EB Sold Me Pirated Sonic Advance 3 (accidentally, I presume)

[Nature Boy]

I've kinda wanted one of the Sonic Advance's for awhile now, and I picked one up last week (Thursday). How do I know it's a pirate copy? As well as it *was* done, there are a few "huh's" about it.

One is on the box. It has "3+" where it would normally say "E for Everyone." Other than that the box looks pretty freaking good.

The instruction booklet is kinda sparse, but since I wouldn't know how big the real booklet is I can't say for sure it's pirated.

The cart itself is the biggest giveaway. It's slightly larger than a GBA cart is normally. After thinking about this for a minute I looked at the back of it. (I have a pirate cart with NES games that I bought that is also larger, and it has "Nintondo" on the back). Sure enough, "Nintondo" is on the back of the cart. So I've unknowlingly purchased a bogus item.

I'll be heading back to EB today to trade it back in. You can bet I'll raise quite the stink if they try to pull the "but you've taken the seal off" bit and refuse me.

Reminds me of that guy who bought the copied CD that was posted awhile back. Whomever I barbed with about opening the game immediately after walking out the store is probably laughing right now :)

[fahrvergnugen]

If they refuse to take it back, explain the situation to the manager on duty. Get the store number off your receipt. Then, while still in the store, get out your cell phone and call 1-800-255-3700, which according to Nintendo's "EMULATORS ARE BAD OH GOD THEY'RE PUTTING US OUT OF BUSINESS OH NO OH NO THE SKY IS FALLING" page (link (http://www.nintendo.com/corp/legal.jsp#download_rom)), is the number for reporting such matters.

Stay in the store and report that EB #<store number> has sold you a pirated GBA cartridge, and when you pointed it out and returned it so that you could get a legit copy, they wouldn't work with you about it. Then, while still in the store, call 1-800-800-5166, EB's corporate customer service line. Jump through the hoops necessary to get a report in with the district manager.

I promise, an easy return will follow.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Then that's when you call the Sothy squad to drop down on their asses like the CIA and shut down their organization boy! IT'S YER AMERI-CON RIGHT!!!

Teh Boot is Teh Enemy!

Btw, I think that could be a PAL version :embarrassed:

[Kejoriv]

Wow. I wonder how much this happens. With high end computers and laser jet printers, its pretty easy to re-create the labels and manuals of the orginal games. Do you have pics of the items?

[Cmosfm]

How would they get a NEW SEALED pirated copy anyways? Unless someone trades it, but it's policy to open all "new" copies traded in.

[Daria]

Btw, I think that could be a PAL version :embarrassed:


I seriously doubt even a PAL version would say "Nintondo"

[hydr0x]

Reminds me of that guy who bought the copied CD that was posted awhile back. Whomever I barbed with about opening the game immediately after walking out the store is probably laughing right now :)

that would have been me LOL

but no, i'm not laughing at you, i hope you get a new one and be sure to make them know how you feel about getting a pirate ;)

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Btw, I think that could be a PAL version :embarrassed:
No, there arent really PAL versions of GBA games, they all work on all GBAs. Its a Pirate, because I got the same thing once, Nintondo on the back and everything.

[Cirrus]

Gamespot sold me a "Ninfendo" (Read "F") version of Mega Man Zero before. It worked fine for a while, and then the battery went dead. I guess they have cheap batteries in Hong Kong.

They took it back, thankfully (without a receipt). It looked perfect aside from that one letter change. No box, though.

[Dangerboy]

To be honest, it happens all the time, with pirated versions making their way into the stores, especially GBA Games, since fo rthe most part they're usually done better than your average CD pirate.

I know of at least 2 Game Crazy stores that have one or two pirated carts, and even my own store was hit with one. (For the record, it was mega man zero..and it looked PERFECT. Were it not for us having a second real copy, and me noticing the ''cover variant' in the size of the image, even I'd have never caught it).

Even funnier, I know a GameStop store on Oak Forest that has a legit PAL and legit JPN Game in their pre-played game sections.

You shouldn't have a huge issue, just be polite and let them know about it., and it should be okay.

[Nature Boy]

I didn't say anywhere in the original post that it was new, because it wasn't. It was a used copy. I can't *imagine* how embarassed they'd be if it was a new copy that I had purchased...

Anyway, I took it back without a problem. The clerk was actually very apologetic, and said he'd bring it up with the manager. He just asked me if I wanted to swap it for anything and I chose Scrabble Blast (new, this time :) ).

I took a look at a new copy of SA3 that they had out as he was doing the exchange (it was $10 more, which is why I didn't swap for it). The job they (pirates) do on the box is just amazing. The front is identical except for the "3+" thing I mentioned earlier, and it also had "Sega" on the front instead of "THQ" (I'm assuming THQ did the honours for SA3?). Other than that it was pretty much *identical*

The "Nintondo" I mentioned earlier, which is on the cart itself, is also hard to catch. What's dead simple to catch is the cart's size. You can fit it into a GBA or DS, but it's a lot tigher than your typical GBA cart. If you ever come across it, start taking notice!

[Cmosfm]

I didn't say anywhere in the original post that it was new, because it wasn't. It was a used copy. I can't *imagine* how embarassed they'd be if it was a new copy that I had purchased...



"I'll be heading back to EB today to trade it back in. You can bet I'll raise quite the stink if they try to pull the "but you've taken the seal off" bit and refuse me. "

I assumed that mean't that you bought it new, that you "unsealed" it.

glad to see everything worked out fine.

[hydr0x]

The front is identical except for the "3+" thing I mentioned earlier,

the 3+ is just the european system :)

[Nature Boy]

I assumed that mean't that you bought it new, that you "unsealed" it.

Fair enough. Of course EB seals the games with those stupid round stickers these days, so that you can bring it back 'still sealed' if you so choose to get your money back. I hate those freaking stickers...


the 3+ is just the european system

I guess this is the first time I've seen European packaging then! Cool.

[legov8]

A pirated game in a game store, ooooooooooooooooook.

[MegaDrive20XX]

No, there arent really PAL versions of GBA games, they all work on all GBAs. Its a Pirate, because I got the same thing once, Nintondo on the back and everything.



I seriously doubt even a PAL version would say "Nintondo"

+3 is a European rating system just like Hydrox said and that's why I said it

*hits the button* Boom Shacka-lacka-boom-shacka-lacka-lacka....

[SuperNES]

Then that's when you call the Sothy squad to drop down on their asses like the CIA and shut down their organization boy! IT'S YER AMERI-CON RIGHT!!!

Teh Boot is Teh Enemy!

Btw, I think that could be a PAL version :embarrassed:

i don't think they call it nintondo in europe... ;)

[MegaDrive20XX]

Then that's when you call the Sothy squad to drop down on their asses like the CIA and shut down their organization boy! IT'S YER AMERI-CON RIGHT!!!

Teh Boot is Teh Enemy!

Btw, I think that could be a PAL version :embarrassed:

i don't think they call it nintondo in europe... ;)

Well now we know that from earlier statements, but the only reason I said was due to the +3 on it...and knowing is half the battle...

GI JOE!!!

[MegaDrive20XX]

Edit* Stupid double post

[poopnes]

de;eted

[Frankie23]

It sucks, but I've seen it before. One time I really pissed off some employees by pulling three boxes off their shelves, one at a time, bringing them up to the counter and explaining how I knew thye were pirates. I'm sure they knew all along though, and were just hoping to sucker some poor schmuck.