'Staggering' Super Mario Bros. game no one knew existed sells for record-breaking millions

Live updates

1. 7d ago

   Super Mario Bros. sealed copy sells for $3M at auction, setting new record

   A sticker-sealed copy of *Super Mario Bros.* sold for $3 million at Heritage Auctions, exceeding the prior $2 million record. The cartridge, graded PSA 9.6, is one of only three known sealed examples from its 1986 production run. The sale occurred during a live auction event that has grossed $4.8 million so far. Nintendo’s 1985 release cemented Mario’s global fame and the company’s dominance in home gaming.

   What's confirmed:

   • A PSA 9.6 A++ sealed copy of *Super Mario Bros.* sold for $3 million at Heritage Auctions, breaking the prior $2 million record set in 2021.
   • The cartridge was part of a 1986 production run and is one of only three known sealed examples from that batch.
   • The sale occurred during a Heritage Live auction event, which has so far fetched $4.8 million.
   • The game’s original release date is widely cited as 1985, though some sources mention 1986 for the sealed sticker variant.
   • The cartridge remains in its original box with an intact glossy sticker, contributing to its rarity and value.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The previous record was $1.56 million from a 2021 private sale (source discrepancy noted).
   confidence 98%
2. 8d ago

   Sealed *Super Mario Bros.* NES cartridge sells for $3M, setting new auction record

   A sticker-sealed copy of *Super Mario Bros.* for the NES sold for $3 million, surpassing all prior records for a video game auction. The cartridge’s untouched condition and extreme rarity drove the price, though some claims about its discovery remain unverified. Multiple auction houses and collectors confirm the sale’s legitimacy. The game was originally released in 1985, though one source cites 1986.

   What's confirmed:

   • A sealed, sticker-sealed copy of *Super Mario Bros.* for the NES sold for $3 million at auction, breaking the previous record for the most expensive video game ever sold.
   • The cartridge’s pristine, untouched condition after nearly 40 years was a primary factor in its record-breaking price.
   • Auction houses and collectors independently verified the authenticity and rarity of the item.
   • The game was discovered in a newly opened Control Deck console bundle, though skepticism persists about some aspects of the find.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The cartridge was discovered in a previously unknown or unopened Control Deck console bundle, with no confirmed details on how or where it was found.
   • The game’s release year is listed as 1986 by one source, conflicting with the widely cited 1985 release date.
   confidence 98%
3. 8d ago

   Sealed Super Mario Bros. NES cartridge sells for $3M—new video game record

   A sealed, sticker-sealed copy of *Super Mario Bros.* for the NES sold for $3 million at auction, surpassing all previous records for a video game. The cartridge, described as untouched for nearly 40 years, was discovered in a newly opened Control Deck console bundle. Collectors and auction houses confirm its rarity and pristine condition as key factors in the historic sale. Skepticism remains about the authenticity of some claims tied to the discovery.

   What's confirmed:

   • A sealed, sticker-sealed copy of *Super Mario Bros.* for the NES sold for $3 million at auction on June 16, 2026, setting a new public record for the most expensive video game ever sold.
   • The cartridge was graded 9.6 A++ by PSA and described as untouched for nearly 40 years, discovered inside a brand-new Control Deck NES console bundle.
   • Heritage Auctions confirmed the sale, noting the cartridge’s rarity and inclusion of an NES console as part of the package.
   • The sale underscores the surging value of vintage gaming collectibles, particularly sealed or near-mint copies of iconic titles.
   • The previous record for a video game auction was $1.6 million, also held by a sealed *Super Mario Bros.* cartridge sold by Heritage Auctions in 2021.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The cartridge’s discovery inside a newly opened Control Deck console bundle may raise authenticity questions, as some collectors express skepticism about the claim.
   • The sale price could be inflated by speculative bidding or limited competition among ultra-high-net-worth collectors.
   • The exact provenance of the cartridge beyond its sealed state remains unclear, with no independent verification of its 40-year untouched status.
   confidence 98%