Guides · Condition
Condition & completeness
Every listing on the Exchange uses the same vocabulary, so a “CIB, Very Good, tested” copy means the same thing no matter who's selling it. Here's exactly what each term means.
Each listing has two required fields — completeness (what's included) and condition (how it looks and plays) — plus details that matter for the specific item: label, disc surface, functionality, save battery, modifications and region.
Completeness: what's included
Completeness follows the buckets collectors already price by, so you can compare any listing against the going rate for that exact version.
| Completeness | What it means |
|---|---|
| Loose | Just the cartridge or disc. A disc in a replacement or generic case is still Loose. |
| Game + Box | The game with its original box or case, but no manual. |
| Game + Manual | The game with its original manual, but no box. |
| Complete in Box | The game, its original box or case, and its original manual. Inserts, maps and posters are listed separately in the checklist. |
| New / Factory Sealed | Unopened, in original factory shrink or seal. Resealed items can never use this. |
| Graded | Professionally encapsulated. The listing shows the grader, grade and certification number. |
| Box Only | The original box or case with no game. |
| Manual Only | The original manual with no game. |
For anything with a box or manual, sellers mark each component — box, manual and inserts — as Original, Reproduction or Missing. Graded listings name the grader (WATA, VGA, CGC or other), the grade, and the certification number so you can verify the slab.
Completeness rules
Reproduction parts disqualify “Complete in Box”
A reproduction box, manual, case or insert must be disclosed, and it means the item can't be listed as CIB. List it as Loose, Game + Box or Game + Manual (counting only the original parts). The listing shows a “Contains reproduction box/manual” tag.
Resealed is not sealed
Only items in their original, untouched factory seal can be listed as New / Factory Sealed. A resealed game must be listed as opened (usually CIB) and the reseal noted in the description.
Reproduction games — carts or discs — aren't allowed at all. See the reproduction policy.
Condition grades
The grade describes the overall item. When a box and manual are included, describe any difference between components in the listing (for example, a Near Mint cart with a Good box).
- Mint
- Indistinguishable from new.
- Near Mint
- Light handling wear, only on close inspection.
- Very Good
- Light wear, minor scuffs, art fully intact.
- Good
- Obvious use — scuffs, light fading, small label wear.
- Acceptable
- Heavy wear — torn label, writing, heavy scratches. Still plays.
- For Parts / Not Working
- Does not work as intended.
Mint through Acceptable all mean the item works as intended. Anything that doesn't — won't boot, won't read, has a dead button — is For Parts / Not Working, regardless of how it looks.
Label condition (cartridges)
- Excellent
- Clean, bright and complete, with no visible wear.
- Minor wear
- Small scuffs or corner wear that don't affect the artwork.
- Wear, scratches or fading
- Visible scratches, rubbing or sun fading.
- Torn or missing pieces
- Rips, peeling or pieces of the label missing.
- Writing or stickers
- Names, marker, price tags or rental stickers on the label.
Disc surface (disc games)
- No scratches
- No visible scratches under normal light.
- Light scratches
- Fine surface marks that don't affect play.
- Heavy scratches
- Deep or widespread scratches. The seller must say whether it's tested.
- Resurfaced
- Machine-polished to remove scratches. Always disclosed; collectors may value it differently.
Functionality
- Tested & working
- Played on compatible hardware — it boots, plays and, where relevant, saves.
- Untested
- The seller hasn't tested it. Priced and bought as-is for function; everything else in the listing still must be accurate.
- Not working
- Known not to work. List it with the For Parts / Not Working grade.
“Tested” means the seller has actually played it. If you're not sure, choose Untested — it's always better than a claim.
Save battery
Many cartridge games (Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal, Zelda, most RPGs) keep saves on a small internal battery that eventually runs dry. Sellers of battery-backed games state its status:
- Original, saves
- Factory battery, and a save was confirmed to hold after power-off.
- Replaced, saves
- Battery has been replaced (a modification), and saves hold.
- Dead
- Won't hold a save. The game may still play.
- Unknown
- Not checked. Treat as possibly needing a replacement.
Modifications
Any change from factory condition must be disclosed. The standard options are:
- Shell replaced
- Battery replaced
- Region-modded
- Video mod (RGB/HDMI)
- Recapped
- Other — described in the listing (for example, a replaced screw set or a fan swap)
Modifications aren't bad — a recap or RGB mod can add value — but buyers deserve to know. An undisclosed modification is grounds for a not-as-described claim.
Region
Region affects compatibility, so every listing states it:
- NTSC-U/C (North America)
- NTSC-J (Japan)
- PAL (Europe/AU)
- Other
Many consoles are region-locked or need an adapter to play imports. Check compatibility with your system before buying a game from another region.
Edition
Listings also show the edition, since it changes value:
- Standard
- Player's Choice / Greatest Hits / Selects
- Limited / Collector's
- Not For Resale / Demo
- Licensed re-release (Limited Run, Retro-Bit…)
Licensed re-releases are official products and welcome here — they're always labeled as re-releases so nobody mistakes one for an original print.
Grading honestly
- Grade under good light and look at every side, not just the front.
- When you're between two grades, pick the lower one.
- Photograph every flaw you mention — and any you're unsure about.
- Describe smells (smoke, must), stickers, writing and rental cases in the description.