The most anticipated video game of all-time, Super Mario Bros. 3 debuted in Japan on October 23, 1988 for the Nintendo Famicom System.  “Mario Mania” ensued; it was truly the “biggest, most exciting Mario Bros. adventure yet!”  The most labor-intensive NES game ever made, Shigeru Miyamoto oversaw Nintendo’s all-star ten-member design team, dubbed “R&D 4”.  The game is considered Miyamoto’s masterpiece, with incredible level designs, awesome power-ups, and unforgettable bosses.  Immortalized in Universal’s 1989 feature film, The Wizard, it remains the best selling standalone video game ever.

A favorite amongst collectors, Super Mario Bros. 3 has quickly ascended to the upper echelon of the hobby.  A copy of the game was sold on November 22, 2020 for a staggering price of $156,000 – a record at the time.  The record-setter was a top condition early 1990 US release.  This, however, was not the first release of the game.  Eighteen months earlier the game was released by Nintendo in Japan to an overwhelming reception. 

Presented is an extraordinary unopened first release copy of Super Mario Bros. 3 from 1988.   This ultra high-grade example is, not surprisingly, stunning in all respects: Bright, clean, and crisp with virtually perfect centering, a flawless image, and four sharp corners; the game displays immaculately.  We believe this to be the earliest copy of SMB3 to ever hit the auction block, and we are confident that the auction process will establish the true market value of this outstanding gem.  This is extremely rare opportunity to acquire a true first release copy of one of the most iconic video games ever made, and would be a tremendous addition to any world-class collection.  Encapsulated by VGA (90), #76866746