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This is an in-depth guide dedicated to both legitimate and fake Nintendo DS NTR-031 cartridges. We have made this wiki entry as clear and accessible to all as we can. In order to keep this as tidy as possible, we've included collapsible tables. Simply tap (click here to expand) to see further, in-depth information.

Carts:

There are multiple ways to determine a fake NTR-031 DS game. For numbers 1-4, we'll have a common Pokemon: HeartGold fake along with a relabeled Active Health dressed as Pokemon HeartGold for number 5, with a new gen SoulSilver NTR-031 fake for number 6; and a numbered list of what to look for to determine a fake cart. We'll also share a legitimate cart for you to compare.

Explanations and Comparisons (click here to expand)
No. Fake Legit
1 Colour of the cartridge is grey. Colour of the cartridge should be crimson (dark red), and slightly translucent.
2 Cartridge type is NTR-005. NTR-ASMP-USA. Cartridge type should be NTR-031.
3 DB as the batch indentifier, in the wrong font. DA, DI, and DJ are the only batch indentifiers used for NTR-031 cartridges..
4 PCB code on right states GS9-01. Legitimate cartridges follow this format: IRx0x. This means IRC01, IRC02, IRU01 and IRU02 are legitimate cartridges.
5 Stamped code does not match. IA8P relates to Active Health, not HeartGold which uses IPKP. This is an example of a relabeled cartridge.
6 Texture is more defined. The texture of the cartridge should be shallower, almost flat.
NTR-005 HeartGold on top. Relabeled Active Health as HeartGold middle. NTR-031 new gen fake on bottom.

What about using light to see the red tint?

In direct light, the NTR-031 carts give a slight crimson tint as the cart is translucent. This is used for the IR capabilities of the Pokewalker and Activity Meters. In comparison, NTR-005 carts are grey or white.

These were harder to fake due to the bespoke IR components on the PCB, and the translucency of the cartridges, however this is no longer the case and has been for some time.

  • Prior to 2021, counterfeits of these cartridges were common in the "R4" guise. That's basically a flashcart with concave edges to signify the differing cartridges.
  • From 2021 to May 2023, it was very common to be hit by a relabel scam. Unscrupulous sellers would remove a label of Walk With Me/Active Health, and tack a third-party label for a Gen 4 or Gen 5 mainline Pokemon game.
  • In May 2023, we were made aware of new NTR-031 counterfeits. These cartridges have translucent casings, and are closer to legitimate NTR-031 cartridges than ever before. These cartridges are slightly thicker than the legitimate NTR-031 cartridges (3.76mm versus the legit 3.64mm thickness), and the texture of the cartridge back is rougher.
Example of the "light trick" using a relabeled HeartGold. Not a verification method as a result. Backside of same cartridge, code relating to Active Health.
Example of the "light trick" using a new-gen counterfeit SoulSilver. Not a verification method as a result.

As a result, we can't and should NEVER use this method for a verification anymore.

List of NTR-031 Carts

Contrary to popular belief, there are 8 known NTR-031 cartridges, not 6.

As Pokemon is one of the most popular franchises of all time, most people are only aware of the Gen 4 (HeartGold and SoulSilver) & 5 (Black, White, Black 2 and White 2) Pokemon titles using the NTR-031 cartridges.

  • NTSC/JP audiences have had only 7 of these carts.
  • PAL audiences had all 8 available. Active Health with Carol Vorderman was PAL's exclusive NTR-031 cart.

We'll also supply the serial codes to ensure you have a legitimate cart, NTSC/J and PAL separated due to space constraints.

NTSC and NTSC-J (click here to expand)
Cart Canada Japan US
Personal Trainer: Walking - NTR-IMWJ-JPN NTR-IMWE-USA
Pokemon Black - TWL-IRBJ-JPN TWL-IRBO-USA
Pokemon Black 2 - TWL-IREJ-JPN TWL-IREO-USA
Pokemon HeartGold NTR-IPKF-CDF NTR-IPKJ-JPN NTR-IPKE-USA
Pokemon SoulSilver NTR-IPGF-CDF NTR-IPGJ-JPN NTR-IPGE-USA
Pokemon White - TWL-IRAJ-JPN TWL-IRAO-USA
Pokemon White 2 - TWL-IRDJ-JPN TWL-IRDO-USA
PAL (click here to expand)
Cart Australia EU France Germany Italy Spain UK
Active Health - NTR-IA8P-EUR - - - - NTR-IA8P-UKV
Pokemon Black TWL-IRBO-AUS TWL-IRBO-EUR TWL-IRBF-FRA TWL-IRBD-NOE TWL-IRBI-ITA TWL-IRBS-ESP -
Pokemon Black 2 TWL-IREO-AUS TWL-IREO-EUR TWL-IREF-FRA TWL-IRED-NOE TWL-IREI-ITA TWL-IRES-ESP -
Pokemon HeartGold NTR-IPKE-AUS NTR-IPKP-EUR NTR-IPKF-FRA NTR-IPKD-NOE NTR-IPKI-ITA NTR-IPKS-ESP -
Pokemon SoulSilver NTR-IPGE-AUS NTR-IPGP-EUR NTR-IPGF-FRA NTR-IPGD-NOE NTR-IPGI-ITA NTR-IPGS-ESP -
Pokemon White TWL-IRAO-AUS TWL-IRAO-EUR TWL-IRAF-FRA TWL-IRAD-NOE TWL-IRAI-ITA TWL-IRAS-ESP -
Pokemon White 2 TWL-IRDO-AUS TWL-IRDO-EUR TWL-IRDF-FRA TWL-IRDD-NOE TWL-IRDI-ITA TWL-IRDS-ESP -
Walk With Me - NTR-IMWP-EUR - - - - NTR-IMWP-UKV

Supplemental Information

  • "AUS/US"" on the table below covers the Australian and US territories, due to space constraints.
  • Tables split due to space constraints, European region being the only constant.
AUS/US EU Canada Japan
- Active Health
with Carol Vorderman		 - -
Black Black - ブラック
Black 2 Black 2 - ブラック2
HeartGold HeartGold Or ハートゴールド
Personal Trainer: Walking Walk With Me:
Do You Know Your Walking Routine?		 - Aruite Wakaru
Seikatsu Rhythm DS
SoulSilver SoulSilver Argent ソウルシルバ
White White - ホワイト
White 2 White 2 - ホワイト2
EU France Germany Italy Spain
Black Noire Schwarze Nera Negra
Black 2 Noire 2 Schwarze 2 Nera 2 Negra 2
HeartGold Or Goldene Oro Oro
SoulSilver Argent Silberne Argento Plata
White Blanche Weisse Bianca Blanca
White 2 Blanche 2 Weisse 2 Bianca 2 Blanca 2

Credits

  • Written by a møøse from England, a wombat from Texas, and a pangolin from Denmark.