To have a retro cartridge professionally graded, document the exact game and condition, confirm that a grading service accepts that cartridge, choose a tier based on declared value and speed, pack it so it cannot move or bend, and inspect the authenticated, encapsulated result when it returns. The grade is a standardized opinion of identity and condition—not a guaranteed selling price.
What professional cartridge grading actually does
A professional submission normally combines three services: authentication, condition grading and encapsulation. The company examines whether the cartridge is genuine and correctly identified, assigns a numerical or letter grade under its own standards, and seals the item in a protective holder with a certification label.
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CGC describes its video-game service as expert authentication, grading on a 10-point CGC scale and encapsulation in a crystal-clear, tamper-evident holder. VGA describes an authenticate–grade–encapsulate workflow and offers either its Standard 100-point presentation or Unified 10-point presentation. A number from one company is not automatically interchangeable with a number from another because the standards, labels and presentation differ.
Certification creates a durable third-party record that can make an item easier for buyers, auction houses or insurers to identify. It does not establish rarity, guarantee authenticity forever if the holder is compromised, or promise a particular resale price.
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Decide whether grading is appropriate for your cartridge
Grade when the item can justify the cost
Grading is most defensible when the title is desirable, the cartridge appears authentic, the condition is strong enough to interest collectors, and the expected benefit of a trusted certificate exceeds grading, shipping, insurance and handling costs. A common game in heavily worn condition can cost more to submit than its market supports.
Keep it raw when evidence or value is weak
- The cartridge has obvious reproduction or counterfeit indicators that you have not resolved.
- The shell is cracked, heavily sun-faded, water-damaged or missing important parts.
- You need to play the cartridge regularly; encapsulation prevents normal access to the connector and board.
- The likely selling audience does not pay a premium for certification.
- The declared value is too low to justify insured international shipping and service fees.
Do not alter the item simply to chase a higher number. Aggressive cleaning, shell replacement, label replacement or board swapping can change what the grader is evaluating and may create disclosure issues for a buyer.
Identify and document the exact item first
Before opening a submission account, make a record that another person could use to identify the cartridge without seeing it in hand.
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- Record the platform and region. Write the console family, title, publisher or release variant when known, and region such as North America, Europe or Japan.
- Describe the format. Mark the item as loose cartridge, complete in box or sealed. A loose cartridge should not be submitted as a complete package.
- Describe condition separately. Note label adhesion, tears, writing, fading, stains and edge wear; shell cracks, discoloration, scratches and missing screws; and whether the board is visible or has been opened.
- Photograph both sides. Use sharp, evenly lit images of the front, back, top edge, label, screws and any serial or mold markings. Add close-ups of damage and unusual features.
- Preserve provenance. Keep receipts, seller messages, collection records and any prior certification details. They do not replace authentication, but they document ownership history and help resolve an identification question.
Keep the photographs and notes until the holder is returned and checked. They provide a condition record if the package is damaged in transit or the submitted item is disputed.
Confirm eligibility before paying
Accepted systems and formats are service-specific and can change. CGC says it grades most major-platform games and also accepts select cartridge-only games. VGA currently lists cartridge designations for NES, Super NES, N64, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X and Atari 2600.
Check the current submission portal for the exact platform, region and format rather than assuming that a service accepts every cartridge from a supported console. A service may accept a sealed release while declining a loose regional variant, or accept a platform generally while excluding a particular item. If eligibility is unclear, obtain written confirmation before sending the cartridge.
Eligibility is not the same as value. Acceptance only means the item fits the service’s catalog and process; it does not mean the company expects a high grade or a profitable resale.
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Compare the major service models
The following figures are published prices and estimates shown on current 2026 service pages. Treat them as time-sensitive, confirm currency and destination, and add shipping, insurance, handling and any declared-value adjustment.
| Factor | CGC | VGA |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge eligibility | Most major-platform games plus select cartridge-only games, subject to the current catalog | Cartridge designations currently listed for NES, Super NES, N64, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X and Atari 2600 |
| Grade presentation | CGC 10-point scale | Standard 100-point scale or Unified 10-point presentation; VGA says both represent the same evaluation |
| Published standard price | $50 per item, maximum fair market value (FMV) $2,500 | $40 modern or $50 vintage for a standard in-stock size |
| Published faster option | WalkThrough: $150 plus 2% of FMV; estimated 10 business days | Priority: $125/two weeks; Express: $75/two months; Walk Through: $250 in 48 hours or less for standard in-stock sizes |
| Protection | Crystal-clear, tamper-evident holder | Handcrafted case; VGA describes UV protection and museum-grade clarity |
| Add-ons | Service-specific add-ons and handling fees are listed on the current submission page | Published options include UV upgrade, cleaning and grading-summary upgrades |
CGC also lists Standard Bulk at $45 per game with a 30-game minimum. That price only makes sense if you have enough eligible items and can tolerate the bulk service’s queue and total shipping exposure.
CGC’s standard listing shows an estimated 80 business days. An estimate is not a guarantee, and the clock may be affected by intake, questions about value, return shipping or other handling. VGA’s time descriptions are tier targets rather than a promise that every item will arrive back on a particular date.
Understand the grading scales before choosing a label
CGC’s 10-point presentation
CGC reports a single 10-point condition grade on its label after authentication and review. The number is meaningful within CGC’s published criteria; do not convert it mathematically into a VGA score or assume that a CGC 8 has precisely the same market meaning as a VGA 80.
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VGA offers its Standard 100-point presentation and a Unified 10-point presentation. VGA says the Unified Grade uses a 10-point scale and a new label design, while both presentations represent the same evaluation. Choose the display that fits the audience you expect to sell to, and retain the full certification information rather than relying only on the headline number.
What the number cannot tell you
A grade summarizes the condition observed at the time of examination. It does not tell a buyer that the cartridge will boot in every console, that a battery will still hold a charge, or that the title will rise in price. If functionality matters to a sale, describe testing separately and accurately.
Choose a tier using value, speed and total cost
Services use declared or fair market value to route submissions and set fees. CGC says its price depends on collectible type, fair market value and service level, and that it can move an item to a higher tier if it determines the submitted value was understated. Under-declaring value can therefore create a surprise bill and leave the shipment inadequately insured.
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- Estimate a defensible FMV. Use recent completed sales for the same title, region, format and condition—not an asking price for a sealed copy when yours is loose.
- Select the ordinary tier first. The standard tier is usually the economical choice when you do not have a deadline.
- Pay for speed only for a real deadline. Compare the premium with the value of receiving the holder sooner. A faster tier does not improve the grade.
- Budget the complete transaction. Include outbound and return postage, insurance, payment fees, optional cleaning or UV upgrades, and a possible higher-tier adjustment.
For example, a CGC submission at the published $50 standard price can cost materially more after shipping and insurance, while WalkThrough adds $150 plus 2% of FMV. A VGA standard in-stock-size submission is listed at $40 for modern or $50 for vintage, with higher prices for Priority, Express or Walk Through service. These are service prices, not a prediction of the cartridge’s value.
Prepare the cartridge without creating new damage
Clean only within the service’s rules
Follow the grader’s current cleaning policy. Remove loose dust carefully, but do not use abrasive products, solvents, adhesive removers or polishing compounds unless the service explicitly permits them. A cleaning add-on is not an invitation to restore a label or refinish a shell. Photograph the item before any preparation so the original state is documented.
Use a protective inner layer
Place the cartridge in a snug, clean sleeve or bag that will not shed fibers or transfer plasticizer. The sleeve should prevent scuffing without pressing hard against a fragile label. Do not tape directly to the cartridge or its label.
Protect corners, label and shell
Put the sleeved cartridge between rigid, smooth pieces that are larger than the item, then add cushioning around all sides. The protection should stop the cartridge from sliding, bending or striking the box wall. Avoid loose packing peanuts that can shift and leave empty space.
Pack and ship the submission securely
- Place the protected cartridge in a snug inner carton or rigid mailer.
- Surround that inner package with cushioning inside a strong outer box.
- Shake the sealed box gently; nothing should move.
- Use insured, trackable shipping for the declared value and retain the receipt.
- Photograph the packed item, the shipping label and the sealed box before handoff.
- Follow the grader’s current address, paperwork and packing instructions exactly.
Do not send irreplaceable extras, family photographs, handwritten notes or certificates unless the service expressly requests them. Extra material can be lost, damaged or returned separately. If you include a removable accessory that affects identification, list it on the submission form and protect it independently.
Submit, monitor and respond to exceptions
Complete the online form with the exact title, platform, region, format and declared value from your inventory. Review the service level and return address before payment. Save the submission number, invoices and tracking details in the same record as your photographs.
Watch for three common exceptions:
- Ineligible item: The service may return it ungraded or ask you to change the submission. Do not assume a partial refund covers all shipping or handling.
- Value adjustment: If the grader determines that the declared value is understated, CGC says it may move the item to a higher tier. Approve or pay the adjustment according to the provider’s terms.
- Questionable authenticity or identification: The item may receive a non-authentication result, a different catalog description or a request for clarification. Provide only evidence you can support; do not alter the cartridge while the case is open.
Inspect the returned holder immediately
When the package arrives, photograph the unopened outer box, then inspect the holder under good light. Confirm:
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- the certification number resolves to the same title, platform, region and grade shown on your submission;
- the label has no spelling or variant error;
- the holder is sealed and free from cracks, clouding or loose parts;
- the cartridge has not shifted in a way that rubs the label or shell; and
- the return package shows no impact or moisture damage.
Contact the service promptly if the holder or label is wrong, and keep all packaging until the issue is resolved. A certification number is useful only when the online record and the physical item agree.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Store the slab for long-term preservation
Keep the encapsulated cartridge upright or flat on a stable shelf, away from direct sunlight, radiators, hot cars, damp basements and rapid temperature changes. Avoid stacking heavy objects on the holder. VGA describes its cases as UV-protected and museum-grade clarity; CGC describes its holder as tamper-evident. Those are preservation features, not proof that a cartridge is authentic or valuable.
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Handling games already in another holder
CGC says a game in a WATA or other competing holder may be submitted for CGC Video Games CrossOver certification. CrossOver processing is different from cracking the original holder yourself: the grader evaluates whether the item meets the requested CGC criteria and handles the transition under its terms.
PSA announced on September 19, 2025 that the WATA brand is becoming PSA. Because portals, labels and routing can change during a brand transition, verify the current submission page and terms before mailing a WATA-labeled game. Photograph the existing holder and record its certification number so you can compare the returned result with the original record.
How grading affects selling and insurance decisions
Authentication and a numeric grade can make condition easier to communicate, but they do not guarantee a resale price. Heritage Auctions notes that certified games can still be evaluated differently by an auctioneer, and its market coverage includes both VGA/CGA- and WATA-certified material. Buyer preference, title demand, region, grade distribution and the platform used for the sale all influence the result.
One historical example illustrates why a single sale should not be treated as a forecast: Heritage Auctions reported a $1,560,000 sale on July 11, 2021 for a WATA 9.8 A++ sealed Super Mario 64. That was a sealed, exceptionally graded copy of a highly sought title in a specific auction; it is not a benchmark for a loose cartridge or for another game.
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When listing a graded game, state the company, certification number, exact label description and holder condition. Show clear photographs of the front, back, label and certification record. If you insure the item, ask the insurer whether coverage is based on declared replacement cost, a recent sale or an appraisal.
A practical decision checklist
- Have you identified the exact platform, region, title and format?
- Did you photograph both sides and record all defects before packing?
- Does the chosen service currently accept this cartridge-only item?
- Is your declared value supported by comparable completed sales?
- Have you compared the standard tier with any deadline-driven upgrade?
- Did you budget postage, insurance, handling and possible tier changes?
- Is the cartridge protected from movement, pressure and moisture?
- Did you retain tracking, photographs and the submission number?
- Will you verify the certification record and holder condition on return?
Common mistakes and their fixes
Sending before checking eligibility
Fix: Confirm the exact platform and loose-cartridge status in the current catalog or obtain written confirmation.
Declaring an optimistic or arbitrary value
Fix: Use comparable completed sales for the same region and format, and keep the evidence with your submission record.
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Assuming faster service means a better grade
Fix: Treat priority tiers as queue and turnaround choices only; the grading standard remains the service’s published standard.
Using a numerical conversion between companies
Fix: Report the issuing company and its scale every time. Do not advertise a CGC grade as an equivalent VGA number or vice versa.
Over-cleaning or modifying the cartridge
Fix: Follow the provider’s cleaning policy and disclose repairs or replacements. Preserve the original state in photographs.
Leaving space inside the shipping box
Fix: Add fitted cushioning until the inner package cannot shift when gently shaken.
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Bottom line
Professional grading is a controlled documentation and protection service, not a promise of profit. The safest workflow is to identify and photograph the cartridge, verify current eligibility, choose a tier that matches its defensible value and your deadline, pack it immovably with insurance and tracking, and check the certification record and holder as soon as it returns. Choose the company whose accepted platforms, scale, case, declared-value rules and buyer recognition fit the cartridge and the audience you intend to serve.
Quick Recap
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