WAUKESHA, Wis. — A cache of nearly 100 factory-fresh Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges, long stored in a Waukesha warehouse, has emerged as one of the more notable finds in vintage video-game collecting this year.
Discovery and provenance
The cartridges — identified as copies of Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt — were rediscovered by Kevin Braun, owner of the OneStopWonders store, and Jason Ganos, publisher of Nintendo Wire, according to images released by Nintendo Wire and accompanying statements. The group says the haul totals 97 uncirculated cartridges, a sizable number for a single find of this variant.
Ganos, who has authored coverage and guides for Nintendo collectors, examined the boxes and identified the items as a late-production variant of the combined Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cartridge originally issued for the NES. The game was first distributed in the 1980s; these particular units are tied to a production run dated to the game's final manufacturing period, the pair said.
Condition and grading
Photographs provided show several cartridges that were submitted for third-party grading. The images include PSA-graded cartridges and a sealed box containing the uncirculated units. Collectors often rely on independent graders such as PSA for authentication and condition assessment; high grades can dramatically increase a cartridge’s market value.
Sale plan and timeline
Organizers said most of the cartridges will be offered in an online auction that opened this week and runs through Sept. 9. Details about individual lot structure and reserve prices were not disclosed in the material released with the photos.
"I still don’t quite believe that any of this is happeni
The quoted fragment appears in the promotional material accompanying the images; it reflects the surprise often voiced by dealers and collectors after encountering a large, well-preserved find.
Why this matters locally and to collectors
For Waukesha and Wisconsin collectors, the discovery underscores the state’s occasionally overlooked role in the secondary market for pop-culture items. Warehouses, estate sales and long-neglected store inventories have produced headline-making finds before, and this incident will likely draw attention from both local fans and national buyers.
Experts say that sealed and graded NES-era cartridges remain highly sought after because they capture a formative era in home gaming and because authentic, unopened examples are scarce. This particular combined cartridge — a two-in-one pack commonly bundled with the original NES — carries additional nostalgia value.
What buyers should know
- Auction runs through Sept. 9; prospective bidders should research grading levels and comparable sales.
- Condition and grading certificates significantly affect price — sealed or graded units typically command higher bids.
- Shipping and provenance documentation are important when transactions cross state lines or international borders.
Snapshot of the find
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of cartridges | 97 |
| Title | Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt |
| Noted location | Waukesha warehouse / OneStopWonders |
| Auction end date | Sept. 9 |
Organizers made the initial announcement with photos dated June 17, 2026. The images show store owner Braun and Ganos displaying the graded cartridges and a boxed grouping of the uncirculated inventory.
Marketplace context
The market for retro video games has seen strong demand in recent years, driven by collectors, investors and gamers seeking preserved examples of early hardware and software. A single sealed, highly graded NES cartridge can fetch thousands of dollars, and large, cohesive lots such as this one often attract considerable bidding activity.
Local collectors and curious residents can follow the online auction for lot details and bidding procedures. Those unfamiliar with grading standards are advised to consult independent resources and recent sale records to understand how condition and certification affect price.
Officials with OneStopWonders and Nintendo Wire provided the images and initial information; additional specifics about minimum bids or individual lot descriptions have not been released publicly as of this report.
— Peter Vandenberg, State Correspondent
