Crazy as it is, Super Mario 64 has just smashed the recent auction record set by the Legend of Zelda. Having stood for a handful of days, that record has now fallen utterly. Back in April, the record was held by a copy of the original Super Mario Bros. That cartridge went for $660,000 at auction. Just last week, Link blew it up when a copy of the original Legend of Zelda went for $870,000. Naturally, Mario wanted his record back, and he means business! As it turns out, a sealed copy of Super Mario 64 was auctioned off for $1,560,000 USD on Sunday.
The Super Mario 64 auction record falls just a little short of doubling the previous Zelda record, which is an accomplishment. Like the previous record, this one also happened at Heritage Auction. The 25 year old game most recently reached a new generation of players via Super Mario 3D All-Stars. However, this game is no longer available thanks to Nintendo being odd.
A sealed copy of Super Mario 64 in excellent condition.
The copy of Super Mario 64 that sold in this auction was sealed and in immaculate condition. Combine that with the massive cultural significance of the franchise, and boom! You get some pretty high bidding to say the least. Heritage Auctions were themselves quite surprised by how good its condition is:
Super Mario 64 – Wata 9.8 A++ Sealed, N64 Nintendo 1996 USA. 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.
