There’s a lot of similarities between the 3 leading video game grading companies and card grading. Essentially, WATA = PSA, VGA = Beckett and CGC = CGC. Do remember that there are 2 components to grading sealed games- the Box integrity and the seal quality.

Grading Scale

WATA- uses comic scales that go by 0.5 increments until 9.0 and then goes up by 0.2 until 10. Seal grades are from A++ on downwards. 

CGC- same as WATA but has a 9.9 grade 

VGA- uses a scale up to 100 that uses increments of 5 and a +. So you have 85 85+ 90 90+ and this one grade encompasses both box and seal. In general VGA grades harsher on seal and more lenient on box. In general a VGA 95 hardcase game is 9.8 A++ or higher. For cardboard it can be a wider range because of leniency on box.

Pricing 

WATA- anywhere between $50-150 for 5-30 day turnaround + Fair market value upcharge. But recently have introduced discounts anywhere from 10-30%.

CGC- anywhere between $40-125 for fast turnaround + 1.5-2% FMV upcharge. Also has membership where you pay upfront for 10-20% discounts for the year.

VGA- $50-150 for standard games with 21-75 day turnaround. Only game in town for custom size cases but goes from $115 on up. No upcharge

Grading Consistency

WATA- anecdotally has gotten easier to receive 9.8s because 10s are now possible to to get. Harder on seal than CGC.  

CGC- 9.9s are easier to get now than before. Harder to get 10s than WATA but also possible to get 10s with non A++ 

VGA- most “mint” games end up in the 85 and 85+ grade.  Extremely difficult to get 90 or better.  

Resale value

WATA- typically outsells CGC 20-50% if the same grade, only outshined by very high grade VGA (95 or more), which would equate to a BGS 10. 

Collector base

WATA has the widest collector base since the pandemic boom onwards, much like how PSA dominated after 2019. And WATA is owned by PSA.

CGC just entered the space 2 years ago and is having a much bigger presence in Heritage Auctions so the future is looking bright as well. 

VGA has a die hard fan base with long time collectors since they’ve graded the longest since 2008. And for things like consoles and games that require custom sizes, they are the only game in town. 

Case quality

WATA’s new case is much sleeker and form fitting but the blisters have had issues and can come scuffed that inhibit eye appeal

CGC’s case is quite clear but the blue labels are not anyone’s cup of tea and the case looks like a hanging blister pack

VGA’s acrylic is the clearest and most form fitting because of its custom nature. Labels are clean but lack pertinent variant info.