Released alongside the Nintendo Entertainment System in late 1985, Super Mario Bros. helped launch the NES into the stratosphere and, by 1990, into an astonishing one third of American homes. Designed by the famed Shigeru Miyamoto, who Time Magazine has called, “the Spielberg of video games,” Super Mario Bros., with over 500 million units sold, has gone on to become the best-selling video game franchise of all time.

Despite being a Japanese creation, Mario quickly ascended to prominence in American popular culture. In fact, one North American study suggested more children in the United States were familiar with Mario than they were with Mickey Mouse. The New Yorker agreed, describing Mario as a folk hero with as much cultural influence as Disney’s most beloved character.

Only in the last few years have factory sealed video games became mainstream collectibles. Instant nostalgia, beautiful display, and the extremely limited supply have boasted the vintage video game space into a white-hot market. Much like Mario led the way with the emergence of Nintendo into American pop culture, he leads the way as the most desirable commodity amongst collectors. Within the last few years, factory sealed high grade Super Mario Bros. games began to eclipse the six-figure mark at auction. A record was set on September 10, 2021 when a collector paid a jaw dropping $2,000,000 for the icon - a factory sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. in pristine condition, click here.

Offered here is considered the icon of icons: an original factory sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Highly coveted, this particular version of the masterpiece is also quite distinctive and was the final print from the beloved 1980s (SMB for NES was printed until 1994). The release date is identified by subtle features printed on the box. On the front, the NES white oval seal of quality (SOQ) is coupled with “TM” (vs. “R” in the 1990-1994 release). 

A scant few have survived in factory sealed condition. While we do not have access to the CGC population report, the WATA population report shows only 6 examples of this print at the 9.4 grade level (two of the six had an inferior seal grade). Only 7 examples graded higher.

This magnificent example exudes factory fresh shine and vibrant color. It contains no creasing front or back and the only identifiable imperfection keeping this from a 9.6 (or better) is out of sight, on the reverse – a bit of white in the upper left corner. The seal, assigned an A+, is fantastic, with no rips, no tears, no cloudiness. It’s professionally encased, authenticated, and graded by industry leaders CGC.

The scarcity, importance, and pop culture impact of Nintendo’s Mario cannot be overstated. Perhaps no single imagery from the decade of the 1980’s is as recognizable. It all started here with Super Mario Bros., a gem that would absolutely mark as a cornerstone of any collection.

Encapsulated by CGA (9.4 Box, A+ Seal), #1024361001

For this listing, LCG Auctions is offering qualified individuals a 90 day time payment plan with a 25% non-refundable deposit due within two weeks after the close of the auction.  If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer, please contact us at [email protected] before bidding. 

Est. $20,000 - and up