IN PICS | Super Mario Bros For $2 Million? 5 Vintage Games That Were Auctioned Off For Big Bucks

Video games could be a top pastime activity, but when it comes to gaming collectibles, some rare and vintage cartridges (mostly unopened) raked in major moolah at auctions. Here are the top five:

Super Mario Bros. was a clear winner when it came to expensive gaming collectibles.

Super Mario Bros. ($2 million) - A pristine copy of Nintendo's iconic 1985 video game, intended for its original console, has shattered records by fetching a staggering $2 million in August 2021. The New York Times first reported this astonishing sale, highlighting the remarkable value attached to this vintage gaming relic. This particular cartridge, still sealed in its original packaging, represents a rarity in the world of video game collectibles. Unlike the typical auction scenario, where collectors compete fervently, this sale took a unique route. Rather than a traditional auction house, the transaction was facilitated by Rally, an innovative platform specializing in buying collectibles, offering shares to investors, and subsequently distributing profits once items are sold.

Super Mario 64 ($1.56 million) - In July 2021, "Super Mario 64", initially launched in 1996 for the Nintendo 64 platform, made waves by fetching an astounding $1.56 million. This remarkable sale, reported by CNN, marked the historic moment when a video game breached the seven-figure threshold in terms of valuation. Renowned for its pioneering 3D gameplay, "Super Mario 64" stood as a cornerstone of gaming history, captivating players worldwide with its innovative mechanics and timeless appeal.

The Legend of Zelda ($870,000) - At a 2021 auction, "The Legend of Zelda" fetched an impressive $870,000. Once again, the allure stemmed from its pristine, unopened condition. Its rarity was further heightened by being a part of a limited early production batch. Originally introduced by Nintendo in 1986, the game introduced iconic characters like Zelda, Link, and Ganon, etching the fantastical realm of Hyrule deep into the collective consciousness.

Super Mario Bros. ($660,000) - In April 2021, another sealed edition of "Super Mario Bros." achieved a record, preceding the subsequent record-breaker, "The Legend of Zelda," by merely three months in July of the same year. The sale was facilitated by Heritage Auctions, which lauded this particular copy as "the finest known example with the oldest sealed hangtab" and "the highest-quality copy to have undergone professional grading for auction." This version notably utilized plastic shrink wrap for packaging rather than a traditional sticker seal. However, the individual who sold it preferred anonymity and didn't intentionally preserve its mint condition. Like many other copies of this classic NES game, it was initially purchased as a Christmas gift in 1986. Unlike others, though, it spent the following 35 years forgotten in a desk drawer before resurfacing.

Super Mario Bros ($114,000) - In July 2020, the post-pandemic video game boom began when a sealed copy of "Super Mario Bros." earned a world record-setting bid of $114,000 at Heritage Auctions. According to Heritage, a frenzy of excitement surrounded the bidding because the cartridge "was part of one of the short production runs of the game packaged in boxes with a cardboard hangtab underneath the plastic, an indication that it was part of one of the first variants produced after Nintendo started using shrink-wrap to seal the games rather than stickers.