If you are someone who has a box full of NES games in your attic, you might just have a small fortune and not even know it. Rare NES games are far more expensive than many other systems, such as the SNES or Genesis, often fetching thousands of dollars.
While this is great for those who have a box full of games they have forgotten about, for collectors it is an expensive hobby. One which requires deeper and deeper pockets as the years pass by and the games become more difficult to find.
The 20 Most Valuable NES Games
***List in rarity order, last updated March 2019***
NINTENDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD EDITION (1990)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: $100,000
In 1990, Nintendo held a gaming tournament in Los Angeles, California. The Gold Edition cart was the contest prize, twenty-five copies were also given to the runners up, making twenty-six cartridges in total. When it comes to rare NES games, this is holy grail of games.
The game itself is a timed compilation of Super Mario Bros, Rad Racer and Tetris, each adjusted for the tournament and each containing a unique scoring system.
In 2014, a 1990 Nintendo World Championships Gold Edition cartridge sold on eBay for $100,088. While the gold cartridge is the holy grail for NES fans, a grey cartridge also exists, this was given to all the finalists of the Nintendo tournament. Ninety of these cartridges were given out, so slightly more common than the Gold Edition. Prices currently range from around $5,000 to $10,000 dollars.
STADIUM EVENTS (1987)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $27,500, Loose $10,000
Stadium Events is a sports fitness game published by Bandai in 1987. Stadium Events, along with Athletic World were the two games in the Family Fun Fitness series, designed for the Family Fun Fitness mat accessory.
Not long after release Nintendo recalled the game and re-branded the Family Fun Fitness series as a first party product. The game was then re-released as ‘World Class Track Meet’ along side the Power Pad NES accessory, both of which are very common.
An estimated 200 copies of Stadium Events were sold to consumers in North America before the recall. If you are fortunate enough to be sitting on a copy, simply put, you have hit the jackpot! While an estimate of $27,500 has been given for a complete copy of Stadium Events, in 2015 a copy did sell for as much as $35,100.
NINTENDO CAMPUS CHALLENGE (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: $15,000 - $21,000
The 1991 Nintendo Campus Challenge cartridge was created by Nintendo for their video game competition which toured college campuses. The cartridge has three games on it, Super Mario 3, PinBot and Dr Mario with a time limit of about 6 minutes. The aim was to get as many points as you can within the time limit from all three games.
It is unknown how many copies of the Campus Challenge game exist, all copies were supposed to be destroyed after the tournament. One copy of the game sold privately for $14,000 and was then resold later for $20,100, making it one of the most valuable and rare NES games around.
MYRIAD 6-IN-1 (1992)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $4,000, Loose $1,200
The Myriad 6-In-1 game cartridge, is as the name suggests, 6 games in 1. This unlicensed title was actually released twice, firstly as ‘Caltron 6-In-1’, who reportedly went bankrupt during production. Then a second time as ‘Myriad 6-In-1’ after they bought the leftover carts and then re-boxed and re-named them.
Less than a thousand Myriad 6-In-1 games were sold, therefore it is incredibly rare and the chance to purchase it doesn’t come up very often. A sealed copy was recently listed on eBay for $4,500, however no bids were received.
The six games on the cartridge are: Cosmos Cop, Magic Carpet 101, Balloon Monster, Adam & Eve, Porter and Bookyman.
LITTLE SAMSON (1992)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $3,000, Loose $1,300
Little Samson is a platform game released on the NES in 1992 by Taito. It mimics other platform games from that era such as Super Mario and Mega Man.
The story starts with a dark prince that has escaped captivity and threatens the land. After the kings soldiers are wiped out he requests help from four heroes to stop the evil prince and save the kingdom. The game allows you to control these four heroes as you attempt to take down the prince.
A boxed copy of Little Samson sold in February 2017 for $3100 on eBay, if you’re after a copy yourself, you will need deep pockets!
BUBBLE BATH BABES (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $2,300, Loose $1,200
Bubble Bath Babes is an adult game created for the Nintendo Entertainment System, however the game was not licensed by Nintendo. It is one of the three adult games released by Panesian, the other two being Hot Slots and Peek-A-Boo Poker.
The game-play is much like that of Puzzle Bobble or Tetris, when a level is completed the player is rewarded with erotica.
Highly sought after by collectors, the rarity of Bubble Bath Babes means you’ll have to pay four figures for a copy, that’s if you can ever find one.
FLINTSTONES: SURPRISE AT DINOSAUR PEAK (1993)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $2,300, Loose $750
The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak is a NES game released by Taito Corporation in 1993, it was a Blockbuster rental exclusive and not available to buy through the usual retail outlets.
Because the game is a rental exclusive, finding the game in good condition is almost impossible.
Players can choose between Fred and Barney, both of whom have different attacks and abilities. Unlike the first Flintstones game in which you could only choose Fred.
The exact amount of copies of The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak is difficult to estimate as it wasn’t sold through the normal channels.
CHEETAHMEN II (Not Released)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $1,300, Loose $1,000
Everybody old enough remembers just how popular Thundercats and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Cheetahmen seems like an attempt to capitalise on the half-human half-animal action hero.
The first Cheetahmen game was released in 1991 for both the NES and Sega Genesis. However, the sequel never made it to the shelves, with only 6 of the 10 levels made before the game was scrapped. However in 1996, 1500 copies of the game were found in a warehouse and put on sale.
Because Cheetahmen II was scrapped and only limited copies were ever sold, finding a copy is extremely difficult. Even if you do find a copy, expect to pay four-figures, even for a loose copy.
HOT SLOTS (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $1,200, Loose $800
Hot Slots is an adult slot machine simulator developed by Hacker International for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991.
The player chooses one of three slot machines to play. When the player nets a profit of $210, the game displays a full-screen cartoon image of the partially clothed hostess with a caption or speech balloon. At a net profit of $300, she loses more of her clothing then at $450, she appears nude.
Hot Slots, needless to say, never met Nintendo’s strict guidelines, because of this many retailers refused to sell the game. This is the major reason as to why the game is so rare today, selling for as much as $1200 for a complete copy.
PEEK-A-BOO POKER (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $800, Loose $600
Peek-A-Boo Poker is a video game by Hacker International, it is one of three adult video games they released for the NES, the other two being Bubble Bath Babes and Hot Slots.
One of the few adult games available on the Nintendo Entertainment System, many major retailers refused to sell the game as these adult games that didn’t meet Nintendo’s standards.
The game-play is a simple strip-poker simulator. The player can see a different reward screen for every $1000 they collect in winnings.
CHUBBY CHERUB (1986)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $700, Loose $70
Chubby Cherub is a Nintendo Entertainment System game released by Bandai in 1986.
The original Japanese version of the game was called ‘Q-taro’, it features a ghost as the main character. As North American audiences were not familiar with this character, the US release had a name change as well as some heavy modifications. Instead of a ghost it stars a flying cupid-like character that attacks enemies with hearts.
A small print-run means Chubby Cherub is a very rare NES game that holds great value. A complete copy of Chubby Cherub will currently sell for around $700 dollars, while loose copies fetch around $70.
BUBBLE BOBBLE PART 2 (1993)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $650, Loose $330
Bubble Bobble Part 2 was released on both the NES and Game Boy in 1993. While they share the same name, they were developed independently from each other. Because of this they have a different story line as a result.
Gameplay for both the NES and Game Boy version of the game remains largely unchanged from the other games in the series. However, the NES version of the game has three bonus games which are located after the player defeats a boss.
Bubble Bobble Part 2 never sold very well on the NES. Most likely because it was released at the very end of the consoles life-span. Because of this the game is quite hard to find, and complete boxed copies of the game sell for as much as $650.
SNOW BROTHERS (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $550, Loose $220
Snow Brothers, or Snow Bros, is an arcade port similar to Bubble Bobble that was originally released in 1986 and ported to multiple systems including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis and Game Boy in the early 1990’s.
Unfortunately for collectors, Snow Brothers is very rare NES game that doesn’t pop up very often.
A complete copy of the game sold on eBay in February 2017 for $799. If you want a copy, you’re going to need deep pockets!
6-IN-1 CALTRON (1992)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $450, Loose $250
The 6-In-1 Caltron is generally as rare as the Myriad 6-In-1, however the game doesn’t command anywhere near the same sort of value.
Released in 1992 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, the 6-In-1 Caltron is a six game cart that was released to poor reviews.
Not long after, Caltron went out of business and so Myriad bought all their stock. They then changed the name of the game, the box and the cart sticker before selling it as ‘Myriad 6-In-1’.
A factory sealed copy of the game was available on eBay in early 2017 for $659.99.
ACTION 52 (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $400, Loose $230
Action 52 is an unlicensed multicart video game released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991 and on the Sega Genesis in 1993. The ”featured” game of Action 52 was ‘Cheetahmen’. Initial plans for a line of merchandising including action figures and T-shirts were made, however these plans never materialised.
The idea for the 52 game cartridge came from Vince Perri. A businessman who saw his son playing an illegal Taiwanese product with 40 games on it. He claimed the kids in the neighbourhood went crazy over it and so he figured he could do something legally.
Unfortunately the games on the Action 52 cart were poor quality and incredibly buggy. However the rarity of the game means a complete copy will still sell for around $400.
SECRET SCOUT IN THE TEMPLE OF DEMISE (1991)
RARITY: 10, PRICE: Complete $310, Loose $150
Secret Scout is an unlicensed game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, it was released by Color Dreams in 1991.
This side-scrolling platform game is set across three levels. The game puts players in control of a boy scout who is separated from his fellow scouts and finds himself stranded amongst deadly traps, falls and enemies.
Color Dreams was well known for releasing a string of poor quality titles during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Secret Scout didn’t buck that trend in any way shape or form, it is a poor game yet its rarity makes it worth around $300 dollars today.
BONK'S ADVENTURE (1993)
RARITY: 9, PRICE: Complete $1,000, Loose $480
Bonk’s Adventure is a 2D platform game first released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1989. It was then released on various other systems including the NES, Game Boy and Amiga.
The game follows Bonk, a cave-boy who battles with anthropomorphic dinosaurs as well as a range of other prehistoric themed enemies. Bonk’s mission is to rescue Princess Za who has been kidnapped by the evil King Drool.
While Bonk isn’t the rarest NES game, a complete boxed copy of Bonk’s Adventure will still sell for up to four figures.
TMNT TOURNAMENT FIGHTERS (1994)
RARITY: 9, PRICE: Complete $500, Loose $150
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters was released for the NES, SNES and Genesis between 1993 and 1994, each consoles version of the game varies greatly.
The NES version of TMNT Tournament Fighters allows you to take control of one of the four turtles. The Turtles hold a contest to see who is fit for Shredder’s challenge. Once you have defeated the other three turtles you then take on various other characters such as Casey Jones and the evil Shredder. The game also features a two player versus mode and a four player tournament mode.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters is surprisingly rare considering the popularity of the Turtles in the early 1990’s. A complete copy of the game will set you back as much as $500. Loose copies are going for around $150.
MENACE BEACH (1990)
RARITY: 9, PRICE: Complete $290, Loose $170
Menace Beach was released for the NES by Color Dreams in 1990. Like all Color Dream games it was not officially licensed by Nintendo. The game was actually released twice, the first time as a single game. Then again later as part of the Maxivision 15-in-1 multi-cart.
Game-play sees the player take control of a skateboarder whose girlfriend has been kidnapped by Demon Dan. Using your skateboard and other objects such as balloons, frogs and bottles, you must battle through levels before confronting Demon Dan.
The game was actually released a third time. However, this was under the name ‘Sunday Funday’. The game had been redesigned to a Christian theme and was about a boy late for Sunday school rather than battling to get your girlfriend back from Demon Dan. Sunday Funday was also the very last game to ever be released on the NES.
MAXI 15 (1992)
RARITY: 9, PRICE: Complete $150, Loose $50
Maxi 15, also called Maxivision 15-in-1, is a NES multi-cart made by American Video Entertainment. It features 15 unlicensed games by various different companies.
Two different versions of the Maxi 15 exist. The latter version using a different title screen and switching out a couple of games for Blackjack and Deathrace.
Having only been released in the USA and Australia, the Maxi 15 is a fairly rare game. However it doesn’t control the same lofty prices as other multi-cart games such as Action 52 or 6-in-1 Caltron.
