15 Most Expensive and Rarest N64 Games of All Time

Depending on which version of your favorite Nintendo 64 games you own, you may be sitting on a cartridge worth thousands of dollars or more. The recent explosion in retro gaming prices has created a situation in which a seemingly innocuous copy of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask can be worth as much as several thousand. While this has made it difficult for collectors to fill out their physical media libraries, it has created the possibility that those old games in your parents’ garage are worth far more than what you paid for them.

The Nintendo 64 may have struggled in its day against Sony’s PlayStation, but Nintendo’s last home console of the 90s is celebrated today for bringing us some of Nintendo’s best games. You’ll recognize most of the titles we’re going to cover here, but where it concerns their spots among the most valuable titles in the N64 library, there’s a little more to their rarity than just the game itself.

Let’s see just how expensive it gets for serious N64 collectors, with us using just the cartridge versions as baselines for the prices. NOTE: all of the prices quoted here are estimates and are subject to change with the retro market.

 

15. Pokémon Snap (NFR)

Price Range: $420+

Pokémon Snap offered ample(ish) depth for players taking on the role of aspiring Pokémon photographer Tod Snap, with fans enjoying a game that didn’t demand you capture small creatures and force them to fight for your twisted amusement. No, all we’re doing in Pokémon Snap is taking photos of our favorite Pokémon, with photos being graded depending on certain factors. It would take you a decent amount of time to snap ’em all in what’s basically an on-rails shooter without guns.

If you don’t want to play Pokémon Snap on the Switch’s virtual N64, a regular copy of Pokémon Snap can be found for less than $20 U.S. The NFR (Not For Resale) edition of the game goes for an average of $400 more. You can find the red and white “Not for Resale” sticker on the front of the cartridge.

What’s the big deal about NFR games? As you’ll learn with many Not For Resale N64 games, the reasons vary. What it invariably comes down to is that the game was a demo version meant only for display in various stores. This can mean anything from content that was cut later, to minor cosmetic differences, or even differences (including the NFR sticker) to the cartridge itself.

 

14. Super Bowling

Price Range: $450-$6000+

Haven’t heard of Super Bowling before? That’s okay. You’re not missing much. The game came and went in spring 1999 with little attention or fanfare. It’s a fairly standard bowling game with mediocre graphics and decent depth of gameplay. Different stages and some good multiplayer options await anyone who still resents getting so few third person bowling titles on the Nintendo 64.

Because the game wasn’t a major release, nor did it receive much attention from critics or players, tracking down even a loose copy of Super Bowling can prove to be as costly as it is challenging. Even rarer is a brand new copy of the game, which has been offered for over six thousand dollars. A CIB (Complete in Box) edition has sold for $2,000+ on more than one occasion.

Super Bowling has been an expensive venture for N64 completionists for quite some time. There are other ways to play this game for yourself, if, again, you’ve been dreaming about 64-bit bowling.

 

13. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (NFR)

Price Range: $450.00+

You don’t need us to tell you too much about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Rare Legend of Zelda games are frequently found on lists of expensive Nintendo games, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the NFR version of one of the most beloved Nintendo 64 releases in the history of the console is among the most prized games for collectors.

It doesn’t seem like there are any significant differences between The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the NFR edition. They appear to be fundamentally the same game, although some debate online exists regarding the NFR’s potential beta content. We’re pretty firmly in hardcore Zelda fandom at this point however, so really, the NFR copy’s sole noteworthy distinction is the NFR marking. This is another N64 game that in its standard edition is readily available in many, many places.

You can even play the game through a subscription to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, but you can’t have stickers online, so there is that.

 

12. WWF War Zone (NFR)

Price Range: $500+

WWF War Zone was released in 1998, at the beginning of WWF’s iconic Attitude Era. That made the game a guaranteed bestseller, but the game also drew rave reviews from critics and players. While better WWF titles were just around the corner, and while it’s also true that WWF War Zone hasn’t aged particularly well, it’s easy to appreciate the sheer ambition of this title. A deep roster with a generous create-a-wrestler mode, as well as numerous match types and gameplay options. There were also multiplayer options, just in case you felt like ruining a few friendships over the weekend.

A normal copy of this WWF game for either the PS1 or N64 is dirt cheap, since the game sold over a million copies. However, if you’re after the NFR version specifically, understand that it’s going to cost you — while also only being just a demo. The NFR markings on the back still mean you can pay $500 U.S. or more.

Meanwhile, you can also buy a special USA-1 version of No Mercy, which is basically a patched version of the game that players had to especially request from THQ, for around $300 loose.

 

11. Donkey Kong 64 (Yellow NFR)

Price Range: $500+

Donkey Kong 64 can be a little frustrating at times, thanks to that ever-annoying camera found in most N64 3D platformers, but that’s a minor complaint for a truly great game. Donkey Kong 64 finally brought back some favorites like DK himself, with the game letting players swap among a variety of characters across a ton of challenging, graphically compelling stages. It’s one of the best 3D platform games the Nintendo 64 saw, and it’s still a considerable favorite among many fans.

Nintendo was naturally pretty high on Donkey Kong 64 being a big winner. To that end, they released the game in colorful variants, including a special edition of the N64 console itself. That stuff can still be found at varying prices, but one of the variants collectors have been chasing for years is the yellow NFR cartridge. Simply having the yellow version won’t mean anything. The yellow NFR Donkey Kong 64 must bear the appropriate markings to be worth hundreds of dollars.

 

10. F1 Racing Championship

Price Range: $550-$6,500+

F1 Racing Championship saw a release on the PS1 and PS2, the Dreamcast, PC, and the Nintendo 64. It’s the last of those platforms we’re paying attention to, as copies of the game were hard to come by even when the title was released in 2000. F1 Racing Championship just didn’t make big waves with racing fans on the N64.

Due to its consistent scarcity, even a loose copy of this game fetches hundreds of dollars on eBay and other third-party websites, though it is significantly cheaper in the UK. If you wanted a CIB version that’s also graded, you may wind up paying well over six thousand US dollars. The game itself is fine, with single race and championship racing modes, realistic physics, and some excellent graphics for their day. If you wanted to play a good retro F1 racing sim, you could certainly do a lot worse.

Just don’t think you’ll need to sell one of your kidneys to pay for a physical edition of F1 Racing Championship. A PS1 version for example can be found second-hand for less than $30. The PS2 version is even cheaper.

 

9. Turok: Rage Wars (Gray)

Price Range: $600-$1000+

Turok: Rage Wars is a good example of how much someone will pay for a variant if they’re truly serious about a complete Nintendo 64 collection. The game itself is a solid entry in a franchise hardly anyone seems to remember anymore, with a strong emphasis on the multiplayer mayhem that fans enjoyed so much in Turok 2. The whole thing can feel like a bit of a quick cash-in, but there’s still a decently enjoyable first player mode with various challenges, and then a much deeper experience for as many as four players at a time.

A standard copy of Turok: Rage Wars is a black cartridge that you can buy for a lot less than it sold for in 1998. What’s interesting is that the super-rare variant in this case is the relatively standard gray that most games came in. If you happen to come across a CIB edition somewhere for less than a grand, go for it — the children don’t need to eat every single meal throughout the week.

 

8. GoldenEye (NFR)

Price Range: $750+

We’re not being hyperbolic when we call GoldenEye one of the biggest releases of its decade. It’s weird to think now that a game based on a 2-year-old movie would go on to become one of the most enduringly popular video games of the past quarter century, but here we are, with GoldenEye still being pretty damn popular after all these years. The game was made available on the Switch’s N64 (and Xbox systems) console last year, and it’s nice to see the game still has a special place in many players’ hearts.

Unless you’re one of those misanthropes who only played multiplayer as Oddjob, in which case you can go to hell and/or pay $750 for a copy of GoldenEye with a special sticker.

GoldenEye is easy enough to get for your physical N64 collection. If you want everything ever released to the system however, you may be paying nearly a thousand dollars for an NFR edition. There doesn’t seem to be any noticeable differences between this version and the standard, so keep that in mind if you just want a copy of the game you can hold in your hands.

 

7. Diddy Kong Racing (NFR)

Price Range: $900+

It’s a shame we’ve never seen a true sequel to Diddy Kong Racing. One of the most unique kart racers of all time, combining racing excitement with Donkey Kong Country characters with a fairly elaborate plot. Adventure game elements were also mixed with a range of different vehicles to create something quite special. And since this is a Donkey Kong Country title, with mildly irritating friend Diddy Kong taking the wheel for this one, you can also expect a game packed with secrets.

Everything about Diddy Kong Racing has the potential to charm players, even 25+ years on from its 1997 release. A loose cartridge goes for less than 20 bucks or £30 in many cases. This is another Not For Resale cart that’s in pretty high demand among collectors. As far as we can tell, there are no specific differences between the NFR and the normal cartridge. Diddy Kong Racing will bear an NFR sticker, but the cartridge itself is indistinguishable.

 

6. Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut

Price Range: $1,000-$19,000+

Clay Fighter 63 1/3 had and still has its fans, but most people seem to feel the game was pretty terrible (because it was). The fighting game sort of functions as a parody, but today is mostly just a grab bag of low-hanging edgy 90s humor, dismal controls, and characters who aren’t terribly fun to play with. Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut is essentially more of the same, but with a few extras thrown in for good measure. It’s also one of the most consistently rare and sought-after N64 games ever made.

The main reason for that being that Sculptor’s Cut was an exclusive rental at Blockbuster Video. Only 20,000 copies were manufactured, and most of those have been seemingly lost to time. There are precious few copies of this game around. If you can find a graded CIB edition of the game, you may have something worth tens of thousands of dollars. Video stores being what they were when it came to taking care of games, the manual and box for Clay Fighter: Sculptor’s Cut is even rarer than the game itself.

 

5. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil NFR

Price Range: $1,700+

This is where NFR N64 games get particularly interesting. There are two version of the NFR copy of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. The first version is the NTSC edition, which is the North American format that all other NFR games can be found in. With one known exception, which would be the PAL version of the NFR edition of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. Both versions will contain the first level with a bunch of additional beta content.

This is a unique collector’s item, to be sure, featuring content in a form that doesn’t exist anywhere else. The extraordinary nature of this game even having a PAL NFR version is fascinating. If you come across either of them, you’re looking at some of the rarest N64 cartr idges on the planet. A normal, full copy of Turok 2: Seeds of Evil can be purchased quite cheaply, even the N64 original. The game is also available for PCs.

 

4. Donkey Kong 64 (Gray NFR)

Price Range: $1,700+

The gray NFR variant of Donkey Kong 64 is even rarer than the yellow one. You’re still getting a demo copy of the game that features a special version of level 3, with some beta content that may prove to be of serious interest to hardcore Donkey Kong fans or N64 devotees who want to 100% their collection. This game is similarly priced to the Not For Resale version of Turok 2, but often goes for just a little more. In other words, this is another N64 rarity that is extremely difficult to track down.

But it just might be worth it to someone who wants everything associated with the Nintendo 64, and this game in particular. You can obviously play the full and original Donkey Kong 64 without too much expense or hassle. However, if you want to recreate the pure experience of walking into a video store, seeing this demo game on display, and picking it up to experience DK64 for the first time, this is one of your only avenues.

 

3. Yoshi’s Story (International Version)

Price Range: $1, 700+

With some sellers demanding several thousand dollars for the “International Version” of the classic title Yoshi’s Story, it’s worth understanding what you’re getting. Once again, we have an N64 game that you can get pretty cheaply in the standard version. This edition of Yoshi’s Story features the game in Japanese, with a label featuring art that is distinctly different from the one that was sold at retail. These are fascinating details for the completionists, but once again we want to emphasize that you don’t need the International Version of Yoshi’s Story to experience this bright, challenging platformer for yourself.

Released to rave reviews in 1997, Yoshi’s Story brought back at least some of the style of the SNES hit Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. Players controlled different-colored Yoshis across storybook-esque landscapes of stunning, hand-drawn-style backdrops and character designs. The game provided plenty of depth and platforming fun. Yoshi’s Story is well worth your time if you want to play one of the best N64 games in the history of the system.

 

2. Nintendo 64 Test Cartridge

Price Range: $3,300+

How rare is the Nintendo 64 Test Cartridge? We can’t even find one available to buy online. These are simple, fascinating carts that were designed solely to troubleshoot the various functions and overall functionality of any Nintendo 64. There aren’t any games to play. There are so many interesting menu options, as well as tests for the audio, the controller, and even the quality of your TV screen. It’s pretty neat, but it’s nothing in the way of an actual playing experience.

Test cartridges for the Nintendo 64 also feature some design differences to the cart itself. Namely a JTAG port on top, allowing you to reprogram the cartridge if necessary, and a small light next to the label. This light will come to life if there are any issues with your console or controller.

While certainly fascinating, understand that the rarity of this is such that you could be paying upwards of $10, 000. A recent copy sold for over $3,000, so maybe you’ll get lucky. As lucky as you can get with something like this anyway.

 

1. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (Gray NFR)

Price Range: $6,000-$10,000+

There are two different colored variants for the NFR edition of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. You might think it’s the gold cart, but as it turns out, boring old grey is the version that some N64 fanatics have paid thousands of dollars to have in their collection. But this time, the differences between two NFR versions of the same game are apparent. The gray version comes with a demo of the game that includes various save states and a bunch of beta content. It’s a truly singular collectable for what is still the darkest and weirdest Link adventure to date.

Prices for a gray NFR for Majora’s Mask can vary wildly, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get one for less than six thousand bucks. The Gold NFR can be purchased for a few hundred. One current listing sees the highly sought after gray addition with an asking price of more than 17 thousand dollars. For that kind of money, we may want the actual Gilded Sword thrown in as a freebie.

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