How to spot repros?

[opa]

You could just get an everdrive and save money/time/headache but....

If you're dead-set on getting legit carts: Invest the few dollars in buying the screwdrivers and bits to open different kinds of cartridges. Not only does it help you verify carts, but it's also waaay easier to do a good cleaning on the contacts.

For expensive/desirable games: Only buy from sellers that open up carts for pics. When I sold my collection, every cartridge listing had multiple pics of the PCB. By doing this I actually sold many games in a few hours (even with high prices). Now not every seller is going to do this but that's honestly their loss. I wouldn't buy an expensive item without unique pics of the PCB to compare with a known good image.

I might mess something up if I open it up.

You can watch videos on how to open games if you think you'll screw it up. If you can operate a screwdriver you can open a game. It's not hard and you won't break it unless you're like planning on throwing it against the wall or something.

[emwearz]

As said above, owning one moving forward makes sense.

it is just unscrewing 2 gamebit screws and looking at the board. You would have to actively want to damage it to do so. Get yourself a 3.8mm gamebit driver, they are dirt cheap and have a look at the board.

[marurun]

Yeah, cartridges are not delicate flowers. Think about what they go through on the regular and still survive.

[VG_Addict]

Does the fact that it doesn't have a back sticker mean it's a repro?

[emwearz]

Does the fact that it doesn't have a back sticker mean it's a repro?

No. It means it does not have the rear sticker. Maybe it got torn so they removed it, etc.

Open the cart and have a look at the board.

[VG_Addict]

Someone told me to check PriceListing and compare the price to what price the seller is offering the game. Link to the Past on Amazon has the options of "Buy used for $49.99", or "Used for $44.99 & free shipping". The Loose Price for Link to the Past on PriceListing is $31.00.

[emwearz]

If you open the cart you will know for sure, everything else is speculation and best guess.

[VG_Addict]

Isn't one of the signs of a repro not being able to save?

[emwearz]

It is a sign of a bootleg, however Zelda LTTP uses a battery to store its save, they can die and need replacing and will not hold a save until you do.

[marurun]

You are likely not going to have any certainty until you open the cart and peek inside for yourself. There is no easy “Gotcha!” that will save you the trouble, I suspect.