Curators’ Picks from the November 3 – 4 Video Games Signature® Auction

Video Games — Auction Preview by Heritage Editorial

Our curators picked their favorite items from our upcoming November 3 – 4 Video Games Signature® Auction.

VALARIE’S PICKS

Valarie McLeckie | Managing Director, Video Games | ValarieS@HA.com | 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1994

Nintendo 3DS XL Console – VGA 100 GEM MT Uncirculated Sealed [Pikachu Edition], 3DS Nintendo 2013 USA

One of my favorite consoles ever made was the Nintendo 3DS, and I loved my XL until the joystick snapped off (true story). While this isn’t the color I had, I remember when it was released, and I was so tempted by those pinchable red Pikachu cheeks to buy this model even though I already had one. This grade is near-unheard-of, and this console design was only available for a limited time – it was the first lot I chose for my shortlist!

Beetlejuice – Wata 9.6 A Sealed [Oval SOQ R], NES LJN 1991 USA

Even though this NES game didn’t exactly have memorable (i.e., “good”) gameplay, it’s worth its weight in nostalgia. Of course, most of the movie-based games for the NES weren’t considered playable; LJN was notoriously keener on turnaround than they were with polished programming. Nevertheless, this has always been one of my favorite games collecting-wise for the NES. It’s always been a tough title in excellent condition, and this is a top-notch copy.

Nintendo Power #41 Subscription Edition (Nintendo of America, Inc., 1992) CGC NM- 9.2 White Pages

It might not be an early issue, but with the announcement of the first Mario Kart game gracing the cover, no one can argue it isn’t a key issue. It’s in beautiful condition and the artwork chosen for the cover is amazing. Instead of featuring leading man, Mario, front and center, Nintendo opted to let King Koopa steal the stage. He doesn’t even care that one of his minions is running off the road behind him. Gotta love Bowser’s ruthless nature!

Harvest Moon – Wata 8.5 A+ Sealed, SNES Natsume 1997 USA

This is only the third copy of Harvest Moon in sealed condition we’ve been able to offer so far, and it’s not one to overlook. It has fantastic eye appeal for its grade, but, frankly, with a population of seven on Wata’s current population report, a copy in any grade is worth coveting. I have always loved farming sims, and even though this wasn’t the first installment I had the pleasure of playing, I can’t help but be drawn to this lot.

EVAN’S PICKS

Evan Masingill | Consignment Director, Video Games | EvanM@HA.com | 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1977

Cheetahmen II – Wata 9.0 A+ Sealed, NES Active Enterprises 1993 USA

The unlicensed side of the NES library has always fascinated me, and Active Enterprises’ Cheetahmen II always felt like a mythical game. Cheetahmen II was an incomplete game, yet it was manufactured with a retail box, sealed, and almost distributed before Active Enterprises pulled the plug. All that was left behind was a small number of NOS copies found in a warehouse, and this is one of the few surviving copies to emerge. There aren’t many games with a backstory like that!

Zombie Nation – VGA 85+ NM+ Sealed [Oval SOQ R], NES Maldac 1991 USA

Meldac released only three games in North America, each heavily featuring traditional Japanese themes. It’s a wonder they even made it out of Japan! Zombie Nation didn’t sell well, so it has always been a classic NES-rarity. The game itself is really neat, with impressive animation and sound. It’s also a very bizarre game, which the charming diorama-style cover conveys. Sealed copies rarely surface, and when they do, they aren’t nearly as nice as this beautiful VGA 85+ example.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 – CGC 9.0 A+ Sealed, SNES Nintendo 1997 USA

Who doesn’t love Kirby? Kirby’s Dream Land 3 represented the end of 2D console gaming for Nintendo. It was released in late 1997 at the tail end of the console’s lifecycle and was the last first-party SNES game by Nintendo. By then, gamers were fully engrossed with 3D gaming, so Kirby’s Dream Land 3 didn’t have much impact upon release. Unopened examples rarely appear for auction; this is the first sealed copy we’ve auctioned since 2019!

BRETT’S PICKS

Brett Weiss | Lead Cataloger, Video Games | BrettW@HA.com | 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1348

Computer Space Arcade Video Game [Green 1973 Two-Player Version] – Condition: Excellent, Nutting Associates 1971 USA

Trivia time: what was the world’s first commercially available video game? That would be Computer Space, which debuted in the arcades in 1971. This was months before Atari’s Pong coin-op and the Magnavox Odyssey home console, both of which hit the scene in 1972. Even though the game is ancient in terms of video game years, it has one of the coolest cabinet designs ever–retro-futuristic at its finest! The rare metallic green two-player version we’re offering, which came out in 1973, is a gorgeous piece of video game history. It’s fun to play as well. We tested it, and after a couple of heated rounds, we had to force ourselves to go back to work!

Halcyon Interactive Laser Disc System Prototype Game Console – RDI Video Systems 1985 USA

Back in 1983, when Dragon’s Lair first dazzled gamers with its cartoon-like graphics, rumors spread of a laser disc attachment for consoles like the Atari 5200 and ColecoVision. This never came to pass, but there was actually a full-fledged laser disc-based console produced by RDI Video Systems, called the Halcyon, set for release in January of 1985. Unfortunately, it never appeared on store shelves, and just a few prototype examples were produced. We feel incredibly fortunate to offer one of these rare units, complete with hookups, headphones, the only two games produced for the system, and more. Not only does the system offer amazing graphics for the time, but it also features voice recognition technology, which is mind-blowing considering the era.

The Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak – Wata 7.5 CIB, NES Taito 1994 USA

Like Little Samson, Panic Restaurant, Bonk’s Adventure, and a few others, The Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak has the reputation of being one of the rarest games for the NES. It was a late release for the console, and rumor has it that it was a Blockbuster exclusive. Some longtime gamers swear they saw the game for sale in standard retail outlets, but what truly matters is that the title is jaw-droppingly difficult to find in today’s collector’s market, especially with the box and manual intact. Yet here we are with a CIB copy that would be the peak (pun intended) of almost any NES fan’s collection. A platformer with cute graphics and a reasonably accurate version of the show’s theme song, the game is of course based on The Flintstones, the prime-time Stone Age cartoon that Hanna-Barbera unleashed on viewers in 1960.

Game Informer #1 (Funco, Inc., 1991) CGC NM+ 9.6 White Pages

Many years ago, gamers went to the newsstand for tips, tricks, maps, reviews, and other info on their favorite video games. We love easy access to online info as much as anyone, but we miss physical video game magazines, and very few are being published today. One of the remaining survivors is Game Informer, which, as most of you know, is published by the giant retailer, GameStop. With junior joystick jockeys still discovering Game Informer, and with veterans of the video game wars having fond memories of the mag, we know there will be a ton of interest in the stunning CGC 9.6 copy of issue #1 that we’re offering. The cover for this debut issue features Sonic the Hedgehog – a brand-new character at the time – making it perfect for display.

CIERRA’S PICKS

Cierra Caballero | Associate Video Game Specialist | CierraC@HA.com | 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1348

Barbie Xbox Controller Bundle – Ungraded [Barbie Movie Microsoft Sweepstakes Prize] Xbox X/S Microsoft 2023 USA

Every Barbie fan pulled out their Barbie Magic Genie Bottle and wished for this lot! I know I wish I could add this to my dream house. When the initial Barbie Xbox Sweepstakes was announced, I had hoped that the controllers or even the console would show up here at Heritage Auctions. Barbie really does grant wishes, because here it is! Besides manifesting things into the universe, I can predict whoever is lucky enough to add this to their collection will totally wear outfits that match the faceplates.

Halo Story Bible V. 5.0 – Microsoft c. November – December 2001

It is not often that we get franchise bibles! One of my favorite things is to learn about the behind-the-scenes and the lore of vast stories like Halo. The storyboards in this story bible are breathtaking and whoever is lucky enough to add this to their collection will surely cherish it. Trust me, if I had more time, I would have spent hours poring over each page. Each detail is meticulous, and the characters are beautifully fleshed out; it is no wonder Halo has gone on to become such a beloved franchise. If you are new to the franchise or have been playing it since Combat Evolved, I can assure you this bible will only grow your love for it.

Pokémon Red & Blue Version Promotional Banner (Blue Background) – Game Boy Nintendo 1998

I never personally owned a handheld console until the Nintendo 3DS, but despite this, I still played various Pokémon games on other consoles, watched the movies, and even dressed as Pikachu for Halloween. So, you can imagine my excitement seeing the Blue and Red promo banners on display at various retailers and now here at Heritage Auctions! The blue banner is my favorite, as the group shot of the Pokémon is just adorable! Seeing this banner really takes me back to the days of Toys “R” Us and Blockbuster, spending hours combing through movies, toys, Pokémon trading cards, and the hot new video games. Not to mention, waiting for Pokémon: The First Movie to come out in theatres; the wait was excruciating! So was waiting for Blue and Red for those who were lucky enough to play.