TGM’s Grading Process: Sealed and CIB Titles, Differences and Parameters

The fields evaluated in the grading of Sealed are four:

In the first, Box Condition, the external aesthetic and physical appearance of the box is evaluated. The presence of scratches and abrasions on surfaces, folds or cracks, and any delamination is checked.

Il parametro Seal Quality, on the other hand, involves assessing the condition of the factory seal (the plastic or sticker that closes the game), checking for tears or cuts in the seal, air bubbles or wrinkles in the plastic, and any damage from removal. An ideal seal appears intact, smooth, and glossy, with the plastic well adhered and the seams consistent with the period: a fundamental detail, since depending on the console and its reference era, the seams, the arrangement of the flaps, and other elements vary.

Il terzo parametro, Color / Gloss, analyzes the vibrancy of the printed colors and the brightness of the outer surface. A well-preserved title has saturated colors, deep blacks, pure whites, and a uniform glossy surface. It checks for the loss of original shine (gloss), dirt, yellowing, and fading from sunlight or humidity. It seems like a detail parameter of the box condition, but it is separated because the colors affect the final evaluation, and it is right to give them their own importance with a dedicated score.

Structural Integrity, finally, defines how solid, rigid, and intact the physical structure of the box is, that is, its structural integrity. It does not concern aesthetics (scratches, colors), but the physical shape and strength of the box, so the absence of crushing is also checked, as well as whether there are any cracks or structural failures. By way of example, here are some cases in which structural integrity is lost: the box appears with one face completely collapsed, the corners are bent inward, and the title has been kept under stacks of other titles. This rating has a fundamental weight and for this reason it is separated from the box assessment because otherwise the score would be drowned out by other evaluation parameters.

The evaluation parameters for grading CIB titles, the second category under examination, are instead:

 - B.C. (Box Condition)

Box Condition refers to the aesthetic and physical condition of the game box. This is unquestionably the most visible parameter in a collection and, through a visual inspection followed by comparison with other titles in our possession, makes it possible to identify fake titles or reproductions that are very faithful to the original.

Cart/Disc Condition is the parameter based on the physical and functional condition of the game cartridge or disc. It must be original, readable, and in good condition. For example, a shiny cartridge or disc corresponds to a high rating; conversely, if the label is damaged and the disc is unreadable, the rating will tend to be lower.

Il Manual Condition covers confirmation of the presence of the original instruction manual and the condition it is in. The assessment of this parameter includes folds, tears, writing, or missing pages.

Infine si analizza la Completeness & Matching, where it is checked that the game is complete and that all its components are correct, original, and consistent with one another. In practice, it is not enough for the manual and cartridge to be present; they must be the right ones, belonging to the same set, edition, and printing run. Components examined include the manual, the cartridge or disc, the inserts (poster, maps, etc.) planned for the title’s first release, and the verification of code matching, which must coincide or belong to the same print run.

A vote is assigned to all these evaluation parameters, both for Sealed titles and Complete in Box titles, at the end of the grading procedure: the reference range starts from a minimum of 1 up to the maximum score, which equals 10. The same numerical evaluation scale is also used for the final classification of the title, which defines its preservation quality. 

At the end of the grading process, the video game is placed in a sealed plexiglass case, open on the sides, and complete with all the necessary information and an official label, which increases the market value of the graded title, effectively transforming the simple video game into a certified asset.