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Super Mario Bros.

Original copy of Super Mario Bros. fetches $100K at auction

A pristine early edition of the classic platformer is the most expensive officially "graded game" ever, according to the auctioneers.

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A pristine and particularly rare version of the NES classic Super Mario Bros. has been sold at auction for a staggering $100,150 / £78,237 / 88,808€ - making it the most expensive officially graded game ever, at least according to Heritage Auctions.

The game was so expensive because it's one of two versions of the game that were "sticker sealed", and these were only available in test launches for the NES in New York and L.A. all the way back 1985 and 1986. That being the case, finding one in near-perfect condition is unbelievably rare, and Wata Games, the organisation that grades collectable games such as this, suggests that it "may be the condition census of all sticker sealed NES games known to exist."

Given the significance of the game and the platform itself, pristine copies of the game are already selling at a premium, but the sticker and the rarity of this edition of the game made it so desirable for collectors that a group of them banded together to buy the game and share ownership.

"Super Mario Bros. is not only the most recognizable game of all time, it saved the video game industry in 1985," Wata Games president Deniz Kahn wrote. "In terms of rarity, popularity, and relevance to collectors, this game has it all.

"Mario is the most recognized fictional or non-fictional character in the world, more so than even Mickey Mouse. Super Mario Bros. launched the world's largest game franchise and this copy is the only known sealed example from Nintendo's test market release."

Super Mario Bros.
Heritage Auctions

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