Should subsequent print run variations of blue chip sealed games (Mario, Zelda, Pokemon) with pops of less than ~200 really deserve such high price disparity? I feel that pops are already so low with sealed grails that 1st, 2nd, 3rd prints really don’t matter. Would love to get your thoughts 💭
Really great discussion and points from both of you! A cool discussion topic - CIB grading, specifically what are some good general guidelines you would use when deciding what is worth grading, and what do you think of this segment of the market longer term :)
I'm still learning about the sealed games space and this is going to be super informative I'm sure. Great first episode guys! Will definitely watch more!
Its a great shift of the channel Gregg! I think statements like "are graded video games scams" or "video games are not art" have become obsolete... video games are well established as a an art medium in 2025 and grading fits a perfect use for this nascent collectible market. What I would LOVE is a channel that focuses on the long term value of games as investment, (you would have nearly zeo competition). Analyzing them with the scope of what the Strong Museum or the MoMa might go through before inducting their video games... also going through their pop reports and graded market/auctions.
22:00 Not only their prevalence in pop culture, but when you consider the nostalgic utility of a game compared to a card or a comic, it is so much more immersive- memories of video, audio, and often social experiences. But if nostalgia demand will drop off in the long run, you'll need some sort of "story" as Greg has said or otherwise historical significance that would interest future generations. If you even care about the LONG long run, that is. First print Super Mario Kart is an ideal collectible on both counts. EDIT: He got the top of the top first print SMK for 30k? That's a literal steal. Seller should have went to Heritage with it.
Great to meet Henryu, my focus is on supply rather than highest pop right now, i think the market is small right now, so personally i don't want to spend too much on a single game even though its high pop, i would rather got for a percentage of the entire sealed market as my intention is being a reseller and continuously rotate, and i think there is power in having a higher supply, as insidious as that sounds
100% there is power in supply because you get price action, which makes people more confident in future purchases. Problem is if you get too much supply, it dilutes the value, just like reissuing stock. There is a fine line you have to play.
In the very long term I think VALUE in video game collectibles will shift to the titles with strong narrative depth more than "foundational" titles in terms of game mechanics. This would resemble the rare book market evolution, where titles like the Great Gatsby or the Divine Comedy fit this narrative of value towards narrative depth. Video game titles like Grim Fandango, Planescape Torment or Disco Elysium (too many sealed copies on disco tho) are primed to surge in value as they standout in this category. You can already see the narrative depth has slowly been positioning Grim Fandango despite being a commercial failure at the time.
Could very well be true if the knowledge behind games is deep enough to get to that point. Problem is people are still very superficial with their knowledge of game collecting so the easier story to tell, the more interest there will be
For something physical to sky rocket in price. It has to have high demand, and scarcity. I don't think any of those games have ever been in high demand. Out of the 3 you mentioned I had only heard of Grim Fandango. While a good story is fantastic, there is more to games than just their story. Games aren't books.
Greg are you Canadian? I noticed you said "thanks for reminding me" after the guy mentioned that Mario Kart on EBAY was from a Canadian seller. I have to buy acrylic for my mint SNES CIB because I dont trust customs ruining my game sending across the border, not to mention the huge cost of sending across the border to get them graded. (There are no grading companies in Canada) Plus I'm not sure grading CIB is even worth it. (Of course grading sealed is)
@@GetTheGreg Incredible, I always assumed you were American since you grade your games so much. Was I correct in saying there are no grading companies located in Canada then?
Both WATA and CGC are like 1A and 1B at this point. Through 2025, I wouldn't be surprised if either became the leader. My own lean is still towards WATA right now.
No, Can" indicates ability or capability, while "may" signifies permission or possibility, with "may" generally considered more formal and polite than "can" when asking for permission or discussing potential scenarios
I am a comic collector first but a video game collector second. Its funny how they both are almost similar now in their respective markets when it comes to grading, variant covers (limited run), print run, or FOMO. Much like what I have done with comics, I was able to sell a graded game and pay for my dogs medical treatment. I collect for fun but I invest when I see there is an economy just in case something happens to me or my family. So after my rambling this video was great.
Great video Greggers!! I don't trust WATA really because I sent them 3 factory sealed copies of Smash Melee and they sent them back saying they are not authentic. As a result, I sent them to VGA and they were graded without any issues. I think their thought process was that nobody has 3 factory sealed copies of melee on hand, which was obscene.
I don't trust PSA to authenticate my video game trading cards. They keep making mistakes on the identification of the cards. I did messaged them to let them know they are wrong on many cards and they don't care. I have many examples from multiple sets where they didn't identified the cards correctly.
@GetTheGreg I'm also Canadian and choose to grade my collection with a Canadian grading company called MNT. They do not authenticate the cards, they just evaluate them. Yet I prefer that then grading with PSA who would say they authenticated something they know nothing about. MNT slabs are similar to BGS which I also prefer and they do an amazing job at evaluating the cards. I grade my PC to protect and display, not for the value 🫣 Card is the same no matter the slab.
@GetTheGreg I didnt grade any cards with PSA, but I've seen these errors way to often. I choose to grade my PC with MNT. I'm also Canadian and preferred their slabs as they have a similar look to BGS slabs, without cost me too much. I grade to display and protect my cards, not for reselling value. MNT does an amazing job on evaluating the cards condition and don't pretend to authenticate them, as PSA would without really having information on these cards. MNT also grade much harder and display substats on all their labels whitout extra cost. I don't need my cards authenticated since nobody cares about video game trading cards and no fake exist. I just want them to be evaluated for their condition, protected and to display nicely. Identifying the cards correctly on the labels is required for that last part. Most of my hard to identify cards are japanese 🙃
@GetTheGreg oh ok thanks for the clarification Greg. I have only one 9.8 A(Zelda Majoras Mask) from Wata the rest of my Nes/Snes/64 stuff is 9.4-9.6 A+
@@GetTheGreg paying 30k for a sealed Mario kart SNES 3 years after the boom. now that's insanity. Would have been 500 bucks before 2020 in that condition
![[FULL] Old Nintendo GRAILS Auctioning NOW! - Heritage Graded Game Live Auctions](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FQAJ2Qv5CN4/mqdefault.jpg)
![[FULL] Old Nintendo GRAILS Auctioning NOW! - Heritage Graded Game Live Auctions](/img/tr.png)
What topic would you like to see us discuss in the future!?🤔
should we be buying new VHS's 📼 until it's to late 🧐 are you investing and what should we be looking out for
How about the topic of why there are no grading companies in Canada and the risk and costs of moving it cross border? lol
Should subsequent print run variations of blue chip sealed games (Mario, Zelda, Pokemon) with pops of less than ~200 really deserve such high price disparity? I feel that pops are already so low with sealed grails that 1st, 2nd, 3rd prints really don’t matter. Would love to get your thoughts 💭
Really great discussion and points from both of you!
A cool discussion topic - CIB grading, specifically what are some good general guidelines you would use when deciding what is worth grading, and what do you think of this segment of the market longer term :)
TY to Henry & Greg for expanding the graded & sealed collecting narrative with this segment!
Hey thanks a lot man!
I'm still learning about the sealed games space and this is going to be super informative I'm sure. Great first episode guys! Will definitely watch more!
Wow Greg, you weren’t kidding coming out with a lot more videos. I love this one. It was really good. Keep up the great work.👍🏻
Awesome to hear this will be a weekly thing. I will be listening, that's for sure!
Its a great shift of the channel Gregg! I think statements like "are graded video games scams" or "video games are not art" have become obsolete... video games are well established as a an art medium in 2025 and grading fits a perfect use for this nascent collectible market. What I would LOVE is a channel that focuses on the long term value of games as investment, (you would have nearly zeo competition). Analyzing them with the scope of what the Strong Museum or the MoMa might go through before inducting their video games... also going through their pop reports and graded market/auctions.
Love this! Will it be available on podcast feeds?
Bro this guy is posting so many videos! Can't complain
Love it! Keep the podcasts going
"Game Investing" is back!
22:00 Not only their prevalence in pop culture, but when you consider the nostalgic utility of a game compared to a card or a comic, it is so much more immersive- memories of video, audio, and often social experiences. But if nostalgia demand will drop off in the long run, you'll need some sort of "story" as Greg has said or otherwise historical significance that would interest future generations. If you even care about the LONG long run, that is. First print Super Mario Kart is an ideal collectible on both counts. EDIT: He got the top of the top first print SMK for 30k? That's a literal steal. Seller should have went to Heritage with it.
Sometimes you get really lucky with those raw eBay buys haha.... 🙏
Love. This. Content ❤
Noooo, Henry whyyyyy? I was the underbidder on that MarioKart lol.
Congrats!
Great to meet Henryu, my focus is on supply rather than highest pop right now, i think the market is small right now, so personally i don't want to spend too much on a single game even though its high pop, i would rather got for a percentage of the entire sealed market as my intention is being a reseller and continuously rotate, and i think there is power in having a higher supply, as insidious as that sounds
100% there is power in supply because you get price action, which makes people more confident in future purchases. Problem is if you get too much supply, it dilutes the value, just like reissuing stock. There is a fine line you have to play.
This Henry guy sounds like a pumper to me.
Just the worst guy
Nice, can you guys talk about multiple between 9.0A+ vs 9.6A+ vs 9.8A+ vs 9.8A++
@@rickd6476 you're in luck! That episode is coming soon!
"Shut up and take my money!"
Money goes up in value, shut up and take my cash
In the very long term I think VALUE in video game collectibles will shift to the titles with strong narrative depth more than "foundational" titles in terms of game mechanics. This would resemble the rare book market evolution, where titles like the Great Gatsby or the Divine Comedy fit this narrative of value towards narrative depth. Video game titles like Grim Fandango, Planescape Torment or Disco Elysium (too many sealed copies on disco tho) are primed to surge in value as they standout in this category. You can already see the narrative depth has slowly been positioning Grim Fandango despite being a commercial failure at the time.
Interesting way to think about it!
Could very well be true if the knowledge behind games is deep enough to get to that point. Problem is people are still very superficial with their knowledge of game collecting so the easier story to tell, the more interest there will be
For something physical to sky rocket in price. It has to have high demand, and scarcity. I don't think any of those games have ever been in high demand. Out of the 3 you mentioned I had only heard of Grim Fandango. While a good story is fantastic, there is more to games than just their story. Games aren't books.
@@Quant-o9v MARIO, ZELDA, POKEMON
great video, thank you
Greg are you Canadian? I noticed you said "thanks for reminding me" after the guy mentioned that Mario Kart on EBAY was from a Canadian seller.
I have to buy acrylic for my mint SNES CIB because I dont trust customs ruining my game sending across the border, not to mention the huge cost of sending across the border to get them graded. (There are no grading companies in Canada) Plus I'm not sure grading CIB is even worth it. (Of course grading sealed is)
I sure am Canadian, yup haha
@@GetTheGreg Incredible, I always assumed you were American since you grade your games so much. Was I correct in saying there are no grading companies located in Canada then?
@findlay81 correct! I have to risk sending across customs every time - and it sucks 😅
Greg one of those cool guys that make me wanna be Canadian…
Really great stuff!
This was great!
Thanks man!
Greg, at this point in time is there a generally preferred grading company for sealed games?
Both WATA and CGC are like 1A and 1B at this point. Through 2025, I wouldn't be surprised if either became the leader.
My own lean is still towards WATA right now.
“May you invest in graded games”
No, Can" indicates ability or capability, while "may" signifies permission or possibility, with "may" generally considered more formal and polite than "can" when asking for permission or discussing potential scenarios
yes. Greg is asking me for permission.
I am a comic collector first but a video game collector second. Its funny how they both are almost similar now in their respective markets when it comes to grading, variant covers (limited run), print run, or FOMO. Much like what I have done with comics, I was able to sell a graded game and pay for my dogs medical treatment. I collect for fun but I invest when I see there is an economy just in case something happens to me or my family. So after my rambling this video was great.
Hope your dog is all better
Yea graded games is cool to collect n better than cards
We think so but 99% of others don’t!
Great video Greggers!! I don't trust WATA really because I sent them 3 factory sealed copies of Smash Melee and they sent them back saying they are not authentic. As a result, I sent them to VGA and they were graded without any issues. I think their thought process was that nobody has 3 factory sealed copies of melee on hand, which was obscene.
What if VGA just graded 3 resealed copies of melee? 👀
@@GetTheGreg It crossed my mind, but the seals were very uniform and seem legit.
I love VGA but GameCube reseals is prevalent in their holders…
I don't trust PSA to authenticate my video game trading cards. They keep making mistakes on the identification of the cards. I did messaged them to let them know they are wrong on many cards and they don't care. I have many examples from multiple sets where they didn't identified the cards correctly.
@@jocelynlaplante1908 that's unfortunate to hear. Have you had better success with CGC in that regard?
@GetTheGreg I'm also Canadian and choose to grade my collection with a Canadian grading company called MNT. They do not authenticate the cards, they just evaluate them. Yet I prefer that then grading with PSA who would say they authenticated something they know nothing about. MNT slabs are similar to BGS which I also prefer and they do an amazing job at evaluating the cards. I grade my PC to protect and display, not for the value 🫣 Card is the same no matter the slab.
@GetTheGreg I didnt grade any cards with PSA, but I've seen these errors way to often. I choose to grade my PC with MNT. I'm also Canadian and preferred their slabs as they have a similar look to BGS slabs, without cost me too much. I grade to display and protect my cards, not for reselling value. MNT does an amazing job on evaluating the cards condition and don't pretend to authenticate them, as PSA would without really having information on these cards. MNT also grade much harder and display substats on all their labels whitout extra cost. I don't need my cards authenticated since nobody cares about video game trading cards and no fake exist. I just want them to be evaluated for their condition, protected and to display nicely. Identifying the cards correctly on the labels is required for that last part. Most of my hard to identify cards are japanese 🙃
So only 9.8 A+ or was that advice just for modern games because i see plenty of Snes/NES at 9.4-9.6 A+ do well!?
9.8 A+ was in regards to modern/ultra modern
@GetTheGreg oh ok thanks for the clarification Greg. I have only one 9.8 A(Zelda Majoras Mask) from Wata the rest of my Nes/Snes/64 stuff is 9.4-9.6 A+
It’s not too late to call this series Game Sharks 😅
That name was also tossed around actually hahah
i would buy anything at a low enuf price and sell anything at a high enuf price 🤣🤣
Sounds an awful lot like investing!
:D
LARRY COPELAND IS DADDY THO
Would love the Copeland to come on the show
Good stuff guys
I’m disappointed already…I thought this would be more Dragon Ball focused. Kidding! Love this!
i wouldn't take someone who overpays and the highest recent prices as an "expert"
Which overpays and highest recent prices would you be referring to with that comment?
That guy definitely doesn’t know what he’s doing
@@GetTheGreg paying 30k for a sealed Mario kart SNES 3 years after the boom. now that's insanity. Would have been 500 bucks before 2020 in that condition
Stop it.
@@kT-ci1ke you’re spot on man, what a crazy guy. He really hates money.
Greg pump up those Mario 1's before you buy one!
that cool man
people still buying WATA games? lol wtf
WATA scam