Does the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 have you reflecting on your younger years playing video games? Vintage titles from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, GameCube and Game Boy can stir nostalgia for many of us who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s.
With a booming collectibles market, demand for Nintendo games is rocketing the value of rare, limited or special editions to unprecedented heights. If you’ve got box full of old games, they may be worth money.
To help you sort through them, this guide breaks down the vintage Nintendo games that can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
15 Rare Nintendo Games and What They’re Worth
The surge in interest in video game collecting is driving record sales and annual returns. Here are some of those games and their average values.
Stadium Events, 1987 — $42,004
A follow-up title to the Family Fun and Fitness accessory, this was a large pad that plugged into the NES controller port. The pad from Bandai was later purchased by Nintendo and rebranded as the Power Pad.
Nintendo World Championships, Gold Cartridge, 1990 — $18,862
Given away through a mail-in competition, just 26 of these cartridges were produced. They feature the same circuit board as the gray cartridges — with Super Mario Bros, Rad Racers and Tetris — that were used in the world championships.
Nintendo Campus Challenge, 1991 — $17,050
College campus challengers competed by playing through three games on this cartridge: Super Mario Bros. 3, Pinbot and Dr. Mario. The only known cartridge sold in 2009 for $20,100.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Not for Resale, 2000 — $10,000
Among console games, Zelda is one of the most popular and valuable. This version is a gray cartridge with “Not for Resale” printed on the label. A shrinking supply compared to the demand makes this game valuable.
Donkey Kong Country Competition Edition, 1994 — $7,426
Just 2,500 copies of this special version of Donkey Kong Country were produced for the Nintendo PowerFest ’94 competition. A timer and available levels make this version different from the original Donkey Kong.
Mega Man, Five Screw Version, 1987 — $6,595
Mega Man was the defender of the human race against the leaders and fighters of Monsteropolis. Because players found this game too difficult, a sequel was never planned, although developers squeezed one out in their spare time. A sealed game sold at Heritage Auctions for $144,000 in April 2021.
Legend of Zelda, Test Cartridge, 1980s — $6,369
Legend of Zelda test cartridges were used in Nintendo service centers, where you could have your game console serviced and repaired. These cartridges made their way to the public after the centers were closed and are among the rarest Nintendo games.
Little Samson, 1992 — $5,374
This colorful, action-adventure game didn’t sell well and was released late in the cycle for the NES console. A small number of sales and a lack of promotion have contributed to the game’s rise in value.
The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak, 1994 — $4,999
Some of the value in this game comes from the mystery of its origin story. Was it just a Blockbuster rental exclusive, or was it released with limited promotion? Whatever the true story behind “The Flintstones,” it’s hard to find and can cost more than $3,500 for a copy in the box.
Sonic Heroes & Super Monkey Ball Duo Pack, 2003 — $4,350
The combination of these two games on one cartridge for the GameCube is where the value lies. Apart, either game sells for about $20. However, this duo pack often fetches more than $3,000.
Nintendo Campus Challenge, 1992 — $4,000
In 1992, Nintendo held gaming competitions for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System on 35 college campuses in North America using a cartridge with limited versions of three games: Super Mario World, Pilotwings and F-Zero. The cartridge included a phone jack to send information back to servers at Nintendo. Only two copies of the collectible SNES games are known to exist.
Star Fox Weekend Competition, 1993 — $2,499
Star Fox was a hit game for the SNES from Nintendo at the worldwide competitions in the spring and summer of 1993. The competition cartridges, with changes made to the first two stages, were never released to stores. About 2,000 copies are rumored to exist.
Nintendo World Championships, Gray Cartridge, 1990 — $2,210
Competitors in 29 cities played Super Mario Bros., Rad Racers and Tetris from these cartridges, which are numbered, unlike the gold version. The highest number known to exist is 353.
Mortal Kombat 2, Not for Sale, 1993 — $1,199
This popular game, which led to video games being rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, isn’t rare or terribly expensive. However, a version with a white bar on the label that reads “Not for Sale” can be valuable.
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Darkrai Distribution, Not for Sale, 2007 — $569
Separate versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl appear on this promotional card for the Nintendo DS. In red lettering inside a white box on the card, you’ll find the phrases “Darkrai Distribution Only” and “Not for Sale.”
Why Retro Nintendo Games Are More Than Nostalgia
The factors contributing to the surge in Nintendo collecting go beyond nostalgia, although the intersection of passion and profit potential plays a starring role with Nintendo games. Collectors and investors drive up demand with their desire to own a piece of their past and gaming history.
Key market drivers include rare Nintendo games and consoles and the ability to search and buy these collectibles in online marketplaces, such as eBay, and auctions, such as Heritage Auctions. Nintendo games and consoles are also being recognized as cultural artifacts and for their investment potential.
Whether you just need a few extra bucks or you want to build a valuable collection, you might consider rummaging through your old Nintendo game cartridges or hunting for these hidden treasures before prices climb even higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are graded Nintendo games worth more?
Yes, graded Nintendo games are often considered to be worth more because the process provides third-party verification of condition and authenticity. Grading reduces the risk and uncertainty for a buyer and adds to the preservation of the game.
What are the rarest NES games?
Nintendo World Championships is considered the rarest of valuable NES games since it was produced for a competition in 1990, and only a handful were awarded as prizes. Other games among the rarest include a gold version of Duck Tales Remastered from a press kit Capcom sent to the media in 2013; Mega Man, because it has five screws in the back instead of the usual three; Little Samson, as one of the last games created for NES and Cheetah Men II, which was never officially released.
What Nintendo game sold for $100,000?
An unopened test market version of Super Mario Bros. from 1985 sold for $100,150 at Heritage Auctions in 2019, and a year later, another one sold for $114,000. The game reached such prices because it is the rarest version known to exist, and the cartridge in the 2019 sale was rated 9.4, in near mint condition.
About Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards is a finance writer passionate about helping people learn more about what’s needed to achieve their financial goals. She has nearly a decade of writing experience focused on budgeting, investment strategies, retirement and industry trends. Her work has been published on NerdWallet and FinImpact.
