How much did Mario Bros cost? Just $25 at launch in 1985!
When the original Super Mario Bros. arrived on store shelves in 1985, it retailed for $25 in North America. Adjusted for inflation, that works out to about $65 in today‘s dollars. So if you were lucky enough to own the NES back then, you could bring home one of the most iconic video games of all time for the cost of a night out at the movies today.
Of course, actually getting your hands on the game was easier said than done. Console gaming was still in its infancy and retailers struggled to keep up with demand for the surprise hit. Three decades later, pristine sealed copies of Super Mario Bros. now sell for over half a million dollars at auction. Let‘s take a nostalgic trip back in time to see how Mario took over living rooms for just $25.
A brief background on Mario before he became a superstar
While Mario is almost universally recognized today, some younger gamers may not know he predates the NES by several years. Mario actually made his debut as "Jumpman" in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong.
[insert photo of Jumpman]In Donkey Kong, jumpman was a simple 16 x 32 pixel carpenter tasked with rescuing his girlfriend from the titular crazed ape. The game was designed by legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto, who came up with the original Donkey Kong concept and characters.
After Donkey Kong became a smash hit, Nintendo decided to rebrand Jumpman as "Mario" in honor of their landlord Mario Segale and capitalize on the character‘s popularity.
When the Nintendo Entertainment System launched in 1985, Super Mario Bros. came bundled as a launch title and the mascot of the fledgling console. And the rest is history!
What was the gaming landscape like when Mario arrived in 1985?
To understand the original impact of Super Mario Bros., you have to consider the state of gaming at the time. Home consoles were just taking off after the infamous 1983 video game crash that bankrupted Atari and nearly ended the industry.
In 1985, Nintendo‘s top competitors in North America were the Sega Master System and Atari 7800. Home computers like the Commodore 64 were also popular for gaming. Most NES games retailed around $25-40, making their selection a major purchase.
Launching an industry icon for $25
When the NES hit stores in October 1985, it retailed for $199.99 and included the Super Mario Bros cartridge, Duck Hunt, and one controller.
Extra copies of Super Mario Bros could be purchased separately for $25 in North America. Reviews quickly declared it a must-own killer app for the new Nintendo console.
| Year | MSRP Price | Adjusted for Inflation |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $25 | $65 |
The game was an immediate hit, kickstarting a franchise juggernaut. By the end of 1985, Super Mario Bros. had sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
We all know the iconic opening scene – Mario or Luigi enters the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from the evil Bowser. From there, players guide Mario through 32 levels spread over 8 worlds, stomping Goombas, whacking blocks, and dodging fireballs along the way.
This side-scrolling 2D platformer completely altered gamers‘ expectations. Beforehand, most home games were slower paced with finite ends. But Mario offered seamless scrolling levels that scrolled endlessly as you moved. This allowed for far more expansive worlds and gameplay possibilities.
Why Super Mario Bros. was an instant phenomenon
Looking back, it‘s clear why Mario‘s debut NES adventure became the top-selling game of all time upon release.
1. Simple and intuitive gameplay – Controlling Mario felt easy and natural. And running through levels dodging hazards was immediately compelling without lots of tutorials.
2. Iconic music – Koji Kondo‘s score is burned into gaming‘s collective memory. Tunes like the invincible star power-up theme still get stuck in our heads.
3. Bright, colorful visuals – Mario‘s cartoonish mushroom world was more vibrant and kid-friendly than other console games aimed at teenagers.
4. Clever level design – Hopping over bottomless pits and exploring hidden secrets kept players hooked.
5. Smooth scrolling worlds – The controls and physics felt fluid compared to clunkier platformers before it.
6. Power-ups – Scoring super mushrooms, fire flowers, and stars added rewarding variety and strategy.
7. Two-player modes – Playing with a buddy as Mario AND Luigi massively expanded the fun.
How much are sealed Mario Bros. NES cartridges worth today?
For readers who unearthed an original Super Mario Bros. from their childhood closet, congratulations! An average used copy still sells for $10-$25 on eBay depending on condition. But for truly rare artifact-level Nintendo games, prices enter the stratosphere.
Recent auction sales for factory sealed Super Mario Bros.:
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April 2022 – Anonymous buyer – $660,000
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July 2022 – Anonymous buyer – $2 million
Yes, buyers spent the cost of a mansion on these pristine Mario copies! Why are they so insanely valuable sealed?
Rarity – These are literal time capsules from the 1980s, with likely less than 5 still sealed today. That puts them in the gaming holy grail category.
Mania for retro gaming – Old school Nintendo games remind fans of their childhoods. Sealed copies also appeal to collectors and investors.
Cultural significance of Mario – As literally the most recognizable game character ever, Mario carries unmatched nostalgic power.
Owning Mario in this condition is akin to possessing a still-wrapped Action Comics #1 or vintage Star Wars merchandise. It represents gaming history in its purest unopened form.
How do other iconic NES games stack up?
Super Mario Bros. highlights a broader boom in retro gaming auctions. Nostalgic collectors are paying unprecedented sums for the classics. Here are some other records:
| Title | Recent Auction Sale |
|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda | $870,000 for 1987 sealed copy |
| Mega Man | $144,000 for 1987 sealed copy |
| Super Mario 64 | $1.56 million for 1996 sealed copy |
And remember, these games all launched around $50 or less! Their value has grown tens of thousands of times over.
The soaring retro game collector market
Why are 30+ year old Nintendo cartridges suddenly selling for Lamborghini money?
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Limitied supply – Sealed copies from gaming‘s early eras are finite. Each sale thins the pool, driving prices higher.
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Pure nostalgia – Iconic series like Mario and Zelda transport collectors back to childhood.
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Status symbols – Owning gaming crown jewels confers bragging rights.
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Alternative assets – Some buyers consider rare games a more enjoyable investment than stocks or cards.
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Safe havens – Older games are less prone to reissues or digital rereleases, locking in value.
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Pop culture shifts – Gaming is now mainstream. These auctions would have been unthinkable a decade ago.
Personally, I‘d love to own any classic Nintendo game still in the shrink wrap! That said, I can think of a lot of better things to spend half a million dollars on, like a house or retirement fund. But to each their own.
Does your childhood game collection secretly hold hidden value?
Okay, likely not in the six figures. But here are some indicators your old cartridges may be worth more than you think:
- Rare or low print run titles
- Games still sealed
- Complete boxes and instructions
- Signature entries in beloved series
- Unopened special editions
- Pristine condition
If you have any questions about valuating your collection, Heritage Auctions and Wata Games provide free appraisals. Most common used games sell for under $20. But you never know what gaming gold you might uncover in old boxes!
The special place of Super Mario Bros. in gaming history
As a consummate retro gamer, I find it amazing that Mario‘s first NES quest now exchanges hands for Lamborghini money. But it makes sense when you consider his place in the gaming pantheon.
Alongside Pac-Man, Mario is the seminal icon of the medium. Most gamers today were raised on Mario titles across Nintendo‘s consoles. He‘s our shared childhood hero that defined genres from platformers to kart racing to RPGs.
Owning this pristine $2 million copy is like possessing animation history in the form of an original Snow White cel. Given Mario‘s enduring cultural imprint, I expect his prices to continue skyrocketing.
Well, that was a nostalgic trip down memory lane! I hope you enjoyed revisiting Mario‘s hugely consequential $25 debut as much as I did. Hopefully you have some of your own Super Mario memories and stories to share. If you‘ll excuse me, I feel the urge to dig out my SNES for a game of Mario World. Let me know in the comments if you have any other favorite retro classics you still play regularly!