Super Mario 64 In Near Mint-Condition Is The Most Expensive Video Game
Much like Bowser being thrown into the fiery abyss, the record for most expensive video game ever sold has been well and truly trounced. We don't know whether there's something in the water right now, but there's been a boom in record-breaking game auctions.
Just months ago, a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. went for an eye-watering $660k/£477k. That didn't last long, and on July 9, the earliest obtainable sealed copy of The Legend of Zelda sold at auction for $870,000/£628k. Now, it's back over to the peppy plumber, as a copy of Super Mario 64 just squashed the competition like a Goomba.
How did Super Mario 64 become the most expensive video game ever sold?
Click to enlargeWell-known auction site Heritage Auctions is behind the sale - confirming that the rare and sealed copy of Super Mario 64 has sold for $1.56m/£1.12m. What made this sale so unexpected is the fact Heritage says it was "a bit speechless" at the condition of the game's box. Some 25 years after Super Mario 64 first released, the sealed copy was graded by WataGames and scored a near-perfect 9.8 A++, which is much higher than any copy previously sold.
Heritage's full listing reads as follows: "Well -- we're a bit speechless on this one. What can we even say that would do this copy the justice it deserves? The cultural significance of this title and its importance to the history of video games is paramount, and the condition of this copy is just so breathtaking that we're really at a loss here. If you have had your heart set on obtaining the highest graded copy of the single best-selling video game on the Nintendo 64 -- the first 3D adventure of Nintendo's mascot, Mario -- we only have one piece of advice: this is not an opportunity to waste".
Discussing this momentous sale, Heritage Auctions video games specialist Valarie McLeckie said, "It seems impossible to overstate the importance of this title, not only to the history of Mario and Nintendo, but to video games as a whole.
"This is Mario’s debut appearance in a 3D world, and it was the most popular – bestselling – video game for the N64. Considering this, and the fact that there are fewer than five sealed in this grade according to Wata, this copy is a true prize for any serious collector".
Does the Super Mario 64 copy deserve to be the world's most expensive video game?
There's no escaping the legacy of Super Mario 64 and its rightful place as one of the best video games of all time. Still, it's a baffling turn of events that a copy from 25 years ago has raised so much money. Considering the OG Zelda and Mario games have broken records in quick succession, it's amazing to think a relatively modern title has claimed the crown.
Added to this, obtaining a copy of Super Mario 64 is relatively easy. Auction sites have boxed and unboxed versions for not that much, while the scalping on Super Mario 3D All-Stars has also calmed down and you can get the game bundled with Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy for $40/£30. If that wasn't enough, the internet is flooded with emulators where you can play the beloved title for absolutely nothing.
If you have a spare million knocking around, owning this piece of video game history is sure to be an investment that will pay off further down the line. Sadly, these record-breaking games are well beyond the reach of the average gamer. For the cash-flush winner, we'd suggest you don't take this one out of the box to climb to the top of Princess Peach's castle.
