10 Rarest Nintendo Games of All Time

Nintendo games have journeyed from the simple bleeps of the NES era to the immersive, vibrant worlds of the Nintendo Switch, capturing the hearts of generations. While millions fondly remember classics like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, some titles have taken on a more elusive status—becoming rare gems that collectors pursue like prized artifacts. As Nintendo consistently redefined gaming with innovation and charm, a handful of its creations have transcended entertainment, becoming the stuff of legend in the world of video game collecting.

While these rare Nintendo games are not just about nostalgia, they represent the fascinating stories of limited releases. Others are promotional copies or canceled versions, while others have unique circumstances that make them some of the most valuable and sought-after titles in the gaming community. Let’s dive into the dusty corners of Nintendo’s history and unearth 10 Rarest Nintendo Games of All Time. 

10. Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy)

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters launched on the Game Boy in 1991, following the original Kid Icarus on the NES. Despite the series’ popularity, this sequel had a limited print run, and other Game Boy titles became more popular. 

Due to the limited copies available, the game became a rare find. Additionally, its solid gameplay and appeal to fans of classic Nintendo franchises further contributed to its rarity. Complete copies tend to sell for $300 or more in collector markets.

9. Cheetahmen II

Cheetahmen II gained popularity because it was unfinished and received negative reviews from critics. It is a sequel to The Cheetahmen, part of the infamous Action 52 compilation. The game’s unusual story contributes to its rarity. After its initial cancellation, about 1,500 cartridges were discovered in a warehouse in the early 2010s. The number makes Cheetahmen II somewhat more accessible than other titles. Cheetahmen II was never officially launched due to its unfinished state and poor quality. In addition to the game’s backstory and rarity, the discovery of the warehouse stock created a buzz in the collector community.

8. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light

The Fire Emblem franchise has since become a major Nintendo series. However, the original Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light launched only in Japan in 1990. The game remains an elusive collector’s item. It was the first game in the Fire Emblem series and introduced many gameplay elements that shaped tactical RPGs. 

The game did not have an official release outside Japan until recent remakes. This makes the original NES cartridges very rare and expensive. Collectors often pay over $1,000 for copies in good condition. 

7. The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (NES)

The game became rare due to its limited distribution and late release in the NES lifecycle. It is a platformer starring Fred Flintstone. Surprise at Dinosaur Peak was reportedly distributed primarily through Blockbuster Video rental stores. However, this is still a massive debate among collectors, as some believe the game was simply limited. This has therefore contributed to the current rarity and high value, particularly for complete-in-box copies.

6. Little Samson (NES)

Little Samson is a rare late-era Nintendo games launched towards the end of the NES’s lifecycle in 1992. It is an action platformer with engaging gameplay and charming graphics. However, its late release meant a smaller print run. Despite its high-quality graphics and gameplay, Little Samson suffered from poor sales and minimal promotion. Therefore, the game is a rare and expensive item in the collector’s market. Complete copies can command prices in the thousands. 

5. ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut (SNES)

The ClayFighter franchise has rare entries on the Super Nintendo and the Nintendo 64. ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut for both consoles was primarily available as a Blockbuster Video rental. Therefore, the developers produced very few copies, which is estimated at around 20,000.

Since the game was never made it to traditional retail outlets, finding a copy today is difficult. The limited availability resulted in a significantly smaller number of copies reaching consumers. Its rarity and dedicated fanbase mean copies often sell for over $500, especially if complete with original packaging.

4. Nintendo Powerfest ’94 (SNES)

The Nintendo Powerfest ’94 cartridge was created for a competitive gaming event. Only two known copies are believed to exist. The SNES game was made for a 1994 Nintendo competition. This direct tie to a significant Nintendo event makes it an incredibly valuable and elusive piece of gaming history. Like other games that Nintendo made for competitions, the Powerfest ’94 did not launch commercially. Therefore, making surviving copies rare is of significant interest among collectors, often selling for thousands of dollars. 

3. Nintendo Games- Stadium Events

Stadium Events hit the market in 1987 as a fitness title for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It is one of the rarest commercially released NES games. Developers designed it as an accessory for the Family Fun Fitness Mat, a floor pad that tracked players’ steps and movements.

Shortly after its launch, Nintendo bought the rights to the mat and rebranded it as the “Power Pad.” The company then quickly recalled all copies of Stadium Events to replace the branding, making the original version incredibly scarce. The original copies of Stadium Events hold a special place in Nintendo’s fitness gaming history. This has made sealed copies extremely valuable, with collectors paying upwards of $30,000 for a complete cartridge with box and manual. 

2. Nintendo World Championship (1990) Cartridges

The cartridges were created for the 1990 Nintendo World Championships tournament. The games in the cartridge were used in competition to test players’ skills across multiple games like Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer, and Tetris. Only 116 copies of the NWC cartridge were ever made, split into two versions: Gold and Grey. The gold cartridges were prizes in a Nintendo Power contest, with only 26 copies believed to exist. Nintendo produced 90 grey cartridges for the competition finalists. 

 The grey cartridges in these Nintendo games were given to the competition finalists, and around 90 were produced. In recent years, the gold version has sold for more than $20,000, while the gray cartridge typically fetches between $5,000 and $10,000. 

1. Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991

This is the rarest Nintendo game, as experts believe only one copy exists. Like the World Championships cartridges, these were created for college campus gaming competitions in the early 1990s. The 1992 version is exceptionally rare, with only a single known copy currently in public hands.

The cartridge consists of three games: Super Mario Bros. 3, PinBot, and Dr. Mario. The developers modified the games for the competition format. The game is so rare mainly because Nintendo did not sell it commercially. In addition, the game only appeared in a very limited number of events.