A copy of the rare NES game Stadium Events that was released in Europe during 1988 and in the US in 1997 has been sold for a whopping $41,300 or £27,102 on eBay. The copy was still in its original shrink wrapping and saw bidding climb from a starting bid of $6.16 to its final price.
The Game: Stadium Events
Stadium Events featured an Olympic-style Track and Field competition, with events such as the 100m dash, 110m hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. Modes of play include “Tournament” and “The Olympics”. With race opponents being named after animals, the slowest being Turtle and the fastest being Cheetah.
The game was designed to be used with the Family Fun Fitness mat, an early precursor to modern motion-sensing gaming peripherals. Players would physically run, jump, and move on the mat to control their on-screen avatars, making it one of the first games to incorporate physical activity into gameplay. This innovative approach was ahead of its time, paving the way for future fitness games like Dance Dance Revolution and Wii Fit.
Rarity and Collectibility
The original release of the game was not a big success and only a few copies of the game were ever produced. This limited production run has made Stadium Events one of the most sought-after items among video game collectors. The rarity is compounded by the fact that shortly after its release, Nintendo bought the rights to the Family Fun Fitness mat and rebranded it as the Power Pad. Consequently, Stadium Events was pulled from shelves and replaced with a rebranded version called World Class Track Meet.
The scarcity of Stadium Events copies, especially those in mint condition, has led to astronomical prices in the collector’s market. For example, in 2010, another sealed copy of the game sold for $41,300, and loose cartridges have been known to fetch several thousand dollars. The high value is not just due to its rarity but also because it represents a unique piece of gaming history.
For those lucky enough to own a copy, it might be worth checking its condition and considering its potential value. Even opened and used copies can be worth a significant amount, though not as much as those still sealed in their original packaging.
The sale of this particular copy on eBay highlights the enduring appeal and value of retro gaming. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the nostalgia and historical significance of early games like Stadium Events only grow stronger. Collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay top dollar to own a piece of this history, making it a lucrative market for those who have preserved their old games.
Time to search your attics and basements; you never know what treasures you might find. Whether it’s a rare game like Stadium Events or another piece of gaming memorabilia, the market for retro games is thriving, and you could be sitting on a small fortune.
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