CIB Castlevania Graded by CGC Video Games Leads Heritage Auctions Sale

The first-production copy of Castlevania realized $7,200, becoming the top-selling collectible in the sale.

Posted on: 2/22/2024

A complete in box (CIB) Castlevania for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1987) graded by CGC Video Games™ realized $7,200 in a recent Heritage Auctions sale, the highest amount realized by any game in the auction. The first production copy of Castlevania was just one of the dozens of CGC-certified video games offered in the Complete in Box Video Game Showcase Auction, which ended on February 8, 2024.

Castlevania was released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. Upon release, the action platformer became an instant hit among teenagers and adults for its difficult gameplay, darker themes and soundtrack. Since its release, Castlevania has become known as one of the best video games ever made.

This particular Castlevania graded CGC 9.4 with CIB Grades of 9.4 for Box, 9.6 for Cartridge and 9.4 for manual (lot 79019) is a first production copy, making it one of the earliest pieces of Castlevania history. First production copies of early NES games in such impressive condition are hard to come by, which made this example all the more sought after during the sale.

Other CGC-certified video games in the auction included:

  • a complete in box Cheetahmen II for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1992) graded CGC 8.0 with CIB Grades of 6.5 for Box, 9.2 for Cartridge and N/A for Manual (lot 79022) that realized $2,880
  • a complete in box Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1986) graded CGC 9.2 with CIB grades of 9.2 for Box, 9.6 for Cartridge and 8.5 for Manual (lot 79074) that realized $2,640
  • a complete in box Bonk’s Adventure for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1993) graded CGC 9.4 with CIB grades of 9.2 for Box, 9.4 for Cartridge and 9.4 for Manual (lot 79014) that realized $2,520
  • a complete in box Popeye for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1986) graded CGC 9.4 with CIB grades of 9.0 for Box, 9.6 for Cartridge and 9.6 for Manual (lot 79084) that realized $2,401
  • a complete in box Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1990) graded CGC 8.5 with CIB grades of 8.0 for Box, 9.6 for Cartridge and 8.5 for Manual (lot 79111) that realized $1,920

All prices realized include a buyer’s premium.

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for many other types of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. The newest division of CGC, CGC Home Video, provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of home media.

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