The Nintendo 64 brings back a lot of memories. For many of us, the N64 was the glory days of gaming – sitting with friends around an old TV, blowing on the cartridge when it didn’t work (even though that was horrible for the game!), munching on some snacks, and duking it out in Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros.
Nostalgia aside, the N64 also contained many notable games, many of which proved monumentally influential to the gaming industry. And some remain incredibly rare to this day. And rare means expensive.
These are the rarest games for the Nintendo 64 and how much they’re worth.
Updated August 21st, 2020 by Elise Nelson: As the Nintendo 64 gets older, retro gamers continue to find themselves hungry for the nostalgia of those old cartridges. Luckily, getting your hands on one of the consoles is as easy as logging onto eBay and pulling up one of thousands of results. The prices aren’t terrible, even for a beloved old console like this one. The true test is finding some games to go along with it. Sure, there are the popular Mario games, but it would be quite a feat to own any of these super-rare titles at high prices.
15 Turok Rage Wars (Gray Cart): ~$400
Turok was an enormous franchise back in the day, but Turok Rage Wars never really struck it big. This was mostly due to its focus on multiplayer and its status as a non-canon entry in the Turok series. It also received middling reviews from critics.
This deadly combination effectively doomed the game from the outset. It didn’t really sell, and it is through this inability to sell that the game became one of the rarest for the console. A gray copy of the game will run you about $400 on eBay. That is, if you can even find someone selling it.
14 WCW Backstage Assault (Gray Cart): ~$300
WCW Backstage Assault is a wrestling video game developed by Kodiak Interactive and published by EA back in October of 2000. This game has special significance, as it was the final game published under the WCW name – just three months later, the assets were bought by the WWF.
The game sold only 200,000 units, further adding to its significance. It’s incredibly difficult to find this game in the wild, and buying it through eBay will run you roughly $300. You’re better off buying an actual wrestling ticket with that price.
13 Pokémon Snap (Not For Resale Version): ~$300
Everyone knows Pokémon Snap – it was one of the biggest video games of the time, released in the midst of absolute Pokémon fever. However, there exists a “not for resale” version, which you can easily identify with the massive “not for resale” sticker plastered over the artwork.
This version is exceptionally hard to find, and buying one through eBay will also run you in the neighborhood of $300. That said, one particular cartridge sold for an astounding $900 in January 2020, so it’s obvious that the value than increase exponentially.
12 Banjo-Tooie: ∼$300
Banjo-Tooie is the follow-up to Rare’s legendary N64 title Banjo-Kazooie. The platformer follows Banjo and Kazooie as they attempt to stop the evil plan of a witch named Gruntilda. The game features various puzzles, collectibles, and a multiplayer mode for up to four players.
Both the original game and its sequel were released near the end of the N64’s lifespan, so they weren’t as popular as other titles. Eventually, the games received a higher demand, but they were no longer sold in stores. Those who find Banjo-Tooie or its predecessor will likely pay around $300 or more online.
11 Diddy Kong Racing: $300-$500
Diddy Kong Racing is another title from Rare that happens to be a pretty rare find. Like the ever-popular Mario Kart, this racing game features multiple worlds with four racetracks each. Players can choose from a variety of vehicles, such as cars, hovercrafts, or airplanes. To this day, the game remains the N64’s eighth best-selling title.
As the years go on, Diddy Kong Racing becomes more and more valuable. Right now, it can be found on sites like eBay and Amazon from prices between $300 and $500.
10 Yoshi’s Story (International Version): $300-500
The Yoshi’s Story international version remains one of the hardest Nintendo 64 games to find. This version is a mix of all the different Yoshi’s Story iterations. It uses the artwork from the North American release (aside from the emblazoned “not for resale” sticker obscuring much of the art), but it runs on the Japanese version of the game, including all Japanese text.
This specific cartridge has only popped up on eBay a few times in recent years, and most have sold for between $300 and $500, depending on the bidding and quality of the cartridge.
9 Worms Armageddon: $400-600
Worms Armageddon is a turn-based tactics game from Team17. Despite initially being released exclusively on PC, it was ported to the Nintendo 64 in March 2000. Finding the cartridge isn’t very hard, and the cartridges themselves typically sell for about $200 through eBay.
However, complete editions are significantly harder to find – and significantly more expensive. Most sell on eBay for anywhere between $400 and $600, depending on a variety of factors.
8 Harvest Moon: $400-$600
Harvest Moon 64 is a farming simulator from Victor Interactive Software. It is the third installment in the Story of Seasons series. In this relaxing title, players are tasked with restoring and maintaining an abandoned farm, which was previously owned by their grandfather. There are a number of side quests as well, such as racing horses and selling crops.
The niche series was never produced in mass quantities, and it is especially difficult to come across in the U.S. It can go for anywhere between $400 and $600.
7 Bomberman 64 The Second Attack: ~$400-700
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack is one of the rarest N64 titles due to a variety of combining factors. It received poor reviews, which significantly hurt its sales. It received minimal advertising from Hudson Soft, so no one really knew it existed. And it released quite late in the console’s life cycle, coming in May 2000 (the GameCube came in November 2001).
Finding a complete edition of the game is exceedingly rare, although it does pop up on eBay from time to time. Depending on the quality and bidding, it can go from anywhere between $400 and $700, although the latter amount is far more consistent.
6 Stunt Racer 64: $200-700
Stunt Racer 64 remains one of the rarest games for the Nintendo 64. Even back in the day, this game failed to make an impact – it was overshadowed by the mighty behemoth that was Mario Kart 64. It was also released exclusively through Blockbuster, adding to its incredible rarity.
A run of the mill copy will run about $200 on eBay. However, when you’re looking at complete editions (box and manual included), the price increases up to $700 and beyond. But we’re just getting started.
5 Super Bowling: $500-1,300
Have you ever heard of Super Bowling? No, of course you haven’t. That’s what makes the game so rare! Super Bowling was released in North America on January 15, 2001 – AKA, close to the end of the console’s life. The N64’s successor, the GameCube, launched on November 18, 2001.
The niche aspect of bowling video games, combined with the console’s impending discontinuation, resulted in very few copies of the game being manufactured. As such, a copy can go for as little as $500 (for the cartridge itself) to as much as $1,300 (for a complete package).
4 Conker’s Bad Fur Day: $500-$700
Conker’s Bad Fur Day is a hilarious platformer that follows a drunken red squirrel named Conker who must get home to see his girlfriend. The game involves linear obstacles, puzzles, fighting various enemies as the greedy forest creature collects cash in order to move on. With profanities, graphic violence, and vulgar humor, this game is meant for mature audiences only.
As one of the best games on the N64, this one is in pretty high demand. Sales unfortunately suffered when Conker’s Bad Fur Day was released the same year the console was discontinued. The price has gone up ever since, sitting now at $500 to $700.
3 Zelda Ocarina Of Time (Collector’s Edition): $1,000-$1,100
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time received the collector’s edition treatment when the game was initially released in 1998. There was nothing extra that came with the game, but the cartridge was a special gold color. Additionally, the box was a shiny gold with “Collector’s Edition” on it.
Because it was only available for a short window at launch, this edition is much harder to find than the original N64 game. Zelda fans who are lucky to get their hands on it will pay upwards of $1,000 for a new copy.
2 Majora’s Mask (Not For Resale Gray): ~$1,000
Majora’s Mask certainly isn’t rare. It’s one of the best and most popular video games of all time. But the gray “not for resale” cartridge? Now you’re talking our language. Like all the other games of its kind, this cartridge of Majora’s Mask contains the typical artwork, only with an emblazoned red and white “not for resale” sticker. And it is exceedingly rare.
According to pricecharting.com, only two copies have been sold since 2012. One in 2012 sold for $735 and another in March 2016 for $1,041. Keep your eyes peeled. If you have the cash, that is.
1 ClayFighter Sculptor’s Cut: Up To $14,500
ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut is an updated version of the game ClayFighter 63 1/3. This was released as a Blockbuster rental exclusive, meaning it couldn’t even be purchased. As such, most people argue that this is the rarest Nintendo 64 game in existence.
Ironically enough, the game seems to always be on eBay. And if you want a copy, you’re going to have to cough up some major dough. The cartridge alone will run you upwards of $500, but a complete edition typically runs anywhere between $2,500 and $3,000. That said, one copy sold for $14,500 in February of 2020. This is a true collector’s gem.
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