In this category the most persuasive frame is not a photograph at all.
The shot that sells
Case front, square on, with the contents arranged beside it — disc or cartridge, manual, inserts. Completeness is what buyers filter on and this shows it at a glance.
The shot that prevents the dispute
Video of the game running. Thirty seconds of a title screen and a few seconds of play answers more than any description.
The list
- Front of the case, square on
- Spine, where region and platform usually print
- Back of the case
- Inside, open, showing the hub and the manual
- Disc surface, angled into the light
- Cartridge label and contacts
- Any crack at the hinge or corner
Light
Even and indirect for the case; angled for the disc. Plastic cases reflect badly under a single overhead bulb — move the light to one side.
For the disc, tilt until the light runs across it. Scratches that matter appear that way and are invisible flat.
Consoles
Photograph everything that is included, laid out: controllers, cables, power supply, memory cards. Then film it powering on.
What goes wrong
Photographing the case only, using a publisher's cover art, and writing "working" with no footage. Common mistakes.
Questions people ask
Do I need to show the manual?
If it is included, yes. It is part of complete.
How do I show a save battery works?
Film it saving and loading. That is the only proof there is.
Is a sealed game photographed differently?
Every face, with the seal visible, and nothing pressing on it.
More: selling games, describing condition.