Whether you consider yourself a hardcore gamer or haven’t picked up a controller in years, you know exactly who Mario is. With his signature red hat, blue overalls, and iconic mustache, the plumbing hero won our hearts and became a worldwide household name almost overnight.
When Super Mario Bros. dropped on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) back in 1985, it completely changed the landscape of popular video games forever. Today, it’s breaking records in the auction world.
Hitting the Auction Block
Recently, a pristine, original copy of Super Mario Bros. went up for sale at Heritage Auctions and hammered for an unbelievable $100,150. Because six figures is a hefty price tag for a single cartridge, a group of collectors actually pooled their money together to make the record-breaking purchase. They’ll be sharing joint ownership—and some serious bragging rights—for years to come!
What Makes This Specific Copy Worth $100K?
You might be wondering why this specific game fetched such a massive premium. For starters, it’s completely unopened and incredibly well-preserved, looking almost brand new. Even better, this particular copy originates from one of Nintendo’s absolute earliest test market launches of the NES in New York and Los Angeles.
While Nintendo reprinted Super Mario Bros. multiple times between 1985 and 1994, this is one of the very first production runs. It features a highly sought-after matte sticker seal and was certified by Wata Games with a phenomenal 9.4 Near Mint grade and an A++ seal rating.
A Priceless Piece of Gaming History
This monumental sale cements this Super Mario Bros. cartridge as one of the most expensive professionally graded games ever sold. Between its pristine condition and its vital place in gaming history, it is the ultimate holy grail for collectors.
Mario first jumped onto our screens in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong, meaning our favorite plumber has been dominating the video game scene for over four decades. If this auction is any indication, his legacy is only growing more valuable. It might just be time to check your attic and parents’ basements—you never know what priceless retro games you might have packed away!
