Epilogue Retrace Adds SNES Cart Checks

For collectors in England and beyond, counterfeit Super Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges remain a real headache, especially when a fake looks close enough to pass a quick glance. Epilogue has now updated its Retrace application with a feature that helps verify SNES cartridges, as reported by Time Extension.

The problem has long been that authentication often needs more than a look at the label or shell. In many cases, collectors have had to inspect board components, check manufacturer markings, or compare a ROM checksum to work out whether a cart is genuine.

This update matters because it gives collectors a more accessible first check before they go any further. It does not replace careful inspection, but it could make it easier to spot reproduction cartridges without needing specialist tools or a deep technical background.

That is especially relevant in a market where vintage games have risen in value over the years, which has also made them more attractive to sellers of fakes. Counterfeit SNES cartridges can range from obvious copies to convincing reproductions, and they can undermine confidence in the second-hand market.

For now, the key question is how accurate Retrace proves to be in practice, and how broad its database is. If it holds up well, it could become a useful part of the wider preservation and collecting toolkit, alongside the usual checks on labels, shells and boards.

For more retro gaming coverage, see our News tag. You can also read the official Retrace page for the software details.