INFORMATION REGARDING VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS AND OTHER ITEMS LACKING A TAPE SEAL: In order for video game systems and other video game accessories which never came tape sealed to be graded, VGA must carefully open the box to remove the contents in order to verify that they are complete, unused, and factory sealed when applicable.  Only after this is confirmed can an item be encased and assigned a VGA grade.

In the case of items which are not in a solid box like most games, sub-grades may be used to further define the condition.  The sub-grades for VGA are Box, Window (or cellophane), and Game. The goal of the sub-grades is to further define the condition of a particular item. Once the grade has been established, the grader will then assign individual grades for the box, the window, and the game. The overall grade is NOT an average of these three grades.

Furthermore, the new criteria will help define conditions within a particular grade. By using this additional information, a collector can determine whether or not an item’s grade is borderline. Also, the new criteria will direct collectors to the part of the item that has the most damage. For example, a video game that received an overall grade of 85 with a 90 Box, an 80 Window, and a 90 Game will show collectors that the window (or cellophane) has the most damage. A video game that received an overall grade of 85 with an 85 Box, an 80 Window, and an 80 Game will show collectors that this particular piece is a low end 85.

Below is a list of defects which will reduce the overall grade in each sub-category.

Game

The actual game will be considered mint unless there exists a defect that detracts from its overall eye appeal. Defects include sticker wear, discoloration, or fading. If the video game comes with a trading card, action figure, or other insert, they will also be rated against overall eye appeal.

Window/ Cellophane

The Window/ Cellophane will be judged against dents, scratches, fading, yellowing, clouding, sticker residue, tearing, cuts, lifting, soiling, rub marks, crushing, gluing , factory cut and foreign items (ink mark or staple etc.).

Box

The box will be judged against creasing, bending, rolling, tearing, scuffing, scratching, lifting, print marks, loss of gloss, soiling, discoloring, edge wear, nicks, punctures, ink or foreign markings, peg hole punch, tape repair, focus, price sticker, sticker tear, sticker residue, water damage, bubbling and attached foreign objects.

Price Stickers and Hang Tabs

Price stickers and hang tabs are generally not considered major flaws, but only become a factor if curling, tearing, staining, picking, etc. of the sticker/ hang tab has occurred.  The location of the sticker/ hang tab is also a factor, though most are placed in an area such as a corner that does not detract from the overall appearance of the card.  Basically, the condition of the sticker/ hang tab factors very little into the overall grade of the piece.