Ahh, the Nintendo Leisure System (or NES, for brief). The console that modified the course of gaming historical past and introduced the US gaming market again from the brink of extinction. It established Nintendo as a family title and launched gamers to a few of the most iconic franchises and titles the medium has ever seen.
What it additionally did was have a variety of uncommon video games. Owing to its age and the truth that the panorama of gaming was vastly completely different again within the Eighties, discovering inexpensive copies of those video games goes to be extremely onerous (if you will discover the video games in any respect since many have in all probability been misplaced to the sands of time). Listed below are 10 of the rarest and costliest NES video games that may additionally require your arm and your leg if you wish to buy them.
All listed costs are courtesy of PriceCharting. Used costs are primarily based on the “Free Value” itemizing, whereas new costs are primarily based on the “New Value” itemizing (except in any other case famous). Entries are ranked from lowest to highest by their respective “new” worth.
10. The Legend of Zelda (Take a look at Cartridge)
N/A New | $7,530 Used
![best legend of zelda games, the legend of zelda](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/best-legend-of-zelda-games-the-legend-of-zelda.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
It ought to come as no shock {that a} take a look at cartridge lands on this checklist someplace. Very similar to the vaunted “Not For Resale” copies of video games, take a look at cartridges usually are not readily purchasable, which makes discovering them a process in and of itself. Seemingly meant to be little greater than a recreation for take a look at facilities to ensure consoles functioned correctly, it ought to come as no shock that the costliest one is likely one of the system’s most influential video games, The Legend of Zelda.
With regards to cartridges like these, you’re not gonna discover a “new” copy, since its complete objective – testing – would require or not it’s used at one level. With that stated, if you wish to discover an genuine cartridge (since there are lots of decoys), you’ll have to pay some $7,530 to get it. Until you’ve a cash-burning gap in your pocket, there are much better (and cheaper) methods to amass the unique Zelda recreation at this level.
9. Nintendo World Championship
N/A New | $22,682 Used
![nintendo world championships cartridge](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/nintendo-world-championships-cartridge.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Most is perhaps able to anoint this the highest spot on the checklist, however as there isn’t a “new” worth for it, it’s occurring the decrease finish. Relaxation assured, although, that the Nintendo World Championship cart is likely one of the most iconic uncommon NES video games. These cartridges had been made solely for the 1990 Nintendo World Championship match, the place gamers confirmed off their finest Nintendo abilities and received a wide range of prizes.
All 90 finalists obtained one in all these cartridges, whereas the winner (and 25 runner-ups in a Nintendo Energy contest) obtained gold variations of the cartridges. Sarcastically, the gray cartridges run for more cash than the gold, although each are actually no small charge; the gold cartridge runs for roughly $18,944, whereas the gray cartridges promote for about $22,682. Until ripping your pockets aside is one thing you discover pleasure in, the NES Remix titles on the Wii U offer you an identical expertise… and so they received’t value near your yearly wage.
8. Bubble Bathtub Babes
$1,345 New* | $1,218 Used
![bubble bath babes title screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/bubble-bath-babes-1.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
I really feel soiled even typing out that title. Bubble Bathtub Babes…*shivers*…may sound like the sport of each hormonal teenager’s desires, but it surely’s actually not. It’s merely a puzzle recreation à la Tetris or Bust-a-Transfer, however there’s a unadorned girl mendacity on the backside of the display. And certain, finishing ranges earns you some small bits of erotica, but it surely’s a NES recreation, so it’s fairly tacky. All of the nudity and intercourse attraction is superfluous and provides nothing of worth to the sport itself.
That stated, its standing as an adult-oriented title meant it didn’t meet Nintendo’s family-friendly pointers, and developer Panesian may solely ship it to video shops. Simply looking for a used copy units you again $1,218, whereas a “complete-in-box” copy (since there are apparently no “new” copies accessible) would go for $1,345. That stated, the puzzle-based gameplay just isn’t unhealthy, so it may very well be value a discover. What is perhaps higher is discovering its formally licensed model Mermaids of Atlantis, a less expensive model that additionally removes all of the erotic components… Hey, sacrifices wanted to be made someplace.
7. Peek-a-Boo Poker
$2,000 New* | $1,666 Used
![peek a boo poker title screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/peek-a-boo-poker.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
Talking of video games distributed by Panesian… this one! The writer was recognized for producing adult-oriented video games on the NES, and Peek-a-Boo Poker was one other instance. Because the title would have you ever imagine, this was only a poker-based recreation, however clearly, there was a twist: it was strip poker! So if you happen to’re somebody who performs poker for the, ahem, ”plot,” perhaps that is the sport for you.
Effectively… except the value turns you away, and it ought to. $1,666 will get you a used copy, whereas a “complete-in-box” model of the sport (as soon as once more, no “new” worth was listed) runs for $2,000. That’s some huge cash to play strip poker with some NES sprites. So except you’re determined for a poker online game – or don’t have a really lively social life – you may need to redirect your search elsewhere.
6. Sizzling Slots
$3,000 New | $1,454 Used
![hot slots gameplay](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hot-slots.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
I promise that is the final time we’ll be mentioning Panesian on this checklist. Given their earlier video games, Sizzling Slots shouldn’t be obscure as a result of every thing you’ll want to find out about it’s within the title. It’s a slot-machine-based recreation that’s scorching… properly, by the requirements of the NES, presumably. I imply, hey, if 8-bit ladies are your sort, go proper forward, I received’t choose.
What I’ll choose is the value, as a result of $1,454 for a used copy of the sport is already fairly ridiculous. Seemingly, that is the one Panesian recreation that truly has “new” copies of it accessible, however if you happen to really need one, you’ll should flush down $3,000 within the course of. That is the place you’ll have to find out whether or not it’s higher to blow $3,000 on an NES slot machine recreation, or take $3,000 to an precise slot machine and gamble it down…choices, choices.
5. Cheetahmen II
$3,452 New | $1,847 Used
![cheetahmen ii gameplay](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cheetahmen-ii.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
Okay, we’re again in family-friendly territory… I hope. Cheetahmen II is a very unusual case as a result of this recreation was by no means formally launched. The unique Cheetahmen was a part of the notorious Motion 52 cartridge, and whereas the sequel was being deliberate, it was by no means formally revealed. Nonetheless, 1,500 copies had been present in a warehouse in Florida, and so they had been ultimately put up on the market.
You’d be proper in pondering a recreation that was by no means formally launched could be fairly costly. When you’re prepared to get a used copy, you’ll have to surrender “solely” $1,847, however a “new” copy (how is {that a} factor for a recreation like this?) involves $3,452. A hefty positive for a recreation that doesn’t seem like all that good, because it seems to be prefer it’s little greater than a copycat model of the basic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video games. Thus, it’d in all probability be higher to check out a few of the newer, much better Ninja Turtles video games we’ve gotten these days.
4. The Flintstones: The Shock at Dinosaur Peak
$10,700 New | $1,464 Used
![the flintstones surprise at dinosaur peak](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flintstones.webp?resize=640%2C360)
Now I can extra confidently say we’re in family-friendly territory. You could not suppose a recreation like The Flintstones: The Shock at Dinosaur Peak could be extraordinarily uncommon given the recognition of its franchise… properly, till you notice it was an NES recreation launched in 1994, three years after the American launch of the Tremendous NES. However hey, feels becoming for the prehistoric franchise to launch on a system that was already feeling fairly prehistoric. And if you wish to really feel much more prehistoric, the sport was allegedly a rental-only recreation completely accessible at Blockbuster (that sounds acquainted), which makes it a fair hotter commodity.
A used copy will drain $1,464 out of your pockets, whereas a brand new copy will ship you down $10,700. That’s an asinine quantity, and it’s a disgrace the value is so excessive as a result of it appears to be a reasonably enjoyable little NES platformer. More often than not, these uncommon and costly video games usually are not all that good, and solely soar in worth as a result of there are so few copies of them. However right here, we even have a reasonably good recreation, one which will really be value your cash… properly, okay, not for that amount of cash.
3. Little Samson
$17,400 New | $2,100 Used
![little samson key art](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/little-samson.webp?resize=640%2C360)
Hey, have a look at that: one other entry on the checklist that truly appears to be a great recreation! Sure, Little Samson is a popular NES platformer that, in some circles, may even land on the decrease finish of some “Finest NES Video games” lists. Sadly, the sport’s rarity stems from its poor gross sales, the place a hurricane of unhealthy components negatively affected its gross sales. A late 1992 launch date (a 12 months after the Tremendous NES’s launch), some noticeable similarities to the far more widespread Mega Man, and writer Taito not with the ability to market the sport extraordinarily properly led to it dropping by the wayside.
Nonetheless, if you will discover a duplicate of it within the wild, it is perhaps value grabbing… simply not for that worth. $2,100 used and a whopping $17,400 new could be an unbelievable quantity even when this was one of many biggest video games ever created. If you will discover a worth for one thing a LOT cheaper, you may need to pounce on it. You could possibly be rewarded with a reasonably stable platformer.
2. Household Enjoyable Health Stadium Occasions
$33,109 New | $16,100 Used
![stadium-events-NES-1](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/stadium-events-NES-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
That’s proper, Nintendo had a noteworthy health recreation earlier than Wii Match was cool. Stadium Occasions is one in all two video games within the Household Enjoyable Health sequence, and it was an try by Bandai to advertise its Household Enjoyable Health mat accent. After its preliminary launch, Nintendo rebranded it in America as World Class Monitor Meet to advertise the Energy Pad accent, which meant copies of the unique model of the sport turned a a lot larger rarity.
Even simply discovering a used copy will put you down $16,100, however in order for you a brand new copy, you higher get able to take out a mortgage, since you’ll should pay $33,109 for it. For a very long time, this gave the impression to be the rarest, costliest NES recreation in the marketplace. Even when it’s not on the prime anymore, it’s nonetheless an unbelievable quantity for, actually, something. The excellent news is that there are many cheaper train video games value your time, so that you received’t should dig into your belief fund to pay for one thing like this.
1. Mega Man (5-Screw Cartridge)
$156,100 New | $10,993 Used
![mega man title screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mega-man.webp?resize=640%2C360)
On the prime, we get to a moderately unusual instance of a recreation that will not appear too uncommon, however there’s a particular circumstance in play. Early within the lifetime of the NES, cartridge shells had 5 screws holding them collectively. For no matter motive, although, Nintendo would change to solely utilizing three screws on cartridge shells, and video games that beforehand had five-screw cartridges obtained new three-screw shells. Mega Man occurred to be one in all them, which meant its five-screw variant turned a large rarity.
If you wish to discover a used copy, you’ll have to pay $10,993, however in order for you a brand new copy… take a deep breath in for a minute… you’ll have to cough up a whopping $156,100. You’ll be able to exit proper now and purchase a home for that amount of cash, and that’s saying one thing given the present housing financial system. All that cash for nothing greater than a unique shell, because the precise recreation was in any other case the very same.
It certain is an efficient factor the unique Mega Man has been re-issued since as a result of that amount of cash is absolute nonsense. You is perhaps paying for additional screws, however actually, it’s the customer that may really get… screwed… by it… okay, I’ll see myself out now.
However earlier than I do, what are another exceedingly uncommon and costly NES video games you’ll be able to consider? Tell us within the feedback under.