A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. just made history: The highest-graded copy of the earliest sealed edition of the NES classic sold at auction for $3 million, beating the previous $2 million record set by another copy of the game in a 2021 private sale. For anyone with a leftover cartridge from your childhood rattling around in a drawer somewhere, though, sorry — these games are factory sealed and in pristine condition, even though they're decades old.
"It is only appropriate that the most significant video game in the world should bring the more impressive result in the history of the hobby," said Evan Masingill, the video game consignment director of Heritage Auctions, where the game sold. "The remarkable back story — it was just discovered a few months ago inside a brand-new Control Deck NES console bundle, meaning it has not been touched for nearly 40 years — makes the result even more impressive."
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Heritage listed it as a PSA 9.6 A++ sealed production copy, complete with the gloss sticker on the top lid that identified it as second-production, from 1986. The auction house called it "the holy grail of video game collecting," emphasizing that this specific variant of the game has never appeared in a public auction in sealed condition before.
The closest equivalent in the past was a second production copy that sold privately in 2019, rated 9.4 A++ (so slightly worse condition than this copy). That was the first-ever six-figure video game sale.
In this article: Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model w/Neon Red & Neon Blue Joy-Con
If a $3 million collectible game isn't in your budget (join the club), you can still shop plenty of Nintendo items (both vintage and modern) at more reasonable prices on the list below.
Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition
This miniature NES Classic Edition includes an HDMI cable, AC adapter, one NES Classic Controller and 30 installed games ready to play — everything you need for throwback Mario nights.
Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle
This bundle offers the Nintendo Switch 2 and a digital game download of your choice: Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza or Pokemon Pokopia. The Switch is equipped with a 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen, 256GB internal storage, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers and TV, tabletop and handheld modes.
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model w/Neon Red & Neon Blue Joy-Con
This version of the Switch offers a 7-inch OLED screen, 64GB of internal storage and enhanced audio in handheld and tabletop modes. It also has Neon Red and Blue Joy-Con controllers and a dock with a wired LAN port.
Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros (Game & Watch) (Electronic Games)
This nod to Nintendo history includes the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and a digital clock. The Game & Watch uses a +Control Pad for tight controls on the go, and the clock shows 35 different animations over time for extra fun for fans.
Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park
This Switch game sends Mario and friends through the Flower Kingdom to collect power-ups and unlockable badges. It offers local, online and multiplayer options, so you can play on your own or with friends.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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