YOURTURN

When they started VGA in February, 2008, which was during CGA's Tom Darby era, their source material came from the internet. But since that point, I cannot say. Based on what CAS charges for grading, as they offer a "no grading" discount, VGA will not admit their mistakes. Most likely because their own policies come first, grading fees are very little, and the combination of the two would require them to admit that they'll cut corners if it helps them meet their quotas.

Not to burst your bubble, but CGA has a long history of grading fakes, foreign rereleases, etc. as either authentic or original releases. With the last one I heard of being that fake Pokémon Pearl with the wrong font for the "E" grade. Which is why I would rely on GoCollect a community that'll help me with any pre-graded CIBs first. With grading being for the graders simply because even respectable auction houses like Sotheby's, and Japanese resellers like Mandarake have graders.

I agree when it comes to non-import stuff. But I should note that they used to have POP reports. The system was often hard to use, and eventually became outdated in more than one way. But since I am an import collector, I am going to try out Wata instead of hoping they will make additional changes atop of what you have mentioned.

To keep things simple I think I was in possession of your proverbial baton. Just because I have been doing something similar, for different reasons, from December, 2011 to January, 2023. With me seeing an uptick from what I originally paid to what was being asked in 2021. But yeah... I totally get where you are coming from. And agree with those about Nintendo Switch. Just like how I am keeping it extra simple by limiting my sealed game collection to my current focus.

It's a more classic gameplay style where the action pauses when it is your turn to either make a move or do an action. Or even both. Similar to playing a tabletop RPG. With examples including Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest/Warrior.

Dragon Quest VIII

So atop of my drop-off/pick-up questions (as I currently live around 80 miles from Santa Ana), I need to ask them about that. Because I am not a fan of CGC's cases, nor am I fan of any website that requires you to register just to get any grading information. Atop of the fact that I want to keep my collection uniformed while I am still here.

Not me. If I wanted to make a profit I would do "The Men of VGS 20XX" calendar. Not only can I make money selling those, but I can also make some added revenue from those who are helping anybody that has purchased it. That, and I actually prefer my goal of having a preserved collection that I can eventually display. Just because it costs money to keep those "investments" in their graded condition. Which is one of the few reasons why I stick with Japanese imports, as well as why I am currently focusing on Final Fantasy releases for the PS5.

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

I know that feeling many times around. Even though it never works out for me. Right now I am thankful to have gotten both Crisis Core Reunion (early purchase sticker variant) and Remake (reprint; no exclusive sticker variant) via online retail prices. All because both have situations that make them lower print runs. With Remake having me hope that I don't have to go Edward Elric (i.e. pay an arm and a leg) when it comes to getting Intergrade. But none the less congrats on completing that set.

Yeah. That guy got to me. And before I was about to tell him off, @Gloves swooped right in and gave him the boot. Here is a reenactment of that moment in VGS history.

It was another member. The member I was talking mainly (or just) posted VGA graded Konami games. And with my time there limited, I cannot remember when he was banned. But I do think he had, at one point, posted a VGA graded copy of Jackal. And possibly had posted multiple copies of Simon's Quest.

And here I am wondering why Wata has given us no updates in regards to their new cases. But it is all good since I can only guess that you'll have to pay a Necromancer fee from here-on-out.

Also, as a side note... I am deeply "offended" that @Arkturus has not started this topic with VGA 2.0's most beloved topic starter. Which is why I am contributing it, after I found it on what was left of that topic. And not because I cannot remember the name of that one member who had contributed a lot of imaged in the VGA 1.0 topic before he was banned.

Before I left this one forum as a Lead Moderator, I had to deal with that every time somebody complained. And despite having a nice guy for an Admin, I am wondering if he would have done the same if his former Lead Moderator (rightfully) gave the same complainers the ban hammer. Plus, not to snub what @Armageddon Potato has said, I am wondering if Dain's regret is more financial than what GoCollect has done.

That was a 9.8 A++. But secretly it was also that rare "Buy this if you want to have your friends think you are cool." variant.

Those types of releases are both a version and a variant. At least that is what Google says. It is both the original version, but also adds something to make it its own version. Which is why I should have gone with both Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. With how the DLC gives the PS5 release a "its own game" vibe. With me wishing I was not too tired when I wrote my original response.

Isn't a "variant" a type of person who wears boxers over his underwear, but still wears brown pants just in case he finds a super-rare game for a super-low price? No... Wait. That is one version of a HA auction buyer who was smart enough to wear that while he prepared himself for what a non-reality TV buyer will offer for that Wata graded 9.8 A++ Super Mario 64. - Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII (Greatest Hits) are variants. - Final Fantasy VII (NA) and Final Fantasy VII International (JPN) are versions. Plus, I guess a "variant being its own game" is when a region turns it into its own game (ex. FC's Dragon Quest vs NES's Dragon Warrior). Or just when the publisher decides to be lazy by adding "Remake" to the name.

When it comes to Japanese console games, that tends to be the difference between their first printings and later printings. But for CM's sake, I'll say "release" instead. Because even the word "literally" can be be be taken as a literal term. Anywho... Dragon Quest VII: Eden no Senshi-tachi has four releases. And fits one part of your examples. Release #1 = SLPM-86500-1 = The error version that Enix offered a replacement to those who bought it. Release #2 = SCPS-45504-5 = The correct version that ended up replacing the original. The remaining two (PS One Books & Ultimate Hits) are priced down releases that are easy to differentiate from these two. And I say that because the difference is tied to the JAN codes that also appear on the obi. Where as Final Fantasy Collection only appears to have three JAN codes. Two of them (SCPS-45388-90 & SLPS-01948-50) are both standard prints that appear to have separate release dates. With the one I recently got (again) has a JAN code that coincides with the Anniversary Package JAN code (SLPS-01945-7). Which puts up the question: "Which is the official first release: The standard or the Anniversary set?" Which goes back to what @RH said while @DefaultGen showed us images from "Video Games Gone Wild". The only people who can say what is a first anything are those who have said data. Simply because in both North America and Europe, for example, there have been talks of regional changes for toys and video games. Then again... I am now wondering if those "early purchase" sticker prints I like are truly first releases.

Yare yare. Being both the son of a bibliophile, and being one prior to getting video games myself, I beg to differ. As AbeBooks says on the subject (link included): "Identifying a first edition is no simple matter. There are thousands of publishers and they use a large variety of methods, which are often changed, to define first editions. The publisher may actually state the words ‘first edition’ or ‘first printing’ on the copyright page. Another common method of identification is the number line – that’s a line of numbers on the copyright page. Usually, if a one is present in the line then it’s a first edition. This style has been used since World War II." Literally meaning that with printings, it's all about the production runs. And with video games, none of us literally can say which printing is a first, etc. without any data from the publishers themselves. All because just seeing a serial number on an NES booklet does not guarantee that it is the same case with all NES booklets. Thus going back to what the experts have said on this subject. And that is the first to be produced does not mean every one after that is not part of that production run. With publishers defining this with the use of their systems, which is the key for us to truly know which is which. Because, again, a print run is more about the running changes a publisher makes. And with them, their definition ranges from the above mentioned changes to (the case of my last two acquisitions) either the omission of an "exclusive" sticker or a completely different serial number. Stuff I always looked out for when I hunted down first printings. But again, I also used to follow this blog (link included) when I was trying to rebuild my Dragon Quest collection. After I found out that more recent games had both standard and limited printings be done at the same time.

Actually, there is a difference between a "first print" and a "first to be printed" when it comes to production runs. Because the term "first print" is often short for "the first product to be printed". With changes to dates, inserts, etc. often being tied to which region/store the game is being shipped to. Kind of like how some first print copies of certain books say "first print" but still have different printing dates. Because in the end the first to be printed from that print run will be no different than the last. Outside the realm of any info the publisher has to offer.

EDIT: It's a long story...

It's a solid 8 for me. I am with Mister Thou @Tanooki on this one. A lot of the game is great. And I even highly prefer this over Chrono Trigger. But realistically playing it had me feel like they could have done some things differently, and other things just had me feel a bit bogged down. Especially when it came to seeking out new skills for Gau to use. Stuff like that had me miss the level of grinding needed to get select Jobs/Classes on Final Fantasy V. Again, great content. And I miss the old commercial. But again, there are things about it that do not make me want to rank it even higher.

I am starting to miss shopping for video games in both Osaka and Tokyo. With nearly every used video game shop having their CIB games graded, and those who do not being honest about their games being a re-seal. I hate to say it but I am starting to miss that more than the video game related events I got to experience.

Animal Crossing having bad games?! Gah! Next thing I know you are going to say that @avatar! does not deserve to give a much deserved scalper a kick in the ass! One that was so hard, surgeons are needed to remove his oversized steel-toe boot! That's it! Unless you guys' don't show me more of that sweet, softcore porn you call your collectibles, I am just going to stare at your claim with very little disgust! Just because I respect you guys!