A rare cache of 97 unopened Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt NES cartridges, previously unknown to collectors, has been authenticated after being discovered in a Wisconsin warehouse. The find has drawn attention from grading experts and the retro gaming community
A significant discovery has surfaced in the world of retro gaming, as 97 sealed copies of Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt for the NES have been authenticated after being found in storage in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The cartridges, previously unknown to collectors, were uncovered by Jason Ganos while assisting a local vintage shop owner with old stock. The find has quickly become a focal point for collectors and grading specialists, given the unusual provenance and pristine condition of the games.
The Discovery and Its Origins
The cartridges were located in a storage unit belonging to OneStopWonders, a vintage collectibles shop in Waukesha. According to the shop owner, the box had been acquired six years earlier from a seller whose grandfather reportedly worked for a precious metal recovery service. The story suggests that Nintendo, seeking to dispose of surplus stock in the mid-1990s, sold the cartridges to the recovery service, which typically extracted gold from electronic components. Instead of being dismantled, the box remained untouched in storage.
The box itself bore shipping labels dated 1 December 1995 and indicated it originally contained 100 units of Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt. Inside, 97 individually bagged cartridges were found, each with a manual attached to the back. The presence of bilingual English and Japanese labels, as well as unique details on the manuals and circuit boards, immediately set these copies apart from standard retail versions.
Authentication and Grading
After the discovery, Ganos sought advice from grading experts, including representatives from PSA Games, who expressed initial scepticism about the authenticity of the cartridges. Detailed photographs of the labels, manuals, and internal circuit boards were requested to verify their legitimacy. The experts noted several differences from known retail copies, including altered back labels, revised manual text, and unique motherboard markings.
PSA Games subsequently authenticated all 97 cartridges as genuine, identifying them as late 1993 production variants that had not previously been documented. The grading results were notable: five cartridges received a perfect 10, a score never before awarded to an NES game by PSA, while the remainder were graded between 9.4 and 9.8. Each cartridge was encapsulated with its manual and serialised as a complete collection, reflecting the exceptional condition and rarity of the find.
Market Value and Auction Plans
The value of these cartridges remains uncertain, but grading experts have suggested that individual units could command prices in the four- to five-figure range, depending on condition and collector demand. The fact that these are late-production, unopened variants with unique bilingual labelling and attached manuals adds to their appeal. PSA Games indicated that the plastic baggies in which each cartridge was stored played a crucial role in preserving their condition, preventing dust and micro-wear over time.
Three of the authenticated cartridges are scheduled to be auctioned through Goldin Auctions, with the sale running from 12 August to 9 September. There are also plans to auction one cartridge for charity, though details have not yet been finalised. The remaining copies are expected to attract significant interest from collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
Why This Find Matters
This discovery is significant not only for its rarity but also for what it reveals about late-stage NES production and distribution. The existence of a previously undocumented variant, produced as late as 1993 and never released to the public, challenges assumptions about the end of the NES era and Nintendo's handling of surplus inventory. The find also highlights the importance of preservation and documentation in retro gaming, as even widely distributed titles like Super Mario Bros. Duck Hunt can yield new surprises decades after their original release.
In the context of retro game collecting, authentication and grading play a vital role in establishing provenance and value. Grading companies such as PSA Games assess the physical condition of cartridges, manuals, and packaging, assigning scores that reflect rarity and preservation. High grades, especially perfect 10s, are exceptionally rare for vintage games, often resulting in substantial increases in market value. This process helps collectors distinguish between common copies and unique historical artefacts, ensuring that significant finds are recognised and preserved for future generations.
