/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25541367/nes_gold_championships_cart.jpg?w=1068&resize=1068,0&ssl=1 "Gold Rush: Rare NES Cartridge Worth a Fortune Heads to Auction")
A $10,000 Gamble: The Rare "Gold" Nintendo World Championships Cartridge Hits the Auction Block
The world of vintage video games is filled with treasures, but few are as coveted as the Nintendo World Championships cartridge. This legendary piece of gaming history, produced in only 26 gold-plated versions to reward winners of a 1990 contest, is a holy grail for collectors. Now, one of these elusive cartridges is going up for auction, and it could fetch a hefty price.
The auction, hosted by Goldin Auctions, is slated to start at a staggering $10,000. While the cartridge is considered extremely rare, it’s not in pristine condition. It received a 4.0 grade from CGC Grading, signifying a worn appearance and a missing label. Yet, its history alone makes it a potential goldmine.
This cartridge holds significance beyond its rarity. It’s a relic of the 1990 Nintendo World Championships, a series of competitive gaming events that swept across the United States during video gaming’s golden age. Players battled for supremacy on a special custom cartridge featuring modified versions of three classic NES titles: Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Rad Racer. This cartridge, unlike the standard gray versions given to participants, was coveted for its unique gold plating and special status. Its presence at the time was a symbol of immense gaming prowess and a slice of gaming history.
"Starting tonight, Goldin will be auctioning off one of the rarest Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges of all time. Nintendo originally created only 26 of these gold cartridges as prizes for Nintendo Power magazine readers in 1990. They’re so hard to come by that a decade ago one sold on eBay for $100,088."
The potential buyer who snags this cartridge will be acquiring a piece of gaming lore. However, with the high starting price and questionable condition, venturing into this auction requires a significant level of both enthusiasm and caution.
"The easiest way to confirm that this one is legit is to win the auction and plug the cartridge into an actual NES, but that could end up being a budget-busting approach best left to deep-pocketed collectors."
The world of vintage game collecting has become increasingly competitive, with a vast market for rare retro games and hardware. This has led to a rise in counterfeit cartridges, meticulously designed to fool even the most discerning collectors. While CGC Grading is a reputable organization, the potential for fakery remains.
The starting price of $10,000 serves as a deterrent for casual bidders, but it also highlights the growing risk for those venturing into the high-stakes world of rare cartridge collecting. Goldin Auctions, known for handling high-value items, employs pre-screening measures to verify potential buyers’ financial capacity. This process helps protect the seller from unsavory transactions but doesn’t guarantee the buyer’s piece of mind.
This auction presents a unique dilemma: is it a valuable investment or a risky gamble? For someone with the resources and passion, it could be a chance to own a piece of video game history. For others, the high price and the risk of a fake could leave them feeling empty-handed.
The upcoming auction of the Nintendo World Championships "gold" cartridge highlights not only the enduring appeal of vintage video games but also the evolving complexities of the collecting market. The allure of rare items and the potential for substantial financial returns often intersect with concerns about authenticity and ethical practices. As the auction progresses, the world will watch to see whether this golden cartridge finds a new home or fades back into the world of legends.
