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26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune

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The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) rescued the video game industry in the mid-1980s. What's surprising is that those nostalgic gray cartridges turned into rare NES games, now valued far beyond their original price. Today, some rare NES games sell for hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars online. Collectors bid on rare, often unopened, games on eBay to complete their collections. The most valuable NES games skyrocket in price when they include the box, instructions, and remain unopened. While not all NES games are valuable, these rare ones stand out as highly sought after and are now considered some of the most expensive NES games ever produced.

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  • 1
    'Contra' Sold For $20,000

    Gamers still remember Contra.Contraasone of the hardest games ever made. However, it is the first game to use the Konami Code. Entering that code gives a player 30 lives, making the game beatable and much more fun. If you keep your copy, you might make about $25 if it is loose, or $90 if you keep the box, sleeve, and booklet.This game was made, but that is not a problem because it debuted the Konami Code. Entering that code gives a player 30 lives, making the game beatable and much more fun. If you keep your copy, you might score about $25 if it is loose, and about$90if you still have the box, sleeve, and booklet.

    If you got the game back in 1987 and never opened it, you have something much more valuable. On June 29, 2020, a brand new, still in the pristine box and shrink wrap copy of Contra.Contrasold on eBay for an astounding$20,001.01The box still had its hanging tag; it was in perfect shape.

  • 2
    'Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!' Sold For $10,000

    Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! is a game most NES owners had. Thus, it should not cost a huge $10K at auction. The listing showed a mint-condition unopened box and photos, which collectors love.

    You can find an old cart outside the box for a few dollars, but this one was perfect! It sold in June 2020 for $10,000. It was listed as ungraded, but it scored between 8.5 and 9.0, which is the highest grade usually seen. This was a high price for this item, since even a graded copy does not usually sell for this much money.high pricefor this item, since even a graded copy does not usually sell for that much.

  • 3
    'Super Mario Bros.' Sold For $13,200

    If you owned an NES back then, you had a copy of Super Mario Bros.Super Mario Bros., because it came with the system then. Everyone had a copy; it is not rare. A loose cart sells for about $12 to $15, and one with the box, sleeve, and booklet sells for only about $120.sell for about $12 to $15, and even with the box, sleeve, and booklet, it will only sell for about $120.

    That is for what 99.99% of people have as their first Super Mario Bros. game.Super Mario Bros. For the gamer who never opened theirs and kept it safe and protected for over 35 years, that cart can be worth as much as $13,200, like one that sold on eBay in mid-June 2020. That cart was new, sealed in the box, looking just like it did when it left a shelf more than thirty years ago.

    This list does not cover graded copies, but it is important to mention that the most money ever paid for an NES cart was$114,000in July 2020 for a sealed and graded copy of Super Mario BrosSuper Mario Bros. The game scored 9.4 and sold through Heritage Auctions.

  • 4
    'Nintendo World Championships' Sold For $25,000

    Nintendo held its first World Championships in 1990. The event toured 30 American cities. Nintendo held another one in 2015, the 25th anniversary, but the first NWC brings the real money. For this event, Nintendo made a custom NES cart named after it, and 90 gray copies went to finalists. Another 26 gold carts were made (like the original Zelda), and those went to winners held by Nintendo Power magazine.Zelda), and those prizes were given out byNintendo Powermagazine.

    Nintendo World ChampionshipsThe NES cart 'p' is the rarest and most valuable ever made. Only 353 grey carts exist based on serial numbers. Twenty-six gold carts were limited.These carts go up for auction. They sell for huge amounts of money.Grey carts sell for about $15,000 to $25,000.

    A grey cart sells around $15,000 to $25,000.$15,000 to $25,000.Gold carts are different. One sold for more than most see in a year in an eBay listing in 2014. An opened gold cart sold for $100,088.$100,088., so an unopened, brand new copy brings in the real money.Harder copies sell for $3,260. One lucky bidder bought an unopened copy on July 4th, 2020. This is the high end online. Most sell for half that, showing condition affects sales.Metroid is another game found in NES libraries globally. Sealed in mint condition, common games sell for a lot. You can find an original Metroid cart online for about $35. You also scored a big win at auction, paying over $11,200 for a mint copy.

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  • 5
    'Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link' Sold For $3,260

    This auction listed it mint, though it lacked a grade. The pictures show a game box matching the listing, a "9+". This game looked new even though it was 34 years old when the auction ended on June 29th, 2020. Sellers have brought in more than $15,000 for graded copies.The Legend of Zelda.Changes to play mechanics made the game popular on the system. People kept it in libraries, so a loose copy sells for about $17. A complete copy with the box, sleeve, and booklet sells for about $100.$100.The real money comes from an unopened, brand new copy.

    These copies are hard to find. One bidder took a copy never opened for $3,260 on July 4th, 2020. This is the high end online. Most sell for half that, showing condition affects sales.

  • 6
    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Sold For $1,580

    The first TMNT NES game features an impossible water level. Despite that issue, the game remains fun and easy to play with friends. People played it when it released in 1989.

    A loose copy ofTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.will typically sell for around$10., so it is not the best collectible. Even complete copies sell for about $40. Like other games here, the game must be sealed to make serious cash. One sold in mid-June 2020 for $1,580.

  • 7
    'Metroid' Sold For $11,211

    Metroid.Players found Metroid in NES libraries globally. Even common games sell for a lot if sealed in mint condition. You can find an original Metroid cart online for about $35, or you can win big at auction, paying over $11,200 for a mint copy.

    This auction listed it mint, though it lacked a grade. Pictures show the box as listed, a "9+". The game looked new despite being 34 years old when the auction closed on June 29th, 2020. Sellers have brought inmore than $15,000.a copy.

  • 8
    'Super Contra' Sold For $4,150

    Super Contra.was the sequel to the popular Konami game,Contra.Super Contra, also called Contra 2 or Super C, is fun with better graphics and sound than the first game. Loose copies sell for about $20; complete copies cost $70.

    The average cost for a sealed, new copy sells for around $1,100.Super Contra costs around $1,100.One copy recently sold on eBay for $4,149. This shows demand is rising. The copy listed no condition, but three box photos show an unopened game in crisp, pristine condition.

  • 9
    'Little Samson' Sold For $2,375

    Little Samson.Little Samson released in 1992. This hit near the end of the NES lifecycle. Few copies were made or sold, which is unfortunate. The game is well-made. It used the 8-bit system well, even as the 16-bit era started, to deliver a well-designed game.

    Most players never played Little Samson.Little Samson.Little Samson is quite rare. A loose copy can sell for as much as $1,400.$1,400.A single loose cart costs that much. A complete copy sells for much more; one sold in 2020 for $2,375. That is the average price for a copy with the box, booklet, and sleeve. Because it is so rare, the value of an unsealed copy is unknown since there seem to be none left to sell.

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  • 10
    Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2
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  • 11
    'Bionic Commando' Sold For $2,575

    Bionic Commando.Bionic Commando added new gaming mechanics to the NES. These included a grappling gun for moving between levels. Players loved the swinging mechanic. The game was fun and hard to master, making it an instant classic.

    Copies of Bionic CommandoBionic Commando.Bionic Commando is not rare; it sold well. A complete, opened game is worth only around $60.$60.The real rarity is an unopened copy, like the one that sold in July 2020 for $2,573.23. That copy was nearly perfect online. This is rare because no kid got a copy and did not open it.

  • 12
    'The Flintstones: Surprise At Dinosaur Peak' Sold For $3,700

    The Flintstones Surprise at Dinosaur Peak.Taito developed The Flintstones Surprise at Dinosaur Peak in 1994. Online sources say it sold only through Blockbuster Video rentals, not in stores, though this is debated. The game came late in the NES' life. Few copies exist now; a loose cart sells for around $800.$800.Sold on eBay.

    Some items didn't show up as new-in-box listings. They appeared as complete items with the box, booklet, and sleeve. One auction closed in mid-2020 for $3,699.99. The box in that listing had minor damage. Everything else looked like it was printed and released this year, making it a rare find for a lucky collector.

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  • 13
    'Stadium Events' Sold For $22,981

    Stadium Events are in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.This game became a sports fitness game long before Nintendo made the Wii. It came with a peripheral device called the Family Fun Fitness mat. Players jumped between input pads to make their character run on screen. This made it one of the first games of this type.

    Soon after its release, the North American market rebranded it asWorld Class Track Meet is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'., and it included a newly dubbed Power Pad. Original copies of the game titledStadium Events are in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.These Stadium Events carts are some of the rarest NES carts. They drive high prices at online auctions.

    In January 2015, a factory-sealed copy graded VG 8.5 NM+ sold for $35,100.$35,100 is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'., but auctions like that do not happen often. If you own a copy with the original box and booklet, even if it is open, you can expect to earnMore than $20K is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.. You must have the NTSC version; not thePAL is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.One from Europe is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.

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  • 14
    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters' Sold For $7,455.00

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit the NES as a fighting game. It was one of few titles to do so during the fighting game book of the early '90s. This rare NES game followed many standard fighting game rules. It is rare now. A loose copy sells for about$150 is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'., while a cart, box, booklet, and sleeve (opened) might sell for $400. This game was more popular on the SNES and Sega, so old Nintendo versions are harder to find.

    If you got a copy in 1994 and refused to open it, you look at something worth much more than $400. In early June 2020, a sealed copy sold on eBay for $7,455. This includes the listing noting the shrink-wrap "has some shelf-wear" and the "hanger tag has discolored a bit."

  • 15
    'Panic Restaurant' Sold For $1,300

    Panic Restaurant is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.This is a platform game. Cookie moves through his restaurant. Evil food monsters, kitchen utensils as weapons, and six levels of fun make up the game. It came out in 1992, near the end of the NES' life. Despite being fun and well-liked, few people got to play it.

    That makes a rare cart. If you still have a loose copy, it is worth around$600 is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.. Sealed copies reach around $4,000. The average eBay sale price is near $1,300, depending on condition. A 2020 copy, open but complete, closed at $1,299.99.

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  • 16
    'G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero' Sold For $1,750

    G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is in the list '26 Old NES Games Worth A Fortune'.The NES released G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero in 1991, making it rare because it came late in the system's life. Fans still liked the game, and it spawned a sequel the next year called G. I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor.

    You can usually sell a loose copy for about $80. A complete copy sells for about $200 on eBay. An unopened one nets the owner as much as $1,750. That copy sold mid-May; it had the original shrinkwrap and hanger tag. A find like that is rare. No wonder bidders fought for it.

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  • 17
    'The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man' Sold For $2,575

    The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Manwas the secondSimpsonsgame licensed for the NES. Fans remember this one best. The platformer challenges players and lets them enter Springfield digitally early on. Fans of the show played it as much as possible when it dropped.

    Since it came out late in the NES' life, fewer copies circulated than for the firstSimpsonstitle. Loose copies sell regularly for about $20, while complete games sell for about $100. A brand-new copy sold in May 2020 for $2,575.65. This copy included the price tag from Babbage's. Remember Babbage's?

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    Also ranks #22 on Best Simpsons Video Games

  • 18
    'Life Force' Sold For $3,600

    Life Forcewas the North American title for the Japanese gameSalamander. It came out in 1986 but did not flood the North American market like other side-scrolling shooters. Good condition copies are hard to find. A loose copy is worth less than $15, collectors pay a lot for a sealed copy. Finding one is nearly impossible.

    One recently sold on eBay for $3,650; it was in perfect condition.Life ForceThis title shows that an NES game is only collectible if it is in perfect condition. Finding one brings in a lot of money.

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  • 19
    Bubble Bath Babes
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    Also ranks #59 on 70+ Best Nintendo Puzzle Games

  • 21
    Power Blade 2
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  • 22
    Zombie Nation
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  • 23
    Cheetahmen II
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  • 24
    'Bubble Bobble' Sold For $3,000

    The first game in theBubble Bobblefranchise introduced elements that carried over to later puzzle and platformer versions. These versions continued for decades. The game offered 100 levels; each one grew harder, which was tough to do in that many levels back in 1986.

    Your loose copy ofBubble Bobbleis only worth about$20while a copy with everything but opened can reach about $75. If you have an unopened copy, it is worth serious cash—one sold mid-April 2020 for $2,999.99.

  • 25
    'Section Z' Sold For $3,600

    Price: $3,600

    Section ZThis game came from an arcade game with the same name. They made many changes to adapt it for the system. Despite the changes, Section ZSection Z got good reviews. Finding this game is hard, and it doesn't offer much value. If you only have the cart, eBay nets about $10. A sealed copy is nearly impossible to locate.

    One copy sold on eBay in early July 2020 for $3,605. This price is one of the highest paid for a copy of [missing game name].Section ZEven a complete, open copy sells for about half the auction price. Finding a sealed copy like this one is difficult.

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  • 26
    'Bonk's Adventure' Sold For $1,399

    Nintendo quickly made Mario its mascot. Other consoles copied this move. SEGA got Sonic the Hedgehog. The TurboGrafx 16 got Bonk. The TG16 sold poorly in the United States. Bonk later appeared on other systems, like the NES. The cart had weaker graphics (16-bit versus 8-bit), but it became collectible because it featured another console's mascot.

    Bonk's AdventureBonk's Adventure released for the NES in 1994, the year the NES ended. 16-bit systems took over the market, so few copies of [missing game name] existed.Bonk's AdventureThis game is incredibly rare and collectible. A loose copy often sells for around [missing price].$700A copy with the box, sleeve, and booklet can sell for over $1,000. One listing sold in July 2020 for $1,399.

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    Also ranks #1 on Best Caveman Games · #9 on The Best TurboGrafx-16 Games, Ranked

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