How Does WATA Grade Sealed Games? - WATA Modern Grading Guide!

[@GetTheGreg]

🥂Buy stuff on eBay? (I know you do!) Use this link before purchasing to directly support the stream: ebay.us/S0DWtC

[@rickyruffle]

Love the thoroughness of your videos! I finally sent in my first ever game to be graded this week, a sealed Zelda Collectors Edition that I’ve been holding into for 21 years. I already got the grades back - I couldn’t wait to check. A 9.8 A++ Lets freaking go!!!

[@GetTheGreg]

Absolutely nailed it man! Congrats on that! 🎉

[@Joethegamer842]

The first minute of this video was more helpful than a lot of others I have seen. Thank you! 2:34

[@GetTheGreg]

🤝🤝🤝

[@zmbigmr]

I was literally thinking to myself that this type of video would be great to have, and within 24 hours… bam… here it is. Thanks!

[@GetTheGreg]

Haha the perfect timing!

[@ntoscano01]

Thank you for making this. Very helpful!

[@jxc9759]

Just found ur channel, great content. Just bought a WATA Graded 5 Pokémon Fire Red. I overpaid for sure I think (1050$) and your video on how you lost some money on that ocarina of time n64, made me feel a lot less bad. Subbed!

[@GetTheGreg]

🤝

[@joshhawkins2966]

So does the tightness of the wrap (wrinkled/loose or smooth) really factor at all?

[@GetTheGreg]

To a degree, yes, but not as severely as scratching and scuffing will. The A and A+ seal grades have so much leeway in them that it's unlikely a loose wrap would push you down a full grade unless it's quite egregious (like if the actual glue that holds it is loose or coming undone)

[@expensivecardboard]

Do you recommend paying the extra few dollars for the wata cleaning charge?

[@GetTheGreg]

Only if you're not confident doing any kind of cleaning yourself. For myself, I don't ever pay for it. But if you're not willing them yourself, I definitely think it's worth paying for as a lot of dirt etc is very hard to see until you actually wipe it away and see how gross the paper towel or whatever is haha

[@Alphoric]

Wata got sued for market manipulation theyre scammers

[@startyde]

A very thorough and helpful video, one of your best imo. Good stuff Greg.

[@frosty_codex3636]

Hey greg, I’ve been thinking about doing my first submission with either wata or vga, how should I package my games when sending them out? I was thinking bubble wrap and then put them in a box, but youre the expert so I’d like your input.

[@GetTheGreg]

Yea that's essentially all I do as well. I will basically always double box my stuff as well just to give it that extra layer of protection against box crushing or even possible liquid damage/rain.

[@frosty_codex3636]

@@GetTheGreg okay thanks so much, also do you recommend wata or vga?

[@GetTheGreg]

@@frosty_codex3636 right now the price different and turnaround times are pretty drastic between the 2 companies, so I'm only using WATA for now until VGA opens a cheaper option or speeds up. Under equal circumstances, I like both companies and they both do a great job

[@frosty_codex3636]

@@GetTheGreg thanks again! I also just want to say your videos have helped me a lot these past couple weeks and I’ve found a new passion for games and grading games and stuff. Keep up the great work man!

[@clrodrick]

just be aware that both Wata and VGA put in new language in their customer contract that state they can reject any package that arrives to them *IF* they deem the box not in good enough condition to prevent damage to games. They recommend only using brand new never used before boxes, but likely one can keep using used boxes just make sure they are in fine condition and perhaps do like Dylan and double box shipments.

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

Dude!! 999 is actually on my list of my next games to get and to get graded! Super congrats on that beauty. I have the other 2 games in the series on the 3DS! Can't wait to play and beat them!

[@GetTheGreg]

Yeeees! 999 was first on my list to get graded once WATA started doing DS haha. Amazing series of games!

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

@@GetTheGreg nice!!! Also, have you checked out Trace Memory?

[@GetTheGreg]

I haven't actually! I just looked it up and it sounds interesting!

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

@@GetTheGreg really obscure game that doesn't seem to show up often on eBay but still sells for relatively cheap!

[@Lancaster22]

How to do they treat seals that are otherwise in good shape but have some wrinkle or scrunching generally?

[@GetTheGreg]

Generally it won't do much at all to the grade if it's just natural tightness/looseness of the seal. It would have to be exceptionally loose or weird for it to be weighted meaningfully

[@jimjones4976]

Do stickers such as price or clearance stickers effective grade?

[@GetTheGreg]

Yea they do. Placement, size, and other factors can affect the seal grade (and sometimes box grade if it was written on with pen or something that would cause impressions). They generally aren't a large detriment, but something like one of those big, square magentic price stickers will hurt more than a really small sticker.

[@jimjones4976]

@@GetTheGreg thank you for the quick response!

[@jimjones4976]

One more question. What’s more important. The seal grade or the box grade?

[@GetTheGreg]

The market currently generally favors a higher box grade than seal grade, for example, 9.8 A > 9.6 A+. However, 9.6 A++ will very likely outsell 9.8 A (and it should. 9.6 A++ is a much nicer overall game). Arguably, 9.6 A+ is likely the nicer overall game as well compared to 9.8 A, but the seal condition isn't as emphasized right now. 9.4 A++ and 9.6 A+ would likely sell very close to the same amount. Same with 9.4 A vs 9.2 A+. So hopefully that gives you a bit of an idea of how people are currently treating box vs seal!

[@jimjones4976]

@@GetTheGreg thanks again your content and response is very helpful

[@ArtiglioDiMorte]

Great video, can’t wait for the results! I personally love sending near perfect sealed games. I’d hate to submit games where it’s likely to get only an A seal ( with a 9.4) or lower. But I’m very curious to learn about you submitting less than perfect games for our wata grading Knowledge needs!

[@GetTheGreg]

Thanks man! Yea, i'm going to be sending off a quite a few in the 9.0-9.4 range as I really want to nail down the grading scale! I also greatly prefer to send off the nice stuff😅

[@n0stalgiag4mes]

How do they grab a sticker sealed game, like pokemon box i have. Would my box wear be considered the same as plastic would normally?

[@GetTheGreg]

Oversized games like that currently aren't graded by WATA, but in an instance where a sticker is all that's holding the game shut, the sticker would still be the only part assessed as the "seal" and the entire box would still only be the numerical grade. If the item was manufactured without a seal but also never opened, it will be designated as NS (no seal) where the letter grade goes and denoted on the back of the label as having been manufactured without a seal (you'll see this on Atari games most often).

[@defaultend2223]

It's funny that a simple front and back photo doesn't suffice on eBay as when inspecting a game to be a grading candidate you need a photo under light or it's basically a massive gamble, and like you said, not even a guarantee when buying straight from your local game store. Great video and that water mark will definitely stop all the Greg impersonators from "GettingTheGreg" 👀

[@GetTheGreg]

That watermark is the only thing securing this channel!

[@robertrangel2310]

What did the black ops grade.? I wanna grade a game with a similar rip.

[@GetTheGreg]

I didn't bother to send that one. Almost undoubtedly a B+ grade or even a B with a rip like that.

[@fionncaomanac339]

Specifically for video games on discs could you see the inevitable data rot that occurs with them being a factor of diminishing value with the graded product, even with the grading process being based around the case and wrapping of the game?

[@GetTheGreg]

As is, every graded disc game "could" have disc rot already. So no, people don't consider that factor when considering the value of the game. With every sealed game, we will never know if it does or does not.

[@NerdBlockVersion1.0]

Did you ever get the games back and do a video? I was looking but couldn't find anything. If you did please send me a link to the video. And thanks

[@GetTheGreg]

Hey! I believe most of them are in this video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX27mpqQoM-WptEsi=uNWjPF_U6mqCjw7-

[@brikharville4960]

what if i have a perfect game except the bottom on the case has a 3" hairline crack running right beside where the case opens and closes? say it was a 10 other than that, what are we looking at? is it worth sending it in?

[@GetTheGreg]

Unfortunately, unless it's like a very rare/expensive game, not worth sending. Cracks are capped at 9.0 I believe and the label will also say "cracked (location)".

[@brikharville4960]

@@GetTheGreg ok cool, thanks for the response!

[@MkMaster13]

Thank you for the video! I will definitely use this as a visual reference before sending some games out. Is there some secret place to buy the factory fresh games from a distributor? I've seen a few "Master Cases" of multiple of the same game sealed in a factory box on Ebay, but I've wondered how those people got their hands on those.

[@GetTheGreg]

As far as stuff out of production is concerned, no. No secret source unfortunately. For modern games still releasing, you can definitely get master cases but I'm not sure if you need to actually be a distributor of if you could just go to your local GameStop and ask to buy 20 copies (and recieve the sealed box haha). I've never tried myself as that's just too much volume for me to handle😅

[@Scribblescrabbly]

Does anyone know if Wata downgrades for a wavy seal? I’ve noticed that all of my LRG sealed copies all have the same wave pattern on the seals.

[@GetTheGreg]

If it's a consistent trait of the wrap from the factory, it shouldn't downgrade at all

[@Alphoric]

Wata got sued for market manipulation theyre scammers

[@Scribblescrabbly]

@@Alphoric 😴💤💤💤🥱

[@GetTheGreg]

How did you follow this dudes comment hahaha. I'm impressed.

[@Lancaster22]

I have a question for everyone. I have a PS2 game from 2004 that looks great. Some light micro scratching on the cellophane but great overall. With Wata grading strictly as of late I expect a A/ 9.4. The one thing I don’t know is it has a stickered UPC on the outsided of the cellophane. It’s exactly in the same spot on the back side bottom left. I can’t remember if this was commonplace for ps2 games or if this is odd. The UPC sticker has some slight warping and aging on it. Really curious to see what this does to my grade

[@GetTheGreg]

Hey! My own recommendation would be to remove that UPC sticker on the back if you're at all comfortable doing so. It's not something you "want" to be there, nor would it be considered commonplace. It likely wouldn't affect your grade harshly, but say you are right on the line of A+ or A, that sticker might be what puts you into A instead.

[@Lancaster22]

@@GetTheGreg thanks! Hope I don’t mess up the seal peeling it off

[@GetTheGreg]

Make sure you use a remover like goo gone or bestine. Lighter fluid can also work. Q tips and slow movements!

[@JD-fi7gy]

I just sent out my games do you know how long until I get them back? I've heard that there backed up with so many order

[@GetTheGreg]

If you sent them to WATA, the slowest tier is taking roughly 4 weeks from the time WATA scans them in. Everything is moving very fast right now!

[@JD-fi7gy]

Thanks for the reply. Can't wait to receive it. Looking forward to your graded game reveal

[@sinistan1002]

I wonder what my 2 unopened snes games would get for a grade? I have a super mario rpg and yoshi's island, both bought at a toys r us in the late 90's off the shelf, never opened them still in original shrink wrap. How does that fair you would think? Because I want to sell both they don't mean anything to me, but someone they might

[@GetTheGreg]

Both of those are very expensive basically in any grade haha. It sounds like you've kept them safe over the years. Assuming they don't have blatant creasing/rips/etc, you'd be in the 9.0+ grade range. If you want to, send me some pictures of them both on IG and I could better assist you if you're indeed looking to sell. Grading them first is likely your best choice!

[@sinistan1002]

@@GetTheGreg Yeah they were basically just stuck on a shelf with some game boy stuff and various cds and never used, sandwiched between a genesis game and an ascii pad I got around same time that also never had opened. I got more into pc gaming and ps1 later ps2, so really never even taken out or put back. what is your IG ?

[@GetTheGreg]

Same as KZbin, GetTheGregGames!

[@dvxShoeN]

Is a 9.6 A++ more worth than a 9.8 A ?

[@GetTheGreg]

It almost every instance it *should be*, but it won't always be that way at actual auctions

[@itsallaboutnostalgia]

Really appreciate videos like this, thank you man 👏

[@PTsR]

Very informative, thanks. I wanna ask you, is 9.6 A+ a good grade for OG xbox?

[@GetTheGreg]

Yup! 9.6 A+ in general is a very strong grade. In my brain, I've started to think of it as the PSA 9 haha (to give a card comparison if you're familiar with that). Some 9s will be stronger than others, but all of them will be very solid. 9.4 A++ is right in there too, just depends if you value a higher grade box or a nicer condition wrap

[@birddoggaming]

Great idea for a video

[@GetTheGreg]

Hoping for a nice evergreen one here !👌

[@TGApuleius]

Glad you made this because I've been wondering if I should submit a few newer items. I have a few PS3/PS4 and Switch games that go for $200ish as-is (JoJo for PS3, which is still doing well, Firewatch and Shadow Warrior for PS4, Celeste and Messenger for Switch). Modern hasn't done great in your recent streams, but when something pops, so people can get a high-graded game now and not worry about it later, it really pops. Grading is also much more affordable for moderns. Ebay seems like a better route for some graded games, too. Let me pick your brain. My current order is FF3 (DS), Chrono Trigger (DS, no-poster print), Celeste (Switch), Messenger (Switch), JoJo (PS3), Firewatch (PS4), Shadow Warrior 2 (PS4), and I was thinking of tossing in a non-BOTW Zelda for Switch (these seem to randomly to really well) or maybe FF4 for DS. I will say I have a few A seals that I can't spot a hint of damage on, but none of my games should score lower (Limited Run Games tend to have some loose cellophane every now and then, so A at lowest). With Celeste and Blazing Chrome doing well in recent streams, I'm having a tough time deciding what is or isn't too niche.

[@GetTheGreg]

With the grading price being so much lower on Modern, is does make the decision process much easier. Even something like loose wrap shouldn't bring you down to an A level unless it's really egregious. You'd likely need additional scratching and scuffing to be present. Honestly all of those seem like good candidates to fire off, it's just fully dependent on what kind of grades you might expect on them! eBay definitely might be the better route for some of these games for the time being, especially depending on the grades you get!

[@TGApuleius]

@@GetTheGreg Appreciate it!

[@harmanmaddhar42]

Hey brother, how are you? First and for most, love all your content and because of you I have officially sent in my first submission for grading about two months ago. I have a question for you, what if you have a perfectly sealed game with no issues but the CD or game cartridge is loose inside?

[@GetTheGreg]

WATA has actual responded to this direct question. They said recently to another collector that a loose disc inside cannot score higher than 9.4.

[@harmanmaddhar42]

@@GetTheGreg I understand. Thank you so much for clearing that up.

[@bretton_woods]

​@@harmanmaddhar42 You know it's possible to put a loose disc back in the case without actually unsealing it. You basically need to hold your thumb on the back of the case where the spindle is, centre the disc by flipping it upside down and exert pressure on the front of the case to pop the disc back in. It can be done as I've done it many times. Takes practice though. Try it with a DVD you don't care about first. You want to make sure you're not damaging the case in the process. With things like DS games though....that's damn near impossible!

[@harmanmaddhar42]

@@bretton_woods thanks! I shall give it a try

[@jakobh6257]

Great info, thank you sir 👊

[@SethAbramson]

Great video! I guess the question will ultimately be how *many* modern games have issues of this sort, and therefore what sort of condition premium we will see as the modern market evolves. Pop reports will help, but I’m guessing that besides the one-offs WATA is publishing on Instagram we are still a ways off from those. In the meantime (and after!), a video like this will be absolutely invaluable to a great many people. Very nice work!

[@GetTheGreg]

Thanks man! That's absolutely going to be the big question. Whenever the first modern pop reports drop we will at least see the current "average submitted condition" which I'm guessing will be something right around 9.4 for most hard Case consoles! (Mostly because 8 and lower will have very little representation)

[@TheAKBlack93]

Hey Greg, great video as always :) I recently bought a PS2 copy of Hitman Silent Assassin with a drilled UPC, the hardcore variant of a UPC punch so to say... Do you have any experience if this will detract from the Seal AND Box Grade? I've sent it in anyways because it is an otherwise flawless copy and I somehow like this little "variants" but I think it would be great if Wata had such things as Qualifiers like PSA with OC, MK etc. so the game could grade a 9.4 A+ "Drilled" 😅 Anyways I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this matter. Have a great day😊

[@GetTheGreg]

Ooooo, yea, if it's a crudely made one that is a literal drill hole, it'll hurt a lot on both case and seal grade 😬

[@Richtoffen666]

Thanks. I saw a game I love on ebay that was WATA graded but I didn't know what that meant. Now I know WATA graded games are totally lame and I can save my money

[@leeartlee915]

I’ve been “grading” at home when i get new games. It is amazing how fucked up games get between the factory to your home. Between warehouses, retail stock and consumer facing employee, to me throwing it in the back of my car next to a bag of nails. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

[@GetTheGreg]

The bag of nails is the one that will get you every time! Never ready for it!

[@supyo1]

Wouldn’t this create a bias if wata sees this video before your games are graded? Also I don’t think they do dock the cover art centering as long as it’s not falling over the ridge. U The idea that they dock centered art down from 9.8 is really just rumor talk. I’ve seen plenty of em low to high or high to low do 9.8. If they don’t fall under the ridge… Even a little crooked if it’s not blatant.

[@GetTheGreg]

Eh, I doubt every grader is keeping up with my vids haha. Could you imagine, though 😅 Ahhhhh, interesting to hear you say that🤔

[@Alphoric]

Wata got sued for market manipulation theyre scammers

[@MartyTheOneManParty_]

The beauty of buying modern online... you think it's mint and once you receive it you realize that it's far from mint lool Great video bro really helpful info

[@bobdan9856]

I have never accepted any Wata Games grading as anything other than looking at the box. Since most sealed with shrink wrap the easiest thing to fake and since what is inside is unknown.

[@dagreenshiz]

What is a WATA?

[@GetTheGreg]

We Are The Authority. It's been a deep conspiracy all along 👀

[@cctforthee]

Mold needs its own grade. Get on it CGC.

[@timothyj592]

The most interesting thing is that the security strip is part of the seal grade.

[@GetTheGreg]

In that you feel it should be part of the box grade, or that it gets assessed at all?

[@timothyj592]

@@GetTheGreg that is gets assessed at all. If you send in a Xbox 360 game with no cello wrap but still having the security strip you get a NS grade. If I remember correctly though WATA in the discord said it is graded as part of the seal. Just doesn’t make sense. Like I do think it should be part of the seal grade just wata needs to clarify stuff better.

[@GetTheGreg]

@@timothyj592 WATA needs to absolutely clarify stuff better haha, that we can both agree on.

[@popthatbeep]

So basically the WATA experts are probably those who worked in packaging department of a factory. Only those guy know how good the conditions lol

[@Alphoric]

No Wata got sued for market manipulation theyre scammers DO NOT GET ANYTHING GRADED BY THEM

[@leeartlee915]

Greg, question: Why are you submitting that Mario Party 10? You’ve said before that with modern games you are very selective. Expecting a 9.0 A doesn’t seem to be that amazing of grade… Answer.

[@GetTheGreg]

Purely for learning sake. I figure I can sell it afterwards and break even or damn close, which makes the education and experience free!

[@leeartlee915]

@@GetTheGreg Alrighty then. I accept your answer. You’re lucky. I was about to call you completely full of shit. Now I think you’re just *kinda* full of shit. ;-)

[@kaysi768]

Amazing content as usual brother

[@GetTheGreg]

Cheers man!

[@PaymentIsDue]

0.5x is the speed i listen to this guy at lol

[@elwinroyale]

They are even more crazy here than pokemon

[@GetTheGreg]

Thanks!

[@tonk82]

If one of those 9.2 or 9.4 games returns as 9.8, we will say that Wata doesn't know what the f*ck they are doing... BUT we will be very happy for you xD

[@GetTheGreg]

Hahah pretty much, right!?

[@clrodrick]

just know that Dylan is slipping in a few $20 bills with these damaged games to get the better grade ;-)

[@clrodrick]

Good vid, this is why I don't even bother to collect for PS3, Xbox and newer generation of consoles as it's impossible to verify condition of game online. I will still buy games I want to play and be happy with CIB I guess. PS2 can also be hard to determine condition

[@GetTheGreg]

Yea, it really is super annoying unless you're willing to message every seller and ask questions or ask for detailed photos, of which many will just ignore you anyway. It's a grind to get really nice raw copies.

[@VanBurgen]

You still sending games to WATA even though its an absolute scam? A total shame what's happening...

[@GetTheGreg]

Yup, I sure am. WATA has improved in basically every way since Karl's video and their association with Heritage doesn't exist anymore since WATA was bought by collector's universe. I feel way better about submitting to WATA now than I ever did before. I don't blame anyone who chooses not to use them due to their past behavior, though, and I'm glad Karl brought their actions to the public. It helped the hobby in basically every way, especially for those who actually enjoy being part of the sealed and graded side of things, which I have been doing since circa 2012.

[@VanBurgen]

@@GetTheGreg Whatever makes ya happy I suppose. Each to their own 👍🏻 I feel the damage has been done and what they did was despicable. Especially if you've been doing it for the past 10 years! Hope the changes are real because what's happening with retro game prices is an utter shame. Best of luck

[@Alphoric]

@@GetTheGreg so you’re okay with the company that got sued for market manipulation because they’ve ‘improved’ that seems very odd

[@joejacksom9831]

@@GetTheGreg WATA is a complete scam company worth nothing.

[@necropolia1870]

Bruh but it's not even about the game,it's not about cd which you need to actually play the game and the cd needs to be in best condition but all of this is only about the box and sealing this is so stupid i can't believe it's really strange that people collect that kind of thing and don't call it a game please call it a box

[@GetTheGreg]

Grade some CIB games if that better resonates with you 👍

[@necropolia1870]

@@GetTheGreg Well i think games in this boxes with these grades look kinda neat and I'm person who loves to collect but can't understand why you guys collect boxes for games even with cib games you still not gonna unpack it and look whats inside

[@prosto1076]

Xbox 360 is not a modern 😒 It's at least 10 years old games

[@GetTheGreg]

I'm glad that's the input you have to offer about this video ahah. Thanks!

[@Ferrets_bros]

Wata is a scam

[@GetTheGreg]

Is Karl paying you to say this?

[@Ferrets_bros]

@@GetTheGreg whos karl?

[@kamb8s]

This video is 12 minutes too long. Coulda just said every modern game is now a 9.4 A+ unless there’s a massive tear in which case it’s a 9.4 A

[@GetTheGreg]

Got a game that looks solid? Just submit it and get the default grade!

[@odenz91]

wata is scam

[@GetTheGreg]

Hopefully this video helped

[@hodeyfu7617]

Games should be played, not hermetically sealed

[@SwiftyVee99]

your a monster 🤪😅😅👉