Which Nintendo Power issue is worth the most?

Issue #1 (July/August 1988). A CGC 9.8 copy sold for $100,000 through Heritage Auctions in August 2024, according to CGC — the public record for a video game magazine. That was one exceptional graded copy; ungraded copies sell for far less.

Does a missing poster lower the price?

Usually, yes. Many issues shipped with posters, maps or inserts, and complete copies draw more. Confirm what the issue originally included before you buy one listed as complete.

Should I get my Nintendo Power graded?

Only when the issue and condition justify the fee. Grading makes the most sense for early or landmark issues in very clean condition. For a common issue in reader condition, the fee can cost more than the magazine sells for.

How do I check what a Nintendo Power issue is going for?

Search the exact issue number on eBay and turn on the Sold filter to see what closed. Our signal pages show the tracked eBay current ask and listing count per issue. A current ask is not a sold price.

Are Nintendo Power Magazines Worth Anything? (2026 Guide)

Q: Are Nintendo Power magazines worth anything?

Most loose, read copies sell for a few dollars each. Early issues, landmark covers, issues with their posters or inserts intact, sealed copies and high-grade CGC slabs can draw a real premium. Check recent sold listings for the exact issue and condition before you price one.

Updated Sep 2026 · Signals, not appraisals.

Short answer: most Nintendo Power issues sell for a few dollars, and a small number sell for a lot more. Issue number, cover, completeness and condition decide which group your copy falls in. This guide covers how to tell the difference and how to check a price before you buy or sell.

The ceiling: Nintendo Power #1

The first issue (July/August 1988, the clay Super Mario Bros. 2 cover) holds the public record. A CGC 9.8 copy sold for $100,000 through Heritage Auctions in August 2024, according to CGC. That was one exceptionally graded copy. Don't treat it as a price for a reader copy of #1, let alone any other issue.

Current signal: Nintendo Power #1 (1988).

What moves the price

Issue number and cover. Early issues and landmark covers draw the most interest. Our tracked issues include #2 (Zelda cover), #6 (Super Mario Bros. 3), #32 (Super Mario World), #40 (Star Fox) and #100 (Zelda).

Completeness. Many issues came with posters, maps or inserts. A copy with its poster still attached is a different item from one without.

Condition and grading. Spine wear, subscription labels, creases and loose staples all lower the price. A CGC slab puts a number on condition, but the grading fee only makes sense for early issues in very clean shape.

Sealed copies. Factory-sealed copies (still in the subscriber polybag) are a separate market. Verify the seal before paying a sealed premium.

How to check a price before you buy

Search the exact issue number, e.g. "Nintendo Power 6 Super Mario 3", on eBay and turn on Sold items. That shows what actually closed.
Match condition. Compare raw copies to raw copies and graded to graded, and check whether the poster is included.
Check the signal page. Our Magazines Heat Index and issue pages show the tracked eBay current ask and listing count. A current ask is what sellers want, not what buyers paid, and issues with fewer than 5 listings show thin data instead of a price.

Verify before you buy

Before paying a premium, confirm the issue number, completeness (poster and inserts) and the condition in the photos. Then compare against recent sold listings for the same condition. Ask the seller for photos of the spine, staples and back cover.

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Age of Millennials tracks signals, not appraisals. Always verify before purchase. eBay figures are current asks, not sold prices. Age of Millennials does not buy, sell or guarantee values.