Reference Guide

Video Game Grading

Three companies. Two scales. One question that determines 80% of a sealed game’s value. This is the definitive collector’s reference for grading economics and authenticity standards.

The Graders

Sealed video game grading is dominated by three entities. They use distinct slabs, divergent scales, and maintain exclusive relationships with major auction houses.

Company	Founded	Scale	Auction Partners	Best For
WATA Games	2018	10-point box + seal	Heritage (exclusive)	Investment blue-chips
VGA	2008	100-point overall	Goldin, specialty	Pre-2020 legacy collections
CGC Video Games	2022	10-point (comic style)	Various	Cross-category collectors

Box Grade Scale (WATA)

The box grade evaluates the structural and cosmetic integrity of the cardboard: corners, edges, and surface finish. Each tier jump typically doubles the value for high-demand titles.

Grade	Description	Visual Standard
10.0	Theoretical Maximum	Perfect, vault-only condition. Essentially never awarded.
9.8	Museum Quality	Factory-fresh. No visible wear at any angle under raking light.
9.6	Premium Plus	Tiny manufacturing inconsistencies only; zero handling wear.
9.4	Investment Standard	High quality. Minor production wear, sharp corners, full color.
9.0	Solid Sealed	Solid copy. One tiny crease, corner soft, or minor handling flaw.
8.5	Collector Tier	Visible wear. Multiple minor flaws or one significant flaw.
8.0 <	Material Flaws	Significant material handling visible across all surfaces.

Pro Tip

WATA 9.4 is the "sweet spot." It commands ~80% of 9.6 prices but has much higher liquidity. Most serious investors target this tier as their baseline.

Seal Grade Economics

WATA separates the seal grade from the box grade. This is critical: a low seal grade on a high box grade often indicates the grader suspects a modern re-shrink.

Seal	Meaning	Price Impact (vs A)
A++	Pristine	Factory-fresh, perfect tucks, zero distortion. (+50–100%)
A+	Near Mint	Original wrap with minor compression flaws. (+15–30%)
A	Baseline	Original wrap, standard shelf wear visible. (Baseline)
B+	Worn	Original wrap with notable wear or minor tears. (−20–40%)
B	Handling Wear	Wear consistent with heavy handling. (−40–60%)
Below B	Suspect	Re-shrink suspected. Not accepted by Heritage Auctions.

Market Logic

An A++ seal can command a 100% premium over an A seal on the exact same title and box grade. Collectors pay for shrinkwrap certainty.

The Grading Decision

All-in grading costs average $100–200 per item including fees, shipping, and insurance. Only grade when the post-slab premium exceeds the friction cost.

Raw Value	Action	Rational
Under $200	Do Not Grade	Friction costs exceed potential value add.
$200–500	Title Dependent	Only worth it for blue-chips (Mario, Zelda, etc).
$500–2,000	Strongly Advised	Premium covers fees with significant margin.
$2,000+	Mandatory	Buyers won’t pay top-tier prices for raw lots.

Deep Dive

For an analysis of the speculative bubble and the history of WATA vs VGA, read our full guide: Understanding VGA and WATA Grading →