The Most Expensive Gaming Memorabilia Ever Sold: A Wallet-Crushing Journey Through Gaming History

Gaming isn’t just a pastime; for some, it’s an all-consuming passion. And when passion meets deep pockets, you get jaw-dropping sales of gaming memorabilia that could make even a billionaire do a double-take. From ultra-rare cartridges to iconic hardware, we’re diving into the world of the most expensive gaming memorabilia ever sold. Buckle up, because your bank account might start crying in sympathy.

1. Super Mario Bros. (1985) Sealed Copy – $2,000,000

Mario isn’t just a plumber; he’s a financial powerhouse. In 2021, a pristine, sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. for the NES sold for a staggering $2 million. This wasn’t just any copy—it was an ultra-rare early production run with near-perfect condition, sealed in its original packaging.

For reference, that’s enough money to buy roughly 500,000 actual plumber wrenches. Or, you know, a couple of really nice houses.

2. Nintendo PlayStation Prototype – $360,000

Yes, you read that right—Nintendo and PlayStation were almost a thing. Before Sony broke out on its own and became a gaming juggernaut, it worked with Nintendo to develop a CD-based console. The project was scrapped, and only one working prototype exists today. It sold at auction for $360,000 in 2020.

Imagine the alternate timeline where Nintendo and Sony stayed together. Would the world have ever seen the PlayStation 5? Would Mario be swinging around New York City with Spider-Man? We may never know.

3. Stadium Events (NES) – $144,000

Stadium Events isn’t just rare—it’s basically a unicorn wearing a gold-plated headset. Released in 1987, this NES fitness game had a very limited distribution before it was recalled and rebranded. The original copies are so scarce that when one surfaces, collectors lose their minds (and their wallets). A sealed copy sold for $144,000 in 2020.

Just think: That’s enough to buy a top-tier gaming setup with multiple gaming PCs, VR headsets, and a fridge full of energy drinks to fuel your marathon sessions. But hey, some people just really, REALLY want a rare NES game.

4. Pac-Man Arcade Machine Signed by the Creator – $90,000

Pac-Man might be known for gobbling dots, but in 2022, someone gobbled up this signed arcade machine for a cool $90,000. Signed by Toru Iwatani, the creator of Pac-Man, this arcade unit became one of the most valuable pieces of gaming history.

That’s a whole lot of quarters—360,000 to be exact, assuming you’re playing the original 25-cent price per game.

5. Gold Nintendo World Championships Cartridge – $100,088

The Nintendo World Championships was a legendary gaming competition held in 1990, and only 26 gold-colored cartridges were ever made for the event. This makes them one of the rarest gaming collectibles in existence. In 2014, a collector shelled out over $100,000 for one of these legendary carts.

To put this into perspective: That’s about the cost of a fully loaded Tesla. But who needs self-driving cars when you can have self-bragging rights?

6. Super Mario 64 (Sealed) – $1,560,000

Mario makes another grand entrance on this list. A mint condition, sealed copy of Super Mario 64 sold for an eye-watering $1.56 million in 2021. The game was already iconic, but this particular copy was graded 9.8 A++ by WATA Games, meaning it was practically untouched since 1996.

For that price, you could buy about 31,200 actual Nintendo 64 consoles. Or just one incredibly expensive piece of plastic.

7. Final Fantasy II Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano – $50,000

When it comes to gaming art, Yoshitaka Amano is basically the Picasso of pixels. His original artwork for Final Fantasy II was auctioned off for $50,000. Considering that this is a one-of-a-kind piece drawn by the legendary artist himself, it’s a bargain compared to some of the other items on this list.

But let’s be real: Most of us would rather spend that on an actual gaming PC that can run Final Fantasy XV at max settings.

Final Thoughts: Is Gaming Memorabilia Worth It?

For some collectors, owning a piece of gaming history is priceless. For others, dropping six figures on a 30-year-old cartridge sounds like madness. But hey, if someone can spend $2 million on a Super Mario Bros. game they’ll never open, who are we to judge?

One thing’s for sure—gaming isn’t just a hobby anymore. It’s an investment, a legacy, and sometimes, a way to make our wallets cry.

So, the next time you’re about to throw away that old copy of Pokemon Red, maybe think twice. You never know—you could be sitting on a fortune.