Summary
A fake retro game trafficking ring has been broken up by authorities in Turin, Italy. The seized counterfeit consoles and games are valued at €50 million ($55 million).
As reported byBBC News, the seized assets included around 12,000 consoles and more than 47 million games.
Alessandro Langella, the head of Turin’s economic crime unit, told the press that the fakes were “all from China” and were being “imported to be sold in specialised shops or online.” The haul included games like Super Mario Bros, Street Fighter and Star Wars. Also present were counterfeits of classic consoles from Atari, Nintendo and Sega.
The Retro Gaming Market is Booming
The seized goods were destroyed as they were fitted with non-certified batteries and electrical components that did not meet the European Union’s safety standards.
Nine Italian nationals have been arrested in connection with the trafficking ring and could face up to eight years in prison for trading in counterfeited goods.
The retro gaming market is booming as more and more collectors are on the hunt for the original models of classic consoles and rare physical copies of games. Langella said retro gaming is “experiencing a phase of strong popularity and commercial expansion.”
An additional market has also been emerging that seeks to elevate retro experiences with modern technology. We’ve seen a rise in retro controllers, peripherals and handhelds that are compatible with contemporary technology.
Last week, also in Italy, a sealed shipment of the banned UK version of Rule of Rose wasreportedly discovered. The controversy surrounding the release of the game, and resulting rarity, has made Rule of Rose a collector’s item. The price halved overnight as the market was flooded with several copies at once.
