This was the one that caught me off guard when it came through in a big box of Nintendo Switch games we bought. My understanding was that there weren't any fake Switch games out in the wild, but I wasn't aware of label switching. That's exactly what I ran into -- a Zelda Breath of the Wild, or at least the label said Breath of the Wild. The actual game was some weird title called JoJo Siwa.
The game looked genuine at first, but the differences only became clear when we compared several copies side by side. That experience prompted us to start documenting the specific checks we use whenever we get a Switch game.
What to Check Before You Buy
- Check the serial numbers and barcodes on both the front and back of the cartridge.
- They should be the same. If they are different, the game might be fake. Letters and real Nintendo Switch cartridges have specific markings.
- Be careful with display cartridges. Real games should not have a "KYOTO" label.
- Try the bitter taste test. Licking the cartridge can help you verify whether it is real.
From Licking to Examining
The Table of Contents
Step 1: Examine the Front Label
- On the front label, you’ll see writing on the bottom of the label like: LA-H-AXB8A-USA. This is the game's model number.
- On the back of the cartridge, in white lettering, there will be serial numbers. The third group of numbers [AXB8A] must be included in the serial number on the back of the cartridge. This is a key point: the front & back numbers must match.
- GameStop has been hit hard by people trading in games with counterfeit labels. Scammers are buying cheap games and relabeling them to make them appear more valuable.
Step 2: Examine the Back
- Just above the serial number on the back of the cartridge. Each genuine Nintendo Switch cartridge will have the Nintendo HAC-008 & the letters CC imprinted on it.
- Fake Nintendo Switch games may lack or have altered serial numbers and barcodes. Inspect errors or signs of tampering, such as smudged ink or mismatched fonts.
Step 3: Beware of Display Cartridges
- What is happening here is that someone is selling these display cartridges as if they are real games. This could be intentional or accidental. They appear to be genuine game cartridges, but the "KYOTO" label on the back is a key indicator that the game is counterfeit.
- When examining this Breath of the Wild Cartridge. (below) –- You’ll notice the model #number on the front bottom of the game. [LA-H-AAAAA-JPG]
- On the back of the cartridge, the model number needs to be identical to the one on the front. On the back cartridge, the model number starts with [KYOTO] rather than [AAAAA].
Step 4: Lick the Cartridge
- Yes, you read that correctly, lick the cartridge and see if it tastes bitter.
A bittering agent (Denatonium Benzoate) has also been applied to the Nintendo Switch game cartridges. This bittering agent is non-toxic. Yes, it sounds gross, but at least you’ll know.
