A Surprising Discovery
A pop culture store owner in Wisconsin, Kevin Braun, uncovered a rare find and shared the news with Jason Ganos, a known Nintendo game collector. Braun had a box of Super Mario cartridges sitting in storage for years. Upon inspection, Ganos discovered it contained 97 pristine copies of Super Mario Brothers Duck Hunt, a game released in 1988.
Significant Collection
Ganos conducted research and realized the cartridges were not only a unique variant but also possibly the last known production of the game. Most of these cartridges are being auctioned online until September 9. This marks a significant event for collectors like Ganos, who has been a dedicated Nintendo enthusiast for over a decade.
The Origin Story
Kevin Braun’s discovery comes from acquiring the cartridges through a customer who believed they were just scraps. Produced in 1993, two years after the bundle was discontinued, the reason for their existence remains uncertain. They might have been warranty replacements or unused stock for a planned bundle.
High-Value Potential
In pursuit of validating the find, Ganos flew with the collection to California, passing security with about 97 cartridges in his baggage. Game experts authenticated and graded the cartridges. Five of them achieved a perfect score of 10, a first for NES cartridges. Such a high rating can significantly increase their value in the collector’s market.
Auction Plans
Ganos and Braun plan to auction only three of the perfect-rated cartridges. The remaining will either be kept or graded slightly lower. Despite potential buyers wanting to play them, Ganos hopes the cartridges remain in pristine condition. Both auctioneers see a possible parallel with nostalgic childhood memories, enhancing the value of owning such rare items.
A charity auction is also in the works after the main auction concludes, offering another chance to engage with these historic cartridges.
This piece is part of the AP/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, which supports local journalism in underserved areas.