A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros., from 1989, just sold for an astonishing $3 million at Heritage Auctions, shattering the previous record and proving that vintage gaming collectibles are now more than just childhood memories.

Heritage claims this is the earliest known sealed copy in existence, complete with a rare glossy sticker seal. It's graded A++ by Professional Sports Authenticator, adding to its allure. The price tag is mind-boggling for what's essentially an 80s toy.

The vintage gaming market has seen exponential growth over the last few years. In July 2020, a copy of Super Mario Bros. sold for just $114,000 at Heritage Auctions; six years later, that seems like a steal compared to today's record.

With this price tag, it’s hard not to question whether these items are investments or merely overpriced collectibles. If the buyer decides to play the game, Heritage offers an NES console as a consolation prize – but only if they break the seal first.