Are VGA cases open or sealed ??

[Fudoh]

I'm looking at a game and I usually give a shit about VGA ratings and stuff, but I was looking for a sealed copy of a certain game and found a VGA-graded one, which is hardly more expensive than the usually sealed candidates. Still I don't need or want a giant plexi case around my game.

So, my question: has anybody ever owned anything VGA-rated ? Are those plexi/acryl cases sealed with adhesive or can they easily be opened ? (thinking about it this would somehow defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?)

[Nana]

Hahaha, buying a VGA-graded case to open it. You're the man.

Though I have no idea what the answer is to your question.

[Friendly]

I've never owned one, but obviously they are sealed. If they weren't, you could just replace the content.

[Fudoh]

Guess you're right. Still wondering how hard it would be to crack one open. Maybe somebody has got one at home and could have a closer look at it ? I assume that one of the side panels has been glued on after putting the game inside ?

Maybe that's been VGA's scheme for years. They replace all carts with wooden bars and sell off the lose carts while sending back the encased cardboard boxes to the owners

[trap15]

When you do open it, please make a video. I want to see the collective crying from somebody opening a VGA-graded item and then actually playing it.

[BryanM]

Yes please do that. Just googling this topic has 10,000 whiny bitches begging a guy not to open one. The more pain these creatures feel the better.

As far as I can tell, you'll need a hammer or a saw. Saw would probably be most graceful (probably can pry it apart afterward with a screwdriver). Hammer more dramatic for a video.

Video Graphics Adapters ain't that great anyhoo..

Oh, and please use the song "No More Mr.Nice Guy" in your hammer-time opening video. That would be great. Thaaaanks.


* (I wouldn't be confident the hammer or saw would work don't get it mahn.)

[Skykid]

As far as I can tell, you'll need a hammer or a saw.

Shotgun would be best.

[Skykid]

From the VGA website:

Answers to Grading Scale Questions

How does an autograph affect the grade?
Regardless of authenticity, an autograph is considered a flaw and the grade will be limited to 70. For those who collect VGA items and feel that the grade of 70 will somehow devalue the collectible, we can case the item without including the grade; the same rates will apply. Case Only service is available for signed items only.

Oh shit. Autographs are a flaw?

Gonna have to dump my Miyamoto signed Ocarina in the bin then and buy a regular unsoiled one from the Bay. Sad times.

Most offensive thing about this whole shambles, the name: VGA Video Game Authority

Yeah right.

Yes please do that. Just googling this topic has 10,000 whiny bitches begging a guy not to open one.

You aren't allowed to post that without providing links for my amusement.

[Casey120]

Its just perspex right ?
One should be able to cut a 95% graded one open, put in a total trashed and burned game and seal it again with chloroform, then put it on ebay for sale !
Fools paying top dollar for this are like sealed collectors just begging to be scammed .

[BIL]

As far as I can tell, you'll need a hammer or a saw.

Shotgun would be best.

I would recommend a flying elbow drop from the roof of the house. Onto an aluminium trash can lid placed over the target, naturally. OOOH YEAHHH

[beatsgo]

From the VGA website:

Answers to Grading Scale Questions

How does an autograph affect the grade?
Regardless of authenticity, an autograph is considered a flaw and the grade will be limited to 70. For those who collect VGA items and feel that the grade of 70 will somehow devalue the collectible, we can case the item without including the grade; the same rates will apply. Case Only service is available for signed items only.

Oh shit. Autographs are a flaw?

Gonna have to dump my Miyamoto signed Ocarina in the bin then and buy a regular unsoiled one from the Bay. Sad times.

Apparently this VGA's definition of rarity is lacking. I would love to meet with these people one day and have a nice cup of tea where I just bring a bag of "unopen" games and open them one by one with a pocketknife.

[hail good sir]

on

[Turrican]

It's news to me as well... I mean, I saw all these vga auctions and their incredible prices, but I never suspected this kind of cryogenic madness... I naively assumed that a collector's greatest pleasure would be to get something new to be the first to open it and play it...

I'm instantly a lot happier with my many cartridge only games. Meant to be played

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'm instantly a lot happier with my many cartridge only games.

I've known these are the best all the time. Make me feel better about the backlog thing.

[KAI]

FUCK collectors. FUCK.

[Specineff]

Where do I pitch in for the "F*ck The VGA" video, Fudoh?

[Fudoh]

If I go for it, I'll certainly break the case and make a video of it. Didn't plan on opening the game itself though - sorry

[Jeneki]

For a video, it would be more fun to show someone printing out a box, filling it up with paper that reads "SUCKER", running it through a shrinkwrap machine, putting in some convincing looking VGA knockoff container (close enough for a lowres video), and at the end of the video add some text that says "recorded in 2010".

[null1024]

For a video, it would be more fun to show someone printing out a box, filling it up with paper that reads "SUCKER", running it through a shrinkwrap machine, putting in some convincing looking VGA knockoff container (close enough for a lowres video), and at the end of the video add some text that says "recorded in 2010".

Oh man, that's mean. Absolutely brilliant too.
and so panic ensues~

[system11]

I'd donate to a VGA opening video.

Are there any that are old+rare+cheap? In fact I could even do it myself with donations through the button top right.

I promise to open it with an angle grinder, carelessly.

[trap15]

You have to accidentally cut into the game box while cutting open the VGA case

[system11]

We're discussing ways to destroy one on IRC at the moment. Drilling the case and wire tying it between a lamp post and my car might be amusing. However, finding a good candidate is hard - I think the grading needs to be high as well as the game being rare.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hey now, don't forget the original game is an innocent bystander in all this. Too bad you couldn't put a VGA grader in the box.

[BIL]

For a video, it would be more fun to show someone printing out a box, filling it up with paper that reads "SUCKER", running it through a shrinkwrap machine, putting in some convincing looking VGA knockoff container (close enough for a lowres video), and at the end of the video add some text that says "recorded in 2010".

Oh man, that's mean. Absolutely brilliant too.
and so panic ensues~

You forgot the most important ingredient! fresh poop (or twinkies, in a pinch, but they're not as easy to find these days... risks legitimating the whole enterprise)

[Nana]

VGA-graded Twinkies....

Oh, and I wholly approve of this idea.

[gct]

For a video, it would be more fun to show someone printing out a box, filling it up with paper that reads "SUCKER", running it through a shrinkwrap machine, putting in some convincing looking VGA knockoff container (close enough for a lowres video), and at the end of the video add some text that says "recorded in 2010".

Oh man, that's mean. Absolutely brilliant too.
and so panic ensues~

How well are those sealed? Would be good to buy some cheapest VGA game for the box and carefully open it so it can be re-closed for this kind of video.

The opening video should at first present a careful but unsuccessful attempt at opening before the "Fuck it" + hacksaw.

[BryanM]

So we're at the "drill hole, insert explosives" phase of the thread eh?

[undamned]

Band saw.

- EDIT -

Chain saw.
-ud

[emphatic]

How about sourcing a VGA sealed game, opening it in secret and putting a bag of sand inside the game case, THEN shooting the video of said seal being broken?

[Fudoh]

How about sourcing a VGA sealed game, opening it in secret

I think the point is that exactly this isn't possible. I've worked with plexi before and if they use a special acryl glue, there's no chance in hell you'll open it without flexing it open.