Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition is a very popular Game Boy game and is also often counterfeited. This guide is based on checking several Pokémon Yellow cartridges that appeared real at first but revealed clear differences on closer inspection.
When comparing a real cartridge with a fake one, there are some clear warning signs. These include differences in shell color, missing save batteries, incorrect screws, and circuit boards without the correct Nintendo markings. Nintendo has warned about fake cartridges for years, and these problems are still common today.
Here is a detailed look at the checks you can use to confirm if a Pokémon Yellow cartridge is real, so collectors do not end up paying high prices for fakes.
Key Points on How to Spot a Counterfeit Pokémon Yellow
- Numbered imprint stamped into the front label (example: 54)
- You'll notice that the Internal CR1616 save battery.
- Full-size internal circuit board (not the smaller reproduction version)
- 1988 Nintendo printed or stamped on the reverse side of the board
- The shell color ought to be the same as the correct Pokémon Yellow shade. Fakes often look lighter or washed out.
The Table of Contents
First Glance at the Front of Each Cartridge
When I compare the fake and real Pokémon Yellow cartridges side by side, a few differences stand out immediately:
- The counterfeit shell is a lighter shade of yellow than the genuine game.
- On the authentic cartridge, I can clearly make out the “Nintendo GAME BOY” text at the top. On the fake, it is hard to read.
- The real cartridge I have has a small number stamped on the front label. Mine says (54). The fake one doesn’t have this mark.
- The fake’s label also has a darker yellow tint, and Pikachu’s color is much deeper than on the real version.
Flip to the Back of the Cartridge
On the back, the differences are not as noticeable. Aside from the lighter shade of yellow plastic I mentioned earlier, both look very similar at a glance.
Not Into Reading - Check Out the Pokémon Yellow: Real vs Fake Cartridge Comparison (Game Boy) How to Video
Now Let’s Open Them Up – The Game Board
This is where the real differences show.
- The screw on the counterfeit game is noticeably shorter than Nintendo’s genuine screws.
- The reproduction board is tiny compared to the authentic one, and there is no save battery at all.
- The fake board lacks any Nintendo imprints or identification markings. The real Pokémon Yellow board is packed with them: model numbers (DMB-A02-01), chip info (US 256K-SRAM), and the battery type (CF1616)
- On the genuine board, you will see “1988 Nintendo” stamped on the back. The reproduction has inconsistent markings that do not match.
- What really stands out is that the reproduction board is only about half the size. It also uses one of those black epoxy “blobs” you see on many counterfeits. Between that and the lack of proper identifiers, it is obvious this copy is a fake.
These tips don’t just apply to Pokémon Yellow. You can use them to spot fakes of other original Game Boy cartridges like Pokémon Red and Blue. We also have guides to help you avoid buying bootleg Pokémon Crystal cartridges and fake Pokémon GBA games.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to tell if Pokémon Yellow is authentic?
- Check the front label for a small stamped number, open the cart with a 3.8mm gamebit, and look for a save battery and Nintendo markings on the board.
How to spot fake Pokémon Game Boy games?
- Fake games commonly have lighter plastic shells, blurry labels, short screws, and small boards without Nintendo markings. Once you know what to check, the differences are easy to spot.
What are fake Pokémon games called?
- People usually call them counterfeits, bootlegs, or repros. Collectors avoid these because they aren’t official and don’t keep their value.
Do fake Pokémon games still work?
- Some bootlegs might start up, but they often crash, don’t save right, or just stop working. A real cartridge is always more reliable.
