97 pristine Super Mario cartridges emerge in collector’s find

A rare collection of 97 nearly flawless Super Mario cartridges surfaced recently after being stored for years in a Wisconsin shop. The discovery was made by Jason Ganos, a renowned Nintendo game collector, following a conversation with Kevin Braun, the owner of One Stop Wonders, a pop culture store located near Milwaukee. Braun had initially sought Ganos' assistance in selling a variety of items, including common Nintendo games and Pokémon cards. During this exchange, he revealed a box containing the Mario cartridges, which had been left in storage for several years. The cartridges in question are copies of Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt, a classic Nintendo game originally released in 1988. Upon examining the box, Ganos confirmed that the cartridges were not only exceptionally well-preserved but also represented a rare variant of the game. Further investigation revealed that these particular cartridges were produced in 1993, long after Nintendo ceased producing the bundled version in 1991. This unusual production timeline has sparked curiosity among collectors, as the exact reason behind their creation remains unclear. Some speculate that they might have served as warranty replacements or been part of a failed retail bundle. Ganos, known for his deep passion for Nintendo and his role in operating Nintendo Wire, a news service dedicated to Nintendo-related updates and nostalgia, was struck by the significance of the find. He described the moment of discovery as surreal, likening it to uncovering a “Holy Grail.” His excitement was palpable, particularly given the rarity of such pristine condition in vintage gaming hardware. To ensure the authenticity and value of the cartridges, Ganos traveled to California, carrying the 97 cartridges in his carry-on luggage. The journey through airport security was nerve-wracking, as he was questioned about the numerous small circuit boards in his bag. Despite the anxiety, he successfully reached experts who verified and graded the cartridges. Among the 97, five received a perfect score of 10, a rating rarely achieved for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) cartridges. These findings hold considerable historical and monetary value. Collectors often pay premium prices for ultra-rare video game items, especially those with unique histories. The perfect condition of the cartridges adds to their desirability, similar to how high-grade comic books or sports cards command higher values. However, Ganos admitted that the true worth of the collection remains uncertain, as it is unlike anything he has encountered before. As part of the auction process, Ganos and Braun will offer three of the perfectly rated cartridges at Golden Pop’s Culture Auction starting Friday. Both men will retain one of the top-rated copies and a few others with scores in the high 9s. While the games can be played, Ganos aims to preserve their pristine state, emphasizing the importance of finding uncirculated items in his collecting journey. The discovery marks a significant moment in the world of retro gaming, highlighting the enduring legacy of early Nintendo titles. As the auction proceeds, the community awaits the outcome, hoping to learn more about the true value of these remarkable artifacts.