The safest way to grade a PS2 game is to document every component separately, then preserve each part with minimal handling. Record the disc, case, cover artwork, manual, inserts, region, edition and seal status as observed. For preservation, handle discs by the edge and center hole, clean only when necessary with straight center-to-edge strokes, and store them vertically in individual plastic cases away from sunlight and ultraviolet light. A condition record describes what you have; cleaning, a replacement case or paid encapsulation does not restore originality or guarantee long-term survival.
What a PS2 game grade should describe
A useful condition record answers two different questions: what is present, and what condition is each part in? Do not compress the answer into a single word such as “mint” or an unexplained “CIB” (complete in box). A complete description identifies the exact release and lists the components that are actually present.
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- Identity: title, PlayStation 2 platform, region, edition or known variant, and any catalog or packaging identifier you use.
- Completeness: game disc, original case, cover artwork, manual, registration card, inserts, posters or other release-specific pieces.
- Condition: visible defects on each component, recorded in plain language.
- Association: whether the disc, artwork, manual and inserts appear to belong to the same title, region and edition.
- Seal status: opened, resealed-looking, or purportedly factory sealed, with uncertainty stated rather than guessed.
Commercial graders may apply their own component blueprints, variant references and eligibility rules. Your personal record can be more transparent than a single commercial number because it preserves the observations behind the assessment.
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1. Establish identity and completeness first
Work at a clean table under bright, diffuse light. Compare the package with a reliable reference for the specific regional release before judging condition. A disc from one region paired with artwork from another is a completeness and matching problem even if both pieces are attractive.
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List every item in the case. For example, write “original disc, black DVD case, front and back artwork, 28-page manual, registration card absent” instead of “complete” when a card is missing. If you do not know whether an insert was included with that edition, say that the release contents were not verified; do not infer completeness from another region or variant.
2. Inspect the disc without creating new damage
Release the disc from the hub by pressing the hub mechanism and lifting from the outer edge. Hold it with one finger at the center hole and another on the rim. Keep fingers off both the reading surface and the printed label, and never flex the disc.
- Structural condition: note cracks radiating from the center hole, edge chips, warping or a disc that no longer sits flat.
- Reading-side surface: record fingerprints, oily deposits, haze, scratches and scuffs. Describe whether marks are visible only under angled light or in ordinary light.
- Label side: look for writing, peeling, gouges or damage that reaches the data layer. A label-side defect can be more serious than a superficial mark on the reading side.
- Previous treatment: note visible signs of resurfacing, such as a broad uniform polish pattern or an unusually altered surface.
- Playability: state whether the disc was tested, not tested, or failed during a named test. A visual inspection alone is not proof that a game reads correctly.
National Archives and Records Administration guidance notes that “Small, occasional scratches are unlikely to affect readability.” That observation does not make every scratch harmless: deeper damage that affects readability is not corrected by routine holdings maintenance.
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- Check the front and back shell for cracks, whitening stress marks, deep scuffs and sticker residue.
- Open and close the hinges gently; record broken hinges or a loose lid.
- Check that the center hub retains the disc and that tray parts are present.
- Look for a replacement case. A different shell, spine width, hub style or molded marking may indicate that the original case was swapped.
- Record whether the case is merely functional or original to the release. A clean replacement protects a disc but does not become original packaging.
4. Examine artwork, manuals and inserts one by one
Remove paper components only as far as needed and support them with clean, dry hands. Do not pull a tightly held booklet by one corner. Record tears, creases, folds, trimmed edges, fading, water marks, stains, writing, detached pages and loose staples. Check that the title, language and region match the disc and case.
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For cover artwork, inspect the spine, fold lines and transparent tray window. Note reproduction or photocopy concerns separately from ordinary wear. For manuals and inserts, list missing pages or cards instead of treating the item as simply “rough.” A manual with all pages present but a detached cover is materially different from a manual that is missing half its pages.
5. Describe a purported seal cautiously
If a game is presented as sealed, photograph and describe the visible seam style, tears, openings, shrink-wrap irregularities and any area of uncertainty. Appearance alone does not prove that a seal is original. Do not remove a seal merely to inspect the contents if preserving the sealed state matters to you.
How to write a non-certified condition record
A non-certified record should be reproducible: another collector should be able to understand what you saw without trusting an unexplained number. Include the inspection date, lighting conditions if unusual, photographs and whether the disc was tested.
| Component | Record these observations |
|---|---|
| Disc | Cracks or chips; warping; fingerprints or residue; scratch pattern and severity; label-side damage; resurfacing signs; test status. |
| Case | Cracks; hinges; hub and tray; scuffs; sticker residue; replacement-case indicators. |
| Cover artwork | Tears; creases; fading; water marks; stains; trimming; writing; reproduction concerns; title and region match. |
| Manual and inserts | Items present; page count or completeness; folds; tears; detached pages; stains; fading; writing; matching title and region. |
| Seal | Only when applicable: seam style, tears, openings and what remains uncertain. |
Use consistent language such as “light surface scuffs visible under angled light; no cracks observed; playability not tested.” Avoid assigning a numerical score unless you are explicitly applying a named provider’s published rubric.
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What does a graded game score mean?
A number belongs to the grading provider that issued it. CGC Video Games states that it grades game boxes, discs, manuals and game-specific inserts on a 10-point scale, including intermediate grades. Its published definition identifies 10 as the highest grade and describes a 10 as having no evidence of manufacturing or handling defects. CGC also uses separate letter grades for the quality of an original seal.
That scale is CGC’s system, not a universal language. A privately written “9.0” is not a CGC certification, and the same number should not be assumed to mean exactly the same thing at another provider. A commercial label also does not report whether the disc was recently cleaned, whether a case was replaced, or how the item will age after encapsulation.
| Assessment choice | What it tells you | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Owner condition record | Component-by-component observations, completeness, matching details and test status. | Not an independent authentication or standardized commercial grade. |
| Third-party certification | A named provider’s assessment, label and eligibility decision under its current rules. | Paid service; fees, accepted configurations and handling policies can change. |
Before submitting a game to a commercial grader
Check the provider’s current eligibility page and submission instructions immediately before sending anything. CGC’s published rules state that an optical disc submitted without its corresponding box or case is returned ungraded, and that missing or improper components can affect the certification label. Those are provider-specific rules, not a general definition of a PS2 “complete” copy.
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- Write down the region, edition or variant and the exact components included.
- Confirm that the provider accepts the console game, disc, case and insert configuration you plan to submit.
- Read current fees, insurance, turnaround, shipping and return conditions directly from the provider.
- Decide whether encapsulation fits your goal. It may simplify display and provide a documented assessment, but it is a commercial service rather than a preservation treatment.
- Pack the item so the disc cannot flex or move inside the case during transport, and keep your photographs and inventory separately.
If the item is valuable or its seal is disputed, treat the provider’s authentication and seal rules as a separate question from your own visual description. Do not claim that a holder proves originality or guarantees survival.
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How do I clean a PS2 disc without damaging it?
Clean only when dust, fingerprints or deposits require it. Unnecessary handling creates opportunities for scratches and cracks.
- Prepare a safe surface. Use a clean, stable table and wash and dry your hands. Keep liquids away from the label side and case artwork.
- Remove loose dust first. Use a gentle air puffer. Do not rub grit across the reading surface.
- Lift by the rim and center hole. Never touch the reading surface and never bend the disc.
- Wipe in straight lines. With a soft, lint-free cloth, move from the center toward the outer edge. Do not wipe in circles; circular scratches can be more damaging to readability.
- Use minimal moisture only for a deposit. If a dry cloth cannot remove a fingerprint, a small amount of deionized or distilled water may be used on the cloth. Do not pour liquid onto the disc.
- Dry completely. Allow a damp-cleaned disc to dry fully before returning it to its case or placing it in the console.
Avoid abrasive household cleaners, polishing compounds, aggressive buffing and routine use of a resurfacing machine. The conservative archival procedure is gentle air and straight center-to-edge wiping. If a scratch is deep enough to affect readability, routine holdings maintenance does not correct it; document the condition and consider professional advice rather than experimenting on an irreplaceable disc.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should I store PS2 games?
- Keep each disc in an individual plastic case. National Archives guidance prefers polypropylene cases for optical media.
- Store cases vertically. Upright storage avoids prolonged pressure and makes it less likely that discs will be stacked and flexed.
- Keep them out of sunlight and other ultraviolet sources. Avoid windowsills, direct display lighting and hot locations.
- Do not put adhesive labels on the disc. Label the container instead. Avoid solvent-based permanent markers on the disc surface.
- Use the hub correctly. Press the release mechanism when removing a disc; do not pry the disc upward or bend it while replacing it.
- Control the room. Keep the collection clean, dry and away from leaks, condensation, smoke and rapid environmental changes.
NARA also cautions that paper inserts inside a case can damage media over time and suggests considering separate storage with cross-references. That is an archival option, not a universal collector rule. Keeping the disc, artwork and manual together preserves the original package and makes identification easy; separating the paper can reduce long-term contact with the disc. Choose deliberately, record where each part is stored and keep the cross-reference with the collection.
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ISO 18925:2013 covers storage practices for optical disc media, including computer-use discs, while ISO 18938:2014 addresses care and handling for extended storage. Their catalogue entries establish the standards’ scope; they should not be treated as a substitute for reading the full standards.
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How do I preserve PS2 cases, manuals and artwork?
Paper components
Keep manuals, cover sheets and inserts clean, dry, supported and away from direct sunlight. Handle them with clean, dry hands and avoid forcing a booklet out of a tight clip. Do not apply water, household cleaner, adhesive, solvent or unverified treatment to printed paper.
If paper is brittle, mold-affected, water-damaged or especially valuable, stop handling it and consult a paper conservator. Basic collection-care guidance from the Library of Congress emphasizes careful handling and clean storage; stabilization and treatment are different activities that may require trained conservation work.
Plastic cases and artwork windows
Dust the outside of a case with a dry, soft cloth. Do not spray cleaner where it can seep onto artwork or the disc. A cracked case can be replaced to protect the media, but the replacement should be recorded as a replacement. Preserve the original shell if authenticity or provenance matters, even when you use another case for daily storage.
Should you buy a PS2 game replacement case?
A replacement case is reasonable when the original is cracked, missing or no longer holds the disc safely. Before buying one, verify:
- overall dimensions and spine width;
- disc hub design and retention strength;
- compatibility with the number and thickness of discs;
- whether the case includes a front or back artwork insert;
- whether the supplied artwork is original, reproduction or absent.
Store the original artwork and inserts separately if necessary, with a note linking them to the replacement shell. A generic case can improve protection while reducing originality if it is mistaken for the release’s original packaging.
Common grading and preservation mistakes
- One adjective for everything: “Excellent” hides a cracked case, missing manual or scratched disc. List components separately.
- Calling a visual inspection a test: scratches and haze do not establish whether the game boots or plays. Record test status honestly.
- Circular wiping: use center-to-edge strokes instead.
- Touching the data surface: fingerprints require cleaning and increase handling risk.
- Using household polish or abrasive products: these can add damage and are not routine archival care.
- Writing on the disc: use a label on the container, not solvent-based permanent marker on the media.
- Storing flat stacks in sunlight: store cases upright and away from UV.
- Assuming a replacement is original: identify the shell and artwork separately in your inventory.
- Trusting a seal by appearance alone: describe visible evidence and uncertainty; do not infer authenticity.
- Assuming encapsulation preserves everything: certification assesses condition under a provider’s system; it is not a treatment that reverses wear or guarantees future stability.
A practical record template
Use one entry per game and attach dated photographs:
Title / platform:
Region and edition or variant:
Inspection date:
Disc: [surface, cracks, label side, resurfacing signs, test status]
Case: [original or replacement, cracks, hinges, hub, scuffs]
Artwork: [present, matching, tears, fading, stains, writing]
Manual: [present, page completeness, folds, tears, writing]
Inserts: [each item listed individually]
Seal: [if applicable; visible seams, tears, openings, uncertainty]
Storage location:
Notes and photo filenames:This format preserves the evidence behind your description. Update it when a component is moved, replaced or newly damaged, and keep the old entry so the collection’s history is not erased.
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