Is the Gold Mario amiibo Rare? Yes – Here‘s Why It Remains One of the Most Sought-After amiibo

The gold Mario amiibo is definitely one of the rarest and most valuable Nintendo amiibo figures. First released in limited quantities back in 2015, this special edition gold variant of Mario has become iconic among Nintendo collectors for its exclusivity, cool gold design, and high aftermarket value.

In this detailed guide, we‘ll explore why the gold Mario amiibo remains so rare and desirable compared to other amiibo, and help you determine if it‘s worth pursuing for your own collection.

A Brief History: Why Gold Mario Was Rare From the Start

To understand the scarcity of gold Mario, we have to start with how it was originally launched and promoted by Nintendo:

• Announced in January 2015 – Gold Mario was first teased by Nintendo a couple months before release to build hype.

• Walmart Exclusive for Mario Party 10 – Nintendo made it a Walmart exclusive amiibo tied to Mario Party 10 for Wii U.

• Very Limited Supply – Rumors suggest Walmart stores received as few as 4 gold Mario amiibo on average.

• No Pre-Order Window – Pre-orders went live with almost no warning and sold out in minutes.

• Not Restocked After Launch – Unlike other exclusives, gold Mario was never restocked after selling out.

This combination of an extremely limited supply, brief pre-order window, and no reprductions after launch made gold Mario an instant rarity.

Nintendo essentially manufactured scarcity from Day 1. Here is a release timeline:

This tactics and timeline created the frenzy and long-term demand that still drives gold Mario‘s value among collectors today. It was clearly intended as a hot limited edition variant versus a mass market amiibo.

Where to Find Gold Mario: Availability Today

Gold Mario has never been reprinted or restocked since selling out in 2015. That means brand new, in box figures are very hard to come by. Here are a few options though:

• eBay (New) – Private sellers sometimes list new/sealed gold Marios found at old stock. But expect to pay a big premium, typically $200 to $400+ for mint boxes.

• Amazon Marketplace (New) – Same story as eBay – marketplace sellers clearing old retailer overstock. High premiums on new.

• GameStop (New) – Extremely slim chance a local GameStop has some new stock left. Call ahead and expect high prices if so.

• Walmart (New) – Even 7 years later, a few Walmart stores reportedly still have new gold Mario units left. But don‘t expect to see sub-$100 pricing.

• Import Shops (New) – Few import gaming stores still carry the Japan/EU version new in box from overseas stock. Prices are high though.

Of course there are plenty of pre-owned listings online too, but condition varies greatly on those. For a truly pristine gold Mario NIB, the options are very limited at this point unless you get lucky.

Rarity Versus Other amiibo Releases

To further demonstrate the exclusivity of gold Mario, let‘s compare it to a few other major Nintendo amiibo in terms of original availability:

No other Mario franchise amiibo compares in terms of the tiny original release size combined with no reproductions or reissues. That one-two punch of limited supply + no restock is what gives gold Mario its elite rarity status even years later.

A Closer Look at Market Value and What Drives It

As we‘ve established, the gold Mario amiibo remains in very limited supply, especially new in box. But what factors make it so valuable on the collectors‘ market today?

Release Scarcity – Its miniscule original supply creates very high demand among collectors and Mario/Nintendo fans. There are simply not enough gold Marios out there to satisfy interest.

No Restocks – The lack of any reissues or reprints maintains its scarcity long-term.

Special Edition Status – As a unique gold variant of Mario, it holds premium appeal and style over standard amiibo.

Strong Nostalgia – Long-time Nintendo fans get enjoyment from owning this throwback to Mario‘s 30th anniversary.

Condition Sensitive – Because so few exist, condition greatly impacts value – mint boxes command steep premiums.

Here are some current price ranges based on its collectible status and demand:

Gold Mario has easily maintained the highest values of any Mario franchise amiibo, and stands as one of the most coveted Nintendo pieces overall.

How Its Amiibo Functionality Compares

While its shiny gold design drives collectibility and value, the gold Mario amiibo works just like a standard Mario in games:

Mario Party 10 – Unlocks Gold Mario Party character

Mario Kart 8 – Unlocks gold Mii costume

Smash Bros – Grants menu theme, same fighter data

Super Mario Odyssey – Unlocks gold Mario outfits for Mario

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – Gold Mario costume

So functionally, it‘s identical to the regular Mario amiibo aside from its exclusive gold flair and costumes. That means those seeking it more for usage versus collecting can stick to the far cheaper standard Mario figures without missing anything significant. But again, the gold Mario amiibo understandably holds much more nostalgic meaning and value for collectors.

Ranking the Rarest of the Rare amiibo

While gold Mario stands at the top of most collectors‘ wishlists, Nintendo has produced many other tough-to-find amiibo over the years. Here are some other "rare of the rare" amiibo that rival gold Mario‘s desirability and value due to their low supply and lack of reprints:

While a few fetch slightly higher premiums these days like Qbby, gold Mario is right up there with the most collectible amiibo Nintendo has ever produced. It engraved its status as an elite rarity immediately upon selling out in 2015.

Is Gold Mario Still Worth Chasing as a Collector?

For serious Nintendo memorabilia collectors, especially those with a focus on Mario games and amiibo, gold Mario remains a worthwhile long-term investment and must-have display piece. Its flashy gold design allows it to stand out as a true centerpiece in any collection.

However, new collectors just entering the market should be aware of the high premiums it commands. As a friend, I‘d advise exercising caution and carefully inspecting photos if purchasing one online. There are a lot of convincing knock-offs floating around too due to its value.

My opinion is that gold Mario will continue holding its worth long-term and may even gradually appreciate further. Given its enduring rarity and the nostalgia associated with it, demand for authentic gold Marios is unlikely to falter among Nintendo fans anytime soon. It‘s a true icon that will remain at the top of most wishlists indefinitely.

Conclusion

In summary, the gold Mario amiibo deserves its reputation as one of the rarest and most coveted Nintendo collectibles out there. Between its incredibly limited initial release, total absence of reproductions to meet demand, and premium gold styling as a special Mario anniversary edition, it has cemented elite status as a holy grail amiibo.

For diehard Nintendo collectors, the hunt for that pristine new in box gold Mario will likely continue for many years to come. Its mystique and desirability certainly aren‘t fading anytime soon. So for those with the passion and budget, the gold Mario amiibo remains a glittering prize worth pursuing. Just make sure to closely inspect its authenticity before paying top dollar!