Recently, an auction began featuring one of the rarest pieces of console gaming history: A Gold Nintendo World Championships game cartridge from 1990. It was produced as an exclusive prize for Nintendo Power magazine readers, and only 26 were ever made.
The auction for this ultra-rare item opened back in July, and there’s a big buzz. Back in 2014, one of these cartridges sold for more than $100,000 on eBay.
The bidding for this piece is set to end on August 17.
For those unfamiliar, these game cartridges were part of the 1990 Nintendo World Challenge, an event that toured 29 US cities to find America’s top gamers. Competitors played timed versions of Super Mario Bros, Tetris, and Rad Racer on these special game cartridges. The gold versions, presented to contest winners, have become legendary among collectors.
What’s interesting from a business perspective is the investment potential of such rare items. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in the value of vintage gaming cartridges. A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros sold for $660,000 in 2021, and a rare original run of Legend of Zelda fetched $870,000. The rarity and nostalgia associated with these items make them highly sought after, not just by gamers but by investors looking to diversify their portfolios with unique assets.
Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or not, this is a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected items can turn into valuable assets.