Gamestop in Mayaguez Sells R4 Revolution Cards Loaded with Games for the Nintendo DS - Is it ok to buy them?
Gamestop at the Mayaguez Mall seems to have a great promotion right now. Some local children received an R4 Revolution for their Nindendo DS game systems for grading this week.
The parent told me it was a special card that came loaded with all kinds of games. Sounded like a great deal to me. When I checked the box to get a list of the games included, it was nowhere to be found. In fact, the R4 is actually just a Flash card (same or similar technology to what we use for our digital cameras).
During my online research I could not find anywhere to purchase an R4 loaded with games. However, I did find a lot of information about lawsuits launched by Nintendo to try to block what they consider piracy of their games.
The R4 Revolution itself is just an electronic device. However, what it does seem to permit in addition to simply loading digital files (including audio, video, or purchased games), it seems to be used to load up with copyright protected games which can then be played directly on the DS it plugs into.
There are games out there called “emulators”. That basically means converting old games that can now play on new gaming systems, such as playing old games from the original Nintendo game system on your PC, etc.
The information I found online seemed to indicate in most cases, the games that are loaded onto the R4 are NOT done so legally.
The R4 card from Gamestop came loaded with current games many of which are directly from the Nintendo franchise.
My question is thus:
Is it legal for Gamestop to being selling these R4 Revolution cards loaded with games?
Searching online for information regarding Gamestop and the R4 turned up a post about the R4 surprisingly appearing in a GameStop ad. I am going to assume the author finds this surprising because it’s not legal? However, having the R4 inside of a DS case gives no indication of what is loaded on that card. In fact, it would be empty.
I can assure you, the R4s that came from Gamestop in the Mayaguez Mall were loaded with games.
I would be interested in feedback from Gamestop employees or managers on whether or not selling the R4 loaded with games is legal or not. If it’s legal, then it is certainly a great deal. Personally speaking, I would ask them about it before buying.
The Insider
