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For a new submission, the practical choice is now PSA Video Games (the service formerly associated with WATA) versus VGA. PSA announced on September 19, 2025 that games received after October 15, 2025 would be returned in PSA holders with PSA labels. Older WATA-graded games still exist on the secondary market, but a collector cannot order a new, separate WATA-label submission alongside PSA. Choose only after confirming that your exact release and condition qualify, then compare the complete fee, estimated turnaround, holder, label and selling venue. Neither service is the universal best choice.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Free plan / price | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Video Games (formerly WATA) | Collectors who want the current PSA holder and label, or PSA’s loose, CIB and sealed categories | Turbo, Speed-Run and Warp-Zone estimates of 30, 15 and 5 business days | Turbo $49.99; Speed-Run $69.99; Warp-Zone $124.99 per item | Sealed, complete-in-box and loose physical games; confirm unusual formats | Oct 2026 |
| VGA | Collectors who prefer VGA’s holder, historical 100-point presentation or its Unified 10-point presentation | Standard, Express, Priority and Walk Through estimated at four months, two months, two weeks and 48 hours or less | Modern Standard $40; vintage Standard $50; Express $75; Priority $125; Walk Through $250 | Sealed, unused-in-box, used CIB and specified loose cartridges | Oct 2026 |
Prices are published base prices for standard-size items, not guaranteed final bills. Size, declared value, add-ons, shipping and eligibility can change the total.
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Is WATA still grading games?
New submissions use PSA branding, not a newly selectable WATA service. PSA’s 2025 change introduced PSA holders and labels for items received after October 15, 2025. A game that already carries a WATA label remains a WATA-graded collectible and can appear in auction catalogs, but sending another game today does not create a new WATA-labeled result.
This distinction matters when a buyer specifically wants a WATA holder. The realistic options are to buy an existing WATA-graded copy on the secondary market or submit to PSA and receive the current PSA presentation. Ask a seller for photographs of the actual label and holder; a listing that says “WATA” may describe an older grade rather than the service currently accepting your submission.
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What games do PSA and VGA accept?
Both services handle more than factory-sealed games, but eligibility is release- and format-specific. Read the applicable service page and contact the grader before shipping an unusual variant, disc, cartridge or console.
PSA Video Games
PSA describes grading for sealed, complete-in-box (CIB) and loose games, along with selected other physical media. That broad description does not guarantee that every foreign edition, loose disc, cartridge, accessory bundle or unusual packaging type is accepted. Confirm the title, platform, region and components before selecting a tier.
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VGA sealed, unused-in-box and CIB categories
VGA lists sealed, unused-in-box and used complete-in-box categories. For a packaged game, the required original components must be present and appropriate to that release. VGA’s eligibility information excludes reproductions, resealed packaging, restoration and incomplete items. A clean-looking exterior alone does not prove that a game is eligible or factory sealed.
VGA loose cartridges
VGA specifically lists loose-cartridge grading for NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X and Atari 2600. Do not infer that every loose cartridge, loose disc or foreign platform is covered simply because one cartridge system is listed.
Complete-in-box consoles
VGA’s current dedicated console page describes CIB console grading for the applicable tier, with a $35 console add-on and requirements for original hardware and components. An older VGA scale FAQ describes console grading as planned, so use the current dedicated page and confirm the exact console before sending it.
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What do the PSA and VGA grades mean?
The numbers are not interchangeable between companies. VGA offers its original 100-point Standard presentation and a Unified 10-point presentation of the same evaluation. The Unified option is a conversion of VGA’s assessment, not a grading standard that can be compared numerically with a PSA grade carrying the same number. VGA states: “Our Standard 100-point grading scale will remain available.”
VGA’s published CIB weighting
For the CIB-game formula VGA describes, the box contributes 50% of the grade, the cartridge 25% and the manual 25%. These are VGA’s published weights, not market percentages or a guarantee of how a buyer will value each component. Sealed-game subgrades contribute to the overall result without one fixed formula applying to every packaging type.
Console weighting is different
VGA’s newer CIB-console description uses a different breakdown: box 50%, console and accompanying hardware 40%, and manual 10%. Do not apply the cartridge-game formula to a console. Missing controllers, inserts, cables or other original pieces can affect eligibility and condition.
How much does video game grading cost?
Use the base prices as a starting point, then calculate the complete order. The figures below are the services’ published prices observed in October 2026 for standard-size items.
PSA Video Games pricing
| Tier | Base price per item | Advertised estimate | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | $49.99 | 30 business days | Check declared value, size, shipping and selected options |
| Speed-Run | $69.99 | 15 business days | Faster tier does not make the date a guarantee |
| Warp-Zone | $124.99 | 5 business days | Confirm the service’s current value and eligibility limits |
PSA says items with a maximum insured value below $999 have no additional value fee; higher-value items can incur percentage-based charges. Read the live fee explanation for an expensive game rather than assuming the advertised tier is the final charge. Paid options listed by PSA include autograph authentication, light cleaning, CIB Plus, sticker removal and reholdering. Front post-grade photographs are included.
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VGA pricing
| Tier | Base price | Advertised estimate | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard modern | $40 | 4 months | Releases since 2020, standard size |
| Standard vintage | $50 | 4 months | Older releases, standard size |
| Express | $75 | 2 months | Standard-size service |
| Priority | $125 | 2 weeks | Standard-size service |
| Walk Through | $250 | 48 hours or less | Fastest listed tier |
VGA charges more for custom sizes and lists an additional 2% fair-market-value charge on the portion of value above $5,000. Optional services include a UV upgrade, cleaning and a grading summary; sealed and CIB labels include subgrades.
Bulk submissions
VGA lists a bulk tier of $45 per eligible standard-size sealed game, with a minimum of 20 games and an estimated 30-day turnaround. Compare that total with PSA’s video-game pricing. PSA’s trading-card bulk tiers are separate and should not be substituted for game-grading prices.
How long does grading take?
Every turnaround figure is an estimate, not a guaranteed door-to-door date. PSA quotes business days; VGA quotes weeks, months or hours. PSA’s video-game page describes the estimate in more than one way, including entry into the grading system and receipt or scanning. Confirm the start event for your order if the timing is critical. Shipping to the facility, intake delays, clarification requests and return shipping add calendar time.
VGA’s four-month Standard estimate and 48-hour-or-less Walk Through estimate are likewise service estimates. A faster tier may reduce grading time while leaving transit and intake outside the quoted window.
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Which service should you choose for your situation?
Choose PSA when the current PSA presentation matters
PSA is the logical route if you want the post-2025 PSA holder and label, PSA’s explicitly marketed loose-game category, or a PSA submission record for a collection that is moving away from new WATA labels. Confirm that your title and condition fit before paying for the tier.
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Choose VGA when you prefer its holder or 100-point label
VGA is the better fit when your collection is built around VGA’s historical 100-point presentation, when you want to retain that option, or when its eligibility and quoted tier fit your item. Its Unified 10-point label is an alternative presentation, not a different grading scale.
For a loose cartridge or opened game, verify first
Opened and loose items create the biggest eligibility risk. PSA advertises loose grading, while VGA names a narrower set of cartridge systems and separates used CIB from loose categories. Photograph the cartridge, box, manual, inserts and any seal before shipment, then obtain confirmation for an unusual platform or variant.
For 20 or more sealed standard-size games, price the order both ways
VGA’s 20-game minimum and $45-per-item bulk tier may be attractive for an eligible sealed batch. Calculate PSA’s actual game-service total rather than using a card promotion, and include insurance, return shipping and any declared-value charge in both totals.
If you mainly want protection and display, skip grading
A correctly sized acrylic case can protect an ungraded item and improve display without assigning an authenticity or condition grade. Search terms such as “NES boxed video game acrylic display case” or, for a loose cartridge, “NES cartridge acrylic display case” describe product categories, not a verified seller or a grading substitute. Match the case to the actual dimensions and format.
If resale is the goal, study the exact market first
Review completed sales for the same title, region, variant, seal state and grade before submitting. One exceptional Heritage Auctions transaction—a WATA-graded Super Mario 64 sold for $1,560,000 on July 11, 2021—is a historical outlier, not a typical return or proof that grading pays for itself. An auction house’s acceptance of both historical WATA and VGA labels demonstrates market access, not a guaranteed premium for either service.
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How we picked
The practical recommendations use five decision criteria: eligibility for the exact item, total fee including value-related charges and options, estimated processing time, the holder and label a collector actually wants, and the venue where the game will be displayed or sold. No reliable directly comparable statistic establishes that one label consistently sells for more than the other.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do you submit a game safely?
Prepare the item and the paperwork before selecting a tier. These steps reduce avoidable eligibility, damage and billing problems.
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- Inventory components. Photograph the box, seal, cartridge or disc, manual, inserts, accessories and serial labels. Note missing, replaced, restored or reproduction parts.
- Check the current eligibility page. Confirm that the exact format and condition are accepted. For VGA, verify that a loose cartridge is on the named list or that a packaged item meets the required category. For PSA, confirm unusual formats rather than relying on the general sealed/CIB/loose description.
- Estimate declared value. Use comparable completed sales for the same variant. A higher declared value can affect insurance or value-linked charges, especially on expensive items.
- Compare tiers. Add the base fee, size surcharge, options, outbound shipping, insurance and return shipping. Select the label presentation—PSA, VGA Standard or VGA Unified—before placing the order.
- Pack for the format. Use a rigid box, immobilize the game with suitable padding, protect corners and keep paperwork separate from the item. Do not let tape or packing material contact the seal or label.
- Retain evidence. Keep photographs, serial numbers, the submitted description, tracking number and declared value until the item is returned and inspected.
- Inspect on return. Check the holder, label, grade, accessories and any shipping damage immediately. Preserve the shipment packaging if a carrier or service claim may be necessary.
What mistakes should collectors avoid?
- Treating WATA as a current selectable service: post-October 15, 2025 PSA submissions receive PSA holders and labels.
- Comparing a VGA Unified 8 with a PSA 8 as though they are identical: the companies’ scales and evaluation systems are not interchangeable.
- Assuming every loose game qualifies: format, platform, region and completeness rules differ.
- Using the cheapest advertised number as the final bill: size, declared value, options, insurance and shipping can change the total.
- Promising yourself a turnaround date: published business-day, month and hour figures are estimates and may begin at different intake events.
- Applying a console formula to a cartridge game: VGA publishes separate component weightings.
- Submitting a reproduction or resealed package: VGA lists these among exclusions, and incomplete or restored items can also fail eligibility.
- Assuming a famous auction proves profitability: exceptional sales do not establish a normal grading premium.
What is the bottom line on Wata vs. VGA?
For a new submission in October 2026, decide between PSA Video Games and VGA rather than between a new PSA label and a new WATA label. PSA suits collectors seeking the current PSA presentation or its stated loose-game coverage; VGA suits collectors who specifically want its holder, subgrades or continuing 100-point Standard label. Verify the exact item first, compare the all-in cost and estimated timing, and let your collection or selling venue—not a supposedly universal grade premium—make the final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit an already WATA-graded game to PSA or VGA?
Yes, but the receiving service will evaluate the item under its own current process and may require a different holder or submission category. A crossover submission does not preserve the original WATA grade as a second official grade unless the service explicitly offers that treatment.
Does a sealed game always receive a higher grade than a CIB game?
Not necessarily. Sealed and CIB categories describe different states, and each service evaluates condition within the chosen category. A damaged or compromised seal can grade poorly even when the game has never been opened.
Should I remove a sticker before sending a game for grading?
Do not remove labels or residue yourself unless you understand the risk to the original surface and the service’s policy. PSA lists sticker removal as a paid option; changing the item before submission can affect authenticity, originality or eligibility.
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Read the stated reason and compare it with the service’s eligibility rules. Keep the rejection documentation, ask whether the item can be returned without alteration, and reassess whether a protective case or a different eligible category is more appropriate.
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