Gloves | 11,683 Administrator · Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Let's say someone noticed that some graded games were being sold for roughly the same amount as the same game CIB, and that someone wanted to buy that graded game to open it to play the game, while retaining the excellent condition of the game's box. Is there an easy way to go about this? Does it differ heavily between the various offerings (i.e. Wata vs CGC vs VGA etc.)? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkchylde28 | 1,546 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 I don't have any experience myself, but based on a lot of reading, these are definitely the guys to ask. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inasuma | 1,191 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 (edited) Wata and VGA: easy. CGC: no clue. In my experience, Wata is the easiest to open. All you need to do is hold the case, front facing you, grip the top (label) part and push in with your thumbs with a good amount of force. You'll hear the pins snap and then you can pop the top off and slide out the game. Have done this several times with no issues. With VGA, it becomes trickier because it's solid acrylic. but what you can do is slip a flat head screwdriver between the acrylic pieces, between the bottom and backside, and pry towards the bottom. It'll snaps the bottom off piece-by-piece, eventually the game can slide right out. just need to make sure you slide the game out *facing up*. CGC tho I haven't tried... it's ultra sonic welded so I assume you'd need to grab a small tree branch cutter and chop off pieces til the inner blister can be easily removed. lol Edited January 28, 2023 by inasuma 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyree_Cooper | 720 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Wait, you mean that you can exchange a game from a WATA case without people being able to notice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorEncore | 3,689 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 (edited) I got a great price on a VGA sealed copy of Fantasy Zone for NES a few years ago. I wanted to open it for the sealed contents thread, so I had to smash the acrylic case to get it out. That case was pretty damn sturdy and I think I even had to take a hammer to it. That being said, it wasn't too hard to keep the to actual game intact. I just had to be careful about how I struck the case. Once I had it cracked open, it was just a matter of safely prying the remaining pieces apart. So, while it can be a little challenging to get inside the case, protecting the game was relatively easy. Edited January 28, 2023 by DoctorEncore 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWunderful | 2,926 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Super easy with a pair of channel locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlbfan10 | 340 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 (edited) It's relatively easy to crack a case to get the game out. I just recently cracked a CGC video game case with a hammer and screw driver without issue and would recommend watching a video on YouTube and see how they are cracking out comics since there isn't one for video games yet. For WATA it's easier you can smash the top flip on the front and back where the tabs are. After a few good hits you should be able to pull the flip right off. See getthegregs YouTube Short on cracking a WATA case. VGA not sure, haven't cracked on. Just take your time and watch YouTube if needed Edited January 28, 2023 by mlbfan10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a3quit4s | 4,035 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 I have no idea on the answer but please post a YouTube of you going Office Space on it 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inasuma | 1,191 Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 (edited) 14 hours ago, Tyree_Cooper said: Wait, you mean that you can exchange a game from a WATA case without people being able to notice? Mmm not really. It’s extremely difficult to get the pins unattached, undamaged. VGA has a similar issue with the way they mold the acrylic pieces, makes it pretty difficult to seal a game and have it look exactly how VGA does it. Edited January 28, 2023 by inasuma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulag Joe | 581 Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 (edited) I can’t believe how many of you know how to do this! It’s troubling! Graded games are not meant to be broken out of their protective shells! It’s probably against the law too! Edited January 29, 2023 by Gulag Joe 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inasuma | 1,191 Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 1 hour ago, Gulag Joe said: I can’t believe how many of you know how to do this! It’s troubling! Graded games are not meant to be broken out of their protective shells! It’s probably against the law too! Only collect. No game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorEncore | 3,689 Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 10 hours ago, Gulag Joe said: I can’t believe how many of you know how to do this! It’s troubling! Graded games are not meant to be broken out of their protective shells! It’s probably against the law too! Most satisfying sealed opening ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oops | 85 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 The best method for opening VGA is with your teeth. Have seen it in person 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorEncore | 3,689 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 19 minutes ago, oops said: The best method for opening VGA is with your teeth. Have seen it in person That sounds expensive on multiple levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link | 2,693 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 I'd use a dremel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorEncore | 3,689 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Link said: I'd use a dremel. Yeah, if you're going about it seriously and really want to be careful, drilling out a few weak spots makes the most sense. I just didn't feel like using finesse, so the hammer solution was good enough for me. A more expensive game than Fantasy Zone would definitely get a little more time and effort if I ever have to do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link | 2,693 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 33 minutes ago, DoctorEncore said: drilling out a few weak spots My recommendation would be more like a cutoff wheel all the way down the edges. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oops | 85 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 (edited) alot of power tools might melt the acrylic making a mess and melting/sealing as they remove material, not as awesome as one would imagine if this happens. I think hammer/chisel combo or channel locks to break the acrylic or the bond of the glue joints is the better way but still a risky operation Edited February 4, 2023 by oops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWunderful | 2,926 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 To open up a VGA case, all you need is acetone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloves | 11,683 Administrator · Posted February 4, 2023 Author Share Posted February 4, 2023 56 minutes ago, oops said: alot of power tools might melt the acrylic making a mess and melting/sealing as they remove material, not as awesome as one would imagine if this happens. That's been my experience with similar materials so I'd probably avoid a dremel or similar, personally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a3quit4s | 4,035 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 1 hour ago, oops said: alot of power tools might melt the acrylic making a mess and melting/sealing as they remove material, not as awesome as one would imagine if this happens. I think hammer/chisel combo or channel locks to break the acrylic or the bond of the glue joints is the better way but still a risky operation Hammer and chisel or hammer and small crowbar would have seemed like the logical choice to me. Shittylifeprotip: if you don’t have the tools just bring the game to Home Depot and use the tools to bust it open and put them right back on the shelf! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link | 2,693 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 4 hours ago, oops said: alot of power tools might melt the acrylic making a mess and melting/sealing as they remove material, not as awesome as one would imagine if this happens. I just tested with two pieces of jewel case layered together. They did indeed stick; but there wasn't any dust or mess, and they were easy to seperate. What I like about a dremel is no shards cracking across the rest of the case. ymmv of course, and I hope a grading case is thicker plastic than a jewel case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oops | 85 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 1 hour ago, Link said: I just tested with two pieces of jewel case layered together. They did indeed stick; but there wasn't any dust or mess, and they were easy to seperate. What I like about a dremel is no shards cracking across the rest of the case. ymmv of course, and I hope a grading case is thicker plastic than a jewel case. whatever works. Maybe a combination of dremmel and chisel/hammer. Play safe. Wear safety glasses and cut resistant gloves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyree_Cooper | 720 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 and a condom just in case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPX | 1,353 Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 3 hours ago, Tyree_Cooper said: and a condom just in case Sealed condition or pre-owned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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