Most Valuable & Rare Nintendo NES Games – with Price Guide

Introduction

This article lists some of the highest-selling Nintendo NES recently sold at auction. These are primarily factory-sealed games in their original packaging and graded by third-party grading companies such as WATA Games and CGA. If you have a factory-sealed Nintendo NES game, consider submitting it to a third-party company for authentication and grading.

For the most part, factory-sealed Nintendo NES games are not rare; however, early productions and high-grade examples are. This list includes just that. So, without any further ado, let’s jump into the list!

1988 Nintendo NES
Castlevania
VGA 85 NM+ sold for $26,000

Castlevania is an action-platform game featuring the debut of Simon Belmont and is the first installment in the series. The first release of Castlevania was in North America on May 1, 1987.

This example of Castlevania features a REV-A label and an oval Nintendo Seal of Quality with a trademark TM, indicating that Nintendo produced this copy between March 1989 and April 1990. This sealed copy of one of the most influential survival horror games in history comes with an attractive grade of NM+ 85, which Goldin Auctions sold at auction in February 2022 for $26,000.

1988 Nintendo NES
Double Dragon
WATA 9.4/A sold for $37,000

Here is a 1988 sealed Double Dragon video game. Developed by Technos Japan and published by Tradewest. WATA Games graded 9.4 with a First-Party H-Seam seal rating of A. One of the best from the beat-them-up genre, Double Dragon holds a place in virtual history, having ushered in a golden age for its genre.

The game box contains a Rev-A label, an oval Nintendo “Seal of Quality,” and a “USA Code” label, indicating that Nintendo produced this copy between January 1988 and March 1989. According to WATA’s census report, only two other copies with a “REV-A, Round SOQ” have achieved a higher grade. Goldin Auctions sold this example at auction in February 2022 for $37,000.

1986 Nintendo NES
Donkey Kong (early production)
WATA 9.6/A++ sold for $46,000

This Donkey Kong example contains a Hangtab, an NES P DK code, and a round Nintendo Seal of Quality, indicating that this is an early production copy that Nintendo produced in early 1987. According to WATA’s census report, there are only two copies of Donkey Kong with a Hangtab, making this one of the rarest games that defy its grade.

The single most crucial platform game in gaming history that introduced two of the most beloved video game characters comes with an overall box grade of 6.0, and a seal rating of B. Goldin Auctions sold this high-grade example at auction in February 2022 for $46,000.

1985 Nintendo NES
Metroid
WATA 9.6/A+ sold for $54,000

This Metroid example features a REV-A label, an oval Nintendo Seal of Quality with a trademark TM, and a Large Warranty No Mexico label. Furthermore, a 9-Digit Zip (USA Code) label on the box indicates that Nintendo produced this copy between March 1989 and April 1990. According to WATA’s census report, this copy with a REV-A, Oval SO QTM is the highest graded across all variants, with none graded higher. Goldin Auctions sold this example in February 2022 for $54,000.

1985 Nintendo NES
Super Mario Bros. (late production)
WATA 9.6/A++ sold for $57,000

WATA Games gave this Super Mario Bros a grade of 9.4 with a seal grade of A+, which is very high. This example features a REV-A label and an oval Nintendo Seal of Quality with a trademark R on the box, indicating that this copy is a late production copy that Nintendo produced between March 1990 and December 1994. Sealed copies of Super Mario Bros. are always in high demand, mainly copies with the exceptional grade of 9.4 and the attractive seal grade of A+.

Super Mario Bros. is easily the single most crucial video game ever made, as it revolutionized home console gaming and was responsible for resurrecting the entire home console market. Goldin Auctions sold this example in February 2022 for $57,000.

1988 Nintendo NES
Super Mario Bros. 2
WATA 9.6/A++ sold for $72,000

This Super Mario Bros. 2, which Wata Games graded 9.6 with a first-party H-seam seal rating of A++, is among the 143 examples in Wata’s census reporting. Moreover, this copy is one of only 41 sealed copies among all grades to have the coveted round SOQ indicating that this is the first production copy released between January 1988 and March 1989. Of those 41 copies, only one has graded higher—a 9.8 A+ that sold for $324,000 at a public auction late last year.

With its slightly lower box grade but perfect seal rating, this pristine copy is one of the finest and most desirable copies certified by WATA to date! Goldin Auctions sold this example in May 2022 with a winning bid of $72,000.

1985 Nintendo NES
Duck Hunt
WATA 9.6/A+ sold for $76,000

Duck Hunt was one of the original 17 black box titles released for the Nintendo system on Oct. 18, 1985, in North America. This vintage copy of Duck Hunt features a Rev-A label, a round Nintendo Seal of Quality, a Staggered UPC label, and a Small Warranty label. Furthermore, a 5-Digit Zip USA Code label on the black box indicates that Nintendo produced this copy between January 1988 and March 1989.

Duck Hunt is one of the rarest games in the hobby; sealed games are highly collectible, especially when in mint condition. Goldin Auctions sold this specific example in August 2022 for $76,000.

1987 Nintendo NES
Mega Man
VGA 85+ sold for $100,000

This VGA 85+ Mega Man Nintendo NES game was sold at auction by Goldin Auctions in May 2022 for $100,000. Capcom published Mega Man for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. Akira Kitamura directed this first Capcom game to be developed specifically for home consoles, as Capcom developed most of their titles for the arcade.

This sealed copy features a “REV-A” label and a round Nintendo “Seal of Quality,” indicating that Capcom produced this copy between January 1988 and March 1989. Mega Man will continue to draw interest as a classic game and the title that launched a successful franchise.

1987 Nintendo NES
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out! (First Production)
WATA 9.4/A+ sold for $122,000

Encapsulated and graded 9.4 with a First-Party H-Seam seal rating of A+ by WATA Games. Punch-Out was developed and published by Nintendo and released in North America on October 18, 1987. The game is Nintendo’s first celebrity-endorsed game and stars boxer Mike Tyson.

This example features a REV-A label, a round Nintendo Seal of Quality label, Orange Bullets, and a Small Warranty/5-Digit Zip on the cover of the box, indicating that this is an early production copy produced between January 1988 and March 1989.

According to WATA’s census report, this is one of only 19 copies with a REV-A, Round SOQ grade. A great unopened game from one of Nintendo’s most revolutionary titles, as it was the first celebrity-endorsed game. The example shown here was sold at auction by Goldin Auctions in February 2022 for $122,000.

1987 Nintendo NES
The Legend of Zelda (First Production)
WATA 9.2/B+ sold for $500,000

Set in the mythical land of Hyrule, the plot centers around Link, who collects eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom to rescue Princess Zelda from the clutches of the evil Ganon. Zelda came with a then-rare gold cartridge inside a gold box and incorporated elements of action, adventure, and role-playing genres with a flip-screen overhead perspective.

Encapsulated and graded 9.2 with a First-Party H-Seam seal rating of B+ by WATA Games. There are few games as iconic as the original The Legend of Zelda, released for Nintendo in 1986. Iconic Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto designed the game.

The sealed copy features a round Nintendo Seal of Quality with a Small Warranty, a 5-Digit ZIP, and an NES TM label, indicating that this copy is the first edition. According to WATA’s census report, only one other copy of the three graded with an NES TM label has achieved a higher grade, making this first edition copy all the more desirable and rare.

A sealed and graded copy of one of Nintendo’s most influential offerings with an appealing seal rating of B+ and an overall box grade of 9.2. The copy shown here was sold at auction by Goldin Auctions in February 2022 for $500,000.

Conclusion

When it comes to the value of Nintendo NES games, it’s all about condition. If the box is factory-sealed and shows no significant damage, it is worth more than an open game. Moreover, if the box is sealed but shows damage, the value will not be as high.

Another factor is how early the game was in production. Early production games with specific print differences, such as 5-digit-zip, NES TM labels, Nintendo Seal of Quality, orange lists, and more, will yield higher selling prices. There are numerous listings of factory-sealed Nintendo NES games on eBay that are in mint condition or better. If you have any factory-sealed Nintendo NES games, consider submitting them to a third-party grading company for authentication and grading. Two of the most trustworthy companies are WATA Games and CGA grading.