Video Game Quality Requirements, Conditions & Deductions Explained

Updated: January 2026

If your items do not meet these standards, we may reject them or reduce the payout. Check our Rejection Policy to see how we handle rejected items.

The Table of Contents 

Accepted Game Condition Criteria – Quality Requirements Explained

When we receive your items, we verify that they work, are in good condition, and are clean. The prices we quote assume your items meet all the requirements listed below and work properly.

If items are in bad condition, missing parts, or do not work, we may reject them or lower the payout.

Cleanliness & Excessive Soiling

If games, consoles, or accessories arrive very dirty, we may take 30% off the quoted price for cleaning.

General Requirements

• All items must be authentic and functional.
• Accessories included with consoles or bundles must be in working condition.
• Items not meeting these requirements may be subject to deductions or rejection.
• Our Shipping Policy is part of the Terms & Conditions when you sell to The Old School Game Vault.

Do You Buy Every Order You Receive?

No. Because we receive a high volume of orders, we cannot fulfill every order we receive.

Disc-Based Game Requirements

All disc-based games must:

• Load and play right away without problems
• Be free from excessive scratches, cracks, or disc rot
• Not have been resurfaced

Disc-Based Games We Do Not Buy

• Loose disc-only games
• Games with copied or generic artwork or manuals
• Resurfaced discs
• Games with foil label damage (scratches or damage to the top of the disc)
• Games with liquid damage to the case, artwork, or manual

Completion Requirements for Disc-Based Games

Must include the case, manual, artwork, and disc

The following systems are required to be complete to be accepted:

• PlayStation 1
• PlayStation Portable
• Sega Dreamcast
• Sega CD
• Sega Saturn
• Original Xbox
• Nintendo Wii
• Panasonic 3DO
• Philips CD-i

If games for these systems are missing manuals or artwork, we will reject them.

Missing Manual Allowed (With Deduction)

You can sell games for these platforms without a manual, but we will take 40% off the price:

• PlayStation 2
• PlayStation 3
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox 360
• Xbox One
• Nintendo GameCube
• Nintendo Wii U
• TurboGrafx-16 CD

We will reject games that lack artwork or use generic artwork.

Cosmetic flaws to artwork, cases, or manuals (including stickers, stains, tears, or creases) are subject to a 35% deduction.

Cartridge-Based Games (General Overview)

Cartridge games must meet these basic standards:

• The original labels must be there and easy to read
• Cartridges must not be cracked or damaged
• The contacts must not have any corrosion
• We do not accept fake or reproduction cartridges

For more details on cartridge inspection, please see our Cartridge Requirements Guide.

Counterfeit Games

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit, bootleg, or reproduction games.
Counterfeit items are not eligible for purchase.

Console Requirements

• All consoles must work properly.
• Handheld consoles with batteries must charge and power on properly.
• Console bundles must have all the parts listed.

If a bundle is missing parts like controllers, cables, or accessories, we will deduct the replacement cost from your payout.

Missing Manuals & Artwork (General Deductions)

• If the instruction manual is missing, a 40% deduction will apply.
• Missing original artwork or end label will result in a 40% deduction.

Please refer to individual product pages for platform-specific deduction information.

Additional Selling Requirements

• We only purchase NTSC-region games unless otherwise specified.
• We only purchase from customers located in the continental United States.
• Each customer may sell a maximum of two identical games within a six-month period.

How Long Is My Quote Valid?

Your quote is valid for 14 business days from the date you submit your order.
Prices are updated regularly. Orders received after the 14-day period will be repriced based on current site values.

Cracked or Damaged Game Case Deductions

• If a standard jewel case (single disc) is cracked or damaged, we will deduct $1.00.
• If a double-disc jewel case is cracked or damaged, we will deduct $5.00.
• For other plastic game cases that are cracked or damaged, we will deduct $1.00.

Large-format cases (including Sega CD and Sega Saturn longbox cases):

• If there are minor cracks or cosmetic damage, we will deduct 30% from the value.
• If there is major damage, broken hinges, or other structural problems, we cannot accept the case.