Most valuable retro computer games worth £1.5million – do you have one of these in your attic?
Games once dismissed as outdated are now highly sought-after collectables, fetching eye-watering prices at auction.
4
We've compared the prices of games recently sold directly by owners on eBay with the record-breaking figures achieved through formal auctions
A sealed, first-print Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) achieved a £1.5million sale in 2021, setting a record as the most expensive video game ever sold.
While a gold Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridge sold for over £160,000 last year as fewer than 20 confirmed copies exist.
However, some of the rarest and most valuable games out there aren't necessarily the ones you'd expect.
Karlo Čičko, tech expert and software developer at GameBoost, said: "One thing I've learned from working at GameBoost and spending time around serious collectors is that it's not always about Mario or Zelda.
"Some of the real unicorns are tied to obscure competitions, tiny production runs, or even developer mistakes."
With this in mind, we delve into some of the most valuable retro games you might unknowingly have tucked away in storage on consoles you once played on.
To give you a clearer picture, we've compared the prices of games recently sold directly by owners on eBay against the record-breaking figures achieved through formal auctions at Heritage Auctions, the world's largest auctioneer of collectables.
Games at auction tend to sell for far more overall as these items are typically sealed and in pristine condition.
If you find you have an unopened retro game, it's worth getting advice on how much it could be worth through a specialist auctioneer group.
Copies not in tip top condition are still in high demand, however, and fetch thousands of pounds through eBay.
You never know, that forgotten box in your loft could be hiding a small fortune.
Original '90s TV ad for N64 game Super Mario 64 now worth thousands
NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
4
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), known as the Famicom in Japan, is an 8-bit home video game console developed and released by Nintendo in 1983
Max Wilson, storage expert and co-founder of Pocket Storage, said: "NES consoles and games are some of the most valuable gaming items you can find in storage.
"A 1988 NES console, for instance, can sell for over £5,000 on eBay—a staggering increase of more than 3,000% from its original price of around £157."
When it comes to retro console games, Super Mario Bros. reigns supreme in terms of value.
A sealed, first-print copy of the game for the NES, identifiable by its rare horizontal sticker seal, sold for an eye-watering £1.5 million in 2021.
Karlo says that if you're lucky enough to own one, be sure to inspect the sticker seal carefully - any ripples or lifts, no matter how minor, can significantly affect its value.
Even outside of formal auctions, private sellers on eBay have recently achieved up to £7,395.74 for their copies, proving the enduring appeal of this gaming classic.
And it's not just Super Mario Bros. commanding top prices.
A sealed, first-production run copy of The Legend of Zelda smashed records in 2024, selling for over £220,000 - further evidence that retro gaming remains a lucrative market.
Private sellers can also expect to fetch up to £2,154.50 when selling the same game on eBay.
Karlo added: "Focus on the box code NES-ZL-USA without any Rev-A mark and check that the inner flap carries a printed five digit lot code rather than handwriting.
"Foil front boxes oxidise faster than paper stock, so store them in a climate vault at 18°C and monitor temperature swings with a data logger."
SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
4
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) consoles can sell for nearly £2,000
Max said: "SNES was the newer version of the NES console, featuring a 16-bit console and as a result better graphics and sound capabilities.
"When it was released, the SNES cost just £157 and was a huge breakthrough for gaming.
"As a result, the console and its compatible games are worth a pretty penny on the resale market — SNES consoles can go for nearly £2,000 on eBay."
When it comes to retro games for this console, The Legend of Zelda stands out as a true heavyweight in terms of value.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has fetched as much as £72,141.94 at auction.
However, more common titles like Super Mario Kart typically sell for a few thousand pounds, with recent eBay sales averaging around £5,588.06.
ATARI 2600
4
The original model Atari 2600 Video Computer System can fetch £20,000 on eBay
Max said: "The Atari 2600 was released in 1977 at around £157.
"Today, it's one of the most nostalgia-igniting consoles ever made, and can resale on eBay for nearly £20,000.
"If you have any of its games lying around in storage, you'll be in for a happy surprise, because they can be just as lucrative as their compatible console."
While prices for Atari 2600 games vary significantly, some titles command surprisingly high prices.
For instance, Pac-Man has sold for an impressive £23,448.60, while Mario Bros. has commanded as much as £14,869.67 at auction.
That said, the majority of Atari 2600 games tend to sell for considerably less.
Recent eBay sales often average a few hundred pounds or less—still a significant increase compared to their original retail price.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming
"Pac-Man [the character] was designed to represent the core concept of the game, 'to eat', in the simplest way possible," Michiko Kumagai, the licensing manager for the iconic character at the game's publisher, Bandai Namco, tells the BBC. "Just like the McDonald's arches, he's become an internationally recognised symbol. At one glance everyone can understand what Pac-Man means instinctively, [which] is why Pac-Man has reached such a wide audience." Reach a wide audience it certainly has. Originally called PuckMan in Japan, a reference to the Japanese phrase "paku paku taberu", which means to gobble something up while producing a greedy, jaw-snapping sound, Pac-Man is the most successful coin-triggered arcade game of all time, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The character remains an enduring symbol even today, with the franchise having generated an estimated $14bn in revenue, from both arcade machines and dozens of re-releases on home consoles; the games have appeared on everything from the Nintendo Entertainment System [NES] to the Xbox 360. Pac-Man has also racked up awareness-boosting cameos over recent years in big budget animated kids films including Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Pixels (2015), while last month Bandai Namco released Shadow Labyrinth, a game that provides a fresh spin on the beloved Pac-Man gameplay. Why the game works so well "Pac-Man is one of the figureheads of the birth of mainstream video gaming," Peter Etchells, professor of science communication at Bath Spa University tells the BBC. "There was an elegant simplicity to its gameplay and design that I think captured a lot of players' imaginations." You don't need to be a hardcore gamer to appreciate the character's core purpose of strategic nibbling, with Pac-Man's gameplay both refreshingly simple and, ultimately, difficult to master. When it came to the original, gamers could either frenetically run around without much thought or, like many people did back in the 1980s, religiously read a How to win at Pac-Man guide that taught you how to memorise hundreds of complex maze patterns and optimal paths. Such tactical preparation would make you war-ready to compete at a Pac-Man tournament – of which thousands have been hosted worldwide.
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Daily Record
'I'm a rare coin collector – how to spot 50p listed for whopping £15k online'
Some rare coins can sell for an absolute fortune online, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's got the correct price tag. So how do you spot a 50p worth £15,000? It's no secret certain change can hold a mega value, whether it's three £1 coins worth hundreds or a "super rare" 50p coin that could sell for £40,000 online. Now we know rare coins are all the rage at the moment, so do you own this special piece worth loads? Over on Instagram, user @CoinCollectingWizard, who boasts 31,000 followers, revealed how a Paddington Bear piece was listed for an eye-watering £15,000 on eBay. But despite seeing that hefty price tag on selling websites, it doesn't necessarily mean it's worth that staggering amount at all, so how can you tell the difference? The post read: "£15,000 for a Paddington Bear 50p?! Let's find out more... "You've probably seen the headlines or eBay listings claiming someone's selling a Paddington Bear 50p for £15,000... But is it really worth that much?" He added: "No. Not even close." Speaking in the post, the coin expert revealed how these pieces are made in huge numbers, especially the 2018 and 2019 versions showing Paddington at the Station, the Palace, the Tower and St Paul's. "They're fun to collect, but... Anyone can list a coin for any price on eBay," the expert continued: "That doesn't mean it's actually worth it, or that anyone will ever pay it." So how can you tell if it's worth that amount? Paddington Bear 50p coins are worth their value, but in some cases can go for a couple of pounds. But if they're in a sealed collector's pack or a rare error (which is unlikely), this can differ. Also listings which ask for thousands are just trying to trick people who don't know better, the Coin Collecting Wizard admitted. He concluded: "If you see a crazy price online – always check with someone who knows before you get too excited. That's what I'm here for!" The 2018 Paddington Bear 50p coin was issued by The Royal Mint to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic bear. It features Paddington on his suitcase in front of the station, wearing the famous tag around his neck. This is the first time Paddington ever featured on official UK coinage with serious collectors keen to get their claws on one in the best possible condition. Even the newest and shiniest standard collection coins have numerous scratches and marks, but The Royal Mint issue specifically struck collector quality "Brilliant Uncirculated" coins which are guaranteed not to have the scratches and chips.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
New Mario game kept me up until 1am – it's a perfect multiplayer title for kids this summer or late nights with pals
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GREAT measure for a game is when it's so fun, you completely lose track of time. Ticking that box is Nintendo's revamped Super Mario Party Jamboree, which kept not only me but six pals awake until 1am. If you've got kids, this is an absolute dream family title. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Super Mario Party Jamboree is a favourite at home Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 11 It's a brilliant Mario-themed party game Credit: Nintendo 11 The game has been upgraded for the new Nintendo Switch 2 Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun The game actually came out in October 2024, but it's just been upgraded for the new Nintendo Switch 2. WHAT IS SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE? This new version has some extra modes and mini-games, but it's largely the same game. Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo Switch 2), £66.99 And it really is a good game. If you're new to the Mario Party franchise, it's basically a giant collection of mini-games with very low barriers to entry. You can just pick it up and play. It's fine to play solo, although it's way better if you've got someone else with you. We had friends visit recently, and it kept us up late into the night. It's moreish, like spicy crisps. Or most other Mario games. If you've ever played Jackbox Games, Mario Party serves a similar purpose. It's packed with loads of Mario-themed mini-games. Some of them demand speedy reactions, while others will challenge your memory. And some even involve physical movement – like flapping your arms in the air while holding the Joy-Con controllers to fly. If you're alone then you'll play against the computer. The Sun tries new Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart before it's out But with friends, you can take on each other – or even team up – in a bid to win. SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE GAMEPLAY The good thing is that all of the games are very simple. There are dozens on offer, and you'll easily pick any of them up in seconds. And they're all bright, colourful challenges where you'll play as (and alongside) iconic Mario characters. 11 You'll explore Mario's world and enjoy loads of mini-games Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 11 Playing with friends makes it even more fun – especially if you have the camera accessory Credit: Nintendo One fun game saw me collecting coins on shifting sands. Spiky bars rolled right at me, so I had to quickly sidestep or leap in the air to dodge them. Another had me yanking bread out of an oven – but only once it had baked to perfection. Too soon? No coins! You can enjoy a sort of 'Grand Prix' of mini-game series, so you'll earn points after a few rounds – and then see who came out on top. If you've got four people playing at once, it's very high energy. This is great for a child's party, or an adult's party for that matter. 11 It's bright and colourful, and extremely easy to pick up Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game has some clever upgrades. They're mostly tucked into a new section of the game called Jamboree TV. One of the main differences here is a set of games built for mouse-style controls. That's made possible by the Switch 2's upgraded Joy-Cons, which can be placed on a surface to work just like a computer mouse. Picture Credit: 11 It's fun for players of all ages – even if you've never really played video games before Credit: Nintendo But it's worth noting that mouse control games require a single Joy-Con per person and a surface. Oh, and you can't use the Pro Controller for those games either, as it doesn't have mouse functionality. If you have the Nintendo camera accessory (keep in mind, this is £50!), you can play three games that make use of it. It's a bit like the old Xbox Kinect camera system. One involves following physical commands, which is fun if you like moving around. Probably the best is Goombalancing Act, where you try not to drop Goombas balancing on top of your head. 11 There are dozens of mini-games to play Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun So what's bad? Well, there are a few downsides. It took me quite a while to actually get playing. I'd say there's a good five minutes of unskippable content before you can start. It's not the end of the world, but I'd rather have just been able to get going right away. As well as that, the game has a £66.99 price tag attached. So you'll want to make sure you're going to get enough use out of it. IS SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE WORTH BUYING? It's always tempting to just stick on Mario Kart. And the new Mario Kart World is very good. 11 Some of the games make use of the Joy-Con mouse feature Credit: Nintendo In fact, it's probably enough reason to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 alone. But Super Mario Party Jamboree is a great alternative with loads of variety, and sparks a bit more chat than a regular Mario Kart game. You're also far less likely to see major skill differences on this versus Mario Kart. Rather than one person always winning, you might be good at one mini-game and rubbish at the next. 11 You'll recognise loads of classic Mario characters Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun There's loads of variety so you won't get bored. And it's simple enough for basically anyone to play – even people who aren't used to holding game controllers. This really is as close as it gets to "fun for the whole family". It's not exactly cheap at £67, but if you snap it up now, you'll probably get loads of play-time in over summer. And then again at Christmas. The Sun says: One of the best "family" games out there – but it's perfect for a night with friends too. A mini-game treasure trove that will hook Mario fans, and convert everyone else. 4.5/5 Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo Switch 2), £66.99 11 Nintendo fans will get hours of fun from Super Mario Party Jamboree Credit: Nintendo All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Always do your own research before making any purchase.
