Counterfeits becoming more prevalent...

[TimothyC]

It sucks to see repro's and counterfeits becoming more prevalent in the console world, but at this point you can count on the Chinese to counterfeit anything of value . 

The N64 repros below are new developments:
64bit game card : Clay Fighter Sculptor's Cut ( USA Version!! )

64bit game card : Harvest Moon 64 ( USA Version!! )

64bit game card : Worms Armageddon ( USA Version!! )

and some SNES carts:
http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20150930133408&SearchText=USA+version+game+cartridge

and then of course repro's on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hagane-The-Final-Conflict-Super-Nintendo-SNES-1994-Tested-Repro-New-/191702243079?hash=item2ca2581707

[number six]

Luckily I got all my high dollar games before repros became possible.

At this point if you are buying an expensive game.. ask for pics of the PCB.

[ratsflif]

Why is it a problem, now more people have access to the same exact game without paying crazy prices.

[Sid]

Why is it a problem, now more people have access to the same exact game without paying crazy prices.

I agree...and it's not 30 years old.

[Niloc]

Why is it a problem, now more people have access to the same exact game without paying crazy prices.

I agree, as long as they're clearly labeled and presented as reproductions. Most of these don't seem to be presented as reproductions so that's a problem.

I think what some collectors don't like is that this does reduce demand for the originals, and therefore reduces prices. Personally, I'm fine with that.

It's like when they re-printed the Akira comics/manga in trade paperback - the prices on the original issues went down, because some of the demand was from collectors who wanted mint-condition original run copies, but a good portion of the demand was from people who just wanted to read the damn things and were happy with nice, cheap TPBs.

If Sega finally releases Panzer Dragoon Saga for a new system, or even just an emulated version that runs on a modern system, the price for the original will drop. I'm sure it'll still be in demand on the basis of just being rare - but less so. People do silly shit for "rare" - I mean is Stadium Events for the NES a good game? Probably not, but it goes for stupid money.

[number six]

Right, repros are perfectly fine.. It's when people try to pass them off as originals that it becomes a problem.

There's also the issue of repro labels, etc. So you can 'refurbish' a crap looking original into mint and sell it for such (assuming the labels are good enough)

I don't spend stupid money on single games but if i was buying something in the $100+ range that was say a NES game where repros are common.. I'd be careful

[k7]

once anything gains momentum and stupid value, the fakes come out.

it's how china became a world power.

i'm surprised there aren't repro popular pinball machines. oh...wait a second.

[flecom]

Right, repros are perfectly fine.. It's when people try to pass them off as originals that it becomes a problem.

I agree

There's also the issue of repro labels, etc. So you can 'refurbish' a crap looking original into mint and sell it for such (assuming the labels are good enough)

how is that different from someone installing a CPR playfield and new cabinet decals?

I don't spend stupid money on single games but if i was buying something in the $100+ range that was say a NES game where repros are common.. I'd be careful

buyer beware, nothing new really... plus unless someone found a container full of old carts what are the odds of a bunch of rare US carts showed up in China and got listed on AliExpress

I buy multi-carts personally, much easier!

[number six]

how is that different from someone installing a CPR playfield and new cabinet decals?

You should always disclose repro artwork, even on a pin. Passed that there is a big difference.

Collectible video game cartridges are being purchased in many cases because of the condition. In that case being original is key as reproductions are virtually worthless. Thus an original complete game is worth more than a loose game, and a loose game in good shape is worth more than a loose game in bad condition. Finally a loose game with no label may still have value but it will be significantly lower than any of the other 'tiers'

So by passing off a game with an unstated reproduced label is at best fradulent. Personally when it comes to carts I'd want no part of a game with a repro label, i'd rather it be original (whatever condition that may be).

Pins are more valuable for their overall condition and play ability. People aren't just purchasing them based on graphics alone and due to the nature of the beast repros are more common and acceptable. They are just different animals..

It's like the difference between a restored Porsche and a comic book with a repro'd Cover. One may not be worth as much if it was all original but if the restoration was done well many people won't care on the Porsche. No matter how good a repro cover is on a comic book that comic is still going to be worth single-digit percentages of what a 'complete' copy would fetch.