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How to Spot Fake Board Games
Counterfeit board games are everywhere, and they can ruin your gaming experience, waste your money, and even pose safety risks. Here's how you can avoid falling victim to fake games:
- Inspect the box: Look for sharp, high-quality artwork, properly aligned logos, sturdy materials, and professional shrink-wrap.
- Check the components: Cards should feel thick and textured, tokens should be precisely cut, and plastic or wooden pieces should be smooth and well-finished.
- Look for errors: Misaligned printing, spelling mistakes, or missing parts are red flags.
- Buy smart: Stick to trusted retailers, avoid suspiciously low prices, and confirm sellers are authorized by the publisher.
Counterfeits often cut corners on materials and quality, leading to warped boards, flimsy cards, or even harmful chemicals in game pieces. Protect yourself by examining every detail and buying from reputable sources like official publisher websites or local game stores.
Counterfeit Board Games and How to Avoid Them
How to Spot Fake Board Games
Spotting a counterfeit board game often comes down to examining the packaging, components, and printing quality. These physical details can reveal whether you're holding an authentic game or a cheap imitation. Let’s break down the key areas to focus on when assessing authenticity.
Check the Box and Packaging
The box is your first clue. Start by taking a close look at the print quality on the cover. Authentic games feature sharp, high-resolution artwork with bold, vibrant colors. In contrast, counterfeit boxes often have blurry, pixelated images or dull colors, as though they were printed on low-quality equipment.
Next, inspect the publisher's logo. This should be prominently displayed, crisp, and perfectly aligned. If the logo looks distorted, misaligned, or is missing altogether, it’s a strong sign the game is fake. Legitimate publishers take great care to ensure their branding is flawless.
Don’t overlook the box construction. Authentic boxes are made from sturdy cardboard with the right finish - whether glossy or matte - and artwork that fits the box dimensions seamlessly. Counterfeit boxes may feel flimsy, have misaligned designs, or use the wrong type of finish.
If the game is shrink-wrapped, examine the shrink-wrap quality. Genuine games come with tight, professional shrink-wrapping, often with easy-peel options for card decks. Counterfeits frequently lack this attention to detail, with loose or uneven wrapping.
Examine Game Pieces and Materials
The components inside the box are another giveaway. Start with the cards. Authentic cards feel sturdy and often have a textured finish, like linen. Counterfeit cards may feel too thin, overly thick, or have an unexpected glossy surface. Many genuine cards also include a hidden internal layer to prevent transparency, a detail often skipped in fake versions.
When it comes to plastic pieces, quality varies significantly. Genuine pieces are smooth, well-molded, and properly weighted. Counterfeits, on the other hand, may have sharp edges where they should be rounded, visible molding marks, or dimples on the surface.
For tokens and wooden pieces, pay attention to the weight and finish. Authentic wooden pieces are solid, with smooth edges and clean paint application. Counterfeit pieces might be lighter, rougher, or show sloppy paintwork. Similarly, metal components in genuine games should feel weighty and well-finished, while fakes often feel cheap or uneven.
Look for Print Errors and Missing Parts
Printed materials can offer more clues. Inspect all text and images for alignment, color accuracy, and clarity. Misaligned printing, crooked text, or faded colors are red flags. Counterfeit rulebooks and cards frequently contain spelling and grammar mistakes, and sometimes even inappropriate text that doesn’t belong in the original game.
Missing components are another common issue with counterfeit games. Always cross-check the component list in the rulebook with what’s in the box. Counterfeits often leave out pieces or include incorrect ones.
Finally, examine the die-cutting and punching on cardboard tokens. Genuine tokens have precise cuts that align perfectly with the artwork. Counterfeit versions often leave rough edges, "nibs", or misaligned printing that doesn't match the punch lines. The rulebook itself should also fit the box perfectly and be professionally bound. Counterfeit rulebooks might be stapled, printed on low-quality paper, or sized incorrectly.
How to Verify Real Board Games
Making sure your board games are legitimate goes beyond just inspecting the pieces and packaging. Publishers and retailers offer tools and resources that can help you ensure your game is genuine, giving you peace of mind about your purchase.
Use Publisher Verification Tools
Start by looking for key verification details, like the country of origin and a UPC barcode. These can often be scanned online to confirm authenticity. Genuine games will also include verified publisher contact information that matches their official website. Another important detail to check is the publisher's trademarked logo, which should be clearly displayed on the front of the box. If the logo is missing, it’s a strong sign that the game might be a counterfeit.
For example, if you’re purchasing a Brain Games product, you can confirm its authenticity through their official site: Brain-Games.com.
Additionally, take a moment to verify where and how the game was purchased.
Check Where Your Game Came From
Whenever possible, buy directly from publishers, local game stores, or trusted online retailers. For online shopping, stick with well-established sellers like Brain-Games.lv/en/, which work directly with publishers. Be cautious of secondary marketplaces, especially if the prices seem unusually low. If you’re ever in doubt about the source of a game, reach out to the publisher to confirm whether the retailer is authorized to sell their products.
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How to Buy Board Games Safely
Shopping smart is key to avoiding counterfeits and ensuring you get genuine products. The tips below build on the verification methods mentioned earlier.
Buy from Trusted Stores
When it comes to board games, sticking with reliable retailers is your best bet. For Brain Games titles, you can shop directly at their official site, Brain-Games.com, to explore their full range of award-winning games. If you're looking for a broader selection, Brain-Games.lv/en/ offers a curated collection from reputable publishers around the globe.
Local game stores are another excellent option. These shops often work directly with distributors and publishers, reducing the risk of counterfeits. Plus, buying in person allows you to inspect the game before committing.
If you're browsing online marketplaces, steer clear of sellers with poor ratings or vague listings. Instead, look for sellers who specialize in board games and provide detailed product descriptions, along with positive customer reviews. Many publishers also list their authorized retailers on their websites, so check for those badges or contact the publisher directly if you're unsure about a seller's legitimacy.
Avoid Common Buying Mistakes
Even when shopping from trusted sources, it’s important to recognize warning signs that could lead to counterfeit purchases.
Beware of prices that seem too good to be true. If a popular $60 strategy game is listed for $25, it’s likely a counterfeit. Legitimate retailers rarely discount new releases by more than 20-30%, and even older games tend to hold a certain minimum price.
Look for detailed descriptions. Reliable sellers provide clear information about the game’s contents, player count, play time, and publisher. Be cautious of listings with generic photos or descriptions that seem copied from elsewhere.
Pay attention to shipping details. While legitimate games are manufactured worldwide, be wary of sellers shipping American or European games from unexpected locations. This can sometimes signal counterfeit products.
Check return policies. Reputable retailers offer straightforward return options. For instance, Brain Games has a game exchange guarantee - you can return a game within two weeks if you’re not satisfied and exchange it for another title. Missing or overly restrictive return policies should raise a red flag.
Lastly, ensure payment security. Legitimate retailers use secure payment systems and display proper security certificates. Avoid sellers who insist on unconventional payment methods or request transactions outside the platform’s secure system. Protecting your payment information is just as important as choosing the right retailer.
Conclusion: Keep Your Games Real
Using the inspection tips we've discussed, you can ensure your board games are genuine and safe. Counterfeit games not only compromise quality but can also pose serious risks, especially for children. Protecting yourself from these fakes means safeguarding the fun, safety, and creativity that legitimate games offer.
For example, fake versions of games like Katamino Family have been found to use toxic paint and splintered wood, while knockoffs of Codenames have included inappropriate language - clearly unsuitable for young players.
Reputable publishers like Brain Games stand by their products with strong guarantees. They ensure their games meet safety standards and deliver the experience they were designed for. Brain Games even offers a two-week exchange policy and lifetime free replacement of components as long as the game is in production.
Key Points to Remember
- Buy from authorized retailers. For Brain Games, shop directly at Brain-Games.com. You can also explore a trusted selection of games at Brain-Games.lv/en/.
- Watch for suspiciously low prices. If a game is priced far below its usual retail cost, it's probably a fake.
- Inspect the packaging and components. Look for clear printing, proper alignment, high-quality materials, and all listed pieces. Many publishers, like CGE and Oink Games, provide comparison guides on their websites to help you spot counterfeit products.
- Remember the impact of counterfeits. Every fake purchase takes away from the designers, artists, and publishers who bring these games to life.
If you suspect you've encountered a counterfeit, reach out to the publisher's customer support. Reporting fake products not only protects you but also helps alert others and keeps the gaming community safe.
FAQs
How can I tell if a board game is counterfeit?
Counterfeit board games often come with telltale signs that give them away. Watch out for poor print quality - colors that appear dull or faded are a big clue. Another common issue is cheap materials, like thin cardstock, fragile tokens, or packaging that feels flimsy. You might also notice missing or incorrect details, such as incomplete rulebooks, misprinted logos, or poorly cut game pieces.
To avoid getting stuck with a fake, stick to buying from reputable retailers like Brain Games. They offer a wide range of authentic, award-winning board games. By keeping an eye on these details, you can steer clear of counterfeits and enjoy the quality gaming experience you’re looking for.
What are the risks of buying counterfeit board games?
Buying counterfeit board games can bring a host of problems, starting with safety concerns. These knockoff versions often skip essential safety checks, meaning they might include dangerous materials or poorly crafted components. This can lead to hazards like choking risks or other physical dangers, especially for younger players.
On top of that, fake games can ruin the fun. Low-quality pieces, confusing instructions, and unreliable gameplay mechanics can turn what should be an enjoyable experience into a frustrating one. But the impact doesn’t stop there - purchasing counterfeit products can also fuel illegal activities and harm the game creators who put time and effort into designing and publishing the originals. To keep your gaming safe and enjoyable, stick to buying from reliable sources.
How can I make sure I’m buying authentic board games from reliable retailers?
When buying board games, it's important to make sure you're getting the real deal from a trusted source. Start by checking if the seller is officially authorized by the game publisher. You can usually find this information on the retailer's website, or you can reach out to the publisher directly to confirm. Trusted retailers often highlight their licensing or partnerships clearly on their sites.
Be wary of prices that seem unusually low - they could be a red flag for counterfeit products. Take a moment to verify the retailer's website for a secure connection (look for "https" in the URL) and browse customer reviews to gauge their reputation. If you're unsure, the safest bet is to buy directly from the publisher or a well-established store you trust.
