Dozens of rare vintage Super Mario cartridges found in Wisconsin store head to auction

A Waukesha, Wisconsin game store owner discovered dozens of rare vintage Super Mario cartridges, now heading to online auction.

A cache of rare vintage Super Mario game cartridges turned up in a gaming store in Waukesha, Wisconsin — a find that has caught the attention of retro gaming collectors. The cartridges were discovered by the store owner, described as a Nintendo superfan, who characterized the haul as a 'Holy Grail' find in the world of vintage gaming. The specific titles and the full number of cartridges in the collection were not detailed in the reporting, though sources describe them as unique and extremely rare. Most of the cartridges are set to go up for sale in an online auction beginning Friday, with bidding running through September 9. The auction format suggests sellers expect significant competitive interest from collectors in the retro gaming market, where rare or factory-sealed Nintendo cartridges have fetched record prices in recent years.

Why it matters

Rare vintage Nintendo cartridges have become high-value collectibles, with individual items sometimes selling for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. A batch of multiple rare cartridges appearing at once is an uncommon event for the collector market.

What's next

The online auction runs through September 9, when final sale prices for the cartridges will be determined.

Key facts

• The cartridges were found at a gaming store in Waukesha, Wisconsin
• The store owner is described as a Nintendo superfan who called the find a 'Holy Grail'
• The collection consists of dozens of cartridges, described as unique and extremely rare
• Most of the cartridges will be listed in an online auction starting Friday
• The auction is scheduled to run through September 9

Bias & framing notes

Both sources agree on the core facts — location, rarity, and auction timing. The NY Post leads with the store owner's personal story and colorful quote, while AP News is more straightforward and dry. Neither source provides specific details about the cartridge titles, quantities, or estimated values, leaving the story thin on concrete specifics.

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