Graded Video Games: Understanding VGA's Grading Scale vs. WATA Games Grading Scale

Understand the major differences between VGA's grading scale versus that of WATA Games. Both companies use vastly different grading scales and it is causing a lot of chaos and confusion in the video game collector's market. Become a better collector, speculator, and investor!

[@ehabcharek]

thank you clark kent for explaining the grading systems

[@ReservedInvestments]

LOL!

[@dennisrint9166]

@@ReservedInvestments Funnily enough some rare titles are not even available in these upper level tiers, and they have no rarity value displayed on wata/vga which was dissapointing when mine came back. My rarest Sega title doesn't even have a seal.

[@TheMicahwitz]

Hahahaha!!! Superman is a knowledgeable video game collector.

[@startyde]

Been collecting sealed games since the late 90s, grading for last 8 years, and I found your video extremely well thought out, informative and ballanced. Well done my friend.

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

Nice!

[@kylehayes93]

Thanks for making this video. Really great insight on a difficult hurdle in the retro gaming community

[@MrDill]

Good to know now that I’m getting into this grading games. I’m doing it more to collect it for myself love the look and feel of the sealed cases.

[@markh.8587]

Coming in knowing nothing about video game grading this is a fairly informative video. It’s crazy how different these two company’s grade things.

[@FrancJAG]

This is someone you want to follow for a week and just take notes on... wow. Since I can’t do that, automatic SUB!

[@Wadlez1900]

Excellent video. I was comparing the two companies myself and came to the same conclusion as you regarding the two different grading policies. I have almost every Zelda VGA graded and feel like Wata may devalue some of my 90 and above. Thanks again for such a good and fair comparison of the two companies.

[@CoopsCollection]

Hoping to dive head first into graded games. This was very helpful!

[@DevilboyScooby]

Came here from Karl Jobst's video...interesting hearing you praise WATA over their grading and company procedures. Has your opinion changed at all since filming this?

[@ReservedInvestments]

This was the very first video I ever did on this channel. You can tell not only by the date, but also how I appear in the video. To answer your question, yes to a degree…

[@extremegamercollector425]

wow man thank you so much I had no idea I'm new to grading. I am a long time collector but just started getting graded. this will help so much thank you! new sub

[@ReservedInvestments]

Thank you, welcome to the channel.

[@calibomber209]

oh yeah. thanks for making this informative vid. i really hope your are working on another vid about grading in 2021s market. every game console and vintage games have been going up really high. even the ps vita games graded are really good to collect too. just subbed

[@kenl2367]

Would you grade a Super Nintendo Console that is new but has a rip and shelf wear on the box?

[@TheBloodBlues]

Great information. Thanks!

[@rs7256]

Wow. This was extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@ScubaDiverPicker]

Do you understand what some of the glossary terms are for Wata? Like a deep badge or reholder etc? Thanks

[@ReservedInvestments]

Reholder is not a WATA exclusive term, as it applies to any third party graded collectible. It just means getting the item recased due to a scratched, damaged, or cracked holder...

[@fredy8961]

HI I know this is a older video but do you have a video or can you make a video on how to prep and get a game ready to grade to VGA?

[@mattjrk5679]

Where do you get the cases tho? I don’t feel like sending my game off to some place.

[@Progressive.G]

One of the best videos on the subject 👌

[@PickUps]

I think its important to understand the downturn on alot of the vintage prices has to do with reproduction cartridges. I love the video, the insight, and i look forward to your followup on this topic.

[@dillonqaphsiel7977]

Random question can anyone tell me what a complete North American lose cart non-graded N64 collection is worth? I cant really find any info on a full collection.

[@TheKing-nu4fk]

Use pricecharting. Put your whole collection in.

[@sergequick5053]

What about VGA black label nes games with hangtab are they new? Always says like new

[@definedsinner8669]

do you have a video where you talk about what to look at when you’re buying a vintage sealed game to be graded

[@cocklord]

What if I graded an average condition Flintstones Dino Peak for nes?

[@168snails]

Great video. I have a Super Mario Bros NES new sealed. Should I send it to WATA or VGA to grade? Thanks in advance for your valued opinion.

[@ReservedInvestments]

WATA has the edge right now...😉

[@TODThatOneDude]

Thanks for making this video man I'm subbed now

[@smerk429]

HI THANK U FOR UR HARD WORK. IS IT ONLY NEW SEALED GAMES THAT CAN BE GRADED? OR CAN OPENED USED RARE GAMES BE GRADED AS WELL? THANK U ANYBODY KNOWLEDGABLE PLEASE REPLY SOON

[@ReservedInvestments]

WATA grades loose carts as well as boxed items, they don’t have to be sealed. Check out their site for more details. VGA is sort of a mix bag. Check out their site for details. VGA will grade loose prototypes and hard to find carts loose, but normally it should be sealed. They do have a ‘qualified’ grade for boxed items that are open, but I don’t recommend it!

[@Dzeath1]

Thank you for such informative video

[@gozeusgt5133]

Hello sir. *** i'm badly eng lang. I have question : - VGA Grade... that mean... class material protection level. Right? - VGA Grade... not mean quality (graphic/display) in game. Right? So. I see that type so expensive. I need more info before pay it. Thanks you /||\

[@scottrays2539]

Question, I have a large sealed Nintendo collection(consoles, games), and was curious if I should have all the items graded? and if so, which grading company would you choose?

[@ReservedInvestments]

What are we talking about here? NES, SNES, Switch, 3DS? Let’s start there...

[@chriz5244]

Reserved Investments Gameboy Color

[@chriz5244]

Reserved Investments what do you so .... wata is getting popular?

[@antonioremualdo3317]

Somebody knows address site to submit my game for VGA Grading?

[@ReservedInvestments]

cgagrading.com/videogamegrader/

[@mitchdesenso3329]

Hey man how do i get a game rated

[@cristi8183]

On the front wata cases, what does the year mean? The year it was sealed or what exactly?

[@ReservedInvestments]

It’s the date of manufacture of the game.

[@blainethemono19]

Can somebody please explain to me why these grading companies automatically charge your more if your game is worth more? That's complete BS as the process of grading is the same regardless of the game's value. Thanks

[@ReservedInvestments]

If you ask this question under the video where I solicit questions for my 5K sub Q & A, I'll answer that on camera for you...

[@M2THE49sGamingZone]

I can’t decide... I have a sealed case of 40 copies of Pocket Monsters Gold/Silver for N64. VGA or WATA? VGA at least responds to my emails but I’ve sent at least 5 emails to Wata and used their website and never got a reply back. I do like how VGA has an uncirculated grade but wata does not (it just says from sealed case of x). Also worried about what people think about case design and being tamper-proof.

[@modular_kellogs8023]

I have factory sealed pokemon yellow and blue. What would you all suggest i do with them?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Grade them via WATA...

[@modular_kellogs8023]

@@ReservedInvestments What would be a good way to ship them to make sure they don't get damaged?

[@gravyhippo]

I have an important question. Do either of these companies check and verify the game is in fact in its original factory seal and not a fake reseal? I am interested in a few listings on eBay but I can concerned about fraud. Do these companies verify the product is authentic/in original seal before grading?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Yes, authentication is part of the grading process.

[@gravyhippo]

Reserved Investments Thank you for the response. Your video was very informative and well spoken.

[@gamingingalaxy4011]

Just bought Chrono Trigger 7.5 wata graded used cib. How close is to mint condition when graded 7.5?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Actual near mint condition doesn’t start until you hit 9.4.

[@gamingingalaxy4011]

Reserved Investments the reason i bought one because ebay is flooded with repro boxed chrono trigger.i really wanted the authentic copy. It looks decent honestly for what it is. And being wata graded means it’s authentic for sure right?

[@ReservedInvestments]

@@gamingingalaxy4011 Yes, the authenticity is confirmed!

[@gamingingalaxy4011]

Reserved Investments thank you👍🏻

[@blackbroly]

How do you get in contact with vga I have a lot of games

[@ReservedInvestments]

Google their website.

[@666JEDIMINDTRICKS666]

Would you use Wata or VGA for grading a sealed modern game? I'm interested in getting the odd nostalgic game graded and wanted your opinion. Is Wata a flash in the pan or are they here to stay? Cheers.. Keep up the good work.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Depends on the game and why you are grading it...

[@666JEDIMINDTRICKS666]

@@ReservedInvestments Just for my own pleasure. Not looking to make money from it. Just some modern Nintendo games I have a connection with. I think it would be cool to get a few graded..

[@supernatureboy13]

Do you prefer vga or watts?

[@snrrlax]

So what you thinking now with the Karl Jobst video coming out?

[@ReservedInvestments]

It doesn’t change the grading scales being used…

[@hw5091]

You figure out why it got snow brothers an 8.0? Any discoloration, scratching on the cart plastic, corrosion on the PCB, scratching on either label, off centered etc?

[@ReservedInvestments]

That item is long gone. It was sold into the hype filled WATA game market back in 2020/2021. I made about $500 profit on that item back then.

[@hw5091]

@@ReservedInvestmentsthat's cool. Always the way to go, all those people buying that overpriced stuff back then was absurd, and making $500 profit on an 8.0 snow bros is crazy. I was more of asking just to see what they saw, because if you thought it looked at least near mint, and they gave you an 8.0 there must've something. Just seeing if you remembered.

[@bobtheninja8000]

Hi Shawn, I stumbled across this video found it very informative and helpful. Great work! Fair to say the scales line up like this: Wata 10 = 100 VGA 9.8 = 95 9.6 = 90 9.4 = 85 9.2 = 80 9.0 = 75 Also, since VGA also incorporates a "+" in their grades would that diversify the scale further with an almost in-between grade? Exampe: 85+ would be like a 9.5 or 90+ would be equivalent to a 9.7 etc. Thanks!

[@Mitjitsu]

You missed out Wata 9.9 = 95+ VGA

[@reniehandler2595]

What is a better company WATA or VGA?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Both cater to different markets within the video game collectibles market, with some overlap. For instance, VGA graded systems, accessories, and Amiibo where WATA does not. WATA has a hold on the vintage market. VGA does well in modern game collecting.

[@reniehandler2595]

@@ReservedInvestments Thank you. I recently submitted a factory sealed Legend of Zelda NES that I found in my childhood dresser drawer at my parents home. Been there untouched for 30 years. I remember receiving it as a gift, just never opened it. WATA just sent it back graded at a 9.6 with an A+ seal. What do you think the value is in the current market?

[@Yaledude1]

do any of them grade japanese games or only english right now? :o

[@ReservedInvestments]

Both VGA and WATA, to an extent, grade Japanese games...

[@kaosasasin]

Yeah thank you I have recently been healing from some trauma and decided to sell all my old video games and needed some information on them turns out some may even be worth upwards of 6000 but I doubt that one is cause I played it alot but there are a few I'm considering getting graded cause they could be worth money and we sure could use it right now

[@touchingevil2302]

Is it only me or do you look like superman, from superman returns :) Great video

[@ReservedInvestments]

Lol!

[@silverwings21]

Thanks for explaining all this. I knew of VGA and the grading for years; the only one that would always talk (negatively) about them was Pat The NES Punk. He made it sound like VGA came out of nowhere recently and just started grading games; I never knew they originally graded action figures years before, and were using a decades old standard for grading. 3:50 Pat the NES Punk wouldn't agree. ; ) 4:17 Pat The NES Punk talks about them a lot; I wouldn't recommend watching his channel though, him and his wife Ian are assholes. 4:47 Exactly. 6:12 Well, looking at something that is almost 100 years old: an original 1939 Detective Comic #27 (1st Appearance of Batman) sold for $1,075,500. Of course, the key to getting that high price is the rarity, the 2nd key is how sought after it is, and the 3rd key is condition. 7:34 I don't trust those sites like Price-charting, I look to see if items I bought or other items that recently sold, were on the site, which I usually don't see them appear on the site. I haven't looked at the site in a while, does it differentiate between authentic games and the cheap reproduction games from China, thus giving the false idea that prices are dropping?

[@ReservedInvestments]

VGA is owned and operated by AFA - Action Figure Authority, so they are a very reputable grading company...

[@thefoxsaysmeow]

I can't stand Pat the NES Punk. He consistently rubs me the wrong way, and I haven't bothered to watch any of his videos for some time now.

[@silverwings21]

@@thefoxsaysmeow Yeah, after his & Ian's comments on the Diablo incident, is when I stopped watching anything by them.

[@ssssnarl1105]

Does Wata test the games?

[@stpworld]

I have 2 ds games with 90+ gold and they say uncirculated to not sure what that means.

[@ReservedInvestments]

It means they were pulled directly from factory sealed cases and were never on a store shelf.

[@stpworld]

@@ReservedInvestments Are they hard to come by I have 2 ds games from VGA graded and both are 90+ gold

[@ReservedInvestments]

Depends on what titles. In general, very few DS games can ever be considered rare...

[@stpworld]

@@ReservedInvestments I subbed and i have mario 64 ds and mario kart ds that are vga graded long story how I got them. Both have 90+ NM gold is that a rare rating to give im told it is?

[@ReservedInvestments]

@@stpworld None of those games are inherently uncommon or hard to find, even in VGA 90. In all honestly, games like that are not worth grading for investment. Now if you have a personal attachment to those games and want to grade them just because you like them, then yes; but you wouldn't even get back the grading fees if you went to sell them...sorry...

[@missingno81]

Great video for that time, too bad some companies are willing to make compromises just to make an extra buck.

[@CastorDirewolf]

I'm a collector of a specific video game franchise. Sonic the Hedgehog. I have a few graded Sonic games. A VGA 80+ NM Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis copy factory sealed (Got 80+ because there is a small tear in the shrink wrap on the side and has a rattle on the inside of the case from a broken piece plastic from the case from a manufacturing defect). I also have a VGA 90+ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Genesis copy factory sealed and a VGA 80 Sonic Shuffle factory sealed. While i don't really feel the urge to buy a lot of the Graded games I'm always on the lookout for classic Sonic games which are fairly priced and graded. I also have 2 graded Sonic the Hedgehog Comics. Issue #0 and issue #1 of the Archie series both graded at a 9.8 by CGC which i am very happy to own. They're all nice to own and i don't intend for any monetary gain from them as it's just part of my collection. I also own a lot of old original Sonic action Figures which i would love to send off and to get graded. But i live internationally and it would cost me a small fortune to get all my figures graded (I only purchase figures if they're still sealed). I'm keeping them safe in boxes until i get the opportunity to buy another display cupboard. I don't have any room for another cupboard currently so I'll keep them safe in boxes for the time being. Hopefully one day there will be a company in Australia which can grade and case more of my collection but I'll probably be waiting a while. Back on track, I had never heard of WATA until today and am sure that they take great effort in their grading. I'll stick to VGA for the time being if i ever find another VGA graded game that i am interested in. Nothing towards WATA, I just like the VGA cases more. Thanks for a great video. Very informative on this particular topic and also very interesting to see how 2 different bodies interpret a games physical qualities.

[@user-wi4kk9gf6t]

i love your videos , im an ebay seller of graded items too

[@ReservedInvestments]

Thank you!

[@TURNS2STONE89]

I have 35 graded games for the Sega Dreamcast, My favorite console

[@timusforlife]

Who did you go through for Dreamcast grading?

[@TURNS2STONE89]

@@timusforlife VGA, but I wish I had used WATA. their cases are much better

[@blackbroly]

Your voice changes throughout the video

[@stephendallasdraws2929]

But a top-tier WATA 9.6 is more like a VGA 85+.... 9.8 is more like VGA 90+.... WATA 10 and VGA 100 are equivalent?

[@OuterSpawn]

I have a sealed gold Mario amiibo I was looking to grade. Does Wata do that or does VGA do it?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Wouldn’t advise getting it graded at all honesty, but if you do, it has to go through VGA. WATA doesn’t grade Amiibo.

[@OuterSpawn]

@@ReservedInvestments why wouldn't I want it to get graded?

[@ReservedInvestments]

It won’t increase the value. VGA graded Amiibo are an obscurity. Most collectors aren’t paying a premium for these. Now if you just want to grade it for yourself, that’s fine, but unless it comes back a 95 or higher, it’s a money sink.

[@veganforever9703]

@@ReservedInvestments yours is graded lol

[@ReservedInvestments]

@@veganforever9703 Yup it is...go back to the video where I discuss that...and that item is long sold...

[@achesontrading427]

NGC exploded during Corona...why???

[@ReservedInvestments]

Coins are seen as a safe asset haven...

[@glycineairman]

thanks for this. Shows what professionalism will get you, however. WATA has a great site, great labels, transparency and have already connected with Heritage and other places. VGA just seems sketchy, all around, whether they are or not. I will say WATA's customer support in my experience has been garbage. They may not even have anyone working in CS.

[@calibomber209]

vga graded links awakening sold for 550$ even though its going for 40-60 sealed. so popular games is worth grading and selling right away or to collect. im gonna get pokemon snap for switch then get it graded right away. hopefully sell it for 800 to 1k hopefully.

[@juanforero8747]

Lmk how that goes haha I might jump in

[@Doors067]

i wish they would grade my switch game but neither ever emailed me back

[@ReservedInvestments]

Just curious: What game is it? I would not recommend grading too many modern games unless it is something you have a personal attachment to. From a financial perspective, it just isn’t worth it.

[@Doors067]

Reserved Investments octopath traveler, loved the game and want to make sure i own a mint copy just because i enjoyed it that much.

[@ReservedInvestments]

@@Doors067 As long as it is not for financial gain, you should be okay.

[@Doors067]

Reserved Investments yeah id love to get it done but they arent grading switch games yet, or at least never emailed me back. yup not much of a video game guy i collect other things as investments but this is just a case of I want the best copy i can get just because lol maybe its crazy

[@ReservedInvestments]

@@Doors067 It's because they have to specially make the type of case needed to hold Switch games. In time, I am sure they will offer Switch grading. VGA is an option as well.

[@freshyfresh9838]

People just get it but they will so keep it up 👍🏽

[@Jenkyllllls]

Be careful with this, there is no consistency with the grading even from the same grading company. Be especially wary if you are sending it too something like heritage auctions for them to get graded for an auction. PS. This is someone who started collecting classic games in the early 90's.

[@topshelfgaming5882]

I really can't stand vga's website and submission center, which is why I want to try wata. However, watas cases are so ugly and don't stack vertically well. Also it bugs me they put rectangular games in sideways. Sigh.

[@veganforever9703]

I'm going to grade my Wii u sealed games like wind waker

[@thegoodybarn9060]

Youll make so much money

[@bradical_pokemon8963]

I'm sending in a sealed ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 gba game just to be silly along with my sealed super spike vball nes game. First time... Hopefully wata is nice and i have the most amazing and only rated terrible gba golf game ever. :D

[@runsame]

... K.... ....K..... :)

[@absoluteclownworld]

I short term flip. I usually buy 2 or 3 of a game I know will be popular. Wait for it to be out of print and sell a copy. Then wait a bit longer and sell the 2nd copy. By then I've got my 3rd copy free and made $50-$100-$200+. I'm happy with these margins, even though I've sold games that went way higher than I sold them for. Some I sold went down later as well so it balances out.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Speculation at its finest, but it is what it is.

[@aaronlobato5268]

Grading is a sick sad practice. The market. Sad.

[@funlok3885]

hellow bro, where grading you? in europa you ? I need pag web plz

[@mr.frozeman7115]

I never see a 100 vga game

[@ReservedInvestments]

They are out there, I assure you.

[@inasuma8180]

There was a 100 heartgold and 100 soulsilver on ebay just a few months back. kinda weird seeing them up, but they're out there.

[@OmnigmaTheMaster]

Why someone would ever grade a video game? Why?

[@Mitjitsu]

I've seen a handful of 10 rated comic books, but never seen anything from VGA that's a 100. Fair enough if you buy something day 1 off the shelf you're probably going to get a 95 at best, but to have people who buy it direct and pull it out of cases and not get it is insane.

[@I_SuperHiro_I]

One company grades, the other is RICO.

[@absoluteclownworld]

That copy of skyward sword you have will meet a terrible fate one day.. there is x2 AA batteries in there and they will leak and damage the box and contents inside.

[@ReservedInvestments]

It already sold on EBay...months ago.

[@eunit599]

#2

[@ronniewatts5444]

Um kay lol

[@konamicodesmashed1719]

Erkay

[@ryandowney2361]

While I agree with most of what you said. Watagames has much higher grading standards and actual transparency. A 9.0 might fetch more than a 90+ one day. That's because of the trust in the grading system and people at wata and heritage auctions

[@ReservedInvestments]

Thank you for your comment. That is not the point though. The fact remains that a VGA 90 is still a MUCH higher graded game than that of a WATA 9.0.

[@startyde]

Wata is more transpatent defiitely but is certainly not more strict than VGA. VGA grades primarily against the wrap and packaging appearence. Wata primarily grades against box condition and wrap as a supplimental grade. So a scuffed PS2 game can be a VGA 80 but a Wata 9.6 with B wrap, because the case itself is just fine. Case in point. Wata has graded two particular gamecube games I track. They graded 9.6 and 9.8. VGA has graded 30 of these and only 3 got VGA 95. VGA is muuuuch harsher.

[@mitchmurray2260]

@@startyde that doesnt make them harsher. But as you said, VGA combines those grades and WATA separates them (box and seal). WATA can still be harsh on the seal grade. Its not easy getting an A++. A 9.8 A++ is like a VGA 95+.

[@mrpyro-]

@@mitchmurray2260 and what is a 9.6 A++ some people say 90+ some say 95.

[@WanderFilledWorldofMelee]

Lost the this channel Since I lost and forgot my old account

[@joeyisabsb1]

I collect for me, not for the money.

[@thefoxsaysmeow]

^^^ This.

[@jabbajabba33]

GameCube and n64 dropping lol. That didn’t age well

[@ReservedInvestments]

It’s only been a year. Speculative bubbles can last for decades. Lol. Silly Timmie...😂

[@RJ.MacReady]

Let me know when you need to dump some of your games before the price drops to nothing. Im looking for some Sega Games CIB. #WATAgate

[@ReservedInvestments]

The price isn’t going to fall to ‘nothing’ lol! 😂

[@cyrex6519]

I don't buy vga or wta sealed games i don't trust those people.

[@TheModusOperandiLine]

I would have never given you $40 for partial refund. I would have accepted a return and sold it for more WITH the crack case ;) ... but in all seriousness, gamers are the cheapest modafckers and complainers on ebay EVAAAHH. Can't wait for the sneaker community to catch on to games and sports memorabilia. Then the game will change for the better... picky modafckers will disappear from the scene

[@Neo21803]

This video did not age well.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Sure it did. The grading scales haven’t changed my friend.