Nintendo 8 to 64-Bit Video Games Showcase Auction – March 21

Video Games — Auction Preview by Brett Weiss

Since the dawn of our video game auctions back in early 2019, one truth has emerged: Nintendo reigns supreme in the realms of collectability, unwavering brand loyalty, and the pantheon of iconic characters. Nintendo’s magic casts a wide net, captivating collectors and fans alike, ensuring that games for its consoles consistently perform beyond expectations in our auctions.

We are thrilled to present our upcoming Nintendo Showcase Auction, a curated celebration of both first- and third-party titles across an impressive array of Nintendo’s storied platforms, including the NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. But it’s not just games we’re excited about – the auction also features an extraordinary collection of memorabilia. Personally, I’m eyeing the Killer Instinct black leather vest—if only it were my size!

Narrowing down the myriad of treasures to a mere five highlights was no small feat, yet here we stand. Below are five gems that are not only rare and desirable but also encapsulate the heart and soul of our auction.

1. Arcade Classic 2: Centipede / Millipede – Wata 9.6 A++ Sealed, Game Boy Nintendo 1995 USA.

The 1981 arcade classic Centipede, programmed by Dona Bailey and Ed Logg, is one of the most famous shooters to ever ingest a quarter. Designed to appeal to a broad demographic, the game has players firing away at a segmented centipede that winds its way down a mushroom-filled screen. A similar sequel, Millipede, followed the next year, upping the ante with, among other features, DDT bombs that players could shoot to destroy all the insects in range of the resultant blast. Both games are included in this compilation title for the Game Boy. While the Game Boy of course lacks trackball control, the cartridge is compatible with the Super Game Boy, letting players add framed backgrounds designed to resemble the original arcade cabinets. This stunning copy of the game is the highest graded out of just three on Wata’s December 2023 population report.

2.      The Lone Ranger – Wata 9.6 A++ Sealed [Oval SOQ R] (The Indiana Collection), NES Konami 1991 USA.

If you could only pick one hidden gem in this sale, for my money it would be The Lone Ranger, a game inspired by the legendary radio, TV, and movie character. Based on the 1981 film, The Legend of the Lone Ranger, this action/adventure title puts players in the role of the masked former Texas Ranger, who must avenge his brother’s death and rescue the president, who has been kidnapped by the evil Butch Cavendish. The game employs a staggering array of genres and viewpoints, from top-down action to light gun shooter to side-scrolling platformer to role-playing adventure. Despite being published by Konami, and despite oozing with quality, the game flew under the radar when it was new in stores. Today, it’s a tough title to track down, especially sealed and in top condition like this one. This copy holds the top grade on Wata’s Population Report for December 2023.

3.      Mario Paint – VGA 80 NM Sealed, SNES Nintendo 1992 USA.

It’s not often that we get the chance to offer a Mario title for the very first time, but that’s exactly what we have here with this sealed copy of Mario Paint. We’ve sold several Display Only boxes for the game previously, but this is our debut copy of the game itself, which comes in a large box to house the bundled Super NES Mouse and Mouse Pad. For creative types, the game made quite the splash back in the day, thanks to a ton of fun features. Gamers could create their own drawings, paintings, animations, and more using a nice variety of brushes, pens, colors, erasers, and other tools. They could even create songs and play an action game called Gnat Attack. Mario Paint was a fairly popular game when it came out, but new-in-the-box copies like the one we’re offering are extremely hard to find today.

4.      Super Nintendo Console – Unused, SNES Nintendo 1991 USA.

The release of the Super NES in 1991 kickstarted what is arguably the most famous, most dramatic console war in the history of the industry. The 16-bit system’s rivalry with the Sega Genesis is the stuff of legend. In fact, there are entire documentaries on the subject. We love both consoles and refuse to take a side, but there’s no doubting just how special it would be to unbox an unused Super NES, hook it up to a CRT television set, and throw down on some Super Mario World. The winner of this lot can do just that. Or, they can keep it in the box and display it as a rare treasure. Either way, this is a can’t-miss item for pretty much anyone who has even heard of Mario – and that’s virtually everyone!

5.      Vintage Killer Instinct Black Leather Medium Vest – SNES (1995).

A nice vest can complement just about any outfit, whether you’re wearing a T-shirt, a button-down shirt, or even a dress. A vintage vest can not only enhance your look, but it can also give you serious fashion cred. What about a rare vest with killer branding? As in Killer Instinct for the Super Nintendo? Off-the-charts cool! This sartorial collector’s item, given to a select few Nintendo employees during the game’s production, is easily one of the most amazing pieces of vintage clothing we’ve seen here in the video game department at Heritage. While I’m going to have to pass on bidding for it myself since I wear a large and not a medium, I’m already super jealous of whoever wins this thing. Imagine strutting around a retro gaming store or convention in this bad boy – priceless!

Browse the Video Games Showcase Auction

These items are merely the tip of the iceberg of our Nintendo 8 to 64-Bit Video Games Showcase Auction. This collection is a nostalgic journey through Nintendo’s groundbreaking moments, from the charming 8-bit era all the way to the immersive 64-bit games that changed the gaming landscape. The sale is perfect for gamers who want to relive those epic gaming moments or collectors looking for that rare find. Think of it as your exclusive invite to celebrate Nintendo’s legendary impact on the industry. So, whether you’re here to simply reminisce or to try and snag a piece of video game history, you’re in for a real treat!