Watch: Previously unknown 'Mario Bros.' game variant found at Wisconsin store

August 11, 2026 - 23:47

A retro game store in Wisconsin has stumbled upon something that collectors say could rewrite a small piece of Nintendo history. The shop, which specializes in vintage gaming gear, is now preparing to auction off 97 copies of a previously undocumented version of "Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt" for the original NES.

The discovery happened during a routine inventory check. Staff noticed that the cartridge labels looked slightly different from the standard release, with a subtle shift in the artwork and a different shade of yellow on the side. After consulting with a few experts, they realized these were not just misprints but a distinct variant that had never been cataloged in any known database or collector guide.

What makes this find even more unusual is the sheer number of copies. Finding even one unlisted variant is rare, but 97 sealed boxes in one location is almost unheard of. The store owner says the games came from a single lot purchased from a former warehouse worker who had kept them in storage for decades. No one knows exactly how this batch ended up in Wisconsin, but the leading theory is that it was part of a promotional run that never made it to retail shelves.

The auction is set to go live this weekend, and bidding is expected to be fierce. While the game itself is common, this specific variant could fetch hundreds of dollars per copy, with the first few lots likely going for even more. Collectors are already calling it one of the most significant NES discoveries in years, and some are hoping the auction will reveal clues about where the variant was produced and why it was never widely distributed. For now, the store is keeping the exact location under wraps, but they have promised to share more details as the auction date approaches.