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For a new submission in October 2026, the choice is PSA Video Games or VGA—not a separate new WATA service. PSA announced that games received after October 15, 2025 use PSA holders and labels, while older WATA-graded copies remain collectible. Choose only after confirming that your exact release and condition are eligible, then compare the complete bill, estimated turnaround, holder style and where you plan to display or sell the game. VGA is the better fit if you specifically want its historical 100-point presentation or its stated bulk terms; PSA is the practical route if you want the current successor to WATA and a published loose-game category.
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Free plan / price | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Video Games (formerly WATA) | Current submissions, including sealed, CIB and loose games where eligible | Turbo 30 business days; Speed-Run 15; Warp-Zone 5 | No free plan; $49.99 Turbo, $69.99 Speed-Run, $124.99 Warp-Zone per item | Confirm the exact format and release with PSA | Oct 2026 |
| VGA | Collectors who prefer the Standard 100-point label, Unified presentation or VGA bulk terms | Standard modern 4 months; vintage 4 months; Express 2 months; Priority 2 weeks; Walk Through 48 hours or less | No free plan; $40 modern Standard, $50 vintage Standard, $75 Express, $125 Priority, $250 Walk Through | Named cartridge systems include NES, Super NES, N64, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X and Atari 2600; other formats require confirmation | Oct 2026 |
Is WATA still grading games?
New submissions are handled under PSA Video Games branding. PSA’s September 19, 2025 announcement says items received after October 15, 2025 receive PSA holders and labels, so a collector cannot order a new WATA-branded submission as a parallel service. Existing WATA-graded games remain on the secondary market and appear in auction catalogs as historical labels.
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This distinction matters when you compare a listing or collection: “WATA” may describe an older holder, while “PSA Video Games” describes the current intake. Do not treat an old WATA label and a new PSA label as identical packaging, even when the underlying grading operation is related.
What is the practical difference between PSA Video Games and VGA?
PSA and VGA differ most in current branding, published tiers, label formats, eligibility language and turnaround estimates. Neither has a documented universal resale premium over the other, so the right service depends on the exact game and your intended use.
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Labels and grading scales
VGA offers its original Standard 100-point presentation and a Unified 10-point presentation. VGA says, “Our Standard 100-point grading scale will remain available.” Unified is a different presentation of VGA’s evaluation, using VGA’s conversion chart; a VGA Unified 9, for example, must not be read as equivalent to a PSA 9.
Current PSA submissions arrive in PSA holders and labels. Older WATA holders are a separate collectible format, which can matter to a set built around matching cases or historical auction provenance.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhy numeric grades cannot be compared directly
A number is meaningful only inside the company’s own scale and category. VGA’s Standard score is expressed on 100 points, while Unified compresses that evaluation into a 10-point display. PSA uses its own label and grading framework. A 90 from VGA, a VGA Unified 9 and a PSA 9 are not interchangeable promises about seal gloss, box corners, cartridge condition or completeness. When reviewing sales, compare the same company’s label, the same edition and the same sealed, CIB or loose state. If a buyer or auction listing mixes scales, read the written description and photographs instead of sorting by the number alone.
What each service says it accepts
PSA describes sealed, complete-in-box (CIB) and loose games, plus selected other physical media. That broad wording is not permission to ship every disc, cartridge, regional variant or unusual package without checking the item page.
VGA lists sealed, unused-in-box and used CIB categories. Its loose-cartridge designation names NES, Super NES, N64, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X and Atari 2600. VGA’s eligibility information excludes reproductions and resealed packaging and can reject restoration or incomplete contents. A clean exterior alone does not establish eligibility: verify the release, components and packaging before paying for shipping.
How much does video-game grading cost?
Published prices are base service charges, not guaranteed final totals. Size, declared value, add-ons, insurance and return shipping can change what you pay. The figures below are the services’ listed prices observed in October 2026.
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| Service | Tier | Base price | Advertised estimate | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Video Games | Turbo | $49.99 per item | 30 business days | Estimate is not a door-to-door guarantee; PSA’s page describes the timing start in more than one way. |
| PSA Video Games | Speed-Run | $69.99 per item | 15 business days | Use the live fee explanation for the order’s value and options. |
| PSA Video Games | Warp-Zone | $124.99 per item | 5 business days | Business-day estimate, not a promised delivery date. |
| VGA | Standard, modern releases since 2020 | $40 per standard-size item | 4 months | Custom-size items cost more. |
| VGA | Standard, vintage | $50 per standard-size item | 4 months | Vintage classification and size affect the quote. |
| VGA | Express | $75 | 2 months | Custom sizes cost more. |
| VGA | Priority | $125 | 2 weeks | Estimated service time. |
| VGA | Walk Through | $250 | 48 hours or less | Fastest listed tier; still an estimate. |
What a realistic invoice comparison looks like
Use multiplication before you decide that one headline price is cheaper. Twenty eligible sealed standard-size games at VGA’s listed bulk rate would be $900 before shipping, insurance or any applicable extras. The same 20 games at PSA Turbo’s published rate would total $999.80 before those costs. That $99.80 difference is only a starting point: the games might not all qualify for the same category, and a custom-size package or value-related charge can change the result.
For a high-value submission, valuation rules matter more than a small tier difference. VGA lists a 2% charge on the portion of fair-market value above $5,000; a $10,000 declared value would therefore expose $5,000 to that percentage charge, subject to VGA’s current instructions. PSA states that items under a $999 maximum insured value have no additional value fee and describes percentage charges at higher values. Because PSA’s higher-value percentages and valuation process must be read on the live page, request or calculate the final quote rather than extrapolating from the $49.99 entry price.
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Value-linked charges and options
PSA says items below a $999 maximum insured value have no additional value fee, while higher values can incur percentage-based charges. Read the current video-game fee explanation rather than assuming the advertised tier is the complete bill. PSA also lists front post-grade photos as included and paid options such as autograph authentication, light cleaning, CIB Plus, sticker removal and reholdering.
VGA lists a 2% fair-market-value charge on the portion above $5,000. Its options include a UV upgrade, cleaning and a grading summary; sealed and CIB labels include subgrades.
Bulk submissions
VGA lists a bulk tier for at least 20 eligible standard-size sealed games: $45 per item with an estimated 30-day turnaround. Compare that total with PSA’s current game-service quote for the same titles. PSA trading-card bulk promotions are not video-game prices and should not be substituted into this calculation.
How long does grading take?
PSA publishes business-day estimates, while VGA describes service levels in weeks, months or hours. Both are estimates, not guaranteed dates.
PSA’s video-game information contains differing descriptions of when its estimate starts—one section refers to entry into the grading system and a disclaimer refers to receipt and scanning. Confirm the start event for your order if a deadline matters. VGA’s stated times likewise do not promise a door-to-door return date; transportation, intake and shipping add time.
Build in time for outbound transit, intake scanning, grading, encapsulation and return shipping. A “five-business-day” PSA tier is not five calendar days from the day you hand a parcel to a carrier, and VGA’s “48 hours or less” Walk Through estimate does not eliminate transit or intake requirements. If a sale, convention or gift has a fixed date, ask the service to confirm the applicable clock before paying for expedited work.
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How does each company grade a CIB, sealed or loose game?
Eligibility and component weights depend on the category. Do not apply a boxed-game formula to a console or assume that a loose-game grade is comparable to a sealed-game grade.
VGA CIB games
For its described CIB-game formula, VGA assigns 50% of the grade to the box, 25% to the cartridge and 25% to the manual. Those are VGA’s published grading weights, not market statistics. Missing inserts, incorrect components or restoration can make an otherwise attractive package ineligible or materially lower its result.
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VGA CIB consoles
VGA’s dedicated console-CIB page describes a different breakdown: box 50%, console and accompanying hardware 40%, and manual 10%. The page also lists a CIB console service for applicable tiers plus $35 and specifies that original components are required. Because an older VGA scale FAQ describes console grading as planned, use the dedicated current console page and confirm the exact console before shipment.
Sealed and loose items
VGA generally requires factory-sealed packaging for categories that were sold sealed at retail and excludes reproductions, resealed packaging, restoration and incomplete items. PSA markets loose-game grading, but unusual formats and variants still need item-specific confirmation. “Sealed,” “CIB” and “loose” describe different evidence for condition; they are not interchangeable service selections.
Condition checks that prevent avoidable problems
Before submission, inventory every component rather than relying on a seller’s “complete” wording. Note the manual, inserts, maps, registration cards, trays, cables, controllers and original outer box where applicable. Photograph seals, corners, serial numbers and any repairs. Do not remove stickers, polish plastic or attempt a home reseal to improve appearance: VGA lists restoration and resealed packaging among exclusions, and an alteration can make the item’s history harder to document. If you want professional cleaning or sticker removal, select the service’s listed option only after confirming that the treatment is allowed for your category.
Which service fits common collector situations?
You want a new WATA-branded holder
Change the plan: current submissions receive PSA holders and labels. To obtain an older WATA appearance, you would be buying an already-graded copy on the secondary market, not commissioning a new WATA submission.
You prefer VGA’s historical 100-point presentation
Select VGA Standard if that label format is central to your collection. VGA keeps the 100-point option available; Unified is an alternative presentation, not a new grading standard.
You have a loose cartridge or opened game
Start with the platform and contents. PSA’s published categories include loose games, while VGA names a narrower set of cartridge systems and requires the correct eligible contents for packaged categories. Ask the service about your exact regional release before shipping.
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VGA is the service with a dedicated current CIB-console page, including its component requirements and the additional $35 charge. Confirm that your model and accessories match the service’s definition.
You are sending 20 or more sealed standard-size games
Request a VGA bulk quote under its minimum-20 terms and compare it with the full PSA game-service total, including value-related charges, options and shipping. The bulk price is not evidence that VGA will produce a better grade or resale result.
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You mainly need protection and display
An acrylic case sized for the format—such as an NES boxed video game acrylic display case or, for a loose cartridge, an NES cartridge acrylic display case—can protect an item without submitting it. A case does not authenticate the game, assign a condition grade or document originality, so it is an alternative to grading rather than a substitute for those services.
Is grading worth it if you plan to sell?
Look at completed sales for the same title, variant, seal state and grade before submitting. An auction house’s acceptance of both historical WATA and VGA labels shows that both can enter a major sales venue; it does not prove a consistent premium for either label or guarantee that grading costs will be recovered.
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Estimate the break-even price before mailing the item. Add grading, outbound and return shipping, insurance, optional services and selling fees to the amount you would have received for the same game raw. Then compare several completed sales, not a single headline auction. A scarce variant with weak demand may not recover a low grading fee, while a popular title can still disappoint if its grade lands below the range buyers seek.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you do before sending a game?
- Identify the exact item. Record platform, region, edition, barcode or catalog details, seal state and every included component.
- Check eligibility. Read the current PSA or VGA category for that format; ask about unusual discs, cartridges, foreign variants, consoles, reproductions or repaired packaging.
- Choose the label and holder intentionally. Decide whether PSA branding, an older WATA holder on the secondary market, VGA Standard 100-point or VGA Unified 10-point best fits the collection.
- Calculate the complete quote. Add the tier, size surcharge, declared-value or fair-market-value charge, options, insurance and return shipping.
- Choose speed realistically. Treat business-day, month, week and hour figures as estimates and allow transit and intake time.
- Document condition before packing. Photograph all sides, seals, serial or identifying marks and contents; retain the submission record and shipment tracking.
- Pack without changing the item. Use the service’s current packing instructions, protect corners and seals, and do not send loose components in a way that can rub against the game.
- Recheck prices immediately before payment. Both services can change fees, categories and timing, so use the live service page for the final order.
How should you make the final choice?
Choose PSA Video Games when you want the current successor to WATA, a published loose-game category or one of PSA’s three game-specific speed tiers. Choose VGA when its 100-point Standard label, Unified presentation, named cartridge eligibility, console service or 20-item sealed-game bulk terms solve a specific need. If neither service clearly fits the item or your budget, protect it in a correctly sized case and wait rather than paying to submit an ineligible or incomplete game.
How we compared PSA Video Games and VGA
The comparison uses each service’s stated branding, eligible categories, published game prices, value-related charges, options, turnaround estimates and bulk terms, plus the practical difference between historical WATA holders and current PSA labels. It does not assign an equivalent meaning to numeric grades across companies or claim that either label always produces a higher resale price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit an old WATA-graded game to PSA for a new holder?
PSA lists reholdering as a paid option, but the correct service path and eligibility depend on the holder and item. Contact PSA with photographs and the existing certification details before shipping; a reholder request is different from asking for a new WATA-branded label.
Do VGA subgrades appear on every game?
VGA says sealed and CIB labels include subgrades, while the exact fields depend on the category and label type. Ask which subgrades will print for a loose cartridge or console before selecting add-ons.
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What happens if a game is rejected as ineligible?
Eligibility decisions can depend on reproduction status, resealing, restoration, missing components, format and the release’s original retail packaging. Confirm those points in writing before dispatch and budget for return shipping if the service cannot grade the item.
Should I insure a high-value game for its purchase price or expected sale price?
Use the service’s declared or maximum insured-value instructions and keep documentation supporting that amount. PSA’s value-fee threshold and VGA’s surcharge are tied to the service’s valuation rules, so an unsupported figure can change the final bill or create a coverage problem.
Can I compare a PSA 9 with a VGA Unified 9?
No. Each company uses its own evaluation and conversion rules. Compare like-for-like labels, formats and conditions, and review photographs and descriptions instead of treating identical numbers as identical quality.
Are grading turnaround times guaranteed?
No. PSA quotes business days and VGA quotes months, weeks or hours as estimates. Transit, intake, scanning, grading, encapsulation and return shipping can extend the calendar time.
Is an acrylic case enough if I do not need a grade?
A correctly sized acrylic case can protect and display a game, but it does not authenticate the item, document originality or assign a condition grade. Use it as a protection choice, not as evidence equivalent to third-party grading.
Does VGA’s $45 bulk price apply to any 20 games?
VGA lists that rate for at least 20 eligible standard-size sealed games. Confirm eligibility, size and current terms; loose, oversized, incomplete or otherwise excluded items may not qualify.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: PSA Video Games is the current WATA successor for new submissions, while VGA remains the choice for its own Standard 100-point or Unified presentation and specific eligibility or bulk options. Verify the exact item, calculate every charge and treat turnaround estimates as estimates. Neither label guarantees a higher resale price.
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