97 untouched NES games worth thousands including Duck Hunt and Mario cartridges

Some treasures hide in plain sight, waiting to be discovered by chance. In Waukesha, Wisconsin, a quiet retro shop owner stumbled upon a box of video game history that turned out to be far more valuable than he initially imagined.

The discovery was made in the storage room of Kevin Braun’s retro shop, OneStopWonders. What he found were a stash of NES cartridges—specifically versions of Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros.—that were remarkably pristine and seemingly untouched. These weren’t just any games; they were reportedly never-before-seen variants, claimed by Braun to have come directly from Nintendo of America.

Braun had acquired the box years ago from a seller who had hinted that the cartridges were destined for salvaging precious metals from circuit boards. He simply bought them thinking he could resell them in his shop for a modest sum, unaware of the incredible rarity he possessed.

It wasn’t until a friend and an expert in gaming information noticed the collection that its true potential was revealed. When they examined the carts, they immediately recognized something extraordinary. The initial curiosity quickly turned into a high-stakes hunt for authenticity when the collection was shared on high-end gaming forums.

This sharing brought in experts from various grading companies who were instantly intrigued by the quality of the items. They requested detailed photos and even asked to disassemble one unit for a deeper inspection, leading to a jaw-dropping revelation. The cartridges turned out to be some of the final production units made during the 40th week of 1993.

The history embedded within these artifacts is fascinating. The manuals themselves offered clues—the back page stated “maintenance or service,” which contrasted with previous known versions that mentioned “maintenance or repair.” This discrepancy suggested these cartridges might have been created as replacements for refurbished consoles or components that never made it to mass release.

The pristine condition of the set only amplified the mystery. Professional grading services confirmed their authenticity, awarding the carts extremely high scores; five units even achieved the coveted perfect score of 10 from PSA.

Now, this hidden trove is poised for a major auction. Three of these ultra-rare cartridges are scheduled to be offered at Goldin Auctions starting August 12th. While the exact final price remains speculative, experts estimate that these items could fetch at least four figures, with the perfect 10-rated units potentially reaching five digits.

The potential value reflects the scarcity of these historically unique NES games. For serious collectors looking to acquire an original Nintendo game that has never been officially released, this discovery represents a significant opportunity—though prospective buyers will need a substantial war chest to secure such legendary pieces.