Ahh, the Nintendo Leisure System (or NES, for brief). The console that modified the course of gaming historical past and introduced the US gaming market again from the brink of extinction. It established Nintendo as a family title and launched gamers to a number of the most iconic franchises and titles the medium has ever seen.
What it additionally did was have loads of uncommon video games. Owing to its age and the truth that the panorama of gaming was vastly totally different again within the Nineteen Eighties, discovering reasonably priced copies of those video games goes to be extremely laborious (if you could find the video games in any respect since many have most likely been misplaced to the sands of time). Listed below are 10 of the rarest and costliest NES video games that may additionally require your arm and your leg if you wish to buy them.
All listed costs are courtesy of PriceCharting. Used costs are based mostly on the “Free Value” itemizing, whereas new costs are based mostly on the “New Value” itemizing (except in any other case famous). Entries are ranked from lowest to highest by their respective “new” worth.
10. The Legend of Zelda (Check Cartridge)
N/A New | $7,530 Used
![best legend of zelda games, the legend of zelda](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/best-legend-of-zelda-games-the-legend-of-zelda.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
It ought to come as no shock {that a} take a look at cartridge lands on this checklist someplace. Very like the vaunted “Not For Resale” copies of video games, take a look at cartridges aren’t readily purchasable, which makes discovering them a process in and of itself. Seemingly meant to be little greater than a recreation for take a look at facilities to verify consoles functioned correctly, it ought to come as no shock that the most costly one is likely one of the system’s most influential video games, The Legend of Zelda.
On the subject of cartridges like these, you’re not gonna discover a “new” copy, since its complete function – testing – would require it’s used at one level. With that stated, if you wish to discover an genuine cartridge (since there are lots of decoys), you’ll must pay some $7,530 to get it. Until you have got a cash-burning gap in your pocket, there are much better (and cheaper) methods to amass the unique Zelda recreation at this level.
9. Nintendo World Championship
N/A New | $22,682 Used
![nintendo world championships cartridge](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/nintendo-world-championships-cartridge.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Most may be able to anoint this the highest spot on the checklist, however as there isn’t any “new” worth for it, it’s happening the decrease finish. Relaxation assured, although, that the Nintendo World Championship cart is likely one of the most iconic uncommon NES video games. These cartridges have been made solely for the 1990 Nintendo World Championship match, the place gamers confirmed off their greatest Nintendo abilities and gained a wide range of prizes.
All 90 finalists acquired certainly one of these cartridges, whereas the winner (and 25 runner-ups in a Nintendo Energy contest) acquired gold variations of the cartridges. Mockingly, the gray cartridges run for extra money than the gold, although each are actually no small charge; the gold cartridge runs for roughly $18,944, whereas the gray cartridges promote for about $22,682. Until ripping your pockets aside is one thing you discover pleasure in, the NES Remix titles on the Wii U provide you with an analogous expertise… and so they gained’t price near your yearly wage.
8. Bubble Tub Babes
$1,345 New* | $1,218 Used
![bubble bath babes title screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/bubble-bath-babes-1.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
I really feel soiled even typing out that title. Bubble Tub Babes…*shivers*…would possibly sound like the sport of each hormonal teenager’s goals, nevertheless it’s actually not. It’s merely a puzzle recreation à la Tetris or Bust-a-Transfer, however there’s a unadorned lady mendacity on the backside of the display. And positive, finishing ranges earns you some small bits of erotica, nevertheless it’s a NES recreation, so it’s fairly tacky. All of the nudity and intercourse attraction is superfluous and provides nothing of worth to the sport itself.
That stated, its standing as an adult-oriented title meant it didn’t meet Nintendo’s family-friendly tips, and developer Panesian may solely ship it to video shops. Simply looking for a used copy units you again $1,218, whereas a “complete-in-box” copy (since there are apparently no “new” copies out there) would go for $1,345. That stated, the puzzle-based gameplay isn’t unhealthy, so it might be price a discover. What may be higher is discovering its formally licensed model Mermaids of Atlantis, a less expensive model that additionally removes all of the erotic parts… Hey, sacrifices wanted to be made someplace.
7. Peek-a-Boo Poker
$2,000 New* | $1,666 Used
![peek a boo poker title screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/peek-a-boo-poker.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
Talking of video games distributed by Panesian… this one! The writer was identified for producing adult-oriented video games on the NES, and Peek-a-Boo Poker was one other instance. Because the title would have you ever imagine, this was only a poker-based recreation, however clearly, there was a twist: it was strip poker! So in the event you’re somebody who performs poker for the, ahem, ”plot,” perhaps that is the sport for you.
Effectively… except the worth turns you away, and it ought to. $1,666 will get you a used copy, whereas a “complete-in-box” model of the sport (as soon as once more, no “new” worth was listed) runs for $2,000. That’s some huge cash to play strip poker with some NES sprites. So except you’re determined for a poker online game – or don’t have a really energetic social life – you would possibly wish to redirect your search elsewhere.
6. Sizzling Slots
$3,000 New | $1,454 Used
![hot slots gameplay](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hot-slots.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
I promise that is the final time we’ll be citing Panesian on this checklist. Given their earlier video games, Sizzling Slots shouldn’t be obscure as a result of every little thing you have to learn about it’s within the title. It’s a slot-machine-based recreation that’s scorching… effectively, by the requirements of the NES, presumably. I imply, hey, if 8-bit ladies are your kind, go proper forward, I gained’t choose.
What I’ll choose is the worth, as a result of $1,454 for a used copy of the sport is already fairly ridiculous. Seemingly, that is the one Panesian recreation that truly has “new” copies of it out there, however in the event you actually need one, you’ll need to flush down $3,000 within the course of. That is the place you’ll have to find out whether or not it’s higher to blow $3,000 on an NES slot machine recreation, or take $3,000 to an precise slot machine and gamble it down…selections, selections.
5. Cheetahmen II
$3,452 New | $1,847 Used
![cheetahmen ii gameplay](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cheetahmen-ii.jpeg?resize=640%2C360)
Okay, we’re again in family-friendly territory… I hope. Cheetahmen II is a very unusual case as a result of this recreation was by no means formally launched. The unique Cheetahmen was a part of the notorious Motion 52 cartridge, and whereas the sequel was being deliberate, it was by no means formally printed. Nevertheless, 1,500 copies have been present in a warehouse in Florida, and so they have been ultimately put up on the market.
You’d be proper in pondering a recreation that was by no means formally launched could be fairly costly. If you happen to’re keen to get a used copy, you’ll have to surrender “solely” $1,847, however a “new” copy (how is {that a} factor for a recreation like this?) involves $3,452. A hefty positive for a recreation that doesn’t look like all that good, because it appears to be like prefer it’s little greater than a copycat model of the traditional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video games. Thus, it’d most likely be higher to check out a number of the newer, much better Ninja Turtles video games we’ve gotten recently.
4. The Flintstones: The Shock at Dinosaur Peak
$10,700 New | $1,464 Used
![the flintstones surprise at dinosaur peak](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flintstones.webp?resize=640%2C360)
Now I can extra confidently say we’re in family-friendly territory. It’s possible you’ll not assume a recreation like The Flintstones: The Shock at Dinosaur Peak could be extraordinarily uncommon given the recognition of its franchise… effectively, till you notice it was an NES recreation launched in 1994, three years after the American launch of the Tremendous NES. However hey, feels becoming for the prehistoric franchise to launch on a system that was already feeling fairly prehistoric. And if you wish to really feel much more prehistoric, the sport was allegedly a rental-only recreation solely out there at Blockbuster (that sounds acquainted), which makes it a good hotter commodity.
A used copy will drain $1,464 out of your pockets, whereas a brand new copy will ship you down $10,700. That’s an asinine quantity, and it’s a disgrace the worth is so excessive as a result of it appears to be a reasonably enjoyable little NES platformer. More often than not, these uncommon and costly video games aren’t all that good, and solely leap in worth as a result of there are so few copies of them. However right here, we even have a reasonably good recreation, one that will really be price your cash… effectively, okay, not for that sum of money.
3. Little Samson
$17,400 New | $2,100 Used
![little samson key art](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/little-samson.webp?resize=640%2C360)
Hey, have a look at that: one other entry on the checklist that truly appears to be a great recreation! Sure, Little Samson is a popular NES platformer that, in some circles, would possibly even land on the decrease finish of some “Finest NES Video games” lists. Sadly, the sport’s rarity stems from its poor gross sales, the place a hurricane of unhealthy elements negatively affected its gross sales. A late 1992 launch date (a yr after the Tremendous NES’s launch), some noticeable similarities to the way more well-liked Mega Man, and writer Taito not with the ability to market the sport extraordinarily effectively led to it dropping by the wayside.
Nonetheless, if you could find a replica of it within the wild, it may be price grabbing… simply not for that worth. $2,100 used and a whopping $17,400 new could be an unbelievable quantity even when this was one of many best video games ever created. If you could find a worth for one thing a LOT cheaper, you would possibly wish to pounce on it. You can be rewarded with a reasonably stable platformer.
2. Household Enjoyable Health Stadium Occasions
$33,109 New | $16,100 Used
![stadium-events-NES-1](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/stadium-events-NES-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
That’s proper, Nintendo had a noteworthy health recreation earlier than Wii Match was cool. Stadium Occasions is certainly one of two video games within the Household Enjoyable Health sequence, and it was an try by Bandai to advertise its Household Enjoyable Health mat accent. After its preliminary launch, Nintendo rebranded it in America as World Class Monitor Meet to advertise the Energy Pad accent, which meant copies of the unique model of the sport grew to become a a lot larger rarity.
Even simply discovering a used copy will put you down $16,100, however if you’d like a brand new copy, you higher get able to take out a mortgage, since you’ll need to pay $33,109 for it. For a very long time, this seemed to be the rarest, costliest NES recreation available on the market. Even when it’s not on the prime anymore, it’s nonetheless an unbelievable quantity for, actually, something. The excellent news is that there are many cheaper train video games price your time, so that you gained’t need to dig into your belief fund to pay for one thing like this.
1. Mega Man (5-Screw Cartridge)
$156,100 New | $10,993 Used
![mega man title screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mega-man.webp?resize=640%2C360)
On the prime, we get to a somewhat unusual instance of a recreation that will not appear too uncommon, however there’s a particular circumstance in play. Early within the lifetime of the NES, cartridge shells had 5 screws holding them collectively. For no matter cause, although, Nintendo would swap to solely utilizing three screws on cartridge shells, and video games that beforehand had five-screw cartridges acquired new three-screw shells. Mega Man occurred to be certainly one of them, which meant its five-screw variant grew to become a large rarity.
If you wish to discover a used copy, you’ll must pay $10,993, however if you’d like a brand new copy… take a deep breath in for a minute… you’ll must cough up a whopping $156,100. You may exit proper now and purchase a home for that sum of money, and that’s saying one thing given the present housing economic system. All that cash for nothing greater than a unique shell, because the precise recreation was in any other case the very same.
It positive is an efficient factor the unique Mega Man has been re-issued since as a result of that sum of money is absolute nonsense. You may be paying for additional screws, however actually, it’s the client that may really get… screwed… by it… okay, I’ll see myself out now.
However earlier than I do, what are another exceedingly uncommon and costly NES video games you possibly can consider? Tell us within the feedback under.