在談到「最貴的紅白機卡帶」時，其實必須先釐清一個重要觀念：真正在拍賣市場上創下天價的，多半並不是一般玩家熟悉、曾大量流通於日本市場的Famicom 卡帶，而是與紅白機同世代、但在北美發行的NES（Nintendo Entertainment System）極早期版本，而且還必須符合「極度稀有＋全新未拆封＋品相完美」這三個近乎苛刻的條件。也正因如此，這些天價成交紀錄更像是收藏市場中的極端案例，而非一般紅白機收藏的常態。

最具代表性的例子，無疑是NES版《超級瑪利歐兄弟》。這款遊戲本身是電子遊戲史上最具象徵性的作品之一，不僅定義平台跳躍遊戲的基本形式，也奠定了任天堂在家用主機市場的王者地位。2021年，一盒全新、未拆封、且經過 Wata 鑑定拿下極高評分的早期版本《超級瑪利歐兄弟》，在拍賣會上以200萬美元成交，折合新台幣約5,600萬元，震撼整個收藏界，也刷新當時電子遊戲拍賣的世界紀錄。同一年，另一盒條件略有差異的未拆封版本，也拍出約66萬美元的高價，顯示即便是同一款遊戲，只要版本、保存狀態與生產批次不同，價值差距就可能極為驚人。

另一個經常被提及的例子，則是NES《薩爾達傳說》。作為任天堂另一個影響深遠的系列開山之作，《薩爾達傳說》在遊戲設計史上的地位同樣無可動搖。2021 年，一盒未拆封、品相極佳的NES版本《薩爾達傳說》，在拍賣市場上以約87 萬美元成交，成為當時僅次於《超級瑪利歐兄弟》的頂級收藏品之一。這類卡帶的價值，早已超越遊戲本身，而是被視為「電子娛樂文化誕生初期的重要文物」。

之所以會出現如此誇張的價格，核心原因首先來自稀有度。這些天價卡帶往往是NES剛上市初期的特定版本，例如印刷細節不同、封膜方式特殊，或是發行量極低的早期批次。再加上當年幾乎沒有人會刻意保存「未拆封」狀態，使得能流傳至今、仍保持全新品相的卡帶數量少到近乎可以用個位數計算。其次是品相的重要性，在現代收藏市場中，經過Wata或類似機構鑑定，並取得高分評級的卡帶，價格往往呈現幾何級數成長，哪怕只是評分差一兩分，價值都可能出現巨大落差。

此外，歷史意義也是不可忽視的關鍵因素。無論是《超級瑪利歐兄弟》還是《薩爾達傳說》，它們都不只是成功的遊戲，而是開創一整個系列、甚至影響了整個產業發展方向的起點。對頂級收藏家而言，這類卡帶象徵的是「電子遊戲作為文化產業的起源時刻」，其地位已經接近藝術品或歷史文物，而不再是單純的娛樂商品。

最後，還必須考慮近年實體遊戲收藏市場的快速升溫。隨著資金進入、拍賣平台成熟，以及社群媒體的推波助瀾，頂級卡帶逐漸被視為一種另類投資標的。這也使得少數極端稀有的NES卡帶，被推向遠超一般玩家理解範圍的價格帶。

因此，雖然問題常以「紅白機最貴的卡帶」來表述，但實際上，真正拍出天價的主角，多半是美版NES的極稀有、未拆封早期版本，而非日本市場常見的Famicom卡帶。對多數懷舊玩家或一般收藏者來說，這些天價紀錄更像是收藏界的傳說案例，象徵電子遊戲在文化與資本層面所能達到的極限，而不是一個可以輕易追逐的目標。

When people talk about the “most expensive Famicom cartridges,” it is important to clarify a key point first: the games that have actually achieved record-breaking prices at auction are usually not standard Japanese Famicom cartridges that were widely sold in Japan. Instead, they are most often extremely rare early versions of the North American NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) releases, and only under very specific conditions—namely extreme rarity, factory-sealed condition, and near-perfect preservation. Because of this, these headline-making prices represent exceptional cases in the high-end collectibles market rather than the normal reality of Famicom game collecting.

The most famous example is undoubtedly the NES version of Super Mario Bros. This title is one of the most iconic works in video game history, not only defining the platforming genre but also cementing Nintendo’s dominance in the home console market. In 2021, a factory-sealed, early-production copy of Super Mario Bros. that received an exceptionally high grade from Wata was sold at auction for USD 2 million, equivalent to roughly NTD 56 million at the time. This sale sent shockwaves through the collecting world and set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a video game. In the same year, another sealed copy of the same title, in a slightly different condition and version, sold for around USD 660,000, illustrating how even small differences in version, production run, or condition can lead to dramatic differences in value.

Another frequently cited example is the NES version of The Legend of Zelda. As the inaugural entry in one of Nintendo’s most influential franchises, The Legend of Zelda holds enormous historical importance. In 2021, a factory-sealed copy of the NES release in excellent condition sold for approximately USD 870,000, making it one of the most valuable video game cartridges ever auctioned, second only to Super Mario Bros. at the time. In cases like this, the value of the cartridge goes far beyond the game itself and reflects its status as a cultural artifact from the formative years of electronic entertainment.

The reasons behind these extraordinary prices begin with rarity. The most valuable cartridges are typically early NES production variants, sometimes distinguished by subtle differences in packaging, printing, or sealing methods, and produced in very limited numbers. Because almost no one in the 1980s intentionally preserved games in unopened condition, the number of factory-sealed copies that have survived to the present day is extremely small—sometimes believed to be in the single digits. Condition is equally critical: modern collectors place immense weight on professional grading, and a high score from organizations such as Wata can increase a cartridge’s value exponentially. A difference of just one or two points in grading can translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Historical significance also plays a decisive role. Titles like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda are not merely successful games; they represent the foundations of entire franchises and milestones in the evolution of the video game industry itself. For top-tier collectors, owning such a cartridge is akin to owning a first edition of a historically important book or a key piece of early film history. At this level, the cartridge is no longer viewed as a toy or a game, but as a museum-grade artifact.

Finally, the rapid growth of the physical game collectibles market in recent years has further amplified these prices. Increased capital investment, more sophisticated auction platforms, and widespread attention through social media have all contributed to positioning top-tier NES cartridges as alternative investment assets. As a result, a handful of ultra-rare items have been pushed far beyond the price range of ordinary collectors or nostalgic players.

In short, although the topic is often framed as “the most expensive Famicom cartridges,” the reality is that the most expensive examples almost always come from the North American NES market, specifically rare, early, factory-sealed versions. For most enthusiasts, these record-breaking sales are better understood as legendary case studies within the collectibles world—symbols of how far video games have evolved culturally and economically—rather than realistic targets for everyday collecting.