The Rarest and Most Valuable Super Nintendo (SNES) Games
Here is another chance for you to raid you closets or used game stores for hidden treasures. The Super Nintendo is the target of this expedition and there are plenty of highly-collectible games this time around. Surprisingly, many of the the most valuable SNES games aren’t actually rare, but are instead driven by popularity and the hunt for elusive boxed SNES games in good condition.
In stark contrast to the Cheapest Games series, this series by JJ Hendricks will round up the rarest and most valuable games for a given console or handheld so you’ll know what to look for whether you are buying or selling. JJ owns VideoGamePriceCharts.com and writes the Video Game Pricing blog which analyzes video game prices, pricing trends, and charts historic video game prices. He used his pricing statistics to find both the average selling price and the highest selling price for each game over the last two months.
Below you will see two prices beside each title. The first is the average daily selling price, which is typically the going rate for the cartridge by itself. The second price is the highest daily selling price of recent history. The list is ordered by the balance of the two prices. Note that some of these games are not rare in the sense that there are not many available, but rare relative to demand, which makes the games expensive.
The Expensive Super Famicom Imports
It’s rather difficult to find solid rarity and value information on Super Famicom titles unless you have a Japanese connection, but here are three of the most desirable Super Famicom releases from the research we did. If you have more to add, please use the comments section below.
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Kunio-kun no Dodge Ball Zenin Shuugou Tournament Special Gold Cartridge: $1,000 - $1,200 Rarity =  There were a number of Super Famicom games that were released as limited edition gold carts for tournaments in Japan, one of the most valuable being the Kunio-kun no Dodge Ball Zenin Shuugou Tournament Special. It was given away as a prize to winners of Technos Japan’s Dodgeball Tournaments, which they used to host several times during 1993. Check for Kunio-kun no Dodge Ball Zenin Shuugou Tournament Special Gold on eBay |
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Fire Emblem Thracia 776 Box Set: $150 - $270 Rarity =  Before the Fire Emblem series came to the US on the GBA and Gamecube, it was a very popular strategy RPG series in Japan. To satisfy the many fans of the series an feature-packed box set was released that included maps, posters, toys, and other cool stuff. Check out this forum thread to see picutres of the complete Box set. Check for Fire Emblem Thracia 775 Box Set on eBay |
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Rendering Ranger R2: $90 - $200 Rarity =  From the makers of the Turrican series, this run-and-gun shooter is one of the most desirable standard-issue Super Famicom games. It is hard enough to find a bare cartridge of this game, but it will more the double the value if you have a complete boxed copy. Check for Rendering Ranger R2 on eBay |
Limited Edition Collectables
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Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartidge: $200 - $727 Rarity =  Donkey Kong Country Competiton cartidges were used by Blockbuster Video in tournaments held within the store, and never receieved a true commercial release. (The cartridge is rumored to have a print run of 2,500 copies) As typical with most video rental stores, a few leftover carts were tossed into the bargain bins for customers to purchase. Nintendo Power also offered some extra carts in their catalog. See Latest Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge on eBay |
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Starfox: Super Weekend Cartridge: $218 - $282 Rarity = Much like the DKC Competiton cartidges, this Star Fox cart was used by Blockbuster for game tournaments and extra carts were sold off by Blockbuster and Nintendo Power. An article included in the original packaging suggests that the Starfox Weekend cart actually had a smaller production number (around 2,000) than the DKC cart, but for some reason the Star Fox cart has showed up on auction sites a bit more often and has fetched a lower price. See Latest Star Fox Super Weekend Cartridge on eBay |
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Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer Combo: $150 - $200 Rarity = Ok before somebody gets excited about the cover art to the left, that is for the more common version that only has the Mountain Bike Rally Game. The rare version of this game actually has the Speed Racer game on it as well. For use with the LifeFitness Bike Unit. One of the rarest games for the system, as it may have not seen full or any retail distribution. This 2 in 1 most likely never made it to any stores, and most copies that have been found have been from NOA’s warehouse itself! |
Treasured Standard USA Releases
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Earthbound: $66 - $181 Rarity =  Another game that is not hard to find, but is very popular. The game is famous for its cult like following of fans. It is a non-traditional RPG taking place in suburbia and weapons are every day household items. Still regarded as one of the most enjoyable RPGs to this day. Check for Earthbound on eBay |
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Ogre Battle The March of the Black Queen: $61 - $149 Rarity =  Enix, the publishers of the game, only made 25,000 copies of the game for sale in the US. The game is very hard to find because of this limited release. The Ogre Battle is a very good strategy RPG game too, so many RPG fans want to buy it just to get a chance to enjoy a great game. Check for Ogre Battle The March of the Black Queen on eBay |
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Ninja Gaiden Trilogy: $60 - $135 Rarity = All three NES Ninja Gaiden games combined onto one cartridge with some graphical improvements and passwords added, but gamers didn’t think this was enough to warrant a purchase. The game didn’t sell well on initial release. Collector’s want the game now because it is hard to find and they get three games for the price of one, even if that price is fairly steep. Check for Ninja Gaiden Trilogy on eBay |
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Castlevania Dracula X: $59 - $100 Rarity =  Castlevania Dracula X is the final Castlevania game released on the SNES and like many games in a series the later versions don’t sell as well. However, the hardcore following of the series and SNES collectors keep the price of this title rather high. Check for Castlevania Dracula X on eBay |
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Harvest Moon: $57 - $95 Rarity = Harvest Moon was released the same year the Nintendo 64 was launched so many gamers had already moved onto Nintendo’s new console and didn’t bother buying this game. The Harvest Moon series also has a cult following of gamers who want to farm and try to get a girl to like them. This is the first in the Harvest Moon series so many of these fans want to buy the game that started it all. Check for Harvest Moon on eBay |
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EVO the Search for Eden: $56 - $90 Rarity = The game is not really hard to find, but is very popular and therefore expensive. It is a unique platforming/role-playing game and is very highly regarded by gamers which helps increase its popularity. Check for EVO the Search for Eden on eBay |
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Chrono Trigger: $53 - $1,217 Rarity = The game is not rare, but is rated as one of the best games of all time on many gamers’ lists. It was created by an all-star cast of developers and stands up to the test of time in terms of story and game play. Typically, a complete copy of Chrono Trigger goes for about $120, but when a sealed copy showed up on eBay bidding exceeded $1,200. Check for Chrono Trigger on eBay |
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Mega Man X3: $49 - $194 Rarity = Mega Man X3 was one of two games to use a specialized chip called Cx4 that allowed for some 3D graphics in games (Mega Man X2 being the other title). Because of this chip it is an oddity and has some of the best graphics on the SNES. It is also hard to find. These two factors combine to make it one of the more expensive Super Nintendo games. Check for Mega Man X3 on eBay |
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Aero Fighters - $50 - $120 Rarity =  The game was released as an arcade game in 1992 and then ported to the SNES two years later. When it was brought over they made very limited quantities so it is one of the hardest games to find on the system. The price isn’t as high as other games but the chances of seeing this game are much lower. . Check for Aero Fighters on eBay |
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Super Mario RPG: $44 - $157 Rarity = An RPG developed by Squaresoft featuring Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom? How is this not a recipe for collectability? Again, this game is far from rare, but collectors (especially of boxed games) keeps the value of this gem flying high. Check for Super Mario RPG on eBay |
The Rarest Games At Affordable Prices 
Each of these games have a rarity rating of 7 or 8, but routinely sell for less than $30. If you are an SNES collector and see a boxed or sealed copy of any of these on eBay for a low price, you might want to snatch them up — you may never see them again.
- Fun N Games: $29 - $39
- Super Turrican 2: $21-$52
- Chavez II: $20 - $42
- Shien’s Revenge: $18 - $41
- Zero: The Kamikazee Squirrel: $18 - $38
- Ardy Lightfoot: $19 - $28
- Oscar: $15 - $35
- The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs: $13 - $36
- Hurricanes: $10 - $20
- Pieces: $11 - $15
- Incantation: $15 - $25
- Bebe’s Kids: $15 - $17
- Casper: $12 - $18
- The Adventures of Kid Kleetz: $4 - $15
- No Escape: $5 - $6
- The Miracle Piano Teaching System: $16 - $25
Additional SNES Games of Value
These games aren’t especially rare, but are quite collectable regardless resulting in a high resale value, especially for complete, boxes copies.
- Lufia and the Fortress of Doom: $27 - $88
- Lufia and The Rise of Sinistrals: $38 - $50
- Secret of Mana: $37 - $101
- Metal Marines: $36 - $79
- Uncharted Waters: New Horizons: $35 - $137
- Final Fantasy III: $32 - $156
- The Ren and Stimpy Show Buckeroos: $30 - $75
- Dragon View: $27 - $139
- Mega Man 7: $39 - $78
- Boogerman A Pick and Flick Adventure: $35 - $60
- Metal Warriors: $39 - $52
- Final Fight 3: $31 - $40
- Super Double Dragon : $23 - $135 [sealed]
- Breath of Fire II: $25 - $95
- Kirby Super Star: $29 - $46
- Kirby’s Dream Land 3: $28 - $38
- Breath of Fire : $20-$52
Credits: Video Game Prices provided by VideoGamePriceCharts.com. The source for daily updated prices on over 9,200 video games. The prices are the highest daily price and average daily price from December, 1st 2007 to January, 31st 2008. Rarity scores are courtesy of my friends at DigitalPress.
30 Comments:
Does anyone know if Ninja Gaiden Trilogy is NTSC only? Because I haven’t found any indications to indicate if it ever saw a PAL release.
There are a few SNES games that I missed out on the first time round which either never came to Australia or are way too expensive. Last I had a fully boxed version of Harvest Moon.
i had bought ogre battle for like $15 when i was like 13, i don’t know what happened to it, i loved that friggin game.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/washerdryercombo/EXPENSIVEGAME.jpg
Here’s a picture of the actual mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer box. Feel free to use it if you like.
Thanks! That’s incredible that you have a sealed copy
Lufia and the Rise of the Sinistrals — one of the BEST games I’ve ever played. I still play it every now and then.
I sold a copy of Ergheiz and Einhander both rare Squaresoft Playstation games for $240 on Ebay about a year ago.
Damn those were good games… I miss them.
I have all these NTSC games, i have half of them factory sealed
truly fun itmes to own.
secret of mana did not hit the list? I would of expected that game to be a bit rare?
I only found out there was a Japan-only dodge ball game released for the SNES a short while ago, and now I see it’s also the most valuable SNES game there is (at least for its gold cartridge edition.) I don’t know about the SNES version but I’m a huge, huge fan of Super Dodge Ball for the NES (just check my website for proof). Nice list!
How do some of you get so many sealed copies of these games? Did you buy them back when they came out and never open them? Buying new, sealed SNES games on this list would cost a small fortune.
Does anyone know if Final Fantasy 2 American version or Final Fantasy Mystic Quest are worth anything like some of the ones listed above
super mario RPG is the best game for SNES
Chrono Trigger FTW!!!!!!
I totally missed out on some great games that generation. I for some reason decided to go Sega Genesis this gen rather than the SNES. I had some awesome times but look at all I missed. Good luck getting them now. I’m not paying $200+ for those games now.
I got a great job making video game software by posting my resume at http://www.computerjobs.com/userlogin.aspx?_panel=1&mkt=t6
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/washerdryercombo/finalfightguy.jpg
You should also include Final Fight Guy to your list. The game was only available at Blockbuster for rent making practically impossible to fine a copy of the game let alone a box in good condition.
It’s about a 150 dollar game.
Oh yeah! Nice list! And naturally I own none of these… hehe
I sold my copy of Super Mario RPG to one of my friends a long time ago…i sooo regret doing that, but i think i can still get it back from him! I hope…
I know its not a US release, but I dont see Terranigma there, I love my copy
Cool, when is the last time I played anyone of them lol
www.americanidolpixelmania.com
You forgot my favorite Atari 2600 game…..Custers Revenge!
I love these lists, though it’s always funny to see games that aren’t that great become so highly valued. Most people agree that the NES versions of Ninja Gaiden are better than Ninja Gaiden Trilogy ports for example.
And those “special” versions of Starfox and Donkey Kong Country? Why not just buy the FULL versions for less? Collecting is a strange hobby sometimes.
I am loving these lists though as I’ve said, and it’s always great to see games on there that DESERVE to be highly sought after, like Mega Man X3 and Super Mario RPG.
i dont know if anyone put this down (cus i dont wanna read. but FF3 (SNES American) is worth a butt load. last one i saw in a store w/o box was about $75
I LOVE Earthbound. I still have my original copy…Hell, I still play it.
One game that is very rare is combetribes. A very cool game.
Some guy said that “FF3 is worth a buttload” above. I see it constantly on ebay for $20-30. That’s not a “buttload”. It also went down in price after the GBA FF6 came out.
I was shocked while reading this, I have nearly every game you mentioned except Harvey Moon, Earthbound, Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, and the imports. What’s even more shocking is that I got all of them for $6 or less at local pawn shops. And try this: I have THREE copies of Chrono Trigger. I’m not bragging, but I am trying to illustrate a point: I live in a town of 40,000 people, and these were all relatively .. not EASY, but not IMPOSSIBLE to find just by going to thrift stores/pawn shops for years. So, my advice to anyone who is reading this, this may seem obvious, but don’t look to ebay or amazon for your gaming needs… explore your town.
I was surprised that Dracula X was worth that much. I remember picking it up at a pawn shop and not liking it, because.. well, its’ pretty bad.. luckily, I got Castlevania IV about a week later at the same place for $6.
I have a 720 SNES NTSC game collection, 667 have manuals, maps, posters, etc… 40 are in boxes, 2 sealed. Also accessories like complete Miracle Piano System and stand, Batter-Up boxed, Lethal Enforcer with pistol boxed, Super Scope 6 with rifle boxed, controllers, etc… Trying to get the word out that I will be auctioning the entire collection on Ebay at the end of March, no later than the first week in April 2008. I’ve only seen one other auction similar to this and it sold for $15.5k on Ebay March of 2007. I do not want to part with it but just purchased a dream fishing camp on Pearl River and wife say’s something has to go to pay for it!!! Spread the word!!!
Street Fighter Alpha is missing here. It had special hardware built into the cartridge.
Perhaps poit was referring to [F]inal [F]ight 3? Released in the SNES’ twilight, I have yet to locate a copy.
I did pick up a copy of Earthbound at a local mom-and-pop game store for about $40 though, so…yay
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Oh man, I didn’t thought Ninja Gaiden Trilogy was rare, I saw one selling in a store for 2$…it was used but still…
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