Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Sealed 1986 Super Mario Bros copy fetches $660,000 at auction
A pristine copy of the original Super Mario Bros video game, purchased as a Christmas gift in 1986 and left untouched in a desk drawer for 35 years, has sold for $660,000 at auction, setting a new world record for the iconic Nintendo title.
LSN India ·
The sealed cartridge, professionally graded for its exceptional condition, sold at Heritage Auctions in 2021 after its remarkable discovery. The game had remained in its original packaging since the year it was gifted, protected from the wear and tear that typically affects decades-old gaming merchandise.
The record-breaking sale underscores the growing value of vintage video game memorabilia, particularly pristine, unopened examples from the 1980s. Original copies of Super Mario Bros, which debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), have become increasingly sought-after by collectors worldwide. The condition of the cartridge and its professional grading certification were critical factors in achieving the exceptional price.
Super Mario Bros remains one of the most influential video games ever created, credited with revitalising the home video game industry in the mid-1980s following the earlier market crash. Its enduring cultural significance continues to drive collector interest decades after its initial release, with early cartridges in mint condition commanding premium prices at auction houses specializing in gaming memorabilia.