Blog - Video Game Grading Guides & Tips

What Is Video Game Grading?

Video game grading is the professional process of evaluating, authenticating, and encapsulating physical video games to preserve their condition and verify their authenticity.

What Are Sealed Video Games?

Sealed video games are titles that remain in their original factory shrink wrap, unopened and untouched since the day they were manufactured.

How Does Video Game Grading Work?

The grading process involves submission, authentication, detailed condition assessment, grade assignment, encapsulation, and certification.

How to Grade Video Games

Grading video games involves understanding condition criteria, preparing your games properly, and choosing a trusted professional grading service.

Why Grade Video Games?

Grading your video games provides authentication, preservation, standardized valuation, and increased confidence for buyers and sellers alike.

Is Video Game Grading Worth It?

Whether grading is worth it depends on the game's rarity, condition, your goals as a collector, and whether authentication adds meaningful value.

Video Game Grading Service

A professional video game grading service evaluates, authenticates, and encapsulates your games using standardized criteria and expert knowledge.

Get Your Game Graded

Getting your game graded is straightforward: create an account, submit your game details with photos, ship it securely, and wait for the results.

Submit Video Game for Grading

Submitting your video game for grading is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes to complete.

Video Game Grading Cost

Video game grading costs vary based on service level, turnaround time, and the number of games submitted. Understanding pricing helps you plan your budget.

Buying Graded Video Games

Buying graded video games provides assurance of authenticity and condition, but knowing what to look for ensures you make smart purchasing decisions.

Grade Xbox 360 Games

Xbox 360 games are becoming increasingly collectible as the console enters its retro era. Professional grading helps preserve and authenticate your titles.

Grade PS2 Games

The PlayStation 2 has the largest game library of any console. Professional grading helps identify and preserve the most valuable titles in your collection.

Grade PS1 Games

PlayStation 1 games represent a golden era of gaming. Professional grading authenticates and preserves these increasingly valuable classic titles.

Grade Nintendo Games

Nintendo games span decades of gaming history and are among the most collectible titles in the hobby. Professional grading ensures their authenticity and preservation.

Grade Retro Games

Retro games represent gaming's rich history. Professional grading authenticates and preserves these aging titles before condition deteriorates further.

Grade Sealed Games

Sealed games represent the highest tier of game collecting. Professional grading verifies the authenticity of factory seals and preserves these pristine items.

Grade Rare Video Games

Rare video games deserve professional protection. Grading authenticates your rare titles and provides the encapsulation needed to preserve their exceptional value.

How to Check If a Game Is Sealed

Verifying that a game is genuinely factory sealed requires attention to specific details about the wrap, seal placement, and overall packaging characteristics.

How to Tell If a Game Is Resealed

Resealed games are a growing problem in the collecting market. Learning to identify common reseal techniques protects you from paying sealed prices for opened games.

What Is Mint Condition for Games?

Mint condition describes a game that appears as new, with no visible wear, damage, or flaws. Understanding this standard helps collectors evaluate their games.

What Are CIB Games?

CIB stands for "Complete in Box" -- a video game that includes its original box, manual, and game media, but has been opened and is not sealed.

What Does a Graded 90 Mean?

A grade of 90 on the standard 100-point scale indicates a game in outstanding condition with minimal visible flaws, placing it in the top tier of collectibility.

How to Store Video Games

Proper video game storage is essential for preserving condition and value. Temperature, humidity, light, and physical arrangement all play critical roles.

How to Protect Video Games

Protecting your video game collection involves physical safeguards, proper handling techniques, environmental controls, and professional preservation options.