If Never Opened, It Sells for 2.1 Billion Won... Nostalgic Toys and Games Fetch 'Incredible' Prices

Pikachu Hologram Printed in 1998 Sells for 8.2 Billion Won
'Super Mario 64' Sold for 2.15 Billion Won
Original 'Tamagotchi' Model at 3.44 Million Won
"Because It Evokes Nostalgia for Many People"

There is growing attention as toys and games released decades ago are being traded at high prices.

On the 10th (local time), the UK Daily Mail reported that toys and games from the 1990s currently hold values worth thousands of dollars, introducing related cases.

The 'Pokemon Charizard' card, released in 1999 and produced in a limited edition of 121, was traded for up to $300,000 (about 410 million KRW) on auction sites like eBay. The most expensive Pokemon card is the 1998 holographic Pikachu card, which sold for $6 million (about 8.2 billion KRW).

The children's toy instrument 'Sax-A-Boom' is currently sold for $700 (about 960,000 KRW). Its original price at release was only around $20 (about 27,000 KRW). This popularity was boosted after actor Jack Black used it on a TV show.

The 'Super Mario 64' game cartridge by Japanese Nintendo sold for 1.7 billion KRW at the 2021 auction [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The robot doll toy Furby, released in 1998 in collaboration with the frozen food brand Kid Cuisine, was traded for $2,500 (about 3.44 million KRW).

Electronics and games are also being traded at prices higher than their original release prices. 'Super Mario 64' is known as the most expensive game in the world, selling for $1.56 million (about 2.15 billion KRW) for an unopened copy.

The 1990s representative game device 'Tamagotchi' is also popular. The most popular original model sells for $2,500 (about 3.44 million KRW), and other rare models are traded between 100,000 and 500,000 KRW. Recorders that include the function to use both videotapes and DVDs are no longer available for purchase new. Their current value is estimated to be over $200 (about 270,000 KRW).

The Daily Mail explained that “these products evoke nostalgia for many people,” describing the reason why toys and games are traded at high prices.