Buying guide · NexWave Games
Scratches on a used game disc: when are they a problem?
You turn over a second hand game and see some fine scratches in the light. Right back? Not necessarily. The other way around a shiny disc is no guarantee that a game will run smoothly for hours. When used games counts the combination of visible state and a real playlist.
Not every scratch tells the same story
Fine superficial traces of use are common in older discs. A deep scratch, a damage that you feel with your fingernail or a problem on the printed side deserves more attention. How serious a place is, one can't reliably read from a photo: the angle of the light makes some traces disappear and emphasizes others correctly. If in doubt, ask for sharp pictures from both sides, straight from above and oblique in the light.
A circular scratch can occur when a disc makes contact with the drawer or another part while turning. Especially with a game that crashes at one point while playing, such a trail is reason to test further. Do not rely on a simple rule as three scratches are allowed, four do not have to; the place, depth, disc and reader play along.
Test beyond the start screen
The fact that a console recognizes the title of the game does not prove that all data is readable. Let the game start, load a level of save and play on for a while. When playing with multiple discs, check each disc separately. Install or copy can provide additional information, but a successful installation does not exclude any future problem. If you have a questionable disc yourself, try another well-known good game in the same console to exclude a problem with the drive.
With a console used, this comparison is especially important. If several clean discs do not load properly, it may be up to the reader. Disallowing one game without checking the console could be the wrong conclusion.
Cleaning without new damage
Fingerprints or fabric can be removed with a clean, soft, fluff-free cloth. Wipe from the middle straight to the edge, not in circles over the disc. Do not use raw kitchen roll or garden and kitchen polish. Sony also recommends a soft lint-free cloth and control with other discs for reading problems. If the disc then fails, brushing it up is not a proven solution for deep damage.
Professional polishing can help with some discs, but it is not a guarantee and does not suit every carrier. Ask what has actually been tested rather than to settle for the promise that a scratch is likely to go out.
What do you ask the seller?
Ask for clear pictures of the reading surface, information about the test and a description of any malfunctions. See if box and manual are available if that counts for your collection. An honest ad with a few visible traces and a good playlist gives you more hold than a dark photo with . This way you buy on operation and on the state you find acceptable.