The original Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES, holds a special place in retro gaming. It is known for its nostalgia and attracts many collectors. And among its massive 700+ game library, a select few titles have reached legendary status for their scarcity and sky-high resale value.
Quick Takeaways from This NES Rarity Guide:
✅ Stadium Events leads the pack — fewer than 300 copies known, worth over $18,000
✅ Late releases like Little Samson, Panic Restaurant, and Power Blade 2 were hurt by poor marketing and low print runs
✅ Rental exclusives like The Flintstones became rare due to limited distribution
✅ Condition matters — scratched labels, cracks, or cleaning damage can significantly lower a game’s value
– Brandon, NES Collector & Founder
The Old School Game Vault
In this NES rarity guide, we’re covering only licensed retail releases, focusing on loose cartridges (no CIB or sealed pricing). We’re also skipping:
- Unlicensed third-party games
- 5-screw variants (we have a separate guide for that!)
- The ultra-rare Nintendo World Championships carts (check out our article here)
Let’s dive in.
The Table of Contents
The 10 Rarest NES Game Values (Cartridge Only)
1. Stadium Events – $18,000
The holy grail of NES collecting, this game was published by Bandai in 1987 and used the Family Fun Fitness Pad.
Soon after it came out, Nintendo bought the rights to the game and recalled all copies that were already available.
Nintendo then rebranded the game as World Class Track Meet for use with their own Power Pad accessory.
Only about 200 to 300 copies were sold before the recall, and it is thought that fewer than 100 still exist today.
- The Stadium Events picture is from heritage auctions.
2. Little Samson – $2,400
Released after the SNES was already in stores, Little Samson had little marketing, a low print run, and virtually no mainstream exposure. Today, it’s considered one of the best platformers on the system, with tight gameplay, and elite-level rarity.
This game only seems to increase in value each year. Unlike most of the rare titles, this game is actually good, and worth your time to play it.
- The photo below is our actual WATA-graded copy of Little Samson, available for sale.
- Interested in buying or trading rare NES games? Contact Us Here
3. The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak – $1,200
This title was a Blockbuster Video rental exclusive, meaning it was never sold at retail. Its low distribution, combined with its association with a fading cartoon brand, make this game a rarity. Here is our copy of the popular title. I have kept the Blockbuster stickers on the back of the cartridge to show its history.
- Learn more in our guide to Blockbuster exclusives.
- Our own personal copy of Flintstone's Surprise at Dinosaur Peak below. The back of the cartridge is covered in original blockbuster stickers.
4. Power Blade 2 – $960
Another late NES release by Taito, this game attempted to follow in the footsteps of Mega Man and other 8-bit action hits.
Unfortunately, low production, poor marketing, and a waning NES audience left it largely forgotten — until collectors started driving up demand.
The first game in the series is really fun title, but Taito was known for their limited release during the Nitnendo NES life cycle.
5. Panic Restaurant – $825
Whimsical, weird, and wonderfully rare — Panic Restaurant was a Taito-developed platformer released after most gamers had already moved on to the SNES.
Limited production and niche appeal made this game a sleeper hit for collectors years later. This game is actually quite fun to play. It has some unique features, but it's not bad at all.
6. Bonk’s Adventure – $700
Originally a TurboGrafx-16 mascot, Bonk made a late and quiet leap to the NES. But the port lacked the charm (and marketing) needed to stand out. This one slipped by most gamers, and today it commands a premium due to its obscurity and low print run.
The TurboGrafx system helped make the Bonk series popular. However, I find it hard to justify spending that much on this signature character from the TurboGrafx.
- Our WATA 6.5 copy of Bonk’s Adventure is pictured below.
- Reach out if you’re a collector or seller looking to make a deal.
7. Zombie Nation – $440
Zombie Nation is one of the strangest games on the NES — and that’s exactly what makes it collectible.
With its bizarre visuals, over-the-top gore, and floating samurai zombie head, it clashed with Nintendo’s family-friendly image of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Released late in the console’s life with little to no marketing, its odd gameplay and obscurity have turned it into one of the harder titles to track down today.
8. Bubble Bobble Part 2 – $345
A sequel that came and went without much fanfare. Released when most gamers were transitioning to newer consoles, Bubble Bobble Part 2 had low visibility and limited retail exposure, making it one of the most expensive NES sequels out there.
For all those who have never played bubble bobble, it's a fun little puzzle game, addictive game levels make this series one to play.
9. Mighty Final Fight – $324
This NES version of the popular Capcom beat-‘em-up took a quirky, chibi-style detour from the SNES classic. The game was released late and did not get much promotion. Because of this, it was overlooked by more popular 16-bit games. Today, however, it is seen as a fun and rare item that collectors want to have.
Never really got into this title, I'm a big fan of the first couple final fight games on the SNES. In the past, I really enjoyed playing Double Dragon in the arcade. I didn't like the Nintendo version because it only had one player.
10. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 – $300
Released in 1994, this was one of the final NES games published in North America. Like DuckTales 2, it came after the cartoon’s peak popularity and got minimal shelf space in an era already dominated by the SNES. That late timing makes it rare and highly desirable today.
When I was a kid, I watched the cartoon and even played the first Rescue Rangers game. However, I don’t really remember the game being released, except for a small ad in Nintendo Power.
A Few More Rare NES Titles Worth Mentioning
While not in the top 10, these games are still prized by collectors for their rarity, strange origins, or limited release:
- Snow Brothers – A late release with a cult following. NES copies are tough to find and command strong value, especially in good condition.
- Wayne’s World – Rare not because of its quality, but its low print run and odd gameplay make it a collector’s curiosity.
- Kid Klown in Night Mayor World – Rebranded from a Japanese title, this oddball game never saw wide distribution.
- Gun-Nac - A fast-paced, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants shmup with wild enemy designs and addicting gameplay. Developed by Compile, it never got the exposure it deserved but has built a cult following over the years.
- Definitely one of my personal favorites.
- DuckTales 2 - Another late Capcom/Disney release that quietly landed near the end of the NES’s lifespan. Like Rescue Rangers 2, it suffered from poor marketing and limited distribution.
- I played the heck out of the first DuckTales and loved the cartoon growing up, but I honestly never knew a sequel even existed until years later.
Want more under-the-radar NES gems? Don’t miss our feature on Three Iconic NES Games Worth Playing in 2025.
What Affects NES Game Value?
Even with rare titles, condition matters. Here's how we break it down for loose cartridges:
- Very Good – Minimal surface scratching to shell or label
- Good – Visible scratching to both label and cartridge shell
- Acceptable to Good – Minor flaws (sticker residue, bent corners, small label tears)
- Acceptable – Multiple cosmetic issues (scuffs, faded label)
- Poor – Heavy wear, torn labels, writing, cracks, or broken plastic
⚠️ Pro Tip: Don’t over-clean cartridges. Tools like Magic Erasers can wear down shell texture, leaving damage that hurts value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rarest NES game?
What’s the most expensive NES game?
What is the rarest NES game of all time?
Collector Resources & References
Here are some expert sources and references used throughout this guide:
- GameRant – Rarest NES Games
- GameSpot – 21 Rare NES Games Worth a Fortune
- Den of Geek – Most Valuable NES Games
- RareGames Wiki – Stadium Events
- CGC Video Games – Stadium Events Grading
Want to Sell Rare NES Games?
If you own one of these games or any retro games, The Old School Game Vault specializes in buying NES cartridges. This includes rare and collector's items.
Get an instant quote and fast payment.
We understand the value of your games because we are collectors as well.
