WATA is Grading Fake Video Games In 2023???

In this video I discuss the current drama surrounding WATA Games and the recent discovery that they are grading reproduction retro video games and were called out by the creator MadLittlePixel. Lets take a deep dive into the story.

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@Madlittlepixel

#retrogames #gaming #gamingchannel #retrogaming #videogames #nostalgia #watagames #retrovideogames #madlittlepixel #watagames

[jaybeejison]

This was also covered by CuPodcast by Pat Nes Punk and Ian referencing MadlilPixel video.

This isn't the first "grading" issue with WATA - they have been known to grade repro pokemon cib and others. The only reason they released that statement on their website is because they got caught.

Personally, it just goes to show that WATA does NOT care about the gaming community but lining their pockets - they make money grading (putting in an acrylic case) plus a percentage on the "value" of the game. $$$.

[misterkeebler]

This event just further highlights a question Karl asked in his vid, and that is asking why Heritage decided to partner with Wata when they were basically unknown in the space while VGA existed? Events like this just question Wata's credentials, and the fact that people are putting 4 to 5 figure premiums on some games based just on the Wata number grade looks increasingly risky even for a speculative buy.

Regarding grading unsealed/open games, it actually makes more sense over sealed to me personally. It just requires more knowledge and experience to validate authenticity. I see it akin to comics. With a comic in a slab I am informed if the pages have yellowed or discolored, that pages are intact or have tears, how the staples are holding up inside, etc. There's no reason a company couldn't do that for games and inserts. But if wata can't even tell apart a sealed repro distributed by a company, good luck detecting some of the very high quality cardboard boxes and photocopied manuals out there, along with replacement cart labels and the like.

[rayvenskye]

First! It wouldn't surprise me at all if they were. Grading is already a scam but this takes it to another level

[Anjelus]

The whole retro sales space has gotten wild with some of the prices, so seeing stuff like this doesn't surprise me at all.

[fawkkyutuu]

These people basically ruined sealed game collecting, all Ebay prices are unrealistically Inflated now and It's their fault.

[IowaRetroGamerDad]

Wata is such a joke. I'm currently working on a video discussing what I think is wrong with them. Great video Rect

[sheenaQuarto]

By the way congrats on 1.85K Subs you make good content.

[sheenaQuarto]

This is the second time I have heard of this. The first person to cover it was MadlilPixel.

[crystalwater]

The prices for Clayfighter Sculptor's Cut are astronomically insane.

[blodguizer]

As someone who was alive when my uncle hooked up his pong console to our black and white TV and has been gaming since then this Wata crap is a joke. It makes me laugh when I go to Ebay and see someone trying to sell an unopened copy of Defender for the 2600 that's been graded by Wata for several thousand dollars.

[nonyabiz]

Nailed the analysis, WATA would be very happy to make this situation right. Their reputation is at an all time low with the fake inflated prices on graded games. As much as we'd all like to dogpile on them for this, I don't think it's that crazy that one of their employees made a mistake. They're going to have to figure out some additional quality control, everyone will forget about this in a year.

[kenh]

It's amazing anyone still deals with Wata.

[PixelsNcreatureS]

You can't just find a PCEworks Reproduction in the wild. You HAVE to know where to go and how to get it

[nublafiednubbie]

I've been collecting video games since early 80's.. I never wanted anything graded cuz its just a middle man trying to pocket money an jack up the market... As long as i have it in my collection im beyond joyful, 👍👍👍👍

[matthewsano]

IMO, the only video games that should be graded are factory sealed ones.

Or maybe some of the rarest games which had legitimately short production runs.

[soggykid]

Why would you trust a place for grading that isn’t even graded at %100?