This Sealed Copy of Super Mario Bros. Is Worth About The Same As a Human Kidney And It Can’t Even Process My Toxic Blood?

February 18, 2019 February 18, 2019

Imagine – you’re rich, you’re a big old nerd and buying all the Coles Little Shop toys available on eBay just ain’t scratching that itch anymore. You need some of that good shit, the type that comes in a fancy plastic container that a bunch of Beanie Babies have lived in for years, being unable to breathe or feel the warm embrace of a child’s love.

But I digress, some people bought this unopened copy of Super Mario Bros. on NES for US$100,150 or AUD$141,231 according to auction house Heritage Auctions. The copy fetched such a pretty penny because rather than being shrink wrapped, it’s “sticker sealed”, only being available in New York and LA at the test market launch of the NES back in the 80s. The game is certified by independent video game grading service Wata Games, featuring a “Near Mint grade of 9.4 and a ‘Seal Rating’ of A++”.

So, who bought this game that, like the Xmas gift from your aunt from the EB Games bargain bin, will never be played? It was a combo of people, including the founder and co-chairman of the auction house itself, Jim Halperin, owner of a bunch of video games shops Zac Gieg and a coin collector (not unlike Mario himself) Rich Lecce.

It’s worth noting that this auction house has only just entered the vintage video game market and is definitely looking for a bit of free press. Last month, they sold a NES Legend of Zelda for only US$3,360 in comparison. Am I slightly suspicious about this whole thing? Yes. But the sale is legit – according to Kotaku the anonymous seller was not looking to part with his copy but was willing to be swayed by six figures. And aren’t we all? Or three figures. Two figures is fine too, who am I kidding.

Old copies of Super Mario Bros. on NES are available for the rest of us plebs for between AUS$10 – $60 on eBay. The second and third ones are better though.