Buying Used Video Games Online? Red Flags Every Canadian Gamer Should Watch For

Summary

Buying used video games online can be awesome. You can find childhood favourites, harder-to-find retro games, discontinued systems, replacement controllers, missing cables, collector’s editions, and weird little treasures you did not even know you needed until 1:12 in the morning.

But it can also be risky.

Used video games are not like buying a sealed box of cereal. Condition matters. Authenticity matters. Region matters. Cables matter. Batteries matter. Scratches matter. Accessories matter. The seller’s knowledge matters. And if something goes wrong, the return policy matters a lot.

Many online sellers are not trying to scam anyone. Some just do not know what they have. They may not know a Game Boy Advance Pokémon cartridge is fake. They may not know a PAL game will not work properly on a Canadian console. They may not know a PS2 game is too scratched to read. They may not know the power supply they included with a console is the wrong voltage. They may not know a cartridge save battery is dead.

But whether the seller is dishonest or just uninformed, the result for the buyer is the same: you get stuck with the problem.

This guide breaks down the biggest red flags Canadian gamers should watch for when buying used video games online, including fake cartridges, scratched discs, wrong-region games, dead save batteries, missing accessories, wrong power supplies, dirty consoles, vague “untested” listings, and listings that do not show enough real detail.

It also explains why buying from a real store like Power Up Gaming can be safer, especially when you care about authenticity, condition, testing, warranty support, and getting what you actually paid for.

Why Buying Used Video Games Online Can Be Risky

The used video game market is huge, and it has changed a lot.

Retro games are more collectible than ever. Pokémon, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, SNES, N64, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Sega Saturn, and other classic systems have become serious collector markets. That means more demand, higher prices, and more people trying to cash in.

That also means more bad listings.

Some are obvious scams. Some are low-effort flips. Some are honest mistakes. Some are just people cleaning out a basement and selling a box of games they have not touched in 20 years.

The hard part is that online listings often hide the details you actually need to know.

A game can look fine in one blurry photo but still be:

• Fake

• Scratched

• Disc-only

• Resurfaced badly

• The wrong region

• Missing the manual

• Missing a required accessory

• Battery-dead

• Water damaged

• Smoke damaged

• Bug contaminated

• Previously opened

• Poorly repaired

• Not working

• Sold with the wrong cable

• Sold with an unsafe power supply

A console can “turn on” and still not read games. A cartridge can boot but not save. A disc can look okay in a photo but fail during gameplay. A controller can connect but drift. A handheld can charge but have a weak battery. A game can be “rare” but not authentic.

That is why the cheapest listing is not always the best deal.

Sometimes it is just the cheapest way to inherit someone else’s headache.

Red Flag 1: The Price Is Too Good to Be True

This is the oldest warning in the book because it keeps being true.

If a high-demand retro game is listed for way under market value, slow down.

That does not automatically mean it is fake or broken, but it does mean you should look harder before buying.

Be extra cautious with underpriced copies of:

• Pokémon games

• Fire Emblem games

• Zelda games

• Mario RPGs

• GameCube heavy hitters

• Nintendo DS and 3DS Pokémon games

• SNES RPGs

• N64 collector titles

• Dreamcast games

• Saturn games

• Complete-in-box retro games

• High-value Game Boy Advance titles

Sometimes a seller does not know what they have. That happens.

But if a $200 game is listed for $40 and the photos are blurry, the label looks off, the seller avoids questions, and they want payment fast, your scam detector should start screaming like a failing Dreamcast fan.

Good deals exist.

Miracle deals with blurry photos and urgency are a different beast.

Red Flag 2: Stock Photos From Private Sellers With No Verification

Stock photos are not automatically bad.

There is a big difference between a private online seller using a stock image because they do not want to show the real item, and a legitimate retail store using stock photos because they have a massive inventory of used games, consoles, accessories, and collectibles.

At Power Up Gaming, we use stock photos online for many of our items because our inventory is huge and the products are stored and sold through an active retail store. Our inventory is out on the sales floor, moving through the store, being handled by staff, and being sold both in-person and online. Photographing every individual item would be a massive job and would slow down the entire process.

That said, we are always happy to provide photos of specific items at a customer’s request. If someone wants to verify condition, contents, manuals, inserts, case quality, disc condition, cartridge labels, or anything else before buying, they can ask us and we will check it for them.

The red flag is not simply “stock photo.”

The red flag is when a private seller uses a stock photo, gives no real details, refuses to provide actual photos, and expects you to send money without seeing what you are really buying.

For used games, photos can matter because condition affects value. A real photo can show:

• Disc scratches

• Label damage

• Cartridge shell condition

• Manual condition

• Case damage

• Water staining

• Sun fading

• Missing inserts

• Region

• Authenticity clues

• Board condition

• Wear on the console

• Cracked hinges

• Missing covers

So here is the practical rule:

If you are buying from a random private seller, ask for real photos of the actual item.

If you are buying from an established retail store, check their policies, reputation, condition standards, and whether they will verify details or provide photos on request.

Power Up Gaming will happily verify contents and provide photos when customers want extra confidence before buying.

Red Flag 3: “Untested” Usually Means Risk

“Untested” is one of the most dangerous words in used game listings.

Sometimes it genuinely means the seller does not have the console, cable, controller, TV, battery, charger, or disc drive needed to test the item.

Other times, “untested” means:

• It was tested and failed

• It turns on but does not work properly

• The disc drive is dead

• The cartridge does not boot

• The controller drifts

• The battery is dead

• The screen is damaged

• The seller does not want to admit a problem

• The seller knows enough to avoid saying “broken”

You should treat untested items as broken unless the price makes sense for parts or repair.

For consoles, “powers on” is not enough.

A console can power on and still have:

• Bad laser

• No video output

• Bad controller ports

• Dead cartridge slot

• Faulty disc drive

• No sound

• Bad capacitors

• Overheating

• Bad HDMI port

• Weak battery

• Storage failure

• Region issues

• Missing required accessories

If you are buying for parts, fine. If you are buying to play, be careful.

Red Flag 4: Fake or Reproduction Cartridges

Fake retro games are everywhere now.

Counterfeit games are especially common for high-value cartridge titles, including:

• Pokémon Game Boy games

• Pokémon Game Boy Color games

• Pokémon Game Boy Advance games

• Nintendo DS Pokémon games

• Fire Emblem

• Castlevania

• Metroid

• Zelda

• Mario RPGs

• EarthBound

• Chrono Trigger

• N64 heavy hitters

• SNES RPGs

A fake game may still boot. It may even save for a while. That does not make it authentic.

Fake games can have:

• Wrong label texture

• Wrong font

• Wrong screw

• Wrong shell colour

• Wrong cartridge plastic

• Poorly cut labels

• Incorrect board layout

• Cheap flash memory

• Save issues

• Wrong weight

• Wrong back stamp

• Bad soldering

• Poor long-term reliability

Some reproduction games are clearly labelled as reproductions. That is one thing.

A fake sold as authentic is another.

Power Up Gaming has never knowingly or willingly sold a fake game. We are extremely careful with authenticity, especially because fakes are getting harder to spot. We also keep fake games in-store as reference examples for staff comparison and education.

If you are buying online from a private seller, you may not get that level of inspection.

Red Flag 5: Blurry Photos of Expensive Cartridge Games

Blurry photos are not always an accident.

If a game is expensive and the seller’s photos are too blurry to inspect the label, shell, screws, back stamp, or board, that is a problem.

For cartridge games, clear photos matter because you may need to inspect:

• Label print quality

• Label alignment

• Back label

• Molded logos

• Cartridge shape

• Screw type

• Shell seams

• Plastic texture

• Board through the cartridge edge

• PCB if opened

• Region code

• Serial code

• Authentic markings

For Pokémon games, DS games, GBA games, SNES games, and N64 games, a good listing should not look like it was photographed during an earthquake in a candlelit basement.

Ask for better photos.

If they refuse, walk away.

Red Flag 6: Scratched or Dirty Discs

Disc condition matters. A lot.

A disc can look shiny in a top-down photo and still be scratched underneath. Always ask for a clear photo of the data side of the disc, especially when buying from a private seller.

Look for:

• Circular scratches

• Deep scratches

• Cracks near the centre ring

• Pinholes

• Disc rot

• Label-side damage

• Cloudiness

• Resurfacing swirls

• Heavy fingerprints

• Sticky residue

• Rental stickers

• Warping

• Peeling

For CD and DVD-based systems, some scratches can sometimes be professionally refinished. For example:

• PlayStation 1

• PlayStation 2

• Original Xbox

• Xbox 360

• GameCube

• Wii

• Sega CD

• Sega Saturn

• Dreamcast

Power Up Gaming uses professional disc refinishing equipment and has very high standards for the used discs we sell.

But not all discs should be treated the same.

Red Flag 7: Blu-ray Format Discs With Marks

This one matters.

Blu-ray format games are different from older CDs and DVDs. That includes:

• PlayStation 3

• PlayStation 4

• PlayStation 5

• Xbox One

• Xbox Series X

• Wii U

At Power Up Gaming, our quality standards for Blu-ray format games are extremely strict. We do not want marks on those discs. When we sell Blu-ray format games, they need to be spotless.

Why?

Because Blu-ray discs are constructed differently than older CDs and DVDs. They have a harder coating and the data layer is closer to the surface. Marks that might be manageable on a DVD-format game can be more concerning on Blu-ray-style media.

So if you are buying PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, or Wii U games online from a private seller, do not shrug off scratches.

Ask for clear underside photos.

If the seller says, “It has a few scratches but works fine,” decide how much risk you want to take.

At Power Up Gaming, that would affect trade-in value, and if it does not meet our standards, it is not going out as a clean copy.

Red Flag 8: Disc-Only Games Listed Like Complete Copies

Disc-only games are not automatically bad.

Sometimes you just want the game and do not care about the case or manual. That is completely fine.

The red flag is when a disc-only game is priced or described like a complete copy.

A complete game may include:

• Original case

• Original cover art

• Manual

• Inserts

• Registration card

• Bonus disc

• Map

• Outer box

• Slipcover

• Special edition extras

For collectors, these details matter. A disc-only copy should not be priced the same as a complete-in-box copy in nice condition.

Watch for vague wording like:

• “Comes as shown”

• “No manual unless pictured”

• “Case may not be original”

• “Artwork may be reprinted”

• “Disc only”

• “Generic case”

• “Replacement case”

• “Stock photo”

Read the listing carefully. Then read it again like it owes you money.

Red Flag 9: Reprinted Cover Art or Replacement Cases

Reprinted cover art can be fine if it is clearly disclosed.

But if a listing hides that the art is a reprint, that is a problem.

Watch for:

• Colours that look too dark or too bright

• Fuzzy logos

• Incorrect spine alignment

• Missing print texture

• Paper too glossy or too thin

• Cropped artwork

• Wrong case type

• Incorrect regional rating logo

• Low-resolution images

• No manual when one should be present

For some collectors, reprinted art is a dealbreaker. For casual players, it may not matter. The important thing is disclosure.

You should know what you are buying.

Red Flag 10: Wrong Region Games

Canada is primarily an NTSC-U/C market for retro games.

That matters because not every game from every region works on every console.

Watch for region labels like:

• NTSC-U

• NTSC-U/C

• USA

• Canada

• PAL

• Europe

• EUR

• UKV

• AUS

• NTSC-J

• Japan

• JPN

Wrong-region games can cause issues such as:

• Game will not boot

• Game plays in black and white

• Image rolls or displays incorrectly

• Language is different

• DLC does not match region

• Online features do not match region

• Save compatibility problems

• Console region lock issues

Some systems are region-free. Some are not. Some are partly region-free. Some are region-free for games but complicated for DLC or accounts.

This is why Power Up Gaming’s region locking guide is a useful companion to this topic. If you are buying from a random online seller, do not assume a game works in Canada just because the cartridge fits or the disc is the right shape.

Red Flag 11: “PAL Version” Hidden in the Photos

Sometimes sellers do not mention the region in the title, but it is visible in the photos.

Look carefully at:

• Rating logos

• Spine text

• Region codes

• Language on the back

• Console compatibility notes

• Disc labels

• Cartridge labels

• Manual language

• Case artwork

PAL games are not automatically bad. Some collectors want imports. The problem is when someone buys a PAL copy expecting a Canadian-compatible copy.

If the listing says “works on my console,” ask what console and region they tested it on.

Red Flag 12: Missing Cables

A console without cables can still be a good buy, but only if the price reflects it and you know what is missing.

Common missing cables include:

• Power supply

• AV cable

• HDMI cable

• RF switch

• Controller charging cable

• Sensor bar

• Handheld charger

• Memory card

• Controller cable

• Console-specific video cable

Missing cables can become expensive or annoying for systems like:

• Sega Genesis Model 1 vs Model 2

• Sega CD

• 32X

• Saturn

• Dreamcast

• TurboGrafx-16

• GameCube

• Wii U

• PSP

• Neo Geo

• Imported consoles

Power Up Gaming carries practical cable options for many retro systems, including AV cables, S-Video, component cables, AV to HDMI converters, Hyperkin HD cables, and select replacement power supplies.

But if you are buying online from a private seller, factor missing cables into the total cost.

A “cheap” console missing half the setup may not be cheap anymore.

Red Flag 13: Wrong Power Supplies

This is one of the biggest danger zones.

A wrong power supply can damage a console.

Do not assume that a power supply is safe because it fits.

You need to check:

• Voltage

• AC vs DC output

• Amperage

• Polarity

• Barrel size

• Console model

• Region

Some retro consoles use similar-looking power adapters with totally different electrical requirements. Sega Genesis Model 1 and Model 2 are a classic example of cable confusion. Neo Geo AES revisions are another. Imported consoles can add another layer of risk.

If an online listing includes a random power supply and the seller says, “I think this is the right one,” be careful.

That sentence is how electronics go to Valhalla.

Ask for a clear photo of the power supply label.

If it is missing, unreadable, or obviously wrong, do not plug it in.

Red Flag 14: Battery-Save Games With Original Batteries

Many older cartridge games use internal batteries to hold save data.

This includes many games for:

• NES

• SNES

• Game Boy

• Game Boy Color

• Some Game Boy Advance

• Nintendo 64

• Sega Genesis

If the original battery is still inside, it may be 25 to 40 years old.

That means the game may:

• Not save

• Lose saves randomly

• Hold a save briefly, then lose it

• Have dead clock features

• Say the internal battery has run dry

• Need battery replacement soon

At Power Up Gaming, if a game has an internal save battery, we replace that battery before the game goes onto the sales floor. That way, customers get games with good batteries installed, giving them years upon years of save functionality without relying on an original decades-old battery.

Private sellers rarely do this.

If you are buying a battery-save game online, ask if the battery has been replaced. If yes, ask if it was soldered properly. Tape jobs and questionable battery swaps can create their own problems.

Red Flag 15: “Saves Fine” With No Real Test

A seller may say a game saves fine, but what does that mean?

Did they:

• Save the game?

• Turn it off?

• Wait?

• Turn it back on?

• Check again the next day?

• Test clock-based features?

• Test multiple save slots?

• Test long enough to be meaningful?

A cartridge may appear to save while powered, then lose the file later. For Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the save may still work while time-based events fail.

If the game is expensive or save-heavy, ask how it was tested.

For RPGs, Pokémon, Zelda, and long adventure games, save reliability matters.

Nobody wants to get 12 hours into a game and discover the cartridge has the memory of a goldfish.

Red Flag 16: Missing Required Accessories

Some consoles technically work without an accessory, but the experience may be incomplete or nearly useless.

Watch for missing:

• Wii sensor bar

• Wii Remote

• Wii Nunchuk

• Wii U GamePad

• GameCube memory card

• PS1 memory card

• PS2 memory card

• Dreamcast VMU

• Xbox 360 hard drive

• PSP charger

• DS charger

• 3DS charger

• Original Xbox controller breakaway cable

• Kinect power adapter for older Xbox 360 setups

• AV cables

• Power brick

• Controller dongles

The Wii U GamePad is especially important because many Wii U features require it. A Wii U console without a GamePad may be much less useful than the listing suggests.

Always ask yourself:

“What else do I need before I can actually play this?”

Red Flag 17: Dirty, Smoky, Sticky, or Bug-Damaged Consoles

This is the gross section, but it matters.

A console may work and still be a nightmare.

Watch for signs of:

• Heavy dust

• Sticky residue

• Smoke smell

• Yellowing

• Food debris

• Pet hair

• Rust

• Mold

• Water damage

• Insect activity

• Bug droppings

• Corrosion

• Damp basement storage

• Battery leakage

• Chewed cords

Smoke smell can be extremely difficult to remove. Bug contamination can spread into your home or other electronics. Water damage can cause delayed failure. Rust and corrosion can destroy ports, boards, and connectors.

If the listing says “stored in garage,” “stored in basement,” or “needs cleaning,” look closely.

Sometimes “needs cleaning” means a wipe with a cloth.

Sometimes it means an archaeological dig site with controller ports.

Red Flag 18: Yellowed Plastic Being Sold as “Rare Colour”

Plastic yellowing is common on older consoles and cartridges, especially with certain plastics and UV exposure.

Yellowing does not always mean the system is bad, but it should be described honestly.

Be cautious if a seller describes obvious yellowing as:

• Rare colour

• Limited edition

• Gold variant

• Sunburst edition

• Vintage patina

• Collector colour

No, my friend.

Sometimes it is just old plastic that got cooked by sunlight.

Red Flag 19: Controller Drift or Worn Buttons

Controllers are wear items.

A console bundle may look complete, but the controllers can have problems.

Watch for:

• Stick drift

• Loose analog sticks

• Sticky buttons

• Dead buttons

• Worn rubber membranes

• Broken triggers

• Frayed cords

• Missing battery covers

• Corroded battery compartments

• Third-party controllers represented as original

• Fake controllers

• Missing dongles

Ask the seller if the controller has been fully tested.

“Turns on” does not mean “plays properly.”

Red Flag 20: Handheld Screen and Battery Issues

Handhelds need extra care.

For Game Boy, Game Gear, DS, 3DS, PSP, Vita, and Switch-family systems, check for:

• Dead pixels

• Screen scratches

• Yellowing screens

• Weak backlights

• Hinge cracks

• Speaker problems

• Bad charging ports

• Battery swelling

• Missing stylus

• Missing battery cover

• Corroded battery contacts

• Non-working cartridge slot

• Non-working disc drive

• Broken shoulder buttons

• Sticky buttons

• Touchscreen issues

• Modded firmware

• Account locks

• Parental controls

Battery swelling is a serious red flag. Do not ignore it.

If a handheld has a lithium battery that is swollen, damaged, or unsafe, it should be handled properly, not tossed in a drawer beside your childhood copy of Tetris.

Red Flag 21: “Works Great” With No Proof

“Works great” is only useful if the listing shows proof.

Good proof includes:

• Console powered on

• Game loaded

• Controller responding

• Disc reading

• Cartridge booting

• Save loading

• Memory card working

• Picture and sound confirmed

• Multiple games tested

• Photos or video of the actual item working

Bad proof:

• “Worked last time I used it”

• “Should work”

• “No reason it would not”

• “Looks clean”

• “Powers on”

• “My cousin said it worked”

• “Untested but probably fine”

The phrase “worked years ago” belongs in the same emotional category as “I know a shortcut.”

Maybe true.

Still risky.

Red Flag 22: Seller Avoids Questions

A good seller should be able to answer reasonable questions.

Ask things like:

• Is this the exact item in the photos?

• Has it been tested?

• Does the game save?

• Are there scratches?

• Is the game authentic?

• Is the battery replaced?

• What region is it?

• Are all cables included?

• Is the power supply original?

• Are there any smells, smoke, rust, bugs, or water damage?

• Are there cracks, broken hinges, or missing covers?

• Does the controller drift?

• Are returns accepted if it does not work?

If the seller gets defensive, vague, pushy, or refuses to answer basic questions, that is a sign.

You are not being difficult.

You are trying not to buy a cursed shoebox.

Red Flag 23: Pressure to Pay Fast

Pressure is a classic scam tactic.

Be careful if a seller says:

• “I have lots of people interested”

• “Send deposit now”

• “I can only hold it if you pay first”

• “Pay by e-transfer only”

• “No questions”

• “Must sell today”

• “Price goes up tomorrow”

• “I am out of town but can ship”

• “My cousin will meet you”

• “Trust me”

Not every urgent seller is a scammer. But pressure reduces your ability to inspect, ask questions, and think clearly.

When money is involved, take a breath.

Games are fun. Panic-buying is not.

Red Flag 24: No Return Option

Private sales are often final.

That means if the game is fake, the disc fails, the console dies, the battery is dead, or the power supply is wrong, you may have no practical recourse.

A store-backed purchase is different.

At Power Up Gaming, used products are tested, inspected, and backed by warranty policies. Consoles have a 90-day warranty, while games and accessories have a 30-day warranty. That gives customers a level of support that private online sales usually do not.

That support has value.

A cheaper private sale with no return option may not be cheaper if something goes wrong.

Red Flag 25: Marketplace Lots With No Detail

Large game lots can be exciting. They can also hide problems.

Watch out for lots described as:

• “Box of old games”

• “As-is”

• “Untested”

• “No time to test”

• “Do not ask questions”

• “All sales final”

• “Some work, some do not”

• “See photos”

• “Condition varies”

• “Great for collectors”

Lots can include:

• Fake cartridges

• Broken games

• Sports filler

• Missing discs

• Empty cases

• Wrong discs in cases

• Damaged manuals

• Dead battery games

• PAL imports

• Scratched discs

• Broken controllers

• Dirty systems

• Missing power supplies

Lots are not automatically bad. Just price them like risk is included.

Because it is.

What to Ask Before Buying Used Games Online

Here is a practical checklist.

For cartridge games, ask:

• Is it authentic?

• Are these photos of the exact game?

• Can I see the front and back?

• Can I see the board if it is expensive?

• Does it save?

• Has the battery been replaced?

• Was the battery soldered or taped?

• Is the label damaged?

• Is the shell cracked?

• What region is it?

• Has it been cleaned or repaired?

For disc games, ask:

• Can I see the underside of the disc?

• Are there scratches?

• Are there cracks near the centre ring?

• Is it complete with case and manual?

• Is the artwork original?

• Is the disc resurfaced?

• Does it load and play?

• What region is it?

• Is it disc-only?

For consoles, ask:

• Does it power on?

• Does it read games?

• Does it output video and sound?

• Are the controller ports working?

• Are all cables included?

• Is the power supply original or correct?

• Are there any smells?

• Any rust, corrosion, or water damage?

• Any missing covers or doors?

• Any known issues?

• Are controllers tested?

• Is there a warranty or return option?

For handhelds, ask:

• Does it charge?

• How long does the battery last?

• Are the screens scratched?

• Any dead pixels?

• Does the cartridge slot work?

• Do all buttons work?

• Does the touchscreen work?

• Any hinge cracks?

• Any corrosion in the battery compartment?

• Is the charger included?

• Are there account locks or parental controls?

Why Buying From Power Up Gaming Is Safer

Buying used video games should be fun, not a detective investigation with financial consequences.

Power Up Gaming exists because condition, authenticity, and testing matter.

When you buy from Power Up Gaming, you are getting a real store with real standards, not a random listing with three blurry photos and the phrase “worked last time.”

Here is what makes the difference:

• Games are inspected for authenticity.

• Power Up Gaming has never knowingly or willingly sold a fake game.

• We keep fake games in-store as reference tools for staff education.

• Used discs are inspected carefully.

• Scratched CD/DVD-format discs can be professionally refinished.

• Blu-ray format games must meet very strict condition standards.

• Battery-backed cartridge games have their batteries replaced before going onto the sales floor.

• Consoles are tested before sale.

• Cables and power supplies are matched properly.

• Customers can ask questions.

• We use stock photos online because of our massive inventory, but we will happily provide real photos and verify contents at a customer’s request.

• Our products are part of a real retail store inventory, not a mystery private listing.

• Customers can contact us before ordering if they want condition details, photos, manuals checked, inserts verified, or disc condition confirmed.

• There is a real store behind the purchase.

• Warranty support is available on used products.

That does not mean every customer needs to buy every game from us.

But it does mean there is a difference between buying tested, inspected, warranty-backed used games from a real store and gambling on a private listing from someone who thinks every old Nintendo cartridge is “rare.”

Final Thoughts

Buying used video games online can be great, but you need to know what you are looking at.

A cheap game might be fake. A clean-looking disc might be scratched. A console that powers on might not read games. A cartridge that boots might not save. A “complete” game might be missing the manual. A North American buyer might accidentally buy a PAL copy. A power supply might fit but still be wrong. A “rare” colour might just be yellowed plastic. A “worked last time” console might have last worked in 2009.

The goal is not to scare you away from buying used games.

The goal is to help you buy smarter.

Ask questions. Look closely. Know the red flags. Understand the risks. And when you want tested, authentic, properly inspected used games and consoles with real support behind them, Power Up Gaming is here.

Because the only thing worse than overpaying for a retro game is finding out it is fake, scratched, battery-dead, wrong region, missing a cable, and somehow smells like an ashtray.

At that point, it is not a deal.

It is a side quest you did not accept.

FAQ

Is buying used video games online safe?

It can be, but there are risks. You need to watch for fake games, scratched discs, wrong-region copies, missing accessories, dead save batteries, untested consoles, and sellers who avoid questions.

What is the biggest red flag when buying used games online?

The biggest red flag is a listing that is vague, underpriced, poorly photographed, and pressure-based. If the seller will not show the actual item or answer basic questions, be careful.

Are fake retro games common?

Yes, fake retro games are common, especially for high-value cartridge games like Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Castlevania, Zelda, and other collectible titles.

How can I tell if a Pokémon game is fake?

Check the label, shell, board, back stamp, cartridge colour, screw type, and print quality. For expensive Pokémon games, clear photos and board inspection are often important.

Should I buy an “untested” console?

Only if you are comfortable treating it as broken or parts-only. “Untested” can mean the seller cannot test it, but it can also mean it was tested and failed.

Does “powers on” mean a console works?

No. A console can power on but still fail to read games, output video, detect controllers, save data, or operate reliably.

Are scratched game discs okay?

It depends on the format and severity. Some CD and DVD-based games can be professionally refinished, but deep scratches, cracks, label-side damage, and disc rot can be permanent problems.

Are scratched PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, or Wii U discs okay?

Power Up Gaming has very strict standards for Blu-ray format games. These discs should be spotless when sold. Marks on Blu-ray format games are more concerning than light marks on older CD/DVD-based games.

What does disc-only mean?

Disc-only means the game comes without the original case, manual, or artwork. It may be fine for playing, but it should not be priced like a complete copy.

Are reprinted covers bad?

Not necessarily, but they should be disclosed. Reprinted cover art lowers collector value compared to original artwork.

What does PAL mean?

PAL usually refers to games from Europe, Australia, or other PAL regions. PAL games may not work properly on Canadian retro consoles unless the system supports them or has been modified.

Do Canadian consoles play Japanese games?

Sometimes, depending on the console. Some systems are region-free, some are region-locked, and some require adapters or modifications. Always check before buying imports.

Can wrong power supplies damage retro consoles?

Yes. A power supply can fit physically but still have the wrong voltage, polarity, AC/DC output, or amperage. That can damage a console.

Should I worry if a retro cartridge has its original battery?

Yes, especially if you plan to save your game. Original cartridge batteries from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s may be dead or close to failing.

Does Power Up Gaming replace cartridge batteries before selling games?

Yes. If a game has an internal save battery, Power Up Gaming replaces that battery before the game goes onto the sales floor.

Can old Pokémon saves be lost during battery replacement?

Yes. Older Game Boy and Game Boy Color Pokémon games use battery-backed SRAM, so removing the battery can erase the save unless special preservation methods or save backup hardware are used. Preservation is sometimes possible, but not guaranteed.

What accessories are commonly missing from used consoles?

Common missing accessories include power supplies, AV cables, HDMI cables, memory cards, Wii sensor bars, Wii U GamePads, Dreamcast VMUs, chargers, battery covers, and controller dongles.

Should I buy a Wii U without the GamePad?

Be careful. Many Wii U features require the GamePad, so a Wii U without one may be far less useful than the listing suggests.

Does Power Up Gaming use stock photos online?

Yes. Power Up Gaming uses stock photos online for many items because we have a massive inventory of used games, consoles, accessories, and collectibles. Our inventory is also out on the sales floor in a real retail store, so photographing every single individual item would be difficult and time-consuming.

Can I ask Power Up Gaming for real photos before buying?

Yes. If you want photos of a specific item, condition details, contents checked, manuals verified, inserts confirmed, or disc condition reviewed, Power Up Gaming is happy to help before you order.

Are stock photos always a red flag?

No. Stock photos are more concerning when they come from a private seller who refuses to provide actual photos or details. A legitimate retail store using stock photos because of large inventory is different, especially when they will verify condition and provide photos on request.

What should I ask before buying a used game online?

Ask for real photos, condition details, region, authenticity confirmation, disc underside photos, save testing, battery replacement status, included accessories, and whether returns are accepted.

Why buy from Power Up Gaming instead of a private seller?

Power Up Gaming inspects and tests used products, checks authenticity, replaces batteries in battery-backed games before sale, has strict disc condition standards, will verify contents or provide photos on request, and offers warranty support on used products. That gives customers more confidence than a private sale with no support.