Super Mario 64 sells for record-breaking $1.56m

A sealed copy of Super Mario 64, a popular video game developed in 1996, has sold for more than $1.5m at auction —  making it the most expensive video game ever sold.

The video game, created by Nintendo, a Japanese company, was sold on Sunday via Heritage Auctions, a US-based company.

With the price, it has surpassed previous record set by ‘The Legend of Zelda,’ a fantasy action-adventure video game, which sold for $870,000 at auction on Friday.

Since its release, the game has become a classic and has enjoyed positive reviews. It has received the highest possible A++ grade from video game grading company WataGames, meaning it was preserved in nearly impeccable condition.

In a blog post, the company described it as the first video game to feature the world-famous Mario character in 3D, adding that it was also the best-selling game on the Nintendo 64 console.

“Super Mario 64 – Wata 9.8 A++ Sealed, N64 Nintendo 1996 USA. Well — we’re a bit speechless on this one. What can we even say that would do this copy the justice it deserves? The cultural significance of this title and its importance to the history of video games is paramount, and the condition of this copy is just so breathtaking that we’re really at a loss here,” it wrote.

“If you have had your heart set on obtaining the highest graded copy of the single best-selling video game on the Nintendo 64 — the first 3D adventure of Nintendo’s mascot, Mario — we only have one piece of advice: this is not an opportunity to waste.”