For many collectors, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) remains a symbol of the golden era of gaming. With its revolutionary titles and unforgettable characters, the NES laid the foundation for the modern video game industry. But beyond the nostalgia, there’s a thriving world of NES game collectors hunting for rare and valuable titles that fetch eye-popping prices. This deep dive covers the top 10 most valuable NES games of all time, detailing their history, rarity, and the reasons behind their sky-high prices.
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Why NES Games Are Highly Collectible
The NES library is vast, with over 700 licensed games released in North America alone. As a trailblazer in the gaming industry, the NES introduced titles that are still beloved today, like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Some NES games have become highly sought after, not just because of their gameplay, but due to their rarity, limited release, or special versions that have become almost mythical in the collector’s world. Their increasing scarcity and historical significance make these games true treasures.
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- Stadium Events (1987)
- Nintendo World Championships (Gold Cartridge) (1990)
- Nintendo World Championships (Gray Cartridge) (1990)
- Little Samson (1992)
- DuckTales 2 (1993)
- Panic Restaurant (1992)
- Bonk’s Adventure (1994)
- Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (1994)
- Bubble Bobble Part 2 (1993)
- Cheetahmen II (1992)
1. Stadium Events (1987)
Estimated Value: $20,000 – $40,000 (Sealed)
The Rarest of Them All: Stadium Events is considered the “Holy Grail” of NES game collecting. This game was part of a series that used a Family Fun Fitness mat, which was essentially a predecessor to the Power Pad. Shortly after its release, Nintendo acquired the rights to the mat and rebranded it as the Power Pad, recalling all Stadium Events copies from shelves and replacing them with a rebranded version called World Class Track Meet.
Why It’s So Valuable: Only a handful of original Stadium Events cartridges are known to exist, making it one of the rarest NES games in history. A sealed copy in mint condition has sold for over $40,000.
2. Nintendo World Championships (Gold Cartridge) (1990)
Estimated Value: $100,000 – $150,000
The Golden Ticket: The Nintendo World Championships was a gaming competition held in 1990, where players competed in timed events across several NES games. As a promotional event, 26 gold cartridges were given away through a Nintendo Power magazine contest.
Why It’s So Valuable: The rarity of the gold cartridges—only 26 were ever made—makes them exceptionally valuable. Each cartridge contains a mix of Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Rad Racer, specially timed for the competition. Due to their scarcity and unique history, these gold cartridges command some of the highest prices in the NES collecting world.
3. Nintendo World Championships (Gray Cartridge) (1990)
Estimated Value: $20,000 – $30,000
The Gray Alternative: While the gold cartridges were special prizes, the gray cartridges were given to finalists who participated in the competition’s regional events. Approximately 90 copies were produced, making them more common than the gold cartridges but still highly sought after.
Why It’s So Valuable: Although not as rare as the gold variant, the gray Nintendo World Championships cartridges are still among the rarest and most expensive NES games, fetching tens of thousands of dollars in good condition.
4. Little Samson (1992)
Estimated Value: $1,500 – $2,500 (Loose), $10,000+ (Sealed)
A Hidden Gem: Developed by Taito, Little Samson is often praised for its beautiful graphics, tight gameplay, and creative level design. Released late in the NES’s lifecycle, it went under the radar due to the rising popularity of 16-bit consoles, like the Super Nintendo (SNES) and Sega Genesis.
Why It’s So Valuable: The low sales and high quality make Little Samson a highly coveted title among collectors. Its rarity, combined with its excellent gameplay, makes it a must-have for serious NES enthusiasts.
5. DuckTales 2 (1993)
Estimated Value: $300 – $600 (Loose), $1,000 – $3,000 (Complete in Box)
A Late Bloomer: DuckTales 2 is a sequel to the beloved Capcom game DuckTales, which is based on the Disney animated series of the same name. It featured similar platforming mechanics with new levels and improved gameplay.
Why It’s So Valuable: Like many games released toward the end of the NES’s lifecycle, DuckTales 2 had low production numbers. While not as rare as some other titles on this list, its popularity and nostalgia factor have driven up its value considerably.
6. Panic Restaurant (1992)
Estimated Value: $700 – $1,500 (Loose), $3,000 – $5,000 (Sealed)
A Culinary Platformer: Panic Restaurant, developed by Taito, is a platformer where you play as a chef trying to reclaim his restaurant from evil animated food. The quirky theme, combined with solid gameplay and charming visuals, makes it a unique NES experience.
Why It’s So Valuable: Its late release and limited run make Panic Restaurant a rare find. Though it didn’t make a significant impact upon release, its value has grown steadily as collectors seek out lesser-known NES titles.
7. Bonk’s Adventure (1994)
Estimated Value: $500 – $1,500 (Loose), $3,000 – $5,000 (Complete in Box)
A Turbografx Legend on the NES: Bonk’s Adventure originally debuted on the TurboGrafx-16, and the NES version was ported later by Hudson Soft. This action-platformer features Bonk, a caveman character, known for his headbutt attacks and charming gameplay.
Why It’s So Valuable: Released very late in the NES’s lifecycle, it had a limited run, and many gamers missed out on it. Its quirky character, cross-console origins, and low production numbers make it a sought-after game.
8. Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (1994)
Estimated Value: $800 – $1,500 (Loose), $3,000 – $6,000 (Complete in Box)
The Unexpected Sequel: A sequel to the Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino and Hoppy, Surprise at Dinosaur Peak was only released as a Blockbuster Video rental in the United States, which drastically limited its availability to the general public.
Why It’s So Valuable: Its limited release as a rental title means that few copies were produced, and even fewer have survived in good condition. The game’s combination of scarcity and the beloved Flintstones theme has made it a valuable collector’s item.
9. Bubble Bobble Part 2 (1993)
Estimated Value: $200 – $600 (Loose), $1,000 – $3,500 (Complete in Box)
A Classic Sequel: Bubble Bobble Part 2 is the follow-up to the original Bubble Bobble, a fan-favorite arcade-style platformer where players trap enemies in bubbles. The sequel introduced new characters, levels, and refined gameplay.
Why It’s So Valuable: The game had a limited print run due to its late release, making complete-in-box copies particularly valuable. Its high demand among fans of the series has also contributed to its rising price.
10. Cheetahmen II (1992)
Estimated Value: $1,500 – $3,000 (Loose), $6,000 – $10,000 (Complete in Box)
The Bizarre Backstory: Cheetahmen II was never officially released; it was an attempt by Active Enterprises to capitalize on the Cheetahmen characters, which were part of the infamous multi-game cartridge Action 52. The game was plagued with glitches and was canceled before a full release, leaving only a few prototype cartridges.
Why It’s So Valuable: Due to its backstory and limited availability, Cheetahmen II has achieved near-mythical status among collectors. The game’s unpolished, glitchy nature adds to its notoriety, making it a highly sought-after oddity in the NES library.
Conclusion: The Thrill of NES Game Collecting
Collecting NES games is about more than just obtaining valuable items—it’s about the nostalgia, the hunt, and the history behind these beloved titles. The top 10 most valuable NES games are not just rare treasures but also pieces of gaming history that tell a story about the industry’s early days. Whether you’re an experienced collector or just getting started, the value of these games can provide an exciting and rewarding collecting experience.