I’ll admit that when I was a kid playing video games, I had no concept of what was the most valuable or rarest NES games, nor did I care. I was happy to sit and play the first two levels of Battletoads just to die in level 3, Turbo Tunnel, over and over and over. But now that the dust of the golden era of NES has settled, we can see which games collectors are paying surprisingly large amounts of money for.
There were 1,377 officially licensed games made for the Nintendo Entertainment System, 675 of which were released in North America. In this article, we’ll explore the rarest and most valuable NES games among them (and two that were never released to the public).
Related: Top 25 Best-Selling NES Games of All Time
1. Stadium Events (1987)
Developer: Bandai
Estimated Value: $15,000 – $35,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Stadium Events is often regarded as the “Holy Grail” of NES collecting. Released in 1987 as part of Bandai’s Family Fun Fitness series, this game was quickly recalled after Nintendo acquired the rights to the fitness mat it used, rebranding the game as World Class Track Meet. Only a few copies of the original Stadium Events survived, easily making it one of the most valuable NES games ever.
Gameplay: Stadium Events Longplay (YouTube)
2. Nintendo World Championships 1990 (1990)
Developer: Nintendo
Estimated Value: $20,000 – $100,000 (depending on cartridge color and condition)
Fun Fact: This game cartridge was never sold to the public. It was created specifically for the Nintendo World Championships, the legendary 1990 event where gamers competed across custom versions of Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer, and Tetris. The cartridges came in gray and gold; the gold version was extremely rare. The game included modified versions of Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer, and Tetris and was used in the competition itself. The rarety of this game puts it very high on the list of most valuable NES games.
Gameplay: Nintendo World Championships 1990 Playthrough (Youtube)
3. Little Samson (1992)
Developer: Taito
Estimated Value: $2,000 – $10,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Little Samson was released late in the NES’s lifespan, meaning it had a relatively low production run. Though the gameplay is fantastic, featuring beautiful graphics and tight controls, it didn’t sell well due to a lack of marketing. As a result, Little Samson has become one of the most sought-after NES titles.
Gameplay: Little Samson Longplay (Youtube)
4. Bonk’s Adventure (1994)
Developer: Red Company
Estimated Value: $800 – $5,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Originally a TurboGrafx-16 title, Bonk’s Adventure was ported to the NES in 1994—after the Super Nintendo had already taken over the gaming scene. This late release means it had a very limited run, making it a rare find today. Bonk, the caveman mascot, was Hudson Soft’s answer to Mario and Sonic.
Gameplay: Bonk’s Adventure – NES Gameplay (YouTube)
5. The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (1994)
Developer: Taito
Estimated Value: $800 – $3,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: This game was another late NES release and was supposedly a rental-only title available through Blockbuster. Its limited availability, combined with the decline of the NES era, makes it one of the platform’s rarest and most valuable games.
Gameplay: The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (NES) Mike Matei Live (YouTube)
6. Bubble Bobble Part 2 (1993)
Developer: Taito
Estimated Value: $1,000 – $4,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Bubble Bobble Part 2 didn’t see the same widespread success as the original Bubble Bobble game, but it had solid gameplay with even more levels and mechanics. Released in 1993, at the tail end of the NES’s life cycle, it’s become rare because of its limited production run.
Gameplay: Bubble Bobble Part 2 – Play It Through (YouTube)
7. Power Blade 2 (1992)
Developer: Taito
Estimated Value: $1,200 – $3,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Power Blade 2 is a sequel to the action-platformer Power Blade. It features improved graphics, tighter controls, and is just as fun to play as its predecessor. Despite the enhancements, the game’s late release resulted in low sales, contributing to its rarity today.
Gameplay: Power Blade 2 Playthrough (YouTube)
8. DuckTales 2 (1993)
Developer: Capcom
Estimated Value: $600 – $2,500 (sealed)
Fun Fact: The original DuckTales is one of the most beloved NES games, but DuckTales 2 came out when many gamers had already moved on to newer consoles. The late release resulted in limited sales, but the game itself offers excellent platforming, making it highly sought after by collectors today.
Gameplay: DuckTales 2 Playthrough (YouTube)
9. Cheetahmen II (1993)
Developer: Active Enterprises
Estimated Value: $1,500 – $5,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Cheetahmen II was never officially released to the public and is considered one of the most infamous NES games. The game is notoriously buggy and incomplete, and its poor quality has ironically increased its appeal to collectors. Found only in warehouses or as part of the Action 52 multi-cart, it’s an extremely rare collectible.
Gameplay: Cheetahmen II Longplay (YouTube)
10. Myriad 6-in-1 (1992)
Developer: Caltron/Myriad
Estimated Value: $700 – $3,000 (sealed)
Fun Fact: Myriad 6-in-1 was a compilation of six unremarkable games, but its rarity comes from the fact that only a few hundred copies were produced. The game was originally developed by Caltron and later rebranded as Myriad, but the label change didn’t save it from obscurity. Its scarcity today makes it highly prized among NES collectors.
Gameplay: Myriad/Caltron 6-in-1 Gameplay (YouTube)
