What's happened
A collector and dealer say 97 pristine copies of Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt—made in 1993, after Nintendo ceased the bundle in 1991—have been verified as a potential new variant and could fetch six to seven figures at a forthcoming online auction running through Sept. 9. Five carts have earned a perfect 10, signaling historic significance for NES collecting.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- This story hinges on a potential new variant and a late production run, which could redefine value in the NES cartridge market.
- Direct quotes from Ganos underscore the emotional impact (e.g., calling it a Holy Grail), signaling strong reader interest.
- The lack of a known end-date for this specific production window may invite speculative pricing; expectations should be anchored to verifiable auction results.
- The auction plan and charity component could broaden audience engagement and move prices upward through philanthropy-driven bidding.
- Readers should watch for whether additional 10-rated carts surface, which could validate the rarity claim and affect market dynamics.
How we got here
The discovery centers on 97 mint-condition copies of Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt found in storage by Kevin Braun of One Stop Wonders. The set dates to 1993, well after the bundle was discontinued, and may have been production doubles or warranty replacements. Jason Ganos of Nintendo Wire arranged verification and grading, with help from experts in California, and the result has drawn attention to a potential new variant and late-stage production run.
Our analysis
Independent reports the find originates from Ganos and Braun, with validation by PSA. New York Post parallels the auction detail and the 1993 date. AP News emphasizes the “ultra rare” framing and the perfect scores achieved by five carts. All describe the same core event: the sale of a 97-cart NES collection, potentially a new variant, with an auction running to Sept. 9.
Go deeper
- Will the auction set a new price record for NES cartridges?
- What does this mean for collectors seeking mint-condition items?
- Could more 10-rated carts appear, altering rarity and value?
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