Condition Checklist – Quality Requirements for Selling Games

(it's expressly understood by using our service, that we reserve the right to reject any item that does not meet our quality guidelines)

Updated: October 05, 2025

The Table of Contents

🔒 Accepted Game Conditions – Quality Requirements Explained

Once we receive your video games, they are subject to approval. All video games will be tested for functionality and overall condition. Broken and or non-working items will be rejected upon receipt, and their value deducted from the total paid to you. Items may also be rejected for being in poor condition.

Games, Consoles, and Accessories received with excess soiling, excessive dirt or just plain filthy. Will be subject to a (30%) decrease from the quoted price. The cleaning charge!

All prices quoted are for fully functional items. All accessories sold with the particular unit if sold that way must be in working condition.

Video games and consoles not adhering to this policy can and will be subject to deductions. The Shipping Policy (Here) is considered part of the Terms & Conditions of Selling to The Old School Game Vault.

Do you buy every order The Old School Game Vault Receives?

• No, due to the sheer volume of selling orders we receive, we can't buy every order.

CD Based Game Requirements

• All Disc based games being sold to us should be in working condition; they should load and play without delay.
• Games should not have excess scratches, as they will be rejected upon receipt.
• All games being sold to us should be in working condition; they should load and play without delay.

Examples of Disc Games we Don't Buy

• We Do Not Buy Loose Games - Games that are being sold as disc only, we do not buy.
• Games with copied art-works or manuals will be rejected.
• Games that have been re-surfaced will be rejected.
• Games with FOIL label damage will be rejected, this is scratches or damage to the top of the disc.
• Games received with liquid damage - to the case, manual or art-work will be rejected

The Following CD Based Games will be rejected if the following is not meet.

• PlayStation 1, PlayStation Portable, Sega DreamCast, Sega CD, Original Xbox Games, Sega Saturn, Nintendo Wii, Panasonic 3DO, and Phillips CD-i Games.
  • These games need to be complete with Case, Manual, Art-work & Game Disc when sold to us.
  • Games received with no manual will be rejected Games received with no art-work will be rejected

Other CD Based Games Deductions

• The Following CD Based Games, can be sold with a missing manual, but will incur a (-40%) deduction from the quoted price for a missing manual.
  • PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii U, Turbografx 16 CD.
  • Games received - with Missing or Generic art-work will be rejected CD games with cosmetic flaws to the art-work, case and/or manual. Such as (but not limited to) stickers, markings, stains, tears, and creases flaws will be subject to (35% deduction) from the quoted price.

Cartridge Based Games:

• The Game Labels’ should be free from debris (but not limited to); stickers, stains, marker, scuffs, scratches and or tears.
• The Cartridges should not be cracked in any way, or they will be rejected.
• Games with a missing label will be rejected.  
• For More Information on our cartridge based game requirements - (Click Here - To View Our Cartridge Requirements Guide)

Counterfeit Games

• We have a zero tolerance for bootleg or fake video games.
• Don’t knowingly send them!
• Trust me, we are very good at spotting counterfeit games.

Consoles

• All consoles should be fully functional when sold to the old school game vault. (Consoles received broken will be subject to -$7.50 deduction per console)
• Handheld Consoles, if they include a battery, the battery should charge and work.  If the battery is dead, we would subtract the cost to replace the dead battery.
• Console bundles received with a missing part, we'll subtract the cost we buy that item for.
  • For Example, GameCube Bundle is $40, but doesn't include a Controller, then we will deduct (-$6.00) from your total for a missing controller. 
  • Basically what we are saying, if something being sold as a bundle is not received we shall deduct, the cost to replace the item.

Missing Instruction Manual Deductions

• Missing Instructions will have a (-40%) deduction from the original quoted price.
• Missing Art Work & or End Labels will have a (-40%) deduction from the quoted price.
• Please refer to the specific game page for other information about deductions.

 Other Relative Information about the selling video games to us.

• We only buy NTSC games, unless otherwise listed on the website.
• We only buy video games from customers located within the continental United States.
• Furthermore, we only buy a maximum of (2) two identical games from the same person, per 6-month time frame.

How Long is the Order Quote Good For?

Cracked Case or Damaged Game Case Deductions:

• jewel case (Standard Single Case)        -$1.00
• jewel case (Double Disc Case)              -$5.00
• other case                                          -$1.00 

✅ Game Quality FAQs – Honest Answers About What We Accept and Why

How much is deducted for a missing manual?

• If a game is missing its original instruction manual, we apply a 40% deduction from the quoted value.
• This applies to most disc-based games such as PlayStation 2/3/4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo GameCube, Wii U, and TurboGrafx-16 CD.
• For older retro systems like PS1, Sega CD, or Dreamcast, the manual is required—if it's missing, the game will be rejected.

What happens if my disc is scratched?

• Light scratches are acceptable as long as the game loads and plays correctly. This is based on our discretion.
• If the disc is heavily scratched or unplayable, it will be rejected.
• We do not accept resurfaced discs.

Can I sell games that are missing artwork or the case?

• No, Games missing original cover artwork or cases will be rejected

What cartridge defects lead to rejection?

How much is deducted for a cracked game case?

Can I sell a console that’s missing parts or not working?

• NO, All consoles must be fully functional.
• A broken console will receive a –$7.50 deduction. If a bundle is missing items like controllers or power cables, the cost to replace those parts will be subtracted from your total.

 

We reserved the right to reject any item(s) that we feel don’t meet our quality requirements