The 5 Most Expensive & Valuable NES Games of All-Time

Can you remember what it was like to play your favorite NES game from 25 years ago? If so what would you give for a collectible version of it for your showcase?Some of the old NES games are worth a small fortune and if this doesn’t make you tear through the attic to find your old stash of games that were retired decades ago, nothing will. Here are the five most expensive NES games of all time and some explanations about why they’ve increased in value over the past decade.

5. Panic Restaurant – $500 – $1300

Panic Restaurant is a Taito release that has caught the attention of an increasing amount of collectors recently. Copies of the game were in good supply up until about 5 years ago at which time, a pristine copy sold for less than $100. This is a thing of the past unless you find one at a yard sale and the seller doesn’t know what they have. The lowest price you can currently find one for is $500 and some sell for as much as $1,300. The title has climbed in value and this is in part because of its increase in rareness. The better the condition, the more it’s worth.

4.The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak – $800 – $1,325

This title was one of the NES games that joined the ranks of those that were released mostly to game rental companies near the close of the NES era. More companies owned copies than individuals and this is one of the factors that makes it so hard to find a copy that is in good to excellent condition. The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Park became popular because it combined a pop culture theme with the excitement of gaming and while a decade ago you could pick up a copy under $200, its collectible value has soared and the price range lies between $800 and $1,325.

3.Little Samson – $1,000 – $2,100

Little Samson Box is the third most expensive NES game of all time with the average price range for a copy in good to excellent condition ranging between $1,000 and $2,100, depending on if it’s a bare cart or a complete copy of the title. If you just happen to have one lying around that is an unsealed complete copy, you may be sitting on a game worth over $2K. This game is another example of how quickly a game that is passed over one year can quickly become a hot commodity.

2. Bonk’s Adventure – $400 – $2000

Bonk was adapted on the NES as well as the Arcade, Amiga and the Game Boy. Red Entertainment developed the original game and in early 1994, it entered the NES family. The game didn’t offer the same challenges because it was an adaptation that didn’t adequately transfer all elements of the game with it. Bonks Adventure was offered in a limited release and it was largely ignored by serious collectors for years. Then something happened over the past 5 years as the value of a complete copy has rocketed from $60 in 2008 to a value of up to $2,000. This new interest in the Bonk’s adventure NES game has to do with the rarity of the title and how difficult it is to find a complete copy that is in good condition. Even if the game wasn’t a raging success during the time of its initial release, it certainly is making some waves on the market now.

1. Stadium Events – $8,000 – $35,000

Stadium Events has remained on the radar of collectors for years and the value has only increased over time. This is a standard game that has jumped significantly in its rarity because of a recall that happened just shortly after it was first released. Originally a third party title, Nintendo changed their minds and decided to make it a first party production. After thee decision was made, they recalled the first editions that were distributed and later named the game “World Class Track Meet. It was played with the Nintendo Power Pad controller. They were sold as a boxed set with some NES consoles, but in general, the numbers were limited and if you can find one of the estimated 200 copies that were distributed before the recall, you may own a very valuable game. The highest price that a complete copy has sold for is $45,000 with the average range somewhere between $8,000 and $35,000 depending on the condition.