Rare Super Mario Bros. Cartridge Fetches $3 Million at Auction

June 16, 2026 - 05:02

A sealed copy of the original Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System has shattered records at auction, selling for $3 million through Heritage Auctions. The game, which remains in its original shrink wrap, is considered one of the best-preserved copies in existence.

The sale marks a new high point for video game collectibles, which have seen prices skyrocket in recent years. Heritage Auctions had previously sold a similar copy of Super Mario Bros. for $2 million in 2021, making this latest sale a significant jump. The buyer's identity has not been disclosed.

What makes this particular cartridge so valuable is its condition. The game received a near-perfect rating from grading services, meaning the box, plastic wrap, and seal are virtually untouched. Only a handful of copies in such pristine condition are known to exist. The game was originally released in 1985 and helped revive the home video game industry after the crash of the early 1980s.

Collectors and investors have increasingly turned to rare video games as alternative assets. Other high-profile sales include a copy of The Legend of Zelda that sold for over $800,000 and a sealed Super Mario 64 that went for more than $1.5 million. The market shows no signs of cooling, as demand for factory-sealed classics continues to grow.