A copy of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. recently sold for an astonishing $3 million.
This rare copy of Super Mario Bros. has now achieved the status of the most expensive video game ever sold.
A sealed edition of Super Mario Bros. for the NES was sold for $3 million on June 12 during Heritage Auctions’ Video Games Signature Auction, marking a significant milestone in video game collecting. According to Heritage, this copy is the highest-graded version of the earliest sealed Super Mario Bros. and surpassed the previous record for video games by $1 million. That earlier benchmark was a $2 million private sale in 2021 for another copy of Super Mario Bros.
What makes this Mario cartridge unique
The $3 million copy is graded PSA 9.6 A++, indicating it is an exceptionally well-preserved sealed game. Heritage notes that it comes from the rare second production run with a gloss sticker, dating back to the early days of Nintendo’s NES in the U.S. This edition predates the use of shrink wrap, making it particularly sought after by collectors. Heritage states that only three sealed copies from this production run are known, and this one is considered the finest.
Additionally, the history behind this game enhances its allure. It was recently discovered in a brand-new Control Deck NES console bundle, meaning the sealed cartridge had likely remained untouched for nearly 40 years.
Retro games are now high-value collectibles
Super Mario Bros. is more than just an old game featuring a well-known plumber; it was instrumental in establishing the NES as a dominant home console in the 1980s and helped make Mario one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment. For collectors, it represents more than just a playable cartridge.
While the $3 million price tag is astonishing, it places a sealed NES game within the realm of fine art, rare comics, trading cards, and luxury timepieces. For many, Super Mario Bros. evokes childhood nostalgia, but the winning bidder now possesses a trophy valued in the seven figures.
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A copy of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. recently sold for an astonishing $3 million.
A sealed edition of Super Mario Bros. for the NES has been sold for $3 million, establishing a new record in the video game collecting industry.