Another Super Mario NES title becomes the world's most expensive video game

[midian182]

What just happened? The record for the most expensive video game ever sold has been broken once again. As was the case with the previous record holder, the title in question is a Mario title for the Nintendo Entertainment System, though on this occasion it was Super Mario Bros. 3 that sold for $156,000, beating a copy of Super Mario Bros that sold for $114,000 in July.

Heritage Auctions writes that the opening bid for the 1990 sealed game was $62,500, setting it up straight away for a high final price. Twenty bidders took part, pushing the final amount to a record-breaking $156,000, beating the previous title holder by $42,000.

There are a few factors that make this copy so valuable. For a start, the box design is quite rare as the word “Bros.” appears on the left side, slightly covering Mario’s white glove; the word was moved to the center-right in later versions. The Verge does note, however, that another game with the same cover sold in July for a much lower $38,400.

The primary reason Super Mario Bros. 3 brought such a high price is likely its condition. The game received a Wata 9.2 A+ score, which rates the quality of the box and the seal. The 30-year-old item’s seal is described as being in exceptional condition, with “a few small flaws that are not very distracting. Can have light scuffs or other small detracting marks, but no holes.”

Another record was broken during Friday’s auction: the most expensive Pokémon game ever sold. A sealed copy of Pokémon Red fetched $84,000. It had a Wata 9.8 A++ rating, which rates its seal quality as “Like new.”

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/87704-another-super-mario-nes-title-becomes-world-most.html

 

[QuantumPhysics]

There are warehouses and basements with factory sealed boxes of various types of toys.

Personally, I would feel better if the rarest of these toys was placed into a Toy Museum .

for example: I have a full collection of Exo Squad toys in mint condition, sealed in box. I personally wouldn't want to let even my own kids touch them, nor take a chance on them ever getting damaged. I'd love to donate my collection to a museum in return for a plaque dedicated to my donation. A Giant toy Museum would be a really great place for stuff like this.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Someone paid $156,000 for an old video game.
Lots of people are struggling through the pandemic.

What's wrong with this picture?

 

[USAvenger]

Someone paid $156,000 for an old video game.
Lots of people are struggling through the pandemic.

What's wrong with this picture?

Not a damn thing is wrong with this picture. How someone spends their money is none of your business, no matter how stupid you may think it is.

 

[Endymio]

I have a full collection of Exo Squad toys in mint condition...I personally wouldn't want to let even my own kids touch them..I'd love to donate my collection to a museum in return for a plaque dedicated to my donation.

There is something extraordinarily warped in the priorities revealed in those statements.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Not a damn thing is wrong with this picture. How someone spends their money is none of your business, no matter how stupid you may think it is.

"As long as we get ours, the world can go to hell."

I've heard that saying for years and it still rings hollow. I'm guessing that it must be an American thing by your name. I don't think it's stupid, I think it's immoral. I don't expect you to understand because it's one of those things that can't be explained. You either get it or you don't. Most people do get it, you don't.

 

[Endymio]

I'm guessing that it must be an American thing by your name

Americans outspend Canadians 2 to 1 on charity giving, and Europeans 7 to 1.

Where you from, again?

 

[Eflow]

"As long as we get ours, the world can go to hell."

I've heard that saying for years and it still rings hollow. I'm guessing that it must be an American thing by your name. I don't think it's stupid, I think it's immoral. I don't expect you to understand because it's one of those things that can't be explained. You either get it or you don't. Most people do get it, you don't.

A unique piece of art sells for $10 million and no one bats an eye. A rare video game sells for 1.5% that figure and it's a reflection of capitalism's immoral failings.

I get that people are upset over wealth inequality, but it's important to pick your battles. The price of this game is something that tens of millions of people could technically afford if they really wanted to.

Also, even if you don't like that some people have extreme wealth, criticizing their spending is counter productive. At least this $156k is most likely going into the hands of someone who isn't uber wealthy. It's much better for the uber wealthy to spend their money than it is for them to lock it up in investments with overinflated values.

 

[Avro Arrow]

A unique piece of art sells for $10 million and no one bats an eye. A rare video game sells for 1.5% that figure and it's a reflection of capitalism's immoral failings.

I get that people are upset over wealth inequality, but it's important to pick your battles. The price of this game is something that tens of millions of people could technically afford if they really wanted to.

Also, even if you don't like that some people have extreme wealth, criticizing their spending is counter productive. At least this $156k is most likely going into the hands of someone who isn't uber wealthy. It's much better for the uber wealthy to spend their money than it is for them to lock it up in investments with overinflated values.

I never defended the idea of "priceless art" either. AFAIC, "priceless art" should be in museums for all to enjoy. I guess you can call it the "Indiana Jones" theory because that's the best pop culture reference to it:

Panama Hat : Small world, Dr. Jones.
Indiana Jones : Too small for two of us.
Panama Hat : This is the second time I've had to reclaim my property from you.
Indiana Jones : That belongs in a museum.
Panama Hat : So do you.
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 1989

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - IMDb

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Paul Maxwell as Panama Hat

www.imdb.com

 

[Endymio]

"priceless art" should be in museums for all to enjoy.

Communal ownership, and the abnegation of personal property rights: archetypal socialism. There are nations in the world that follow this model much more closely than Canada. Perhaps you should visit one, and see how it's worked out for them.

 

[Nargg]

Every 1st World country on the planet uses a Social-Democratic government. Socialism when governed by the people is good, not bad. Socialism when governed by a Fascist is bad, very bad. Crazy how people are so ignorant about these kind of things.

Mix good Capitalism in to that and you end up with great countries like the USA, Canada, most of Europe etc etc. Good capitalism like selling an old game in mint condition for crazy amounts of money. More power to them.

 

[Paultimate]

"As long as we get ours, the world can go to hell."

I've heard that saying for years and it still rings hollow. I'm guessing that it must be an American thing by your name. I don't think it's stupid, I think it's immoral. I don't expect you to understand because it's one of those things that can't be explained. You either get it or you don't. Most people do get it, you don't.

I was with you till you poisoned your point with moronic nationalism. Just make your point with out that crap, its always lame. I agree with your core point.

- a worthless greedy american

 

[Hadakajime]

Duuuuudes you're all arguing the wrong point!!!

the real attrocity is quoting The Verge. I almost stopped reading at that point.

Need I remind:

https://www.google.com/search?q=verge+pc+build

 

[Avro Arrow]

I was with you till you poisoned your point with moronic nationalism. Just make your point with out that crap, its always lame. I agree with your core point.

- a worthless greedy american

I think that you misunderstood. I wasn't being nationalistic at all. I said that "I'm guessing that it must be an American thing by your name." not because I think that all Americans are like that, I happen to know for a fact that most aren't. The thing is, he's using the nationalistic name " USAvenger" with stars and stripes on his avatar.

I said that to point out that he's only helping to further the American stereotype of, as you put it, "worthless greedy american" which isn't right. When he takes a name like that, he becomes representative of all Americans and right now, with what's been going on, right or wrong, the international opinion of Americans has gone down the tubes.

I personally think that it's not a good thing and I said what I said TO HIM (and ONLY him) as if to say "You do realise that with your name, you're making Americans look bad at the worst possible time." which he definitely did. That annoyed me as much as the socially-backwards mindset that he was promoting.

Please understand that I didn't mean to make a dig at Americans in general. I know that painting an entire country with one brush is just stupid as hell and it's not what I was doing. Being a Canadian, I know a lot of Americans personally and they're no different from me.

I can understand why you'd be sensitive to Anti-American sentiment right now (because there is a craptonne of it out there) but I assure you that I'm not here to add to it. The real problem you face is people like "USAvenger" who make you look bad to people who don't know better, kinda like the way your media portrays Iranians (again, not blaming you for it, just trying to put it into an easy context).

- Being an American doesn't make you greedy or worthless. Being greedy or worthless does.

 

[USAvenger]

I think that you misunderstood. I wasn't being nationalistic at all. I said that "I'm guessing that it must be an American thing by your name." not because I think that all Americans are like that, I happen to know for a fact that most aren't. The thing is, he's using the nationalistic name " USAvenger" with stars and stripes on his avatar.

I said that to point out that he's only helping to further the American stereotype of, as you put it, "worthless greedy american" which isn't right. When he takes a name like that, he becomes representative of all Americans and right now, with what's been going on, right or wrong, the international opinion of Americans has gone down the tubes.

I personally think that it's not a good thing and I said what I said TO HIM (and ONLY him) as if to say "You do realise that with your name, you're making Americans look bad at the worst possible time." which he definitely did. That annoyed me as much as the socially-backwards mindset that he was promoting.

Please understand that I didn't mean to make a dig at Americans in general. I know that painting an entire country with one brush is just stupid as hell and it's not what I was doing. Being a Canadian, I know a lot of Americans personally and they're no different from me.

I can understand why you'd be sensitive to Anti-American sentiment right now (because there is a craptonne of it out there) but I assure you that I'm not here to add to it. The real problem you face is people like "USAvenger" who make you look bad to people who don't know better, kinda like the way your media portrays Iranians (again, not blaming you for it, just trying to put it into an easy context).

- Being an American doesn't make you greedy or worthless. Being greedy or worthless does.

USAvenger is a handle that I've used online for 20 years or more. I chose it because I love and am proud of my country, despite its flaws. What's in a name? Should I assume that you are a representative of all Avro Arrow enthusiasts? It's a Canadian plane - does that make you representative of all Canadians? How completely and utterly asinine.

I am the sole provider for my family and as such, sacrifices are made. My "socially-backwards" mindset is one of limited government and lower taxes. The more of MY money that I make through hard work that I get to keep, the happier I am. Does that make me greedy?

Since you seem to be a big fan of stereotypes, you should know that I live in the Deep South. I would tell you that I don't own a truck or a rebel flag and still have all of my teeth but you probably wouldn't believe me.