A massive collection of 97 uncirculated Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt cartridges was recently unearthed in a Wisconsin warehouse. Discovered by collector Jason Ganos and store owner Kevin Braun, these 1993 production variants are expected to command massive prices at an upcoming auction.
The 1993 production anomaly in a 1991 market
The discovery of these 97 cartridges presents a significant chronological puzzle for Nintendo enthusiasts. while the Super Mario Bros. / Duck Hunt bundle was officially discontinued in 1991, the copies found by Kevin Braun at OneStopWonders in Waukesha, Wisconsin, were manufactured in 1993. As the report notes, these cartridges represent a uniquue production variant that appeared two years after the bundle had supposedly left the market.
This timing suggests a major deviation from standard retail cycles.. According to the report, Braun originally acquired the box from a customer whose family had preserved the items for potential metal scrap value, unaware of their historical significance to the gaming community.
A potential "perfect 10" for the NES era
The valuation of these items hinges on their unprecedented physical condition . Collector Jason Ganos, who operates the news service Nintendo Wire, noted that the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) has never previously issued a perfect 10 grade for a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) cartridge. The cartridges are described as being in "absolutely pristine" condition, much like high-end comic books or sports cards.
Three of these "perfect 10" copies are scheuled to be sold through Golden Pop's Culture Auction, with the bidding period running from this Friday until September 9. while Ganos declined to provide a specific dollar amount, he suggested that unique production histories can drive prices into the six- to seven-figure range.
From a Wisconsin warehouse to a TSA carry-on
The journey of these 97 cartridges involved a high-stakes trip from the Midwest to the West Coast. Jason Ganos reported flying to California with the entire collection inside his carry-on luggage ,expressing significant anxiety while passing through airport security with the circuit boards.
The collection was originally sitting in a warehouse near Milwaukee before Ganos and Braun identified its rarity. The discovery occurred when Braun, the owner of OneStopWonders, asked Ganos to assist in liquidating various items, including Pokémon cards and common Nintendo games.
Why did Nintendo manufacture these two years late?
Despite the excitement, the exact reason for the 1993 manufacturing date remains unverified. Braun and Ganos have proposed two primary theories: the cartridges may have been produced as warranty replacements for faulty units, or they could have been part of a specific retailer bundle that failed to launch in 1991.
The source does not provide a definitive answer from Nintendo regarding this production discrepancy.. Until a manufacturer or a gaming historian can confirm the purpose of this 1993 batch, the cartridges remain a "serendipitous" mystery in the collector's market.
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