Checking Cartridge Authenticity

The easiest way to check your game cartridge is to insert it into your Operator device. Playback automatically checks for counterfeit markers by analyzing the internal hardware and game data against our database of known releases.

How it works

When you insert a cartridge, Playback:

1. Reads the game data from the cartridge
2. Analyzes the cartridge’s hardware characteristics
3. Displays the authenticity status on the Play tab

This process happens automatically — just insert your cartridge and look at the result.

Understanding the results

What to do with each result

Official

Your cartridge matches a known official release and shows no counterfeit markers. You can:

• Play with confidence
• Trust the save functionality

Unofficial

Your cartridge is a reproduction, flashcart, or homebrew, but it may still work:

• Homebrew games and flashcarts show as Unofficial
• Reproduction cartridges may have save issues — see Rewritable Cartridge Save Issues
• The game should still be playable

Unrecognized

This needs further investigation:

• Clean the cartridge pins — Dirty contacts can cause read issues. See Cleaning Cartridge Contacts.
• Check if it’s a regional variant — Japanese or European versions may not be in our database yet
• Inspect the cartridge physically — See Spotting Fake Games for visual inspection tips
• It may be counterfeit — If you bought it secondhand, it could be a reproduction

Why authenticity matters

Save reliability

Official cartridges use quality components with predictable behavior. Reproduction cartridges often have modified save mechanisms that can corrupt your progress.

Resale value

If you’re collecting or plan to sell games, knowing authenticity affects value significantly.

Peace of mind

Checking your childhood collection or verifying a recent purchase gives you valuable information about what you own.

Limitations

Playback’s authenticity check is very accurate, but:

• Very high-quality reproductions may occasionally fool the system
• Regional variants or obscure titles may show as Unrecognized
• The check verifies game data and hardware, not the physical shell

For the most thorough verification, combine Playback’s check with physical inspection.