mwng

IX gets my vote too. Aaaaaaand VI if you're set on getting 2.

As luck would have it I did find another genuine copy of FFVI on the Amazon marketplace. So I took a few pictures for comparisons sake. It's the EU version too, so the cover varies a little from the above, but you get the idea.

Interesting to point out that EU versions of GBA games are a lot less likely to be copies, as no one cares about Europe.

So if I've learned anything from this little venture. It's that the embossed sticker numbers are king for discerning what's real and what's not. Just they're close to impossible to make out in most Ebay photos...

@Benny: While you've already edited, thought I'd explain for other folks if they were interested.

Some carts use a battery to keep the in game clock correct, like Pokémon. But saving is now handled by flash memory, powered by the Game Boy.

The old style large Game Boy carts used a battery to keep saves, as do the fake GBA cartridges, as it's cheaper low tech. However, this does mean that when the battery runs out, or is removed, the saves are lost.

At least this is my understanding, if someone would like to chip in with a more accurate explanation, I'm all for learnin'

@believer258: Yeah, it works fine at the moment.

Some of the carts I've had have had funny sub menus advertising other games distributed by the company that produces the fake games.

This one does not, and appears to be a faithful reproduction, I'm more worried about the fact it likely uses a battery to store the save data, meaning I'll get 90 odd hours in, only to find my save has deleted itself. I've yet to crack it open just to satisfy my curiosity.

Ebay here too. Mainly as they have a fairly decent returns policy.

Retail stores don't appear to stock 2nd hand games for anything further back than the current generation where I live, and you'll be lucky to catch them in charity shops. Suppose there's the Amazon marketplace, but I'm unfamiliar with it, plus doesn't seem to be much choice.

Hey ho, I own a Game Boy Micro. It's easily the best handheld I've ever owned. I have a couple of games for it too, however, trying to purchase legitimate GBA games nowadays is somewhat of a nightmare, unless you have the physical article in front of you to inspect.

Fake cartridges are normally quite easy to spot, between spelling mistakes, terrible sticker placement, dodgy build quality or missing Nintendo branding.

So, this wouldn't normally warrant a topic, but what I received in the post today is probably one of the most impressive GBA forgeries I've seen.

So the sticker is on straight and the product code checks out. Though it's missing the all important imprinted version number.

Cart has correct model number and Nintendo branding. Though text is a little thin.

The "1" in Nintendo kinda gives it away a little too.

Normally I'd just return the fake cart and try again, but ffvi advance is such a pain in the arse to find in the UK. So, long shot... but does anyone have any experience with playing fake GBA carts for long periods of time? I'd hate to get 50 hours in and lose my progress.

@dannyodwyer: Hey Danny, just posting to say I've really enjoyed all of these so far, so keep it up!

And while formula is important, I think the show owes part of its success to your presenting style.

I think the Tekken 1 trailer was better.

But yeah, poor Mr. Neeson must be downright unlucky to have this happen again.

37/100

Has nobody made this joke yet?