With just over 300 games, the legendary N64 has one of the smallest catalogs in the history of Nintendo consoles and gaming in general. However, that meager amount doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few titles that are worth a fortune today.
And as is the law of collecting, the most expensive Nintendo 64 games are not necessarily the most popular ones, but the rarest games that for various reasons were not mass-produced.
While there is the occasional popular title here, most games on this list you may not know existed.
If you add to this the growth of the collector community, pristine condition games can be worth a lot of money, and even more so if we are talking about the Nintendo 64, one of the best consoles in history. So get your wallet ready, these are the
15 Most Expensive Nintendo 64 Games
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000, Not for Resale)
eBay: Will set you back almost $600
Quite curious that we start with The Legend of Zelda, as it is one of the most successful franchises in history. However, this game had a Not for Resale Version.
These special N64 game cartridges were just a demo of the game, which were exhibited in stores to convince customers to buy the final cartridge.
We have to remember that before the internet and downloadable demos, in-store demos were one of the only ways to catch a glimpse of the game. For that reason, Not for Resale versions have always been scarcer and harder to find cartridges, and even more, if they belong to a famous series.
With Ocarina of Time, Nintendo demonstrated their ability to make a great story, and with Majora’s Mask, they raised it to another level, presenting a game with interconnected plots, a decision system, and a 3-day cycle that made things even more complicated.
This time, Link must save the world of Termina, a parallel dimension of Hyrule, from a Skill Kid who stole the mythical Majora’s Mask, with which he gradually moves the moon to destroy Termina.
It is no surprise that this game has swept sales and reviews, being considered one of the best titles in history along with its predecessor. Therefore, it is not so difficult to get, although its NFR version is another story.
The particularity of this cartridge is that you can save the game, as well as extra beta content. If NFRs are already expensive, Majora’s Mask cartridges double the price due to the unique features of the cartridge. Although we warn you, it is one of the hardest to find at auction, as only two confirmed sales are known on the Internet.
StarCraft 64 (2000)
eBay: The cartridge cost only $200, while in the original package, it goes for more than $1500.
Although the Nintendo 64 was characterized as being a console more dedicated to a child audience with platform and adventure games, there was no shortage of more complex proposals that sought to attract older gamers.
In the middle of 2000, it seemed difficult that a strategy game would do well on a console, but Blizzard accepted the challenge, preferring to launch its famous StarCraft on the Nintendo 64 instead of the PlayStation, for reasons of cartridge capacity.
In this port, the Brood War expansion is already included, along with a few console-exclusive missions.
In StarCraft, you immerse yourself in a space war between the Terrans, humans exiled from Earth; the Zerg, a race of insectoid aliens; and the Protoss, a humanoid species with advanced technology and psychic abilities. It is up to you which of these factions you will lead in epic strategic confrontations in real time.
This is one of the cases where the game is expensive not because it was a commercial failure, but because of the opposite.
Although the Nintendo 64 port had obvious disadvantages compared to the PC port, it was the game with which many gamers got to know the strategy genre.
Worms: Armageddon (2000)
eBay: The cartridge ranges between $150-$200, if you want a complete copy of the game it costs almost $1500.
The famous franchise of little worms at War joins this list with its third title originally developed for PC, but shortly after was ported to Nintendo’s console.
In this game, you control a team of up to 8 heavily armed worms armed that have the simple task of eliminating, bombing, annihilating, and exterminating the opposing team. All this in a destructible two-dimensional map with turn-based gameplay, perfect to play with friends and laugh for a while with the antics of these bellicose characters.
Despite belonging to one of the most recognized franchises of turn-based strategy, especially for its accessibility and humor, Armageddon passed without glory in the stores. Years later, gamers became interested in this game, running out of its few existing copies.
Today, it is easy to find a copy of this game in any online store, but what is difficult is to find one in its original sealed box, so they are worth good money.
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (2000)
eBay: The cartridge alone does not exceed $400, while in its complete package, it is over $1000.
Since its beginnings on the NES, the Bomberman saga has been one of the most recognized and unique in the multiplayer party games around.
Its gameplay was aimed at a very specific audience, but it still garnered more attention than expected. And that was one of the reasons why the series sank in those years. There were already so many versions of Bomberman that they ended up repelling the public instead of attracting it.
The Second Attack was one of the most damaged by this, along with poor marketing, mostly negative reviews, and a release date in the late days of the Nintendo 64.
However, the title isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be. While it does not innovate the classic formula of the series, it adds a few new mechanics that make it the most entertaining Bomberman of the first generation in 3D.
Nowadays, the game is coveted by collectors who look for it everywhere, even paying more than $1000 for a complete edition.
Banjo-Tooie (2000)
eBay: The cartridge exceeds $150. The complete edition is worth more than $2500.
A sequel to 1998 hit Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie returned with the adventurous bear and the funny bird, one of the most endearing duos in video games.
This time, Banjoo and Kazooie must confront Gruntilda’s sisters to prevent her from being resurrected, since the witch has held a grudge since her defeat in the first game, and is eager to destroy the world of our protagonists.
Like any good sequel, Banjo-Tooie improved on everything its predecessor did, with more levels, more complex puzzles, and new gameplay mechanics.
However, the game was not as popular because it was released in the last days of the Nintendo 64 when gamers were getting interested in newer consoles. For this reason, Banjo-Tooie was not mass-produced and sold out very quickly in stores, leaving many of its die-hard fans wanting to play it.
So if you are one of the lucky ones who have a cartridge of this game, lock it up as soon as possible, you never know when a guy dressed as a bear and his pet bird might try to rob you.
Harvest Moon 64 (1999)
eBay: The cartridge costs just over $200. The full edition goes up to $2500.
When this title hit the stores, it was an absolute surprise, as no one thought that the Nintendo 64 would do well with simulation games. Victor Interactive Software did not shrink from that belief, releasing the third part of its famous Harvest Moon saga on that console.
As in previous Harvest Moon installments, you will have to revive your late grandfather’s farm, planting vegetables of many varieties and caring for animals, while making friends with the villagers and who knows, maybe finding love.
The game features a timed system, so you must complete most tasks before the game ends, at which point your performance on the farm and your reputation will be judged.
Although you can also take it easy and simply enjoy the day-to-day life of a farmer at your own pace, or do other activities such as horseback riding.
Because Harvest Moon was so popular, cartridges are hard to find since they were never mass-produced, especially in the USA. Unless you go looking in Japan, you will have trouble finding a copy of this game.
GoldenEye007 (Not For Resale Version, 1997)
eBay: Between $1800 and $2000 mint.
If you add the value of a common NFR with one of the most innovative FPS in history, you get the Not For Resale Version of GoldenEye007 , making it one of the most expensive N64 games.
Based on the famous 007 secret agent movie series, GoldenEye is an action-packed James Bond adventure with a large arsenal of weapons and an exciting plot. As in the 1995 film of the same name starring Pierce Brosnan, you are tasked with eliminating the GoldenEye criminal organization, whose plans threaten the integrity of the world as we know it.
With over 8 million copies sold, this game from Rare is not very “rare” to find for a price between $30 and $40. However, the NFR version is a different story.
Being the legendary GoldenEye, the prices of those special cartridges have risen to exceed $1000. You could say you have “gold” if you own this game… Ok, enough with the puns.
Turok 2 Seeds of Evil (1998, Not For Resale version)
eBay: Almost $2500.
Due to the scarcity of Nintendo 64 games, several of the ones on this list are Not For Resale versions. This time, we find the sequel to Turok, one of the most famous FPS franchises of the time.
In Seeds of Evil, you take on the role of the new Turok, Joshua Fireseed, embarking on an adventure full of confrontations against dinosaurs with an immense arsenal of weapons.
Your rival to defeat is The Primagen, a powerful alien entity that seeks to dominate Lost Land with its army of mutant dinosaurs and other races that only have one goal: to annihilate you.
Basically, it’s Doom but with dinosaurs instead of demons. But I don’t say that as a criticism, because Turok has many cards in its favor that give it a shine of its own, it is not for nothing that its saga already has 17 games.
Seeds of Evil had 2 versions Not For Resale. The first was a demo released in North American stores that only contained the first level and some previews.
The second version was exactly the same as the first one, but it was released in Europe, being the only Nintendo 64 NFR cartridge that reached the old continent.
Pokemon Snap (1999, Not For Resale Version)
eBay: Between $2500 and $3500 for a mint copy.
Of coure the Pokemon series could not be left off a list of the most expensive Nintendo 64 games, although Snap is quite different from most of Pokemon games. And once again, it’s their NFR version that is the most valuable.
It makes sense that they made a demo of this game because Pokemon Snap completely changed the classic formula of the series. Instead of capturing all the creatures, you have to snap pictures of them.
In this spin-off, Professor Oak sends you to an island full of Pokemon for you to take pictures of each one of them, with a first-person point of view and an on-rails movement system so you don’t get distracted from your work.
Even with these innovations that might not be to everyone’s taste, Pokemon Snap was a success, so its NFR version quickly increased in value.
Stunt Racer 64 (2000)
eBay: The average cartridge ranges from $500 to $600, If you want a complete copy of the game it costs almost $3500.
Stunt Racer 64 is one of those very unique cases that since its release was already a rare game, as it was released exclusively in American Blockbuster stores.
It is a racing game set in a distant future, in which racing at ground level went out of fashion, giving way to jet-powered vehicles with aerodynamics that allow them to do all kinds of spins. In this incredible world, you take control of a racing driver who seeks to dominate the 5 leagues available in the story mode, while you get more powerful vehicles.
Although it received good reviews, its frenetic gameplay fell short of Mario Kart 64, a game that needs no introduction.
Because the game was released exclusivly to Blockbuster, most Stunt Racer carts ended up being rentals, so the packages and cartridges were returned with severe damage or even not returned at all. This made it a difficult title to find in good condition, along with its original packaging and manual. Well, at least it beat Mario Kart at something.
Conker’s Bad Fur Day (2001)
eBay: The cartridge just averages $250. In its original box in good condition, it goes for over $5500.
Who would think that a game starring a cute squirrel dressed in a sweater would be rated M?
And the truth is that Conker’s Bad Fur Day has plenty of reasons to have that rating, being a game dedicated to a teenage and adult audience, something surprising for the time as the Nintendo 64 was very popular among children.
In the plot of this irreverent story, you control Conker, a red squirrel with Deadpool airs that after a night of drinking must return home with his girlfriend Berri, but on the way, he encounters all kinds of obstacles and enemies that will get on his nerves.
Cursing, obscene jokes, graphic violence, consumption of illicit substances, and much more in this incredible game that is considered a cult classic to this day.
Of course, at that time, even Nintendo itself didn’t want to give it much publicity because of the bad reviews that conservative parents were expressing, plus the release date in the last years of the console didn’t help it much.
The cultural impact and the controversy it caused made it one of the most coveted titles by contemporary collectors.
Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut (1998)
eBay: The cartridge alone ranges from $1500 to $2000, while the original package can be worth up to $7000.
Let’s get straight to the point, ClayFighter 63⅓ is not a good game. Its graphics leave a lot to be desired, the controls are awkward and the game looks like a bad copy of Mortal Kombat and titles of that style, even though it features a Clay aesthetic.
But its developer, Interplay Productions, saw a golden opportunity in this, creating an updated version of the title called Sculptor’s Cut, which corrected the gameplay, added new characters with colorful moves, a better interface, and other elements that made it more entertaining.
The thing is that it was exclusive to Blockbuster, where you could not even buy it, only available for rental. With just over 20,000 copies produced and such a limited distribution, it was more than obvious that the Sculptor’s Cut had everything necessary to become one of the rarest games in history.
Although you can find it without much difficulty in online stores, but at very high prices that make you consider if it is worth spending so much for such a rare game. But hey, collecting is not about quality, but rarity.
Super Bowling 64 (2000)
eBay: In general, packages in good condition range from $2500 to $4500, although fully sealed copies can be worth almost $8000.
Originally released for the SNES, in this game, the premise is already told by the title: bowl with your friends and family. You can choose from three modes, Golf, Normal, and Practice, each with its own mechanics, but with the same goal of entertaining.
Of course, you can’t miss a touch of “madness” to make the experience more fun, such as colorful characters and lanes set in natural environments and monuments.
But being released at the end of the Nintendo 64’s cycle, hardly any copies of Super Bowling were produced, and its simple premise didn’t help it sell many copies either.
Over time, it became one of the hardest titles to find, especially if you include the complete package – bowling has never been so expensive!
N64 Test Cartridge (1994)
eBay: Due to its rarity, there are not many on the market, but some reports indicate that they have been sold for up to $7500.
How curious that one of the most expensive Nintendo 64 games is not a game, but boy is it one of the necessary ones. The N64 Test Cartridge had only one goal: to repair a damaged console so that its user could continue to enjoy their favorite games.
It could reveal any problem, from control errors to video and color output to power problems. Once the diagnosis was finished, it was possible to know exactly what was wrong with the console.
This cartridge is magic, and for obvious reasons, it was never released to the global market. They could only be bought by the owners of Nintendo 64 service stores, and it was not cheap either.
It was so exclusive that Nintendo asked for them back sometime after their circulation, with the promise to return the funds to their owners, but many stores did not comply with that request. As a result, there are quite a few Test Cartridges on the market, with prices that make them extremely valuable.
Normally, you wouldn’t think of spending so much money on a cartridge like this, but you never know when your old Nintendo 64 might present a problem!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (1998, Collector’s Edition)
eBay: Used cartridges in good condition usually go for $400, but a fully sealed package is worth up to $10,000.
Although most high-value games are characterized by being somewhat unknown, there’s also room for heavyweights, and more if a collector’s edition enters the conversation.
The Zelda series needs no introduction. We have all played at least one of its games, although if you don’t know the influence that Ocarina Of Time had, it is necessary to tell you that video game stores had to close the presales of this game due to the high demand from customers.
With Ocarina Of Time, Nintendo took the capabilities of its own console to the limit, encapsulating in a cartridge an unparalleled adventure, full of epic confrontations, challenging puzzles, and a story that will mark you for life.
It was no surprise that they decided to release a collector’s edition, which did not include DLCs or anything like that, but its box was shiny and the cartridge was the color of gold, plus a special label. Of course, these editions didn’t last long on the market. If they were already valuable back then, nowadays they exceed thousands of dollars, and that’s if you can find them.
And with this, we come to the end of the list, one full of NFR versions and strange games that became valuable thanks to their commercial failure. It’s quite curious how the world of collecting and selling old games works. No matter how badly a game has fared in the past, it can always be revalued in the future. And if they are Nintendo 64 cartridges, one of the most iconic consoles in history, you will certainly have to pay a lot.
