Top 9 Most Valuable Nintendo 64 Games Worth Collecting
▼ Summary
– The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, was a popular console that introduced 3D gaming and was discontinued in 2002 after a six-year run.
– Due to retro gaming’s resurgence, N64 games have become highly valuable, with some selling for thousands to millions of dollars at auction.
– Super Mario 64 is the most valuable N64 game, with a sealed copy selling for $1,560,000 in 2021, and it is the best-selling title with nearly 12 million units sold.
– Rare titles like Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut and Blockbuster exclusives command high prices, such as $175,000 for a mint copy in 2024.
– Other high-value games include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time at $168,000 and Mario Kart 64 at $144,000, both selling for these amounts in recent auctions.
For collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts, the Nintendo 64 represents a golden era of innovation and nostalgia, with certain titles now commanding staggering prices on the auction block. Launched in 1996, this iconic console brought three-dimensional worlds into millions of living rooms before its eventual discontinuation. Today, a thriving market for sealed and mint-condition N64 games sees original cartridges selling for extraordinary sums, turning forgotten boxes in attics into potential treasures.
A sealed, pristine copy of Super Mario 64 shattered records when it sold for an incredible $1,560,000. As one of only two titles available at the U.S. launch, this game not only defined the 3D platformer genre but also became the console’s best-selling game, with nearly 12 million units sold. Its groundbreaking gameplay mechanics continue to influence developers, making a flawless, unopened copy one of the most coveted items in all of video game collecting.
The obscure Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut is another heavyweight in the collecting world, fetching $175,000 at auction. Its immense value stems from an extremely limited production run; it was distributed exclusively through Blockbuster video rental stores, with estimates suggesting only 20,000 copies were ever made. Finding a sealed copy in mint condition is exceptionally rare, cementing its status as a legendary find for any serious collector.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the franchise’s first foray into 3D, is a cornerstone of the N64 library. A factory-sealed copy achieved a remarkable sale price of $168,000. This critically acclaimed adventure sold over seven million copies, but an unopened, high-graded specimen is a true rarity that commands top dollar from dedicated fans and investors alike.
As the first 3D entry in the kart racing series, Mario Kart 64 is a perennial favorite. A specific “red label” edition from the initial production run, before the game reached one million sales and received a “Player’s Choice” badge, sold for $144,000. This particular copy earned the highest grade from a professional grading service, highlighting how condition and specific variants dramatically influence a game’s market value.
Another Blockbuster exclusive, Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals, has become a prized collector’s item. A complete and sealed copy in perfect condition sold for $37,500. Since the only way to play it upon its 1999 release was to rent it, owning a sealed copy is a rare opportunity that attracts dedicated fans of the franchise and retro gaming completists.
Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside holds a unique place in history, making its star the youngest NBA player to headline his own video game at just 18 years old. A copy of this five-on-five basketball title sold for $33,600. Its value is tied to its historical significance and the enduring legacy of Kobe Bryant, making it a poignant and valuable piece of sports gaming memorabilia.
Despite being the third-best-selling game on the system, a sealed copy of GoldenEye 007 is a tremendous rarity. The pioneering first-person shooter from the console’s original production run sold for $33,600. Its widespread popularity means most copies were opened and played extensively, so finding one that has never been removed from its packaging is a significant event for collectors.
Produced by the renowned Shigeru Miyamoto, Wave Race 64 was often described as “F-Zero on water.” A mint-condition copy of this high-speed jet ski racing game sold for $21,000. While the series has been dormant since 2001, the original title remains a beloved classic whose value continues to appreciate among those seeking key titles from the N64’s innovative library.
Finally, an “uncirculated” copy of Donkey Kong 64, meaning it was never offered for public sale and never left its original shipping box, sold for $18,000. This represents the pinnacle of preservation, a cartridge in a completely flawless and pristine state, offering collectors the chance to own a piece of gaming history exactly as it left the factory.
(Source: NewsAPI Tech Headlines)
