A pristine, second-production copy of Super Mario Bros. for the NES, hailed as “the most important video game ever auctioned,” fetched an impressive $3 million at recent auction. Heritage Auctions reported that the game has remained in its original packaging, including an NES Control Deck console, for the last four decades. The unique aspect of this edition is its intact glossy sticker seal, a feature used briefly in 1986 before Nintendo adopted shrink-wrapping for its games.
According to the auction house, there are only three known second-production copies with this glossy sticker seal, and this one is graded PSA 9.6 A++. They noted, “This particular version has never been seen in a public auction in sealed condition, highlighting its rarity.”
Heritage Auctions
Finding a game in such excellent condition after many years is quite uncommon, especially since these earlier versions weren’t protected by plastic. The bundled game and console originate from the Los Angeles test market period, marking the beginning of Nintendo’s expansion in the United States. The auction house expressed that this piece embodies the pivotal moment when Super Mario Bros. transformed video gaming from a fleeting trend into a significant aspect of cultural history.
