Games are small, light and awkward in exactly one way: the case is rigid, thin plastic, and rigid thin plastic breaks at the corners.
Before the box
Tape the case shut. A case that springs open in transit releases the disc, and then a loose disc spends the journey against its own case.
Secure the disc in the hub. If the hub is weak, take the disc out, put it in a paper or plastic sleeve, and pack it beside the case rather than in it. Say in the parcel note that you did.
Cartridges go in a sleeve or a small bag, so the label is not rubbed by the box.
The box
- Case or cartridge wrapped in bubble, taped so the wrap cannot unroll
- Into a box close to its size
- Voids filled so nothing can move
- Seams taped
A padded envelope with no rigid protection is how cases arrive cracked. For anything collected, use a box.
Consoles
Take out the disc or cartridge before posting. Wrap the console, the cables and the controllers separately so connectors cannot press into plastic. Original box inside a shipping box — the original box is part of what was sold.
Heat and damp
Discs and cartridges are less fragile than paper, but the manuals and inserts in a complete game are paper, and they take damp like any other paper. A plastic bag around the lot costs nothing. What humidity does to stock.
Questions people ask
Can I post a game in a bubble mailer?
A loose cartridge, yes. A boxed or complete game, no — the corners need a box.
Should I post the disc separately from the case?
If the hub is loose, yes, and say so in the parcel. A rattling disc is the most common avoidable damage here.
Do I need to include the manual separately?
No, but protect it. A creased manual turns a complete game into an argument.