For many retro gamers, the Nintendo World Championships of 1990 are the stuff of legends. More than just a simple competition, this event became a cultural touchstone, a testament to Nintendo’s dominance, and a fever dream for players who wanted to prove they were the best. But what made it so unforgettable?
The Ultimate Video Game Gauntlet
The genius of the NWC was its unique format. Instead of a single game, contestants were given a special gray cartridge containing three different challenges:
Super Mario Bros.
Players had to collect 50 coins as quickly as possible.
Rad Racer
A high-speed race to the finish line.
Tetris
A final puzzle showdown for maximum points.
The twist? Everything was on a timer—6 minutes and 21 seconds to be exact. This frantic, high-stakes setup demanded not just skill in each game, but also a strategic approach to time management and a cool head under pressure. Imagine the pressure of rapidly switching gears from platforming precision in Mario to the split-second decisions needed in Rad Racer, all while keeping an eye on the clock ticking down. It was a true test of a gamer’s all-around ability and mental fortitude.
The Movie That Made It Famous
You can’t talk about the Nintendo World Championships without mentioning the movie The Wizard. Released just a year before the NWC, this film was essentially a feature-length advertisement for Nintendo, culminating in a fictional video game tournament called “Video Armageddon.” The movie’s hero, a young boy named Jimmy, wows the crowd with his incredible skills, particularly on a secret new game…
Super Mario Bros. 3
The movie’s plot and themes perfectly set the stage for the real-life competition, blending the thrill of a cross-country adventure with the excitement of a high-stakes gaming showdown. It’s no wonder that a whole generation of kids saw themselves in those characters, dreaming of their own chance to become a video game champion. The film perfectly captured the zeitgeist of late 80s gaming, portraying it as a realm of genuine talent and intense rivalry, with the ultimate prize of bragging rights and a shiny trophy. The dramatic reveal of Super Mario Bros. 3 in the movie was a marketing stroke of genius that still resonates with fans today.
The Legacy Lives On: Rarity and Reboots
Beyond the glory, the NWC left behind an incredibly rare and valuable piece of gaming history: the championship cartridge itself. Only 116 copies were ever made (90 gray for the finalists and 26 gold for a Nintendo Power contest), making it one of the most sought-after collector’s items in the retro gaming world. Owning one is like holding a piece of pure, concentrated Nintendo magic. Imagine finding one of these in a dusty attic sale!
The spirit of the Nintendo World Championships has also seen a modern resurgence. In 2015 and 2017, Nintendo brought back the NWC for new generations, with updated game lineups and the same competitive fire. These modern iterations paid homage to the original while introducing the thrill to a new audience.
Nintendo has brought the “championship” style of play to the Switch with modern titles. Games like Super Mario Bros. 35 and Tetris 99 use a battle royale format, pitting players against each other in real-time. Most directly, the 2023 Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition features over 150 speedrunning challenges from classic NES games, allowing a new generation to compete in the spirit of the original tournament. This resurgence of competitive play proves the enduring appeal of the championship format that captivated fans in 1990.
The Real-Life Wizards: The Champions of 1990
While the story of “Video Armageddon” in the movie was fictional, the real champions of the 1990 event were just as legendary. The competition had three age groups, each with its own winner.
Under-11 Winner: Jeff Hansen. A young boy from Utah, Hansen’s journey to the championship was a testament to his raw talent and dedication. He would later become the U.S. representative sent to Japan to compete against that country’s best player, securing his place in international gaming history.
12-17 Winner: Thor Aackerlund. The ultimate champion of the event, Aackerlund became a gaming celebrity overnight. He was featured in magazines, appeared on television shows, and even became a spokesperson for a rival gaming company. His high score of over 2.8 million points remains a jaw-dropping feat.
18-and-Over Winner: Robert Whiteman.
The three champions informally faced off after the main event to determine an “overall” winner, which Aackerlund won, cementing his status as the unofficial best player in the world. Their stories—of dedication, raw skill, and a passion for video games—truly embody the spirit of the era. Their success paved the way for the professional gamers and esports stars we see today, proving that a love for playing games can indeed lead to fame and glory.
The Holy Grail of Gaming: A Cartridge Worth a Fortune
Beyond the glory of the competition itself, the NWC left behind a legacy of a different kind: an object of near-mythical status for collectors. The championship cartridge, produced in a run of only 116 copies, has become one of the most valuable video games in history.
The 90 gray cartridges, given to the finalists of the nationwide tour, are a sight to behold. Their value is high and can vary based on condition, or “grade,” but they consistently sell for tens of thousands of dollars. More recently, professionally graded gray cartridges have sold at auction and on platforms like eBay for prices ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000, with a single Wata-graded copy selling for as high as $180,000. The demand for a verified, authentic piece of gaming history keeps the value soaring.
Look at this graded price on Ebay!
Even more legendary is the gold version of the cartridge. Only 26 of these were made and given away as prizes in a Nintendo Power magazine contest. Its gold color evokes the iconic The Legend of Zelda cartridge, making it even more desirable to collectors. The rarity of this cartridge is such that they almost never appear on the open market, but when they do, the sales make headlines. In recent years, one of the gold cartridges was auctioned off for a staggering $207,400. Another was listed on eBay for a “buy it now” price of an unbelievable $1 million, though whether it sold at that price is not confirmed.
These numbers illustrate the immense power of nostalgia and scarcity in the world of collecting. For many, owning one of these cartridges isn’t just about the game itself, but about possessing a tangible piece of a cultural moment, a symbol of a time when video game competitions were just beginning to capture the imagination of a generation.
Sold History From Price Charting
The Nintendo World Championships of 1990 weren’t just a competition; they were a cultural phenomenon that cemented Nintendo’s place in history and ignited the dreams of countless young gamers. From rare cartridges to Hollywood movie tie-ins and modern-day homages, the legacy of the NWC continues to inspire and entertain, proving that true gaming legends never fade.
