A few years ago, a store owner in Wisconsin, dealing in pop culture items, spoke with Jason Ganos—a prominent Nintendo game collector—about a box of Super Mario cartridges he had stored for years. This discovery grabbed Ganos’ attention. Inside was an ultrarare find: a collection of 97 perfect-condition copies of Super Mario Brothers Duck Hunt. This Nintendo game debuted in 1988.
After researching, Ganos realized these cartridges were not only a unique variant but also represented the last known production date of the game. Most will be auctioned online until September 9.
“I still don’t quite believe that any of this is happening,” Ganos commented. “It’s kind of serendipitous and very bizarre.”
Ganos, well-known amongst Nintendo fans and news enthusiasts, has run Nintendo Wire for over a decade. He couldn’t estimate the value of the games but recognized their significance immediately. “It’s like finding a Holy Grail,” he said, describing their pristine state.
The discovery occurred after Kevin Braun, owner of One Stop Wonders in Waukesha near Milwaukee, sought Ganos’ help to sell items, including common Nintendo games and Pokémon cards. Braun also mentioned the box of Mario cartridges, acquired long ago from a family who thought they were suitable for scrap metal.
These Super Mario Brothers Duck Hunt cartridges were produced in 1993, although the bundle was discontinued in 1991. Braun and Ganos speculate they were either warranty replacements or part of an unfulfilled retail bundle.
Understanding their potential value, Ganos quickly flew to California with 97 cartridges in his carry-on. “I was sweating bullets going through TSA,” he recalled, anxious about airport security questioning his unusual luggage. Arriving safely, he consulted video game experts to authenticate and grade the cartridges.
Professional Sports Authenticator had never rated a cartridge a perfect 10 before. Remarkably, five out of 97 received this impeccable rating. “There’s going to be historic significance to the tens,” Ganos noted, citing their nostalgic value and rarity. They hold substantial worth in the collector’s market, potentially reaching six- or seven-figure sums.
Given their exceptional condition, typical in comics or sports cards, their perceived value increases significantly. Ganos couldn’t estimate their exact worth, acknowledging their uniqueness compared to other collectibles.
Only three of the perfect-scoring cartridges will be auctioned at Golden Pop’s Culture Auction. Both Ganos and Braun will keep one of these top-rated copies, alongside others with high scores.
The games remain playable if buyers wish, though Ganos hopes their condition is preserved. “Finding uncirculated stuff for me is very exciting,” he expressed, reflecting on the personal significance of Mario Duck Hunt—marking his first gaming experience.
Following this auction, Braun and Ganos plan to organize a charity auction, broadening their efforts to share this extraordinary find.