Since Nintendo released its first console, the Color TV-Game, in 1977, the video game company has reigned supreme with countless titles for its many systems. With over 40 years in the industry, Nintendo has created many recognizable characters such as Mario and Zelda. While Nintendo is known for its popular titles in the Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda franchises, the acclaimed company has also released relatively unknown games.
Since the inception of the video game company, several games have been released in special editions. While older games are the rarest, they don’t necessarily have to be popular to carry a hefty price tag. Some of the rarest and most expensive games are actually competition patterns. Although, there are a few exceptions.
10 Hagane: The latest conflict combines the past with the future – $1,200
Hagane: The Last Conflict is a sidescroller game released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Players must control a ninja cyborg named Hagane in his quest for revenge against a rival ninja organization.
The title, which received positive reviews for controls and graphics, combined traditional Japanese history with its samurai features as well as futuristic concepts. Because only a few copies were released, Hagane: The Last Conflict will set gamers back about $1,200. If the copy is new and sealed, it can cost upwards of $7,000.
9 People Found Cheetahmen 2 Sitting in a Warehouse – $1,500
First introduced in 1991, The Cheetahs released its first episode as part of the Action 52 multi-game cartridge for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This poor quality game only has the main theme, which was later reused for the first level in cat mario. When it came time for a sequel, only 2,000 copies were produced.
In reality, Cheetahmen II copies released only after a box with the title was found in a warehouse there. An authentic version of this NES game costs about $1,500. Like many games, gamers should be careful that the cartridge they buy is not a reproduction. Even Cheetahs III almost happened, but it remained in the dust.
8 Amazing Tater is puzzle sequel to Kwirk – $1,500
Great Tater is one of the most recent releases considered a rare title for Nintendo. The puzzle video game, known as Puzzle Boy II in Japan, is the sequel to the 1989 Game Boy game mercury. The essence of the game is that players control a potato alongside other vegetable characters to escape each level by pushing crates.
This simple puzzle game gained collector status around 2017 and the price has risen to over $1,700. Even single copies are still worth at least $400.
7 The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak is rare for unknown reason – $1550
The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak came to the NES in 1994. Unlike the previous title The Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy, this game was never released in Japan. Players can switch from Fred to Barney to use their club or slingshot attacks to defeat enemies. Why Surprise at Dinosaur Peak can cost gamers around $1600, the actual reason is unknown.
Legend has it that the rare NES title was released exclusively on Blockbuster Video as a rental in North America. While no evidence has been found to support this rumor, this is: Flintstones game is one of the rarest NES titles for the number of copies released and the time frame during the console’s production cycle.
6 No new copies of Little Samson exist – $2500
Another game that came out late in the NES run was the 1992 title Little Samson. Similar to Capcom’s Mega Manplayers can control four characters in this side-scrolling game to save their kingdom from destruction. Little Samson was the only game from unknown developer Takeru to be released outside of Japan.
Lack of promotion caused this NES title to perform terribly. Despite the initial poor performance, Little Samson can cost gamers about $2,500. In fact, a fully used one can cost around $4,500 with no new or sealed ones on the market.
5 It’s even hard to find Starfox Weekend competition – $2,500
Throughout the spring and summer of 1993, Nintendo held a worldwide competition for: Star Fox for the SNES. The difference between this cartridge and the original game is minor changes to the first Corneria and Asteroid stages. Additional rings were also added and an exclusive bonus level.
In Starfox Weekend Contest, players must achieve a high score after only five minutes of play. Reportedly, only 2,000 cartridges were made, making this title one of the rarer SNES games. The game costs about $2,500, but it’s not easy to find on eBay or Amazon.
4 Donkey Kong Country Competition Edition added a timer – $3,250
Donkey Kong Country Competition Edition was released as part of the Nintendo PowerFest 1994 event. After the game, the game was available in a Nintendo power subscriber catalog labeled “Competition Edition” in the top right corner.
This SNES title became a prized collector’s item as only 2,500 copies were produced. Compared to the original game, the Competition edition added a timer in the middle of the screen and changed some levels. This title can set gamers back about $3,250 if they are lucky enough to find a copy.
3 Nintendo Bought Stadium Event Accessory – $14,000
Stadium Events is a sports fitness game and a sequel title to the Family Fun and Fitness accessory for the NES. Players use a control mat to participate in athletic events, such as the 100-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump.
Nintendo bought Bandai’s idea for the Power Pad, and so Family fun and fitness games and accessories were off the market. The 1987 title was renamed and re-released as World Class Track Meet with the Power Pad in North America. Copies of this rare title can cost between $11,000 and $28,000.
2 Only 26 gold cartridges of the 1990 Nintendo World Championship were made – $20,000
Two 1990 Nintendo World Championship cartridges were released: gray and gold. The gold version was given away as prizes for a competition in the Nintendo power magazine. A minuscule amount of only 26 cartridges were produced. This makes the NES title one of the rarest in history.
About half of the gold cartridges currently account for it, but some have been sold on eBay. In 2014 someone bought Nintendo World Championship with the label missing for $100,000. Although the actual value for the gold cartridges is about $20,000. Funnily enough, the 1990 Nintendo World Championship is considered the first major eSports event.
1 Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 is the rarest Nintendo title – $20,100
The Nintendo Campus Challenge ran the same way as the Nintendo World Championship, but the event took place on university campuses in the United States. Plus, they even took place in locations like Disney World. The cartridge contains three games: Super Mario Bros. 3, Pinbot, and dr. mario.
Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 is considered the rarest Nintendo title to date, as only one copy exists. In 2009, someone reportedly bought the single copy for $20,100. Nintendo continued its Campus Challenges and there are reportedly only three Nintendo Campus Challenge 1992 cartridges out there.
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