A sealed Pokémon Blue Version certified by CGC Video Games™ is turning heads in an upcoming Heritage Auctions sale. The Game Boy classic is among dozens of CGC-certified Nintendo collectibles being offered in Heritage’s Nintendo 8 to 64-Bit Video Games Showcase Auction, which is set to end on March 21, 2024.
The sealed Pokémon Blue Version for the Nintendo Game Boy (1999) is graded CGC 9.4 A+ (lot 79140). After the successful release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green in Japan, Game Freak began the process of localizing the games for release in the West. During localization, Nintendo and Game Freak enhanced the original games’ graphics, game engine and script. After making these improvements, Game Freak decided to re-release the games in Japan while also releasing them internationally. The new version was called Pokémon Blue.
While released as a standalone game in Japan, Pokémon Blue was paired with an enhanced version of Pokémon Red for release in the United States and other countries. The Generation 1 Pokémon games were received positively by players and critics alike, who praised the game’s soundtrack and multiplayer options. Today, Pokémon Red, Blue and Green are considered to be some of the greatest games ever made, and their release heralded the success of the multi-billion-dollar franchise we all know and love today.
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Meanwhile, a complete in box Donkey Kong Jr. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (1986) graded CGC 9.2 with CIB grades of 9.0 for Box, 9.4 for Cartridge and 9.2 for Manual (lot 79010) is also being offered in the sale. It is the highest-graded example of Donkey Kong Jr. to be offered by Heritage Auctions as of March 2024, making this an incredible opportunity for collectors. In a rare twist, Mario takes the role of villain in this arcade classic and captures Donkey Kong, and it’s up to Donkey Kong’s young son to save him.
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In addition, several Japanese Nintendo phone cards graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) are being offered in the Heritage sale, including this Mario, Mario Phone Cards (1986) Japanese Nippon Telegraph and Telephone card graded CGC 9 (lot 79206). Japanese phone cards were used to make calls in telephone booths before cellphones were mainstream. Because the card needed to be swiped or inserted into a machine, many today are worn down and damaged, so the high grade on this Mario card makes it even more desirable.
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Other CGC-certified collectibles in the auction include:
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety 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.