WATA “Authenticates” a False SNES Prototype

It was discovered that the Wata grading service authenticated an SNES prototype that wasn't really authentic.

[VGMage]

Grading is so dumb. This also proves that you can't trust anybody. If a company that is supposed to be the top of the line when it comes to game preservation shouldn't it know what a real proto is? Like this is pathetic.

[gmti]

I guess WATA hired some Gamestop employees who recently lost their jobs.

[hardgames]

Oh WATA mess...

But seriously they should keep the prototype authentication to the experts ...

[Headywon]

So sad that people do this, even worse when "professionals" can't catch it... *WATA SHAME*

[Voultar]

Grading is arguably the most worthless endeavor one could throw their hard-earned money at.

[sdoren_]

I wanna thank Evan for the time and effort he spends on such a niche but extremely important part of our community. Good job, E.

[KombatGod]

This is as if you went to grade an old rare comic and they didn't realize it's just the cover filled with some other common comic's pages.

[RetroBirdGaming]

When I was a kid I remember getting some crappy NBA game for my Game Boy from Toys R Us. After about a day I realized I didn't like the game but knew it couldn't be returned since the seal had been broken. This was incredibly unlike my mom but she had some weird sort of heat gun she'd use for scrapbooking that could reseal plastic and she was actually willing to reseal it so I could return it. I remember it looking pretty convincing. I went to return the game and my mom waited in the car while I went inside with the receipt to return it and buy Pokemon instead. I remember them looking over the game really carefully but they never said anything. Anyways, I was instantly reminded of that story when Pat said people are going to invest in convincing ways to seal games. They absolutely will and the thing about it is that nobody will ever open the games to check what's inside since they want it to stay sealed. Yikes.

[ParallelUniversity]

There's got to be at least a few fake sealed games sitting in graded slabs right now. Surely someone has managed to pull that scam off.

[Blood-PawWerewolf]

Was just a matter of time for this to happen.

[calvinoberly]

That reminds me of when I was a kid, saved up my money, and hunted for Mega Man X3. Found it, bought it, got it home, booted it up, and BATTLECLASH was on the screen. Someone swapped out the boards between a $60 used game and one worth less than $1. I was not happy.... Not saying that was a prototype, but in regards to a customer being duped by a board swap.

[WillyTung]

Further confirms my belief that these services are a scam.

[sergeleon]

Getting this in my YouTube recommended at current date (09/17-2021) after all the Video's been out after the Karl Jobst investigation on Wata practices, this hits different and more impactful then when you made this video even.

[furydeath]

The only reason I'd even grade a game would be like with cards to protect them so only game's like NWC cause your never gonna play it might as well protect it the best you can.

[xHobbsGoblins]

Love that this is recommended now. Lol

[TooBokoo]

Good job, WATA! As I've been saying since they arrived on the scene, these dudes have no fuckin clue what they're talking about, make up their own rules and grading standards and just do whatever they like in order to convince people to use their services.

[SQUARESINMYO]

Watching a New Episode of CUPodcast for My Birthday. A Great Way to round out the Night!

[TotallyRadical]

I know that you guys personally know the WATA folks and don't want to throw them under the bus, but this is about the worst thing that could happen to them considering their WHOLE PURPOSE is to authenticate games and drive up the price for auction. Considering this (mistake??) presented the items as authentic and they aren't I would think that would set them up for lawsuits. Personally I don't trust them. All they are doing is helping drive up the prices for various collectors.

[paul]

Pat, you have to do a book of prototypes with this guy. I'm sure it would sell and he would get rewarded for all his hard work.

[ivanvargas]

Wonder how many people are going to send in resealed games into WATA