With the hot graded-video game collectors market continuing into 2021 (see "'Super Mario 64' Goes for $1.56 Million at Heritage Auctions"), it was only a matter of time before larger grading services began to delve further into this relatively new marketplace. Wata Games pioneered video game grading services, and is considered the gold standard for grading older video games. Collectors Universe apparently determined that it was more practical to simply purchase a video game grading division rather than form one from the ground up; the acquisition of Wata Games marks their official foray into the graded video games space.
Wata Games will continue to operate as a standalone company under the same leadership. Thus far, there have been no plans announced to alter its business model.
In another deal in the grading space, funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities acquired a majority interest in Certified Collectibles Group (see "Blackstone Acquires Majority Share of Certified Collectibles Group").
