Today I received part 2 of 3 of my VGA order. I know there has been some discussion regarding grading these games, so I figured I would share with all of you. I am still awaiting the final order later this month before I start searching for all the missing links – minus the top four as those are impossibly difficult to get new/unopened and insanely expensive when they do become available like the 200,000Y copy of Vbowling on Yahoo.jp. VGA will only grade games in that condition, so I’ll be happy if I can get everything else.

This has taken a couple years of web browsing, auction stalking, snipe bashing, and luck to acquire all these in this condition. Most of these I had to purchase several times in order to get one that wasn’t damaged/mashed/lost in the mail or in VGA worthy condition. Many of you have probably purchased games from me for those reasons. There is nothing worse than a seller who slips a game into a bubble envelope and hopes for the best. I’m sure we’ve all encountered that misfortune…grr!

…And to answer the question (which I’m sure many of you may ask) why I would spend $25 to grade a $10 game (notably VLeague Baseball)? Well, my answer is simple: I want the legacy of my Virtual Boy collection to live on indefinitely in the same condition it was when received. I also believe in the concept of No Virtual Boy Left Behind. So, in my eyes, they are all “Deserving of Preserving.”

Here is the first set of photos. Let me know if you love, hate, or are indifferent to grading.

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So if a game originally came in shrink wrap and the shrink wrap is removed, VGA won’t grade it? Is that correct? If so, I am curious to know if VGA will grade the “sealed” Virtual Boy games from Mexico, which had the slit put in the shrink wrap for the insertion of Spanish instructions. If so, does that slit automatically guarantee a lower rating?

Dor-Si
I think the idea of graded protection is awesome.

they are all “Deserving of Preserving.”

That statement is too true.

Benjamin Stevens wrote:
So if a game originally came in shrink wrap and the shrink wrap is removed, VGA won’t grade it? Is that correct? If so, I am curious to know if VGA will grade the “sealed” Virtual Boy games from Mexico, which had the slit put in the shrink wrap for the insertion of Spanish instructions. If so, does that slit automatically guarantee a lower rating?

I had no idea…..thanks. That makes me feel so much better about my “Sealed” Mario Clash from Mexico.

this looks great
i tinking to let my brand new virtual lab get graded but what will be the best way to do that for me ( i live in the netherlands )and what will that cost me

To me VGA grading is all just about resale value. Get a game, grade it up, list it at a stupid price. At least that’s what happens for the most part, which is what it is. Nothing wrong with making a return on a hobby but it detracts from the fun of collecting for the wider community, which is why people hate it.

VGA do grade games not sealed though. They’ll grade used prototypes for example.

Just so you know though, they’re no authority – it’s one guy that takes a look at the games and sticks a number on and sends back. Nothing ever gets 100, which is silly as well. 100 should represent the max quality of a new game. I could get a new game and send it straight in, it’d never get 100 (people made this test).

You can probably tell I’m not a fan. If it was just about preservation, people would just order the cases right? The only real effect it has had is that the prices of new games have gone through the roof. I only really collect new hardware, so I’ve escaped it more or less.

– Mawa – everything is detailed on their website, just give it a quick google and you’re set.

i agree with you let about vga i normally also dont like it beacouse its all about the profit.
but i just want my copy protected and graded i dont goining to sell it.
i will buy a second virtual lab to play with.
my problem is that i found it to scared to send my brand new virtual lab to usa iff it get lost i will never found a athor one ( dont know iff there exist more brand new ones )

Benjamin Stevens wrote:
So if a game originally came in shrink wrap and the shrink wrap is removed, VGA won’t grade it? Is that correct? If so, I am curious to know if VGA will grade the “sealed” Virtual Boy games from Mexico, which had the slit put in the shrink wrap for the insertion of Spanish instructions. If so, does that slit automatically guarantee a lower rating?

VGA will still grade it, but it depends on the extent of the slit to determine which rate they need to grade. If it is a small slit on the rear and would not otherwise allow the box to be opened, then standard grading could be done. However, if the slit was made and the box was opened, then they would have to do “qualified” grading, which requires them to reopen the box and scrutinize the contents within (and costs much more). As L___E___T stated they can also grade prototype games in this same manner. As a matter of fact I saw a VGA qualified graded copy of Nintendo World Championships a few months back go for $9k USD, but that game usually brings $6-10K regardless of grading. You may need to call them to get more details. I have called several times, and they will answer every question you have, or call you back with someone that will know the answer.

L___E___T wrote:
To me VGA grading is all just about resale value. Get a game, grade it up, list it at a stupid price. At least that’s what happens for the most part, which is what it is.

Just so you know though, they’re no authority – it’s one guy that takes a look at the games and sticks a number on and sends back. Nothing ever gets 100, which is silly as well. 100 should represent the max quality of a new game. I could get a new game and send it straight in, it’d never get 100 (people made this test).

I agree with your assessment that most use it as a way to flip their collections at very inflated prices, and I agree that it should not make a monetary difference – a mint game is a mint game. I also agree that 100 would be the max quality of a new game. However, to achieve a 100 they would require absolute perfection – not even the most minor scuffs encountered during shipping are allowed. I believe a 100 also requires the games to be uncirculated – meaning that you would have to ship it to them in a factory sealed box or palette for grading, which is next to impossible to do for VB games unless it’s something very common like VLeague Baseball.

L___E___T wrote:
If it was just about preservation, people would just order the cases right?

For me it is all about preservation…and presentation, I guess. I already have all these games in open box form, but I have seen the corners and edges deteriorate over the years from use and moving/packing/etc. In my opinion VGA has some of the nicest acrylic cases, although they are very expensive. That’s actually why I decided to grade them rather than just buy the cases…The difference was only a few more dollars. I did, however, have to buy individual cases for SD Gundam, VLab, and Space Invaders.

The way I see it, it doesn’t matter what you collect. As the adage goes, “Condition is Everything.” People collect coins, action figures, baseball cards, and rare books all of which have a grading system to differentiate between the various conditions. Those grades are based on a set criteria to set them apart from each other, and the same is true with VGA. I’ve received a few grading reports that clearly point out even the slightest flaws that differentiate a 90 game from a 90+, 95, etc.

The grade allows anyone to tell what type of flaws may be present and the extent of those flaws. So, it is easy to differentiate between games graded by VGA. So, there may be three different sealed copies of something like Jack Bros on Ebay, but without a grade it is very difficult to differentiate between them all. Someone like myself will only want the copy with the fewest flaws, so that’s where I see the benefit…but once again, I don’t agree that it should necessarily cause the price of those to skyrocket like some have been claiming. Reminds me of the ungraded copy of Jack Bros that brought $1,000USD because the seller claimed is was “Worthy of VGA grading.”

mawa wrote:
i agree with you let about vga i normally also dont like it beacouse its all about the profit.
but i just want my copy protected and graded i dont goining to sell it.
i will buy a second virtual lab to play with.
my problem is that i found it to scared to send my brand new virtual lab to usa iff it get lost i will never found a athor one ( dont know iff there exist more brand new ones )

Yeah, I feel your pain about VLab as I had shipping concerns when I recently purchased my used copy on yahoo.jp, haha. However, I still believe it’s worth the risk, especially if you insure it for the fair market value when you ship it. VGA can also do an archival UV upgrade, which I wouldn’t normally recommend, but VLab is so rare, I would probably add that to make sure it was done right the first time!

I understand the concerns that some of you have regarding VGA or grading in general, but I’m still a strong believer that it’s a great way to preserve a collection and set it apart.

Just my two cents. I still like hearing the debate though 🙂

Nice collection.
(VGA is not expensive)

But i prefer to play with games,touch and read the boxes/manuals again n again.
I like to live with my games.

http://www.vggrader.com/

Do you have twice collection ? One VGA and another without VGA ?

glaros wrote:
Nice collection.
(VGA is not expensive)

But i prefer to play with games,touch and read the boxes/manuals again n again.
I like to live with my games.

http://www.vggrader.com/

Do you have twice collection ? One VGA and another without VGA ?

I am working on twice the collection so I can dig through boxes and manuals as I see fit. However, I only have loose copies w/ manuals of 3D tetris and Teleroboxer, both of which I’m not really in a hurry to reacquire.

…and VGA does get expensive after adding extra features such as removing stickers (which I am too clumsy to do effectively), adding hang tab cut outs to the cases, and shipping + insurance there and back. The nickels and dimes add up after sending off 18 of my own titles for grading :/ (Jack Bros was purchased pre-graded on eBay)

I think I’m suspending my VB grading quest until 2013 anyway.