Along with the fake retro gaming market created by WATA and Heritage Auctions has come another new phenomenon: fake, high dollar Nintendo collections on eBay. Numerous sets have worked their way through auction sites – especially test market and deluxe sets allegedly from 1985. These typically have one or two genuine components, but subtly completed with parts from the wrong time period, and in differing condition. As one example, there is an auction I’ve recently seen that includes a test market NES, but “fake” cartridges, pamphlets, and TV components from a much newer (late-80s to early 90s) time period. Obvious to the trained eye, but investors and inexperienced collectors will no doubt lose a lot of cash. Be cautious, and take the time to learn about the different artifacts to look for that reveal a timeline for the boxes, cartridges, baggies, and even hardware. Fakes like this have always existed, but with the inflated bubble prices sellers think they can get these days, hobbyists and collectors stand to lose a lot more dough. The market has made public sites a very bad place to go to for gaming hardware, so why not give your comic book store some support instead?