How to Handle and Sleeve Sealed Video Games Without Damage

Sealed video games aren’t just boxes on a shelf-they’re time capsules. A mint-condition copy of Super Mario Bros. from 1985 or a first-run Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time can be worth thousands. But if you handle them wrong, even a tiny scratch or a warped corner can slash their value overnight. The truth? Most collectors ruin their sealed games not by accident, but because they don’t know how to properly sleeve, store, or open them.

Why Shrinkwrap Is the Enemy (And How to Fight It)

You might think the shrinkwrap around your game is protecting it. It is-until it isn’t. Over time, that plastic continues to shrink. Not slowly. Not gently. It pulls, twists, and presses against the corners and edges of the game box. You won’t notice it at first. But after five years? Ten? You’ll see faint white lines along the box’s corners. The edges start to curl. The barcode gets smushed. This isn’t just wear-it’s structural damage caused by the very thing meant to preserve it.

This isn’t theory. It’s been documented by collectors who’ve stored sealed games since the 1990s. The same thing happened to vinyl records from the 70s. The plastic didn’t break. It just kept pulling. And when it pulls on cardboard, it leaves permanent marks.

How to Sleeve Sealed Games Like a Pro

The best way to stop shrinkwrap damage is to put the whole sealed game into a protective sleeve. Not just any sleeve. You need one made for archival use: acid-free, thick enough to resist tearing, and flexible enough to slide on without forcing.

The MintFit Booster Pack Sleeves are 100-micron, archival-safe plastic sleeves designed for sealed collectibles. They’re used by trading card collectors, but they work perfectly for video games. Here’s how to use them:

1. Hold the sealed game by its edges-never touch the front art or the shrinkwrap.
2. Slide the game into the sleeve from the top, with the box facing down.
3. Once it’s fully inside, fold the top flap over and press it shut. No tape. No glue. Just the fold.

This sleeve becomes a second skin. It stops dust, fingerprints, and the shrinkwrap from digging into the box. It also lets you handle the game without touching the original packaging. You can stack them, store them upright, or even flip them over to check the back without risking damage.

Toploaders are another option-especially for smaller games like Game Boy cartridges or NES titles. But be careful: if the shrinkwrap flap sticks out, it can get caught on the plastic edge and tear. Always trim or tuck the flap before sliding it in.

How to Open a Sealed Game Without Ruining the Shrinkwrap

Sometimes you need to play the game. Maybe you want to check if the cartridge works. Maybe you’re preparing it for grading. But you still want to keep the shrinkwrap intact so you can reseal it later. Here’s how to do it without tearing a single inch.

You’ll need three tools: a box cutter, a pair of small scissors, and a piece of thick cardboard (like an old cereal box). Don’t use your fingers. Don’t try to peel it off. You’ll ruin it.

1. Start at the bottom seam. Use the box cutter to make a tiny slit-just long enough to slip the blade under the plastic.
2. Insert the blade and slowly drag it upward along the side seam. Don’t cut all the way through. Just separate the plastic from the glue.
3. Switch to the scissors. Make tiny snips every inch along the seam, just enough to let the plastic lift. This prevents tearing.
4. Now slide the thick cardboard under the shrinkwrap, starting at the bottom. Gently push upward. The cardboard acts like a lever, lifting the plastic away from the box without pulling.
5. Once the plastic is fully lifted, you can carefully pull it off. It should come off in one piece, like a sleeve.

This method takes practice. First time? Do it on a cheap game. But once you get it right, you’ll be able to open and reseal dozens without a single tear. The shrinkwrap stays usable. The box stays clean. The value stays high.

Shipping Sealed Games? Don’t Use Bubble Wrap

I’ve seen too many sealed games arrive in the mail with crushed corners, ripped shrinkwrap, or dents from being squished. The number one mistake? Using bubble wrap.

Bubble wrap isn’t bad-it’s just used wrong. The air pockets can trap the corners of the game box. When the box shifts during transit, the bubble seams dig into the cardboard. You end up with tiny nicks that look like knife cuts.

Here’s the right way:

1. Wrap each sealed game in a thin plastic sheet-like a produce bag from the grocery store. This stops them from rubbing against each other.
2. Place the wrapped games in a box with foam padding around them. Don’t pack it tight. Let it breathe.
3. Use loose foam peanuts or crumpled paper around the sides. No compressing.
4. Close the box so the lid sits naturally. If you have to force it shut, you’re packing it wrong.
5. Tape the box with reinforced packing tape. Never let the tape touch the game box itself. Always tape over the plastic wrap.

This method keeps the box from bending. It stops the shrinkwrap from snagging. And it means your game arrives in the same condition it left.

Storage Tips That Actually Work

Don’t store sealed games in a basement. Don’t leave them in a hot attic. Don’t stack them under a TV.

The ideal storage environment:

• Temperature: Between 65°F and 70°F
• Humidity: 40% to 50%
• Light: No direct sunlight. UV fades colors and weakens plastic.
• Position: Store upright, like books. Never lay flat. Weight from above can warp the box.
• Location: A closet on an interior wall, away from vents or windows.

If you live in a humid climate-like Portland, Oregon-use a small dehumidifier in the room. Moisture makes cardboard swell and plastic brittle. Both are death for sealed games.

What Not to Do

Don’t use tape on the shrinkwrap. Ever. It leaves residue. It pulls off paint. It’s irreversible.

Don’t clean the box with water or wipes. Even a damp cloth can warp the cardboard.

Don’t store them in plastic bins without ventilation. Condensation builds up. Mold grows. And once mold touches cardboard, it’s gone.

Don’t assume "it’s sealed, so it’s fine." Sealed doesn’t mean invincible. It means fragile.

Final Rule: Treat It Like a Museum Piece

Sealed video games are artifacts. They’re history. They’re craftsmanship. The same care you’d give to a rare comic book or a first-edition book should go to your sealed games.

Sleeve them. Store them right. Open them carefully. Ship them smart.

The difference between a $50 game and a $5,000 game isn’t rarity. It’s condition. And condition? It’s built one careful move at a time.