Video Game Collection Management

Video game collecting has exploded in recent years, with retro games becoming some of the most valuable collectibles on the market. From sealed NES cartridges to complete-in-box PlayStation games, a serious video game collection can represent a significant investment. MPC helps you catalogue, value, and preserve your entire video game collection.

How to Catalogue Video Games

Cataloguing a video game collection requires recording the platform, title, publisher, year, and condition. MPC lets you record all of these along with CIB (Complete In Box) status, seal status for sealed games, and grading (WATA, VGA) for professionally graded games. AI identification can help recognize games from cover photographs.

What to Record for Each Game

• •Platform (NES, SNES, PlayStation, Sega Genesis, etc.)
• •Title and publisher
• •Year of release
• •Region (NTSC, PAL, JP)
• •CIB status (sealed, CIB, cartridge only, disc only)
• •Condition (mint, near mint, good, fair)
• •Grading (WATA, VGA grade if professionally graded)
• •Variant (greatest hits, limited edition, etc.)
• •Purchase price, date, and source
• •Current estimated value
• •Photos (front, back, and contents)

Sealed vs. CIB vs. Loose

As with all collectibles, condition and completeness drive value. A sealed, graded game can be worth thousands, while the same game cartridge-only might be worth a few dollars. MPC lets you record the exact status of each game and uses it in valuation. For graded games, record the grading service and grade.

Tracking Video Game Values

The retro game market has seen dramatic value increases in recent years, especially for sealed and graded games. MPC's AI re-valuation keeps your values current, and the price history timeline shows when values changed — essential for collectors who view their games as investments.

How to Verify Authenticity of Sealed Retro Games

Verifying the authenticity of factory-sealed retro video games requires a keen eye for factory-specific manufacturing details. Start by examining the shrink-wrap material; authentic vintage seals often feature H-seams or specific overlapping patterns unique to the publisher at the time. Look closely for the presence of air vent holes, which are typical in authentic releases but rarely replicated correctly by counterfeiters. Inspect the quality of the box printing, paying attention to color saturation and font clarity, as bootlegs often appear pixelated or faded. Check for official security stickers or holographic seals that should be firmly attached and show no signs of residue or tampering. Finally, compare the weight and sound of the package to known authentic copies, as modern plastic cases often feel different than the original archival materials used decades ago.

Key Authentication Checklist

• •Verify consistent H-seam patterns on the shrink-wrap
• •Inspect for factory-drilled air vent holes
• •Check for pixelation in cover art printing
• •Examine the texture and thickness of the outer cardboard
• •Ensure holographic seals have appropriate light reflection
• •Compare weight against known original retail specifications