Ratings Cartridges | OriginalGame

Cartridges and their Grades , What does Quality A-E/X means?

Simply put: A means best and E is worst. Click here for general info on how this grading (rating) systems works

keep in mind: they are holding up for more than 2 (or 3!) decades. When Quality Cartridge is mentioned , we are talking about the Shell. The Inside is not being Graded as they just only have to work (functional) The Labels are rated seperately. A re-shell is possible with a Donor Cartridge from an Original or with a Reproduction Shell (re-shell with new plastic) If the cartridge got a reproduction shell it's marked with an X and clearly stated as "Reproduction Shell"

Grade A Cartridges: The best out there. First glance has to give you the feeling that it is new. Investigating closely might find you the smallest flaws (for example a bit of discolloration).

Grade B Cartridges: Second best out there. There are a few points that make them less perfect than A. It's surely not yellowed all over. Some parts might be.

Grade C Cartridges: Clearly Used , has history but still looks ok. Most are discollored (yellowed) for bigger parts or all over. Scratches are common.

Grade D Cartridges: Heavily used. scratches,writing/carving, stickers or tape may have been applied. can be yellowed too

Grade E Cartridges: Very heavily damaged. Missing pieces./broken off, glued together. being yellowed is it's least of problems. Maybe better of with re-shell?

X : New Shell

Usually of Very Good quality. When on this webshop ,cartridges are being sold with after market shells, they are clearly stated as with " X Reproduction Shell" Photo's from products with an X are also from "Actual Items" = What you see is what you get

This and all other grading systems are always arbitrary. What some people can't stand is no problem for the other. Most games are over 2 (or 3!) decades old so please understand: "really new" can't be true, or it would be reproductions. I'm not in this "business" to cheat or get rich quick so I hope for some understanding. sometimes Yellowing is part of the aging progress. If you can live with that discoloration Grade C will be fine for you , most of the time. If you think that discoloring has to be at the absolute minimum, you should go for A and nothing less.

please check all grades before you buy a game that does not have pictures of the Actual Item!

"Actual Item" = What you see is what you get

"Graded" = photo('s)* are being re-used for 5 different quality's

*(taken by myself once)

Every listing (Game) has at least one example with their Grades in the picture like this: "Cartridge A, Label A" if you select that in the webshop you will get the same quality but not always the Actual Item. Sometimes you can not find the same quality to buy on this webshop as seen in the pictures. To get a good feeling about quality (or if you only want to but Actual Items) please check listings that are from "Actual Items"

Take me to the examples and more explanation.