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An incredibly rare Famicom game, Igo Meikan, was snapped up for only $12 in an American retro shop, highlighting a massive collector’s bargain.
A Stunning Famicom Find for Pocket Change
Imagine finding a treasure that’s worth thousands of dollars for less than the price of a movie ticket. That’s exactly what happened with the Nintendo Famicom game Igo Meikan (囲碁名鑑), a rare Go board game simulator released in 1990. Despite its tiny print run and status as a coveted collector’s gem, this little cartridge was sold in a US retro-gaming store for a jaw-dropping $11.99!
Why Igo Meikan Is Such a Collector’s Holy Grail
The magic of Igo Meikan lies in its rarity. Only a handful of copies were ever made, making it a must-have for hardcore retro gamers and collectors of Japanese games. On Japanese auction sites, a bare cartridge typically fetches around 75,000 yen—about $560 USD by today’s exchange rates. A full boxed set can push that number to a staggering 162,000 yen (roughly $1,200 USD).
So you can imagine the disbelief when a user on Bluesky named Brenden shared his incredible find:
“I got this rare gem for just $11.99.”
Brenden’s story is a perfect example of serendipity in the retro-gaming world.
How Brenden Snagged This Legendary Cartridge
What’s even cooler is that Brenden didn’t even buy the game himself. His dad, acting as a proxy, picked it up from a small retro shop called Pink Gorilla Games in the United States. Brenden was at home while his dad was on a business trip, but thanks to a FaceTime call, they browsed the store’s Famicom collection together remotely.
“I want to give a special shoutout to my dad for setting up a FaceTime call so I could see what Famicom carts Pink Gorilla had while he was away on a business trip. He’s the real hero here.”
This family teamwork led to what might be one of the best bargains in retro gaming history!
Pink Gorilla’s Co-Owner Reacts to the Bargain
Kelsey Lewin, co-owner of Pink Gorilla and a former member of the Video Game History Foundation, responded to the buzz on social media. She revealed that the Igo Meikan cartridge had been sitting in the store for “at least a couple of months,” which might explain why the staff didn’t realize its true value.
“While Kelsey is probably having a chat with her sales team about this blunder, all we can do is congratulate Brenden on his fantastic purchase!”
How To Track Rare Game Prices Like a Pro
If you want to keep tabs on the value of rare retro games, the website Japan Game Prices is an invaluable tool. It tracks auction sales trends in Japan and helps collectors estimate the worth of their games. For a niche title like Igo Meikan, this site is a goldmine of information.
Rare finds like this remind us why retro gaming is so thrilling. Sometimes, patience and a bit of luck pay off in the most surprising ways.
Are there any other hidden gems you’ve stumbled upon in your retro gaming adventures? Share your stories below!
FAQ
- What is Igo Meikan?
Igo Meikan is a 1990 Famicom game that simulates the traditional Japanese board game Go. It’s incredibly rare due to its limited production run. - Why is Igo Meikan so expensive?
Its rarity and the fact that it wasn’t widely distributed make it highly sought-after by collectors, driving prices into the hundreds and thousands of dollars. - Where was the $12 copy of Igo Meikan found?
It was bought in a small retro gaming store called Pink Gorilla Games in the United States. - Can I track prices of rare retro games online?
Yes! Websites like Japan Game Prices offer detailed info about auction results and market trends for Japanese video games. - Is Igo Meikan available outside Japan?
Originally, it was only released in Japan, and it remains a rare import title that’s difficult to find internationally.
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