[theo cupier]

This may be a silly question but, other than applying general common sense is there anything specific to keep a look out for when buying DS games on Ebay or overseas websites?

I know that the DS is not region locked so I should be safe to import games from anywhere and they will play, but there do seem to be lots of comments from people whose imported games don't work, with the likely reason being due to piracy.

So, is there anything specific to watch for or ask about to avoid being a victim of piracy?

For example, I'm looking for Mario Kart for my son. Gamestation have this for £30 new, £25 used, but it is available buy-it Now on Ebay for anything between £20 delivered and £9 delivered. Some are in the UK and some overseas

Now I'm immediately suspicious of the £9 delivered items - if something is too good to be true it usually is - and there was one UK-based item that said "cartridge only, no box" to save on postage (yeah, right).

Are these likely to be dodgy for the reasons stated or not? Again, is there anything to watch out for or is the only way to be safe to buy from a reputable seller, eg Game/Gamestation or the overseas shops that come recommended?

[G a f f e r]

There are many pirated games floating around on ebay (I view them in the same light as memory cards......assume they're fake until proven otherwise).

If you focus on Game-centric shops you'll pay a bit more but chances are they'll be legit so you'll have piece of mind.

Don't forget to check the "unusual suspects" who only do games as a sideline (and thus have high probability of cutting prices a bit more IME)...such as Woolworths, WHSmith, Virgin/HMV, Argos, and also the supermarkets like Asda/Tesco.
Some of my best gaming bargains have been bought from non-gaming shops.



The problem of piracy on ebay is big enough to prompt it's own article on the stuff:

How to spot a pirated DS game.

...as well as other sites doing the same:

Spotting pirated DS carts.

So if you do want to go ahead with Ebay, read the above guides first to give you a better idea of what to look for

[MarkyPancake]

I've never had any problems with official game cards, no matter what region I've bought them from.

[WibXL]

I tend to stick to the more well known shops such as Movietyme for USA versions and Play-Asia for Asian versions. If you can find what you want on those two sites they'll normally work out cheaper than Ebay plus you know that you're getting the genuine article.

I ordered the second Phoenix Wright game today from Play-Asia and I don't think that it cost much more than £10 including shipping. It's the Japanese version of the game though so the box and I presume instructions will be in Japanese but according to the review you can play the game in English.

[WibXL]

Apparently you can't play multiplayer with some games if you are using carts from different regions such as player one using a USA cart and player two using a European one but I don't know which or how many games are like this.

There's a little bit more info here.

[theo cupier]

Originally Posted by WibXL

Apparently you can't play multiplayer with some games if you are using carts from different regions such as player one using a USA cart and player two using a European one but I don't know which or how many games are like this.

There's a little bit more info here.

I saw another thread on here that gave me the impression a lot of DS games only needed one cart to play across multiple handsets. Does this mean I've misunderstood the deal, or just that there are still lots of games that DO need one cart per handset?

[WibXL]

Originally Posted by theo cupier

I saw another thread on here that gave me the impression a lot of DS games only needed one cart to play across multiple handsets. Does this mean I've misunderstood the deal, or just that there are still lots of games that DO need one cart per handset?

It depends on the game, the newest Advance Wars needs one cartridge per player but Mario and Sonic at the Olympics just needs one. On the back of the box it'll say something like multi cart or single cart download play but unfortunately a lot of websites don't bother to say which it is.

[MarkyPancake]

Originally Posted by WibXL

It depends on the game, the newest Advance Wars needs one cartridge per player but Mario and Sonic at the Olympics just needs one. On the back of the box it'll say something like multi cart or single cart download play but unfortunately a lot of websites don't bother to say which it is.

I'm sure I've seen some games that also cater for both single card and download multiplayer too.

[WibXL]

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

I'm sure I've seen some games that also cater for both single card and download multiplayer too.

I think that a lot of games that have the single card option also have the mutlicard option as well but when you use the download option you tend to get a cut down version of the multiplayer game.

In Mario Kart I think that you get a limited track list when using one cart but all of the tracks if you both have a cart, haven't tried it myself though so can't be certain.

[captainff]

Originally Posted by WibXL

In Mario Kart I think that you get a limited track list when using one cart but all of the tracks if you both have a cart, haven't tried it myself though so can't be certain.

I have just tested this theory (in a bizarre twist of fate my daughter and her friends are currently playing) and the difference is that if you have multicard over single card MKDS then each player has access to the character select screen. However it is also possible to play with a combination of both (there are 7 of them playing and only 4 copies of the game).

[WibXL]

Seven of them? I take it any plans for a quiet Sunday have gone out the window.

[captainff]

As did the plans for a quiet Saturday night

Don'tcha love sleepovers?

[WibXL]

Originally Posted by captainff

As did the plans for a quiet Saturday night

Don'tcha love sleepovers?

No kids so I don't have that problem

[Tetlee]

Originally Posted by WibXL

I tend to stick to the more well known shops such as Movietyme for USA versions and Play-Asia for Asian versions. If you can find what you want on those two sites they'll normally work out cheaper than Ebay plus you know that you're getting the genuine article.

Good advice there I think. I have made a couple of good DS purchases on ebay, but I'm pretty cautious these days after buying two fake GBA games in the past(from what appeared to be very reuptable sellers), the fake games looked genuine enough(in both box & cart) but had the same error when it came to saving progress, simply would not save. Playasia & videogamesplus are my two favourite online stores for importing DS games.

[silvercue]

i buy and sell most of my ds games on ebay and never had any problems.

Usually go for games being sold by normal people rather than shops, powre sellers etc. And always get from uk source.

If

[berry080]

I once bought a game from ebay and the the save file was always corrupted!
Like once I got really far in the game, saved it and turned it off.
Went back on a few hours later and the save file wasnt there!

Couldnt get hold of the seller, as he was already banned