Will Super Mario 3D All-Stars be a Rare and Valuable Collector‘s Item?
In short – absolutely. Given the limited production run ending on March 31, 2021, Super Mario 3D All-Stars will soon become extremely rare and a holy grail for Nintendo collectors. Brand new and sealed copies are already skyrocketing in value and demand will only increase when no more physical copies are produced.
As both a lifelong Nintendo fan and avid game collector myself, I‘ve been fascinated with this release from the start. Nintendo has strategically created scarcity around 3D All-Stars that virtually guarantees its future rarity.
In this article, I‘ll break down exactly why this special Mario compilation is on track to be a prized collector‘s item. From its included games‘ significance, to sales data, to examples of other limited Nintendo releases, it‘s clear that 3D All-Stars will be a valuable centerpiece for any Nintendo collector.
Why Nintendo Chose to Make 3D All-Stars Limited
First, let‘s examine why Nintendo opted to make 3D All-Stars limited in the first place. These decisions are never random – they are calculated marketing tactics aimed to maximize hype and sales revenue.
By announcing the March 31st cutoff early and leaned into the idea of celebrating Mario‘s 35th anniversary, Nintendo manufactured urgency right from the start. This pressure incentivizes fans on the fence to purchase immediately, instead of waiting months or years when they may not be able to find it anymore.
Limited releases also generate buzz and awareness just by their fleeting nature. News coverage and word-of-mouth about the deadline getting closer keeps 3D All-Stars fresh in consumers‘ minds.
And of course, once physical production ceases, the lack of availability stimulates demand. When hotly anticipated games or consoles sell out instantly, people only want them more.
Nintendo also likely wanted to bolster Switch sales leading into the holidays. 3D All-Stars was strategically announced and launched in September to drive hardware sales during the busiest sales quarter.
Capitalizing on Mario‘s anniversary was the perfect excuse to deploy this scarcity-based marketing strategy. And collectors are poised to reap the benefits in the coming years!
The Games – Pioneering 3D Milestones
However, manufactured rarity alone doesn‘t make a game valuable long-term – the content has to withstand the test of time. In that regard, the 3D Mario adventures included in this compilation are some of the most groundbreaking and renowned ever made.
Super Mario 64 – Inventing 3D Platforming
When it launched alongside the Nintendo 64 in 1996, Super Mario 64 delivered "a lively, spirited adventure that made platform gaming truly three-dimensional for the first time." As IGN stated in their 10/10 review at release, "it is quite simply the best platform game ever made."
With its open-ended nonlinear progression, 360 degree analogue control, and ingenious course design, Mario 64 pioneered the entire 3D platforming genre and laid the framework for future 3D games. Gamers had never experienced free-roaming gameplay like this before.
As the game that defined 3D Mario and revolutionized game design, Super Mario 64 remains one of the most acclaimed and influential video games of all time.
Super Mario Sunshine – Mario‘s First 3D Collectathon
In 2002, Nintendo delivered Mario‘s first original 3D outing on the GameCube with Super Mario Sunshine. Transitioning the gameplay to a tropical island setting, Mario utilized a new water-squirting backpack, F.L.U.D.D., to collect Shines by cleaning up pollution across open levels.
With its refreshingly bright visuals and emphasis on collecting tangible objects over abstract stars, Super Mario Sunshine differentiated itself from prior Mario titles and became one of the definitive GameCube experiences.
Super Mario Galaxy – Perfected 3D Platforming with Gravity
Hailed as the future of 3D platforming at its 2007 launch, Super Mario Galaxy elevated the genre to new heights on the Wii with mindbending gravity-based spherical planetoids. Running upside-down, sideways, and every direction in between across beautiful celestial settings, Galaxy delivered an unparalleled platforming experience that earned IGN‘s highest 10/10 score once again.
With their inventive levels and physics, Galaxy 1 & 2 remain the critical peak of 3D Mario adventures and are still visually stunning today. The vibrant worlds full of secrets beg to be re-explored.
Sales Data Demonstrates High Demand
The stellar pedigree of included games alone would make 3D All-Stars desirable. But we also have concrete sales data that proves just how in-demand these Mario classics remain.
According to official data from Nintendo, Super Mario 3D All-Stars has sold a staggering 9.07 million copies worldwide in just its first 3 months on sale.
That‘s an average of over 2 million sales per month – an incredible attach rate that demonstrates the widespread popularity of this collection.
In fact, 3D All-Stars was reportedly the highest grossing console game of September 2020, beating out brand new releases like Marvel‘s Avengers.
These astounding sales figures show that millions of gamers are hungry to revisit (or discover) Mario‘s 3D legacy. Once supply runs dry, even more fans will vie for limited copies.
Current Value Well Above MSRP
We‘re still months away from the production cutoff, yet Super Mario 3D All-Stars is already exceeding its original $59.99 MSRP on the secondary market.
On eBay, new and sealed copies are routinely commanding $150 to $300 at auction. Some Buy It Now listings are asking for upwards of $400!
Once March 31st passes and brand new condition becomes virtually unattainable, I forecast these prices will climb even higher.
Below is a sample of recent eBay sales from the past month that demonstrate the inflation already underway:
| Condition | Sale Price |
|---|---|
| Brand New Sealed | $225 |
| New | $149.99 |
| Brand New | $189.99 |
| Sealed, Small Dent | $150 |
| Like New, Opened | $105 |
Nintendo always underestimates demand when announcing limited quantities – just look at the NES and SNES Classics. I predict sealed copies could approach $500 within the next several years based on increasing rarity.
Other Nintendo Limited Releases
This strategy of limiting availability to increase collector value has worked wonders for Nintendo before. Whenever they announce a production cutoff, demand and aftermarket prices shoot upwards.
Their retro-inspired NES and SNES Classic consoles were discontinued prematurely to stimulate hype. Both systems now sell for around $200 secondhand – about double their $99.99 MSRPs.
Games with famously low print runs like Nintendo World Championships and Stadium Events now auction for $10,000+ because few sealed copies were preserved.
I‘ve been monitoring limited Nintendo releases for over a decade, and the signs all point to 3D All-Stars joining their illustrious ranks. If anything, I expect its value to rise even quicker due to Mario‘s tremendous popularity.
Conclusion
Given the carefully manufactured scarcity combined with Mario‘s eternally high popularity, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is guaranteed to be a must-own title for Nintendo collectors. Its stellar sales out of the gate demonstrate massive demand that will send resale prices soaring once production ceases.
Sealed copies in pristine condition will be the most coveted and valuable, as they become truly finite. I advise picking up an extra, keeping it sealed, and holding for at least a few years to maximize investment potential – you won‘t regret it!
In a decade, I fully expect 3D All-Stars to sit alongside the rarest Nintendo games commanding premium prices at auction. Mario‘s limited-time 3D platforming swan song is a future gem no Nintendo collector will want to miss out on!