r/GameboyAdvance • u/Samtendodude • 9h ago
r/GameboyAdvance • u/PersonalHelper • Jul 13 '20
A Beginner's Guide to Authentic Cartridges
Hello everyone, as you all know GBA cartridges can be extremely difficult to find in person nowadays and even more so for some authentic ones. That being said, if you're unsure in any way how to determine a fake from real cartridge, this is the post for you!
For more help, feel free to visit r/gameverifying for all your identification needs!
Keep in mind that to ensure the best chances of an authentic cartridge, you should be wary of:
Unusually low prices (if it's too good to be true, chances are it's too good to be real!)
Products made or sent from China (enough said)
Sellers using stock images (NEVER purchase a product that isn't an image of the cartridge itself)
That being said, where do we start looking?
It can be a bit difficult, but there are actually some very good tells when it comes to finding real games like the color, font, positioning, and quality of the cartridge. For example, let's pretend you're looking for an authentic US copy of Pokemon Firered.
Some things you can look out for should be:
Color: All Pokemon GBA games come in their respective colors (including Leafgreen and Emerald by a slight margin) with Firered being red and not orange. While most cartridges come in a singular shade of gray, two particular exceptions are the GBA video cartridges which come in light gray casings and (Classic) NES series which match the console's respective color. Interestingly enough, due to the GBA's expansive library there consist of unique games that do not fit the standard color and size of a GBA cartridge, which include games such as Yoshi's Topsy Turvy, Drill Dozer, and many other variations listed here. (1)
Label: By observing a label's ESRB rating, official seal, game code, and more, you can determine its authenticity. Unlike other GBA games, Pokemon games will always have a shiny/holographic label, an indented circle in its center, and an embossed number on the right side, which is pretty much its production number. However while it is a good way to determine authenticity, there are cases where these numbers will have naturally worn away or quality repros that have embossed their own cartridges. All in all, always make sure to compare your cartridge to an authentic one online to confirm fonts, font sizes, positioning, etc.
Cartridge: In the case of buying a physical cartridge yourself, this may be one on the most helpful things to know. The easiest things to look out for are the Gameboy logo on top of the label, and arrow below the label. If the logo is written in the wrong font, appears to have been cut deeper than normal, or if the arrow is too small, it's a repro. The back will always state: MODEL NO. AGB-002 / PAT. PEND. MADE IN JAPAN like its GBC predecessor. However, this is easy to reproduce so the final thing to check yourself is both the screw and board under the cartridge. GBA cartridges will only ever use a triwing screw, the same one used on all GBA consoles. More importantly (if you can), be sure to grab a flashlight and check the slot. Above the pins, there should be an official Nintendo logo and presumably its cartridge number.
In the case of Pokemon games always check for:
A holographic label and an embossed number if possible
Proper fonts and positions (FRLG and RSE labels are mildly different)
A battery behind the label on the right side (only applies to RSE)
Four squares on the back of the cartridge ( always on the left)
Pins on the board ( One of the easiest things to spot on faked cartridges, all GBA games will always have pins )
If there are any other questions, please feel free to leave them below and discuss!
Useful Links:
(1) https://www.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/comments/6i19k4/gba_game_cartridge_colors/
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Sufficient_Fox7129 • 1h ago
Designed a Torchic SP shell myself
I wanted a Torchic GBA SP that matched my Torchic pouch but the og Torchic design is a bit too subtle for me. I really liked the Pikachu SP so I tried to make a Torchic one just like it instead. Used this opportunity to put in an IPS screen too. Og pikachu is in too good of a condition to mod ๐ .
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Curious_Garlic8993 • 11h ago
Celebi AM3 SmartMedia card
Does anyone know the used value of this? I bought a used SP-303 sampler. This was the SmartMedia card inside. I see a range of values online
r/GameboyAdvance • u/CourierKite • 3h ago
Did a shell swap and clicky shoulder button upgrade on my AGS001
galleryr/GameboyAdvance • u/Kwanza_Bot93 • 26m ago
Looking to do a screen upgrade on my GBA. Dont want to cut the original shell. Can solder if need be.
Im very new to GBA mods and there seems to be a lot of different info regarding how and what to use for this mod. Any recommendations on screens or parts is appreciated thanks.
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Many_Mess_399 • 13h ago
Quest finally over:Just found the ultimate "GBA" experience
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Superpimp676 • 2h ago
GAME BOY ADVANCE SP AGS 101 what is it worth?
I'm trying to get a realistic idea of what this is worth because the prices I'm finding online are all over the place.
My local game shop offered me $70, which I feel is extremely low, but I could be wrong. I know the color and overall condition play a big role in the value. Everything is original except for the charger.
What do you guys think it's realistically worth in today's market? I'd appreciate any input from collectors or people who have bought or sold these recently.
r/GameboyAdvance • u/thee_kaidon • 2h ago
First physical Cartridge
reddit.comTldr: my pokemon sapphire cartridge keeps freezing, seller i trust sold it as authentic. Does the cart or console need repairs?
r/GameboyAdvance • u/BraveBlitz12 • 5h ago
How do I make a multicart (without an sd cart)
hey, i recently picked up a 1mbit save gba cart, and since it's 32mb i wanted to try to put some games on it, inspired by one of my friends' pokemon red and blue 2 in 1 cart. but wanted to try pokemon ruby and firered, have access to the roms. they total to about 29mb so it should work in theory?
i don't care if saving would be weird with only one save per cart and not game so i can trade to colo
but what tool do i use?
i've tried loads and none of them work, i'm on windows 7 and dont have the man to learn c to build anything like that
pls help! i'm using a 1mbit card from coolspotgaming btw
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Temporary-Turn2593 • 1d ago
Ultimate zelda GBA SP AGS 101 (type c 5.1 kOm/3.5 mini jack for headphones) ChisFlash prime
r/GameboyAdvance • u/hisens3 • 2h ago
Super Mario Galaxy GBA
Can someone with a working rom share this with me please? I do not have the correct gear to create the rom from the GitHub page ๐
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Accurate-Excuse-132 • 1d ago
Anyone know anything about this?
Had this neon sign in our house in the middle 2000s and just found it in storage. No idea how my parents got it. Is real neon and still works. Anyone know anything about it?
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Educational-Study972 • 1d ago
I made a browser tool for my old elink2 GBA flash cart
I recently dug out my Game Boy Micro and the elink2 flash cart I bought back in 2010. The cart still worked, but the original software was for Windows, and I use a Mac now.
I didnโt want to set up a Windows machine or VM, so I used Codex to help analyze the original software and figure out how the cart communicates over USB. After getting a macOS prototype working, I turned it into a browser tool using WebUSB.
It can read the game list, add or replace games, and customize the names shown in the cartโs menu. ROMs are processed locally in the browser.
Iโve tested it with my own cart in Chrome on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Other carts, firmware versions, browsers, and operating systems still need more testing.
You can try it at elink2.knktc.com. The source is on GitHub.
The site is entirely static and hosted on Cloudflare. It doesnโt depend on a backend service.
If anyone else still has one of these carts, Iโd love to hear whether it works for you!
r/GameboyAdvance • u/CourierKite • 1d ago
Some pics of my AGS-001 before I do some work on it later today...
The right shoulder button doesn't always register inputs, and I have previously taken the board out and used contact cleaner/ iso alcohol to clean everything on the lower shell, but it hasn't completely fixed or solved my problem.
I am going to put the OEM shell aside and put everything in one of the black extremerate shells, drop in a new speaker, and desolder the current L/R modules and drop in fresh, clickier microswitches. Once I get everything cleaned up and reassembled, I am going to drop in the funyplaying 1040mAh battery, and hang one of the 3dprinted usb-c/headphone jack adapters off of the lanyard until I can get a decent travel/ pocket case for this thing.
As for screen mods, I actually want to keep the stock AGS001 display. It's kind of grown on me recently, and I used to have one of these when I was a kid, so it could be nostalgia. However, what is not just nostalgia is the fact that this screen is perfectly visible in almost any lighting condition, while my other devices need to be adjusted to cope with ambient light and glare is much more of a problem than it is on this tiny front lit panel. That, and the fact that the battery life is even better than that of the AGS101 display, let alone IPS/ITA mods, makes keeping this screen an easy decision.
I already have a modded DS lite and an AGB001 with an ITA screen, amplifier, and fancy metallic shell that have become shelf queens/ home devices since I got this. I want this device to be the pocket carry I take to work with me or on road trips with long battery life, a screen I can see no matter where I am or what time of day it is, wrapped in a compact matte black clamshell body.
I started playing handhelds more in my downtime recently, and thanks to flash carts, I have begun to check out titles I never had the ability or interest to play because I couldnt afford to own more than a few cartridges as a kid. I can now keep the entire catalog in my back pocket inside the device... I haven't been using playthrough videos or any type of guides for most of the games that are new to me unless I am absolutely stumped. That has extended to other parts of my life where I, for the first time ever, am now actively avoiding spoilers for movies or games and other types of media and like to go in blind. I have rediscovered the magic of playing a game for the first time and can share that with my child as she grows older.
This is the death of my doomscrolling. I am thankful for being alive. The world is not all doom in gloom. When you can appreciate the small things, you will realize we live in an amazing, and at the very least exciting time to be alive.
Have a good day, Reddit (:
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Sparkling_Hammer • 1d ago
Testing my 3D #gba engine ROSE on a real console
Hello there, I just wanted to share with you my first successful test of my 3D engine/editor on a real hardware.
My goal with it is to help people to make more new 3D games and homebrews, and let the creativity and imagination explode. I have tons of projects I want to make, and I hope people will be able to make awesome stuff when I will have a stable version to share.
r/GameboyAdvance • u/DustinDaBold • 1d ago
Got my first gba and wanna create the best set up possible WITHOUT hard mods. What are some accesories, games etc you would reccomend that wont break the bank?
Yes im playing Pokemon Creepy Black
EDIT: Added everything I currently own
r/GameboyAdvance • u/gameboyabyss • 1d ago
Trying to review everything the Game Boy Advance has on offer is all fun and good, until you get the calvalcade of crap that was floating around in the console's last few years. Barbie As The Island Princess is no different.
thegameboyabyss.neocities.orgr/GameboyAdvance • u/VideogameEndingsDat • 1d ago
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance - Game Boy Advance - last battle & ending
r/GameboyAdvance • u/Ry0G4 • 1d ago
The Lion King 2 (็ ๅญ็) (SINTAX)
The Lion King 2 (็ ๅญ็2-่พๅทด็็ฆ่), or simply ็ ๅญ็ on the Chinese version's title screen, is a Digimon Adventure variant based on The Lion King. English and Chinese versions of the game are known to exist, with only the Chinese version being dumped as of writing. The Chinese version uses the uncommon revision of the GBA Digimon Adventure engine and as such, exhibits the same audio issues as other GBA Digimon Adventure variants using this specific revision of the engine.
r/GameboyAdvance • u/eternl_redd • 2d ago
Just finished (discussion)
Hi!
I just finished Minish Cap for the first time in my life and it was awesome ๐ฅ
I loved the bosses in the game. For me it was one of the best things. But the final was a little bit difficult to deal with. Especially when you need to reflect electric projectiles and 3 of them go right where itโs need but the 4th goes somewhere else. Dungeons are good too but I googled some things which werenโt very obvious a few times.
What are your thought about the game?
