An extremely rare version of Super Mario Bros for the Nintendo Entertainment System has been sold for an astronomically high price. The sticker sealed copy of the seminal 1985 classic sold for $100,150 to the highest bidder. This copy of Super Mario Bros is especially interesting to bidders because it is one of the original versions of the game that was only sold in test markets in LA and New York, making it extremely rare. The game box was basically in mint condition, receiving a 9.4 by Wata Games, meaning it was in fantastic condition.
For a game that came to the United States in 1985, many believed that an unopened copy likely did not exist anymore. When released in test markets, this version of the game only had around 12,000 copies total across the two test markets. What makes it even more impressive, is that this unopened copy has stood the test of time, staying in pristine condition for so long. The buyers were a group of collectors at Heritage Auctions who plan to eventually resell the copy of the Nintendo classic. The seller chose to remain anonymous.
Additionally, with the exceedingly high price point of the game, the sale of Super Mario Bros sets it in the record books. This is the highest selling graded video game to ever be sold on the market. Analysts believe that this version of Super Mario Bros if kept in proper condition, could be worth millions someday in the future.
The original Super Mario Bros holds an important stake in the legacy of games. Nintendo and most importantly, Mario, essentially brought gaming back into the mainstream, leading to the powerhouse industry we know and love today. It isn’t a shock to see that an original version of Super Mario Bros would be so highly sought after. “I’m very happy with our purchase of the Super Mario Bros, considering the impact the release of this game had on the world and continues to have,” said Heritage Auctions.
