Since Nintendo released its first console, the Color TV-Game, in 1977, the video game company has been on top of its game with countless titles for its many systems. With over 40 years in the industry, Nintendo has created many recognizable characters, like Mario and Zelda. While Nintendo is well known for its popular titles in the Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda franchises, the acclaimed company has also released relatively unknown games.
Since the founding of the video game company, several special edition games have been released. While older games tend to be the rarest, they don't necessarily have to be popular to sport a hefty price tag. Some of the rarest, and most expensive games are actually competition cartridges. Although, there are a few exceptions.
10
Hagane: The Final Conflict Combines The Past With The Future – $1,200
Hagane: The Final Conflict is a sidescroller game released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994. Players must control a ninja cyborg named Hagane in his quest for revenge against a rival ninja organization.
The title, which received positive reviews for controls and graphics, combined both traditional Japanese history with its samurai features and futuristic concepts. Since very few copies were released, Hagane: The Final Conflict will set gamers back about $1,200. If the copy is new and sealed, it could cost upwards of $7,000.
9 People Found Cheetahmen 2 Sitting In A Warehouse – $1,500
First introduced in 1991, The Cheetahmen released its first installment as part of the Action 52 multi-game cartridge for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This poor quality game only has its main theme going for it, which was later re-purposed for the first level in Cat Mario. When it came time for a sequel, only 2,000 copies were produced.
In fact, Cheetahmen II only released copies after a box of the title was found sitting there in a warehouse. An authentic version of this NES game can cost around $1,500. Like many games, gamers must be careful that the cartridge they're purchasing isn't a reproduction. Even Cheetahmen III almost happened, but it was left in the dust.
8
Amazing Tater Is Puzzle Sequel To Kwirk – $1,500
Amazing Tater is among the most recent releases considered a rare title for Nintendo. The puzzle video game, known as Puzzle Boy II in Japan, is the sequel to the 1989 Game Boy game Kwirk. The gist of the game is that players control a potato alongside other vegetable characters to escape each level by pushing crates.
This simple puzzle game entered collector's status around 2017, and its price has risen to upwards of $1,700. Even loose copies are still worth at least $400.
7
The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak Is Rare For An Unknown Reason – $1550
The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak came to the NES in 1994. Unlike the previous title The Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy, this game was never released in Japan. Players can switch from Fred to Barney to use their club or slingshot attacks to defeat enemies. As to why Surprise at Dinosaur Peak can cost gamers around $1600, the actual reason is unknown.
Legend has it, the rare NES title was released exclusively at Blockbuster Video as a rental in North America. While no evidence has been found to support this rumor, this Flintstones game is one of the rarest NES titles for the number of copies released and the timeframe during the console's production cycle.
6 No New Copies Exist Of Little Samson – $2500
Another game that came out late in the NES' run was the 1992 title Little Samson. Similar to Capcom's Mega Man, players can control four characters in this sidescrolling game to save their kingdom from destruction. Little Samson was the unknown developer Takeru's only game released outside of Japan.
Lack of promotion caused this NES title to perform terribly. Despite its initial poor performance, Little Samson can cost gamers around $2,500. A complete used copy can even cost around $4,500, with no new or sealed copies known to exist on the market.
5
It's Hard To Even Find Starfox Weekend Competition – $2,500
Throughout the spring and summer of 1993, Nintendo held a worldwide competition for Star Fox for the SNES. The difference between this cartridge and the original game is minor alterations to the first Corneria and Asteroid stages. Extra rings were also added and an exclusive bonus level.
In Starfox Weekend Competition, players must achieve a high score after only five minutes of playing. Allegedly, only 2,000 cartridges were made, making this title one of the rarer SNES games. The game costs around $2,500, but it isn't an easy find on either eBay or Amazon.
4
Donkey Kong Country Competition Edition Added A Timer – $3,250
Donkey Kong Country Competition Edition was released as part of the Nintendo PowerFest 1994 event. Following the contest, the game was available in a Nintendo Power subscribers catalogue with a "Competition Edition" label in the top-right corner.
This SNES title became a prized collector's item since only 2,500 copies were produced. Compared to the original game, the Competition Edition added a timer in the middle of the screen, and altered some levels. This title can set gamers back around $3,250 if they are luck enough to find a copy.
3
Nintendo Bought Out Stadium Events' Accessory – $14,000
Stadium Events is a sports fitness game and a follow-up title for the Family Fun and Fitness accessory for the NES. Players use a control mat to participate in athletic events, such as the 100M dash, 110M hurdles, long jump, and triple jump.
Nintendo purchased Bandai's idea for the Power Pad, and all Family Fun and Fitness games and accessories were off the market. The 1987 title was rebranded and rereleased as World Class Track Meet with the Power Pad in North America. Copies of this rare title can cost anywhere from $11,000 to $28,000.
2 Only 26 Gold Cartridges Of Nintendo World Championship 1990 Were Made – $20,000
Two Nintendo World Championship 1990 cartridges were released: gray and gold. The gold version was given away as prizes for a competition featured in the Nintendo Power magazine. A minuscule amount of only 26 cartridges were produced. This makes the NES title one of the rarest in history.
Around half of the gold cartridges are currently accounted for, but some have been sold on eBay. In 2014, someone bought Nintendo World Championship with the label missing for $100,000. Although, the actual value for the gold cartridges is around $20,000. Funnily enough, the 1990 Nintendo World Championship is considered the first major eSports event.
1 Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 Is The Rarest Nintendo Title – $20,100
The Nintendo Campus Challenge ran similarly to the Nintendo World Championship, but the event took place at college campuses across the United States. Additionally, they even took place at venues like Disney World. The cartridge contains three games: Super Mario Bros. 3, Pin Bot, and Dr. Mario.
Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 is considered the rarest Nintendo title to date, considering only one copy exists. In 2009, someone bought the allegedly only copy for $20,100. Nintendo continued its Campus Challenges, and there are allegedly only three Nintendo Campus Challenge 1992 cartridges out there.