We reported a few days ago that a user-rare copy of Stadium Events on the NES had been listed on eBay. While this isn't the most accomplished 8-bit game of all time, it is one of the rarest with a low production run - which was subsequently recalled as it was then rebranded. Only two sealed copies of the game are known to exist and the last one sold for just over $41,000.
This new auction is already outperforming the last considerably and bids are currently just a few dollars shy of $100,000, at the time of writing. GameSpot reached out via eBay and got the following response from the seller:
You've had Stadium Events since the '90s, so why sell now?
"Felt it was the right time to sell this item."Did you consider donating it to Nintendo for their archival purposes?
"I worked for Nintendo for 22 years and do not believe they have any interest in having this game.....they are welcome to bid on it if they do want it!"How did you come to own this copy of Stadium Events?
"While working at Nintendo games are often available to employees at end of life cycles.
I did not realize the value until 2011, when a story came out about this game being sold on eBay for $44,000. I told my wife 'I know I have that game.' I collect a lot of different items, so after looking through several boxes I found it! Since I was still working for Nintendo I could not sell this item for profit, which is a smart company policy. When I left in 2012, it was possible for me to sell this game."
It's interesting to note that the owner is an ex-Nintendo employee. While it is doubtful that the company will be making any bids for this prize item itself, the story behind it is fascinating nonetheless.
With three days left to go, it's anyone's guess what the bidding will end on. What are your thoughts on this auction? Do you think the current bids are legitimate? If so do videogame collectors have more money than sense?
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[source gamespot.com, via ebay.com]
Comments 22
Mental, just mental... I could think of far more interesting things to spend that much money on...
just imagine someone paying so much for this and then the person just destroys the cartridge in a video crushing the hearts of thousands collectors
so evil!!
I want to say something about how stupid it is to pay that much but really I'm just jealous that I don't have $100K to waste on what ever I want.
Still I'd rather give $1000 to 100 random people but I guess if you have the money you can do as you wish
Who collects this way? I get that just about anything is collectable, but is the assumption that this is for completists?
I understand grading for coins and stamps, as they are what they are. But this grading video games that are sealed up and can never be played seems more than a little silly. Which is probably what these collectors would say about my hobbies, so fair is fair.
I could pay off my house and cars for that price, some people just have too much money to burn.
Ummm! And the unsealed ones just go for peanuts?
I just threw up a little in my mouth.
I'd rather people spend a load of money on this, than something that could ruin themselves or people around them.
Did you consider donating it to Nintendo for their archival purposes?
"I worked for Nintendo for 22 years and do not believe they have any interest in having this game.....they are welcome to bid on it if they do want it!"
In other words, Nintendo didn't offer me enough money to wanna give it to them. lol
so dumb. the bidder will probably not even pay
@ikki5 Yeah, that was a stupid question, not sure why anyone would donate this to Nintendo for free.
@Achoo I completely disagree. I have been following the story and Nintendo Life brought new information about it. Personally, I think this out of all videogame auctions deserves to be newsworthy.
This is just stupid and ignorant and what a freakin' waste...
US $99,999.99 = Looney Tunes. I agree with others commenting that it's unlikely to be sold for that price.
Pay for clean drinking water for a small village, or buy an NES game.... hmmm... tough choice!
"Do you think the current bids are legitimate?"
No they are not.In the last article about this there was some numpty commented that he just bumped the bid up $10,000 for a laugh so I would guess there are several more just like him.
@Zach
I better buy a NES while I'm at it
@Zach If I had the money, I would choosed clean water. It would bring more people more happiness than I would have got from a game that would not be used, just collecting dust and remember how stupid I was wasting a smal fortune
Won't sell. Ebay could make it so a bid requires a verified balance in a bidder's paypal account. Bid and that amount is held in escrow via paypal until outbid or the auction closes. They refuse to protect sellers and ebay has become a junk pile site of cheap garbage. Selling a high dollar item is nearly impossible today. Bidders get a strike and come right back to do again. For everyone you block, ten more take their place.
And everything is relative, you could buy a lot of clean bottled water for what a 3DS costs. Talk is cheap, poor people love to judge purchases that exceed their account balance. Sell your 3DS and make something happen.
"And everything is relative, you could buy a lot of clean bottled water for what a 3DS costs. Talk is cheap, poor people love to judge purchases that exceed their account balance. Sell your 3DS and make something happen."
Love it. I was getting quite annoyed with these comments but couldn't put my finger on exactly why. You summed up my scatter brain thoughts perfectly. Although I'd stay the route of donate that $60 of yours rather than buying the next Zelda, Star Fox, or Xenoblade; seems as how it really is all relative. I know its absurd to think about but there are people out there with this type of money. Take a quick look at your own spending habits before pointing out those of another.
@Achoo Well thought out article. With the crappy gold and gray NWCs among other "high dollar" collectibles that get bumped up to just under $100,000, makes me wonder if there is some software limit that eBay imposes at the hundred thousand mark.
Troll bidding is really making eBay a joke concerning any high dollar collectible. Any "rare" item that hits social media or news websites is basically non-saleable.
still going strong in this bid, wish me luck!
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