Step 1: Verify authenticity through the rear label.
- When inspecting the back of the cartridge, check the label.
- You are looking to see if the label has a number imprinted on it, such as "00" or "41."
- Real labels will have these numbers. Checking them is the easiest and fastest way to verify their authenticity.
Step 2: The Font and Cartridge Screws
- Inspect the “Nintendo” font on the back of the cartridge. A fake will have a round dot on the “i” instead of a square.
- Check the screws—fakes use machine-cut screws that differ from official cartridges.
Step 3: Inspecting the Inside of the Cartridge
- Flip the cartridge upside down and look at the pin area.
- Authentic cartridges will have small numbers or letters imprinted inside the grooves.
- This trick also works well for NES and SNES cartridges.
Step 4: Examine the game board
- Open the cartridge with a 3.8 mm Gamebit screwdriver.
- Look for the word "Nintendo" stamped on the board—counterfeits won’t have this.
- Genuine boards often include "MX" chip markings and Japanese components.
The one thing I’ll say, and I’ve said it 100 times before, if you're unsure about a game, open it up; that's the best and most effective way for verification.
Check out the YouTube video of the article.
- Watch my video on spotting fake N64 games. I show real examples and highlight what to check inside the cartridge.
