CIB Completeness Checklist
Check off what you have for your retro game collection. CIB = Complete In Box — cartridge, box, manual, and all inserts.
| Condition | Multiplier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cart / Disc Only | 1x (baseline) | Game only, no box or manual |
| With Manual | 1.2x – 1.5x | Cart + manual, no box |
| Good Condition CIB | 2x – 3x | All major items present |
| Near Mint CIB | 3x – 5x | All items in excellent shape |
| Sealed / Shrinkwrap | 8x – 20x+ | Factory sealed, unopened |
| Graded (WATA/VGA) | Varies widely | Professionally graded sealed copy |
Why Complete-in-Box Matters for Collecting
What does CIB mean? CIB (Complete In Box) is the gold standard in retro game collecting — a copy that includes the cartridge or disc, the original box, the manual, and all originally included inserts (warranty cards, registration cards, foam padding, overlays, posters, etc.). The exact definition varies by collector community and platform.
Why does CIB command a premium? The box and manual were the first casualties of childhood game ownership. Parents often discarded boxes, manuals were lost, and inserts were thrown out immediately. This makes complete sets significantly rarer than loose cartridges, especially for older systems where decades of attrition have reduced the surviving complete-box population.
What to check before buying: Always verify that the box and manual match the region and revision of the game. North American NTSC boxes are different from PAL European boxes. Some games had multiple printings with different box art or manual revisions. Repro boxes and manuals are common in the market — authentic wear patterns (spine fades, price stickers, rental stamps) can help identify originals.
Storage matters: Store boxes upright like books to prevent warping. Use box protectors (clamshell protectors for NES, acrylic cases for others) to prevent shelf wear. Keep cartridges clean with isopropyl alcohol on the contacts — never GameStop warranty stickers on the label side.
Grading services: WATA Games and VGA (Video Game Authority) professionally grade and seal games, particularly sealed copies. Graded games have traded at extreme premiums at auction, though the market for graded retro games is volatile. For most collectors, a solid CIB copy in good condition is the practical and achievable goal.