Record $3 Million Bid for Sealed Super Mario Bros. Game

WHO:

The Verge - Heritage Auctions conducted the auction.

Kotaku - The auction featured a copy of Super Mario Bros.

WHAT:

The Verge - A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. sold for $3 million at Heritage Auctions.

Kotaku - The sale price of $3 million set a record for the highest price ever paid for a video game at auction.

Kotaku - The previous record was $2 million for a copy of Super Mario Bros. in 2021.

Kotaku - The auction included a boxed NES console for the buyer.

WHERE:

The Verge - The auction took place at Heritage Auctions.

WHEN:

Kotaku - The auction occurred on June 12th.

WHY:

The Verge - The high price was driven by the unique sealing method of the game, which used a glossy sticker instead of shrink wrap.

Kotaku - The copy is considered valuable due to its high grading of 9.6 A++ by Professional Sports Authenticator and its status as the earliest known sealed copy from the second production run in 1985.

HOW:

The Verge - The game was graded by Professional Sports Authenticator, which contributed to its high auction price.

Kotaku - Heritage Auctions described the copy as sealed with an intact "coveted gloss sticker seal."

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 23:18 UTC)

A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. sold for an astonishing $3 million at Heritage Auctions, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a video game at auction. This particular copy is highly sought after due to its unique glossy sticker seal and its impressive grading of 9.6 A++ by Professional Sports Authenticator, making it the earliest known sealed copy from the second production run in 1985. The auction also included a boxed NES console for the buyer, further adding to the excitement of the event.