The current generation of gamers has probably never even heard of Blockbuster Video.
But once upon a time — about 20 years ago — Blockbuster was everywhere.
It was the McDonald's of movie rentals, the Coca-Cola of Friday night plans.
Blockbuster's bright blue and yellow stores showed up on every corner. This made them the top choice for video games and movie rentals.
And naturally, Blockbuster wasn’t content with just dominating movies.
They wanted to own the gaming rental market too — and that's where Blockbuster Exclusive Video Games come into play.
The Table of Contents
What to Know About Blockbuster Exclusive Video Games
While Blockbuster wasn't plotting world domination, they were determined to crush their rental competition.
One of their sharpest strategies? Offering top exclusive games you could only rent from them and nowhere else.
These Blockbuster Exclusive Video Games were never intended for sale. They were rental-only, making them ultra-rare treasures once the Blockbuster empire crumbled.
Today, Blockbuster Exclusive N64 games and Blockbuster Exclusive NES games are highly prized trophies for retro collectors. With some games fetching jaw-dropping prices.
Let’s dive into what makes these cartridges so rare—and why collectors are shelling out thousands for them today.
📸 Fun Fact: My Run-In With Blockbuster
- When I first published this article, I used a photo of a Blockbuster store as the main image.
- True story — Blockbuster actually sued me for copyright infringement, and I ended up paying $1,200 to settle it!
- So yes, even today, Blockbuster has a way of leaving a mark...
- (Lesson learned: always use properly licensed images!)
Image Source: PriceCharting.com for Donkey Kong, Hagane & Clayfighter.
Why Are Blockbuster Exclusive Games So Rare?
At their peak, Blockbuster had thousands of locations, each packed with movies and blockbuster video games. So why aren’t these exclusives everywhere today?
A few reasons:
- Limited production runs.
- Developers only needed to produce enough games to stock Blockbuster stores — a tiny fraction compared to mass retail.
- Rental wear and tear.
- Remember: these games were rented out and played hundreds of times.
- Boxes were crushed. Manuals got lost. Cartridges got beat up.
- No reprints.
- Once a Blockbuster Exclusive game wore out, there were no new copies coming.
- What survives today is all that's left. From my experience handling hundreds of Blockbuster rental cartridges, finding one complete with box and manual — and in decent shape — is extremely rare. Most were rented dozens, if not hundreds, of times before ever hitting resale.
Finding a complete Blockbuster Exclusive Video Game in great shape?
It’s basically like winning the retro gaming lottery.
Valuable Variations: Minor Changes, Big Money
Some top exclusive games weren’t just ordinary copies — they had special features, extra characters, or improvements you couldn’t get elsewhere.
Example?
ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut (N64)
- An upgraded, expanded version of the original — only available as a Blockbuster Exclusive N64 game.
- Today, a loose cartridge sells for $1,100 or more, and boxed copies soar even higher.
- That rare combo of exclusivity + upgrades is a collector’s dream.
According to Nintendo Life, games that were only available at Blockbuster, "like ClayFighter Sculptor's Cut, have become very valuable. This is because they were made in very small numbers and were rented a lot, which makes complete copies very rare now."
— Nintendo Life, The Most Expensive Retro Games for Nintendo Systems
Authenticity: The Foggy Battlefield
Blockbuster did not share an official list of Blockbuster Exclusive Video Games. Much of what we know now is based on what the gaming community has agreed on and stories from retro gamers.
And with counterfeits running rampant, verifying authenticity is critical.
When shopping for Blockbuster Exclusive NES games or N64 exclusives, always:
From Brandon Perton of The Old School Game Vault:
Having evaluated and sold retro games professionally for more than two decades, I strongly recommend prioritizing graded or authenticated copies whenever possible — especially with high-ticket items like ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut or Donkey Kong Competition cartridges.
- Buy from trusted retro sellers
- Look for grading/authentication
- Educate yourself on how fakes differ from the real thing
Notable Blockbuster Exclusive Games
Here's a look at some legendary Blockbuster Video Games. Many of the Blockbuster Exclusive titles came from some of the greatest old video game consoles ever made.
The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (NES)
- Mythical rarity! Commonly accepted as a Blockbuster Exclusive NES game.
- Loose cart: ~$1,100
- Complete: $5,000+
📸 Real Example From Our Collection
Here's a photo of an authentic Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak cartridge from our inventory at The Old School Game Vault.
Finding a complete Blockbuster rental copy in good condition is extremely rare — and holding one in your hands really reminds you why this game is such a legend among NES collectors.
Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge (SNES)
- Created only for a Blockbuster gaming event. This is the rarest blockbuster exclusive SNES game.
- Created for the 1994 Blockbuster World Video Game Championships, the Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge was a specially modified version of Nintendo's hit platformer.
- Contestants had only 5 minutes to rack up the highest possible score across a handful of early levels.
- After the competition ended, most copies were taken back. However, a few copies remained. Some were even given out in a Nintendo Power promotion.
- Authentic copies are extremely rare today, typically selling for $5,000 or more.
- If you find one, make sure it’s genuine. Many demo cartridges from store displays look alike, but are not the same!
Final Fight Guy (SNES)
- Improved Final Fight, bringing back lost features and the beloved character Guy.
- Loose cart: ~$450
- Complete: $1,500+
Hagane: The Final Conflict (SNES)
- Often cited as a Blockbuster rental exclusive — but there’s some debate.
- There have been debate regarding the game's distribution status. Some people say the game was only available through Blockbuster, while others believe it had limited retail distribution. This has made the game hard to find.
Regardless: rare, valuable, and awesome.
- Loose cart: ~$900+
- Complete: $2,500+
Stunt Racer 64 (N64)
- Full-on Blockbuster Exclusive N64 game.
- Amazing stunts, fast racing, and thrilling tracks that defy gravity.
- Loose cart: ~$300
- Complete: $2,000+
Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (N64)
- It only released through Blockbuster and Nintendo Power (direct mail order)
- Loose cart: ~$100+
- Complete: $450+
Blockbuster World Video Game Championship II (Genesis)
- Made for Blockbuster's real-world gaming tournament.
- Insanely rare — surviving copies sell for $5,000+!
This very rare cartridge was used in the 1995 Blockbuster World Video Game Championships II. In this event, players competed using specially modified versions of games. NBA Jam Tournament Edition and Judge Dredd at Blockbuster stores nationwide.
- The top scorers from local tournaments were invited to a finals' event in San Francisco, with prizes like trips and trophies.
- After the event, Blockbuster had most of the cartridges destroyed — but a few slipped into collectors’ hands.
- Today, authentic copies are among the rarest retro gaming artifacts, often selling for over $5,000.
Other Notable Titles
Other Blockbuster Exclusive Video Games you might come across:
- The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs (SNES)
- Mr. Nutz (SNES)
- Eeek! The Cat (SNES)
- Madden '93 Championship Edition (Genesis)
- Super Bowling (N64)
- Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)
A few other games like Worms: Armageddon (N64), Chavez II (SNES), and Razor Freestyle Scooter (N64) were primarily available through Blockbuster’s rental program.
Although not every rental title was officially a “Blockbuster Exclusive,” their limited release makes them highly collectible today. Some are easier to find loose, but full sets command serious money.
Beware of Counterfeits
Sadly, the rarity of Blockbuster Exclusive NES games and N64 exclusives means there’s a flood of fakes out there.
- Always double-check before buying.
- Need tips? Check out my other guides on spotting counterfeit retro games!
I have found fake copies of Stunt Racer 64 and Flintstones Dinosaur Peak being sold as the real thing. It is always wise to be careful when buying rare games.
Final Thoughts
Blockbuster Exclusive Video Games are pieces of history from a great time when Friday nights meant going to Blockbuster. People would grab a bucket of popcorn and rent the latest games.
If you’re lucky enough to own a Blockbuster Exclusive N64 game or a Blockbuster Exclusive NES game in good condition, you’re sitting on a piece of gaming history.
And if you’re still hunting? Stay patient, stay smart, and enjoy the thrill of the chase!
Thanks for reading — and don’t forget to share this with your fellow retro gamers and collectors!
As Heritage Auctions’ Video Game Director Valarie Spiegel explains, "Games that were frequent Blockbuster rentals, like Snowboard Kids for the N64, are now extremely difficult to find complete in high-grade condition due to the heavy rental use and limited production."
— Heritage Auctions, Playing Favorites
FAQ: About Blockbuster Video Games
Could you buy Blockbuster Exclusive NES games?
- Back in the 90s, Blockbuster did not sell Blockbuster Exclusive NES games; they were rental-only titles.
- These games only became available for sale once Blockbuster began closing down its stores.
Were there any Blockbuster Exclusive PlayStation 1 (PS1) games?
- While Blockbuster rented out thousands of PS1 games during the system’s heyday, there were no true Blockbuster Exclusive full games for the PlayStation.
- Instead, Blockbuster offered demo discs, early access rentals, and rare “Rental Only” disc variants.
- These are collectible, but no PS1 titles were made solely for Blockbuster rental like on NES, SNES, or N64.
Where can I find Blockbuster Exclusive games for sale?
- You can find Blockbuster Exclusive games on platforms like eBay, Etsy, and specialized retro gaming stores—both online and in physical locations.
When did Blockbuster close?
- Blockbuster began closing its stores in the early 2000s due to the rise of digital streaming services and shifting media consumption habits.
Don't Forget: Share Your Two Cents
We would be happy to hear from you! Have you ever rented or owned a Top Exclusive Game? If you have tips for spotting genuine Blockbuster Exclusive games, stories about hunting for rare finds, or advice for new collectors, please share!
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