eBay Auction Asks $500,000 for NES Game ‘Stadium Events’

Just in case spending $60 on each new game (and then an extra $10-$30 so you own every piece of downloadable content available) wasn’t hard enough on your checkbook, there’s eBay – that wonderful online auction house where you can offer strangers even more cash for their old, but valuable titles. It’s the internet’s version of a yard sale, minus the sun and actual social interaction – something gamers can easily relate to.

A new listing for the extremely rare NES title “Stadium Events” will separate the mice from the extremely rich men: the asking price is a staggering $500,000. Why the insane amount? Keep reading for the details.

“This listing is for a complete, excellent+/near mint, sealed copy of the game and the only known copy to ever be sent to the Video Game Authority in Roswell, GA for official grading, verification and authentication,” writes the seller. “Once the game arrived safely, the professionals at VGA gently cleaned the item, verified it, graded it and sealed it in a professional quality acrylic case where it will remain for the rest of its life.”

The Video Game Authority is a grading center for gaming collectibles. “VGA has worked diligently for years to develop the standard we use to accurately convey the condition of original and un-tampered with collectibles, thereby creating a safer collecting environment and helping to ensure that your investment is protected for years to come,” reads the company’s ‘Mission Statement.’

“Stadium Events” is an NES game which was discontinued by Nintendo. It was later reissued as “World Class Track Meet,” along with the company’s Power Pad peripheral.

According to the VGA, an item goes through two stages of documentation and authentication as part of the grading process: the Preliminary Grading Stage, and the Final Grading Stage. Then, the carefully inspected item is cased, packed and finally shipped back to the submitter.

Using the VGAs own grading scale, the copy of “Stadium Events” listed in the auction as “excellent+/near mint” rates a 75 out of 100. However, the seller boasts it received an 85+ (or “near mint+”) from the collectibles purveyor. The highest possible grade is “gem mint.”

The rating might seem a bit low for serious collectors to part with half a million dollars. On the plus side: free shipping! With two days left on the auction, we’ll know soon enough. (Via Reddit)