If you’ve got a box of old video game cartridges tucked away in a closet or stuffed into a drawer, it might be time to dust it off. What once cost you $29.99 at a department store could now be worth thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars.
Vintage game cartridges from the golden age of console gaming are commanding five-digit bids on collector platforms and auction houses. And no, it’s not just obscure prototypes or unopened boxes—sometimes, even slightly used cartridges can fetch shocking amounts if they’re rare enough.
The reason? Nostalgia, scarcity, and a booming collectibles market. Millennials with disposable income are hunting down the games of their youth. Combine that with the rise of retro gaming influencers and grading services like Wata and VGA, and suddenly, that “junk” in your drawer becomes a highly sought-after artifact.
Here are seven old video game cartridges currently raking in five-figure bids—and why they might be in your possession without you even realizing it.
1. Stadium Events (NES)
This is the crown jewel of many collectors’ dreams. “Stadium Events,” released by Bandai in 1987 for the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), is considered the Holy Grail of NES cartridges. And yes, it’s the version released before Nintendo rebranded it as “World Class Track Meet.”
The game was briefly available in the U.S. before being recalled and pulled from shelves, making legitimate North American copies extremely rare. Only a few complete copies (box, manual, and cartridge) are confirmed to exist.
A factory-sealed copy sold for over $87,000 in 2020. Even a loose cartridge in good condition can command upwards of $10,000 to $15,000, depending on its authenticity and wear. The kicker? It looks like any other NES cartridge and could easily be hiding in a bin of old games.
2. Nintendo World Championships 1990 (NES)
This cartridge wasn’t sold. It was awarded. Nintendo created 116 special grey and gold cartridges for its nationwide video game competition in 1990. The competition toured the U.S. and became the stuff of gaming legend, inspiring movies like The Wizard and cementing Nintendo’s dominance at the time.
There are two variants: the grey version, of which 90 were made, and the gold variant, of which only 26 exist. The gold cartridges were given away through a Nintendo Power magazine contest, making them extraordinarily rare.
A grey cartridge sold for $26,000 at auction years ago, and prices have since climbed. Today, depending on condition, it can fetch anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. Gold versions have topped $100,000.
3. Air Raid (Atari 2600)
If you find a weird-looking blue cartridge with a T-shaped handle in your attic, don’t toss it. That’s probably “Air Raid,” one of the rarest Atari 2600 games ever produced. Released in the early 1980s by a mystery company called Men-A-Vision, it was never widely distributed and was mostly sold in Southern California toy stores.
What makes this game especially valuable is not just its rarity but its distinctive design. It doesn’t look like any other Atari game. That bright blue plastic and unusual shape make it stand out.
A boxed version of “Air Raid” once sold for over $33,000. Even a loose cartridge, without a manual or box, can command $10,000 or more. It’s the kind of treasure that’s easy to overlook if you don’t know what you’re holding.
4. Bonk’s Adventure (NES)
“Bonk’s Adventure” might be better known for its appearance on the TurboGrafx-16, but the NES version is where the money’s at—because it’s rare. Released near the end of the NES’s lifespan in 1993, the game didn’t sell many copies, making it highly collectible today.
The cartridge was well-reviewed and fun, but by the early ’90s, gamers had moved on to 16-bit systems like the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. As a result, NES games like “Bonk’s Adventure” didn’t get the production runs that earlier titles did.
A graded, sealed copy sold for nearly $25,000, and even loose cartridges can run up to $1,000. If you collected NES games in the early ‘90s or bought clearance items from KB Toys, this could be sitting in a forgotten shoebox.
5. Little Samson (NES)
Don’t let the cartoon art fool you. “Little Samson” is a big deal in the retro gaming world. Developed by Taito and released in 1992, it was a well-made, Mega Man-style action platformer that came out too late in the NES’s life cycle to gain traction. Few copies were made, and fewer still survived in pristine condition.
Its vibrant gameplay, multiple playable characters, and crisp graphics make it a favorite among collectors and speedrunners alike. Unlike many valuable games that are just rare, this one is also genuinely good, driving up both demand and price.
Sealed copies have crossed the $30,000 mark, while loose cartridges go for $2,000–$5,000. If your childhood NES collection includes titles from the tail end of the console’s run, it’s worth checking.
6. Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (NES)
You probably remember “The Flintstones” from Saturday mornings, but this specific title wasn’t sold in stores. It was a rental exclusive from Blockbuster. That’s what makes it so rare. Since people could only rent it, few physical copies ever entered circulation for retail sale.
Most rental games were heavily used, often damaged and eventually discarded. So, finding a complete or even functional cartridge of this title is a challenge. It’s the kind of game that rarely turns up at garage sales but might be hiding in an old Blockbuster rental case in your closet.
Loose cartridges can go for $1,000–$2,000, while complete boxed copies have reached over $10,000. And if it’s sealed? Expect five figures without question.
7. Mega Man 5 (NES)
Unlike others on this list, “Mega Man 5” isn’t rare because of obscurity. It’s rare because of low print numbers combined with high demand. The “Mega Man” series was popular, but by the time the fifth installment came out in 1992, many players had shifted to newer systems.
The result is that “Mega Man 5” didn’t get the distribution earlier titles did, but hardcore fans still want to complete their collections. Its combination of fan-favorite status and relative rarity means prices are steep.
Loose cartridges routinely sell for $250–$500, but complete, boxed, or graded versions have topped $5,000–$10,000, especially if sealed. Check that old gray cartridge with the blue bomber on the front. You might be sitting on a goldmine.
How to Check If Your Games Are Valuable
Think you might have one of these cartridges? Here’s what to do:
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Sort through your old boxes of video games. Don’t just look at the titles. Check for boxes, manuals, and unusual packaging.
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Research recent auction prices on sites like eBay, Heritage Auctions, or PriceCharting to get a ballpark estimate.
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Consider professional grading if the game is rare and in excellent condition. Wata and VGA are the most recognized grading services.
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Beware of fakes. High-value games are often counterfeited. Authentic cartridges have specific markers, board designs, and labeling details, so consult expert forums if unsure.
Your Junk Drawer Could Be a Treasure Chest
Retro gaming isn’t just a trend. It’s a full-blown collector economy, and values continue to rise. If you or a family member grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, there’s a real chance you own one of these hidden gems without realizing it.
Even if you don’t have a five-figure game, many vintage cartridges now sell for hundreds. So before you toss that old console or give away your childhood collection, take a closer look. You might be holding a piece of gaming history.
Have you ever sold or found a valuable game in your collection? Which old game would you never part with, no matter what it’s worth?
Read More:
5 Retro Electronics Stockpiled in the Spare Room That Collectors Are Paying Cash For
8 Forgotten Toys in Your Childhood Closet Now Worth More Than Your Rent
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