Unlock the Power of Retrace: Verify Game Boy Cartridges on Your Phone

The Epilogue GB Operator, a $50 device, has taken the retro gaming community by storm with its ability to backup Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges and saves to a PC. But now, the device has a brand-new trick up its sleeve - the ability to plug into your phone with a Retrace app for Android and iOS.

The idea behind Retrace is simple: to help you check if cartridges are legit and determine their value before you buy or sell them. But how reliable is this new feature? I decided to put it to the test by plugging around 50 cartridges into the app to see how it performs.

While most of my English and Japanese game library was detected without a hitch, the app did have some issues. It called a few counterfeit cartridges "authentic," and a number of authentic cartridges "counterfeit" or "possible counterfeit." An unpopular title that I knew was real was even marked as "counterfeit."

So, the Retrace app isn't perfect, but it could still be a valuable tool for anyone looking to buy or sell retro gaming cartridges. The ability to quickly check a cartridge's authenticity and estimated value right from your phone is a game-changer. Just be sure to take the results with a grain of salt and do your own research as well.

One of the app's standout features is its database of over 40,000 Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance titles. This allows it to not only detect authenticity but also provide an estimated value for each cartridge. This could be incredibly useful for collectors and resellers looking to get the best price for their games.

Overall, the Retrace app is a promising tool that could help bring more transparency to the retro gaming market. While it may not be 100% accurate, it's a step in the right direction for anyone looking to navigate the sometimes murky world of authentic and counterfeit cartridges. Just be sure to use it as one data point in your research, not the final word.

As for the GB Operator itself, the device continues to be a must-have for retro gaming enthusiasts. Its ability to backup your cartridges and saves makes it an invaluable tool for preserving your collection. And now, with the addition of the Retrace app, it's an even more powerful companion for anyone serious about buying, selling, or just learning more about their Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games.