Counterfeit Akumajou Dracula?

[famiac]

Hi all,

I just bought this box+manual copy of akumajou dracula from japan.

Box is unusually glossy and the printing seems sketchy in some areas. I am wondering if it's a counterfeit, despite being "aged."

What do you think? Can someone compare?




full size:
https://imgur.com/a/tzZDbv4

[L___E___T]

Giveaway will be price most likely; if the deal is too good to be be true, then it probably is. 

What colour is the inside card?  Look for stamped number codes on the flaps they often have it.

I hope it's a legit item, the limited photos don't really say much to suggest otherwise so far.

[portnoyd]

The bootleggers are not masters of deception and wouldn't distress a box like that. It's more likely that what you're seeing is genuine damage over time, just giving you the flags you are seeing. If they are starting to sell worn copies to be more authentic, we're borked.

I could be wrong, but I will be surprised if it's counterfeit.

[famiac]

Maybe i'm paranoid because i paid market price, but i'm not used to noticing imperfections in printing like that.

All my other konami games have clean borders on all printed material, but none are on a black background like this one, which i suppose might be trickier to manufacture

[L___E___T]

 
I think unless the inner card stock colour is white, you don't have to be worried.

[VegaVegas]

LOL I can't see anything on the "evidence of suspicion". Sorry about that but this photo really shows NOTHING other than regular damage over time. They might use other printing technique on this run which is not surprising. In all seriousness this doesn't look suspicious at the 1st glance. If someone printed a new box and worn it a little over time then they must have been really hard pressed. Just take as much photos as you can from all sides and insides and after that we can judge. However a camera probably can't capture any strong details that can only be seen by a naked eye so photos might be just as useless, so please try to judge by yourself if you see any dents or especially, discoloration on any side which in this case would be good as this definitely would prove authenticity due to discoloration from the sun over time

[famiac]

inner card stock is white. no number codes. inner flaps (ears) don't have art on them
Comparing now with other members, it seems they all have this kind of printing and box finish.

With these games getting so expensive now, we're seeing a lot more repros come out that are fairly convincing. It's important to document these fine details so others can determine authenticity.

[L___E___T]

 
Inner card colour on Famicom games is normally white - usually they are regular brown/gray like SFC games.  However this title does surely use white cardstock because every copy has white faded edges, and that may also explain why it looks a bit glossier to you than some of your other games, even black boxes like Ninja Ryukenden / Double Dragon.  Card stock base affects all sorts of details.  Overall a false alarm though it seems clear.

[Martwansito]

It looks just like other legit copies

[Great Hierophant]

Ironically, the most "pristine looking" a rare Famicom cartridge or its accompanying materials appear to be, the more likely it is to be pirated.  If you see a Recca with a shiny new-looking label or a Gimmick! without mottling on its label, it is almost certainly a pirate reproduction.

[portnoyd]

Ironically, the most "pristine looking" a rare Famicom cartridge or its accompanying materials appear to be, the more likely it is to be pirated.  If you see a Recca with a shiny new-looking label or a Gimmick! without mottling on its label, it is almost certainly a pirate reproduction.

I made it a point to get a Gimmick with mottling when I bought mine for this very reason. It's made buying Recca very difficult since most look pristine. I've opted to throw in for complete/boxed copies (those always have wear), but since my price range has mentally been for a loose copy, I've struck out.