If you own an original Nintendo DS or DS Lite and an authentic copy of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver, you can test whether your GBA Pokémon game is authentic. Source: Nadine Dornieden / iMorePokémon FireRed migration option with Pokémon HeartGold (Image credit: Source: Nadine Dornieden / iMore) Fake games often don't have this text or may just say something like "GAME." Make sure you check for this text, as it's one of the easier ways to tell a dud from the real deal. Meanwhile, Game Boy Color games have a convex thumb grip that reads "Game Boy COLOR". There's a concave thumb grip at the top of every Game Boy game with text that reads "Nintendo GAME BOY™". If you see a gray cartridge with a sticker showing any language other than Japanese, it's not authentic.
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In Japan, Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, and Silver games were produced in gray cartridges, with Gold having a darker cartridge than the others. Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal have golden, silver, and icy blue cartridges. Each game's cartridge color corresponds with their name - Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow have red, blue, and yellow cartridges. Nintendo has never produced any Pokémon title on the Game Boy or Game Boy Color in a gray shell.
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If you see a North American or European Pokémon game in a gray cartridge, run away. Source: Rebecca Spear / iMoreFrom left to right: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (real), Game Boy Color with Wario Land 3 (real), Pokémon Red (real) (Image credit: Source: Rebecca Spear / iMore)