Italian police recently dismantled a significant video game trafficking ring, seizing counterfeit retro consoles and pirated games valued at approximately $50 million. The operation involved the confiscation of around 12,000 fake consoles and over 47 million pirated games. These counterfeit goods included knockoffs of classic titles such as Mario Bros., Street Fighter, and Star Wars, and infringed on the intellectual property of major brands like Nintendo, Sega, and Atari. The consoles, imported from China, were intended for sale through specialized shops and online platforms.

The seized devices failed to meet EU safety standards due to non-certified electrical components and batteries. As a result of this operation, nine individuals were arrested and charged with trading counterfeit goods, facing potential prison sentences of up to eight years if convicted. The popularity of retro gaming has surged in recent years, contributing to the demand for vintage gaming devices, which can fetch high prices on the market. This bust highlights the ongoing issue of counterfeit goods in the retro gaming community, where only a small percentage of pre-2010 games are available through legitimate channels.

Via: France24