Nearly 100 copies of a previously unknown version of Nintendo cartridges were discovered in a storage box in Waukesha, Wisconsin [1].
The discovery is significant for the gaming community because it introduces a version of Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt never before seen by collectors. These items are expected to command high prices due to their rarity and condition.
The cartridges ended up at One Stop Wonders, a local video-game shop. Reports indicate the games were part of a batch Nintendo allegedly sold to a metal-recovery service for gold extraction [5]. The box was later salvaged, revealing the rare software [5].
While some reports state nearly 100 copies were found [1], other sources specify the count as 97 [2]. Professional grading has already begun for the collection. Five of the cartridges received a perfect 10 grade from PSA [2]. A representative from Tech Yahoo said, "Only five were graded perfect 10s — the first in PSA history" [2].
Three of the cartridges are scheduled for auction this month [3]. These specific items could fetch millions of dollars [3]. ABC7 News said, "Three of the cartridges are headed to auction this month and could fetch millions" [3].
The find highlights the unpredictable nature of the retro gaming market, where items intended for destruction can become high-value assets. The transition from industrial waste to luxury collectible underscores the growing demand for graded vintage electronics in the U.S.
“Only five were graded perfect 10s — the first in PSA history.”
This discovery illustrates the volatility and high stakes of the 'graded' collectibles market. By transforming industrial scrap—originally sold for gold recovery—into certified assets, the find demonstrates how provenance and professional grading (PSA) can create immense financial value from items that were meant to be destroyed.
