Fake The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cartridge spotted in second-hand store - AUTOMATON WEST (2024)

Fake The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cartridge spotted in second-hand store - AUTOMATON WEST (1)

Written by. Nick Mosier based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2022-05-17 15:59 JST)

The Japanese second-hand store chain Hard-Off has found a fake The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cartridge at one of their stores. The cartridge was purchased by the Aeon Town Mito South Hard-Off location and reported by their Twitter account.

#ハードオフイオンタウン水戸南店 です😇
😵ご注意ください😵
中古ショップで「起動しません」などというジャンクソフトを見つけても表と裏の番号が違うものは偽物ですので、絶対に動作しません❗️#ゼルダの伝説 #ブレスオブザワイルド #偽物 pic.twitter.com/XJJVNWu23t

— 水戸と日立のハードオフ【公式】 (@mito_hitachi) May 16, 2022

The tweet explains that if the numbers on the front and back of the cartridge don’t match, players should be concerned that it’s a fake. Legitimate Nintendo Switch games will have matching numbers between the middle section of the sequence on the front and the left section of the sequence on the back. The pattern is a little different for development kits, but for the most part, you should see a similar string of characters on the front and back.

As for what numbers you’ll see printed on Nintendo Switch cartridges, it will vary depending on the game. For example, the back of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cartridges appear to start with “AAAAA.” However, if you look at the back of the fake cartridge in the tweet above, it says “KYOTO.” Games will typically have a seemingly meaningless sequence like “A001W,” so seeing “KYOTO,” the city in Japan where Nintendo is based, is a red flag.

Fake The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cartridge spotted in second-hand store - AUTOMATON WEST (2)


We’ve seen dummy Nintendo Switches and packaging for non-existent games that look somewhat convincing, but it’s rare to see a fake cartridge that’s this elaborate. Twitter user @taka5874 retweeted the report saying that Nintendo Switch ROMs are difficult to fake and that the cartridge Hard-Off received is likely a mock-up with no ROM inside.

This incident points out the risk involved with buying used games. If you want to be extra safe, it’s probably best to buy new or the digital version of a game.

Fake The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cartridge spotted in second-hand store - AUTOMATON WEST (2024)

FAQs

Do fake switch games exist? ›

The product could be counterfeit if offered well below the average retail price. Look closely at the print found on game discs, cartridges and packaging. Counterfeiters may ship the game disc or cartridge separate from the packaging or instruction manuals.

How do Nintendo Switch cartridges work? ›

The Nintendo Switch uses non-volatile flash memory technology similar to SD cards that are officially called game cards. These are distinct technologies from volatile game cartridges that are similar to RAM boards. This iteration is smaller and has a larger storage capacity than its previous versions.

What games are on a switch? ›

Nintendo Switch

Can Nintendo Switch detect pirated games? ›

However, if you're tempted to download and play pirate copies of Switch games online, think again, as Nintendo can "perfectly detect" illegal copies of Switch titles.

How can you tell a fake Switch cartridge? ›

Legitimate Nintendo Switch games will have matching numbers between the middle section of the sequence on the front and the left section of the sequence on the back. The pattern is a little different for development kits, but for the most part, you should see a similar string of characters on the front and back.

Can I play Switch without cartridge? ›

The only way to play a game without a cartridge inserted is by purchasing the digital edition from the switch store.

Are Switch cartridges easy to break? ›

The Nintendo Switch cartridges are very durable -- moreso than you conventional CD-ROM even. The cases they come in are so oversized, I'd recommend getting a case to hold all your games though.

Can a Switch only have 12 games? ›

The All Software menu and groups are only available when more than 12 software titles are saved on the Nintendo Switch system. Up to 100 groups can be created with a max of 200 titles per group. The same software title can be added to multiple groups.

Is Nintendo Switch good for 12 year olds? ›

From its fun and colourful roster of games to its unique design, the Nintendo Switch is often seen as the family-friendly console. Nintendo has a reputation for producing family-oriented games – and the Switch is no different, with an extensive selection for age groups ranging from three to 18.

What is a bootlegged game? ›

Knockoff, or bootleg, games are unauthorized items that the original developers did not permit people to distribute. Sometimes, these copies are blatant pirating. People rip the game information and download it into cartridges or sell the outright files. Some developers sneak some mischief into the game's code.

What does it mean if a game is scripted? ›

In video games, a scripted sequence is a pre-defined series of events that occur when triggered by player location or actions that play out in the game engine.

What are game reproductions? ›

A repro cartridge, or reproduction cartridge, is an unofficially produced N64 game cartridge that looks like and functions in a very similar way to an original, authentic game.

Can you go to jail for pirating a game? ›

Finally, it's important to remember that using pirated gaming content is illegal. Depending on the jurisdiction in which you live, it could lead to fines or even jail time, if use of cracked software can be traced back.

Can the police track a Nintendo Switch? ›

Some devices have built-in tracking systems that allow users to locate them via serial number and GPS. Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch isn't one of these devices. In fact, Nintendo doesn't offer any type of tracking service or device that can be located.

Does Nintendo sue for piracy? ›

Nintendo sued Gary Bowser in April, saying he made a living out of stealing work via a piracy organization called Team Xecuter. The company sought $2,500 for each sale of an unauthorized operating system that hijacks the Nintendo Switch video game console to play any pirated game made for it.

How do you check if your cart is real? ›

“Most certified carts contain manufacturer stamps,” he says. You can check your favorite cart brands to see if they have a stamp that distinguishes them from fake copycat products. You might also find additional help from brands that add QR codes, which can be scanned for verifying information.

Can dispensaries sell fake carts? ›

Licensed dispensaries have products that are all legally tested to assure your safety. Any THC cartridge that is bought illegally or even online will most likely not have been tested. THC cartridges are required by law to have a license number on their packaging.

What is the rarest Nintendo cartridge? ›

The Gold Championship game cart is one of the rarest game carts in existence and the most expensive rare NES game in the world!

Can you wipe Nintendo Switch with alcohol? ›

Dampen a soft clean cloth with water, wring it out to remove excess water, then gently wipe the product. If you need to disinfect your products: Lightly apply a consumer-grade disinfectant containing about 70% alcohol to a soft clean cloth and gently wipe the product.

What happens if you lost your Nintendo game card? ›

@JellySlap No, if you lose a physical game, you'll have to buy it again. If you replace it, it doesn't matter if you buy digital or physical since game save data is stored separately on Switch internal memory. On the plus side, if you replace the game, you'll be able to resume your game progress where you left off.

How many hits can you get out of a 1g cartridge? ›

A 1g cart (10 x 3) should be able to get you roughly 300 hits. Roughly 250-350. This is all dependent on how hard you pull, how long you pull, the viscosity of the oil, the humidity of the environment you are in, the charge level of your battery and type of battery, amongst other things.

Why do carts get hard to hit? ›

Condensation Buildup

The most common cause of a clogged cart is condensation buildup inside the cart's airway. Over time, this condensation can block the mouthpiece, preventing vapor from passing through as you take a hit.

Is there R4 for Switch? ›

New R4 R4I R4S Dongle Type-C Flash Cartridge Adapter Kit for Nintendo Switch. In stock. Ships from China. The R4S dongle is a USB-C dongle that is a plug and play solution to injecting the necessary RCM playload to boot into custom firmware.

Will the Switch last 10 years? ›

As I discussed with former Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aimé, the Switch seems due for some sort of upgrade... but according to Nintendo, the Switch's life cycle could be as long as 10 years.

How long can a Nintendo Switch last at 100%? ›

Once fully charged, the battery duration for the console varies depending on model and on the software application and functions being used. For Nintendo Switch, model number: HAC-001 [product serial number begins with "XAW"], the battery life is approximately 2.5 to 6.5 hours.

Is 512GB too much for Switch? ›

We highly recommend getting a 256GB card. It has the space to hold plenty of saved data, screenshots, and videos. Of course, if you have all the games in the world and want to play any of them at a moment's notice, you'll want to look at something much larger, like a 512GB card for maximum storage.

Can 2 switches play 1 game? ›

Redownload the games or content you want to access on each Nintendo Switch console. On any of your consoles, select your downloaded game from the HOME Menu to begin playing the game on that console. You will not be able to use the same Nintendo Account to access games on multiple consoles simultaneously.

Which console is more kid friendly? ›

The PlayStation 5 is our top pick thanks to its great gaming library and fast operation. For families, we recommend the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model since it has user-friendly controls and a game library packed with a wide range of single-player and multiplayer games.

Which console is best for 7 year old? ›

The most kid-friendly game console is the Nintendo Switch. Most games are rated 3+, 7+ and 12+.

What age should a kid get a Switch? ›

Motor function: Kids around six to seven years old are generally at the right developmental stage to be able to comprehend the complexities of some of the more popular video games, by pushing multiple buttons at once and understanding how to hold onto the controllers.

How can you tell if a Switch is legit? ›

So another way of verifying that it's the newer hardware model is by glancing at the serial number. If it starts with XKW, that's the new one. Anything else (such as XAW), and you're holding an original-release Switch. The serial number can be found on the bottom of the Switch console.

Is switch sports online fake? ›

So, Alex has spent some time assessing the fine details to help you identify the real players from the bots. The bottom line though is Nintendo Switch Sports does not have a "fake" online mode.

Can you illegally download games on Nintendo Switch? ›

The uploading and downloading of pirate copies of Nintendo games is illegal.

Do Chinese Switch games work? ›

Please note that systems and games distributed in the Chinese region are not compatible with systems and games distributed in the Americas.

How do you check a coin on a Switch? ›

Go to My Nintendo and sign in to your Nintendo Account. Click Menu in the upper-left corner, then click Points summary. Your points: Your current Gold and Platinum point totals.

Did I buy a stolen Switch? ›

Check If the Serial Numbers Match

A stolen Nintendo Switch will usually come without its original box or in a completely different one. If the box and the device's serial numbers match, then you've probably gotten a real deal. If not, there's a huge possibility that something shady is going on.

Can my Switch be hacked serial number? ›

Serials between XAW70017800000 to XAW70030000000 are potentially patched. Serials from XAW70030000000 and up are patched and can't be modded. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAJ1: Serials between XAJ10000000000 to XAJ10020000000 are unpatched and moddable.

Is Nintendo Switch online $20 a year? ›

The good news is that Nintendo Switch Online costs less than PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass, at $20 a year. (You can also pay in installments, at $4 a month or $8 for three months, but the $20 for 12 months plan is the best value.)

Can I trust a refurbished Nintendo Switch? ›

Another important note: a refurbished Nintendo Switch will be just as reliable as a new one. Here at Back Market, we're so sure about the quality of our products that we literally think we're better than new.

Is Nintendo Switch Lite real? ›

Dedicated to handheld play

The system for gamers on the go. The Nintendo Switch Lite is designed specifically for handheld play—so you can jump into your favorite games wherever you happen to be.

Can Nintendo Switch ban you? ›

A banned Switch doesn't have access to any online gaming or the eShop. Users can't download games or update their Switch, either. Offline games still work, like those in old-school gaming consoles. Bans are often put in place after a user tries to hack or tamper with the console, or after buying pirated games.

How do consoles detect pirated games? ›

One of the usual tricks is to actually burn bad sectors at specific points on the disc. The console comes along and reads the bad sectors - if they are there disc is genuine, if not disc is a fake.

Can you pirate on a Switch? ›

Online piracy and counterfeiting of Nintendo's video game products is illegal.

How many hours are Chinese allowed to play games? ›

The restrictions limit children to just three hours of online game playing a week. That is one hour between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday most weeks.

Can you use a Japanese Switch in America? ›

Unlike every other Nintendo console shipped since the company started designing actual operating systems, the Switch is completely region-free — you can play games from any country without issue, often in any language.

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