A factory-sealed copy of the original Nintendo Entertainment System game The Legend of Zelda, donated anonymously to Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut, sold on ShopGoodwill in August 2021 for a winning bid of $411,278. The headline’s $411,000 is a rounded figure. A $3.50 handling charge was reported separately. The price is a historical auction result from 2021, not a current valuation of this game or of any other copy.
The auction at a glance
The figures below come from the reports that covered the sale. Each one is attributed to the outlet that published it, because these are reported results rather than audited records.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Legend of Zelda by Nintendo | $60.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Legend of Zelda by Nintendo (Renewed) | $67.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Renewed) | $69.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Legend of Zelda | $1,500.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Renewed) | $55.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Item | Reported detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seller | Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut, through ShopGoodwill | Inverse; Tech Times |
| Origin of the item | Anonymous donation to the group’s Bridgeport, Connecticut store | Inverse |
| Item | Factory-sealed copy of the original NES The Legend of Zelda | Tech Times; CNN Newsource |
| Auction close | August 18, 2021 | Tech Times |
| Winning bid | $411,278 | Tech Times |
| Handling charge | $3.50, separate from the winning bid | Tech Times |
| Number of bids | 145 | CNN Newsource, 2021 |
| Grading | Not professionally graded | Tech Times |
| Testing | Not tested, because the copy remained sealed | Tech Times |
What the donated copy looked like
The listing did not present this copy as pristine. According to Tech Times, its description noted scratches and smudges on the plastic wrap, a partly peeled sticker, dents in the box, and an opening at one corner. Those details matter. A sealed game can still show packaging wear, and nobody independently assessed this copy’s condition beyond what the listing described.
The copy’s age is described two ways. CNN Newsource reports that the original game was first released in 1986. Tech Times identifies this particular donated copy as dating from 1987. These are not conflicting claims: the first is the game’s initial release year, and the second describes the specific copy that was sold.
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Where the money was meant to go
Goodwill described the purpose of the sale as supporting its work with job seekers, including skills training and job placement. CNN Newsource says the group’s programs serve people with disabilities and others who face barriers to employment.
The reports do not say how the $411,278 would be divided among programs, or which program, if any, would receive that exact amount. Treat the sale as support for Goodwill’s general charitable work, not as a grant earmarked for a named initiative.
What the result does and does not tell you about value
A single auction shows what one buyer paid for one unusual item on one day. It does not show what other copies of the game are worth, and it does not establish a price for an opened copy, a loose cartridge, or a sealed copy in different condition.
Several factors separate this sale from ordinary collectible transactions:
Rank #3
- Authentic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Does not come with original case or manuals. Cartridge only
- Cartridge and label are in nice condition
- Fully tested and guaranteed
- Sealed status. The copy was unopened, which is rare for a game of this age, and that alone can drive collector interest.
- No grading. Because the copy had no third-party grade, buyers had to rely on the written description and their own judgment about the wrapping and box.
- Timing. The result reflects August 2021 bidding. Collectible prices move with buyer interest, and the figure should not be read as a current market price.
- Venue. ShopGoodwill is an online auction site run by Goodwill, and the bidding dynamics of a charity-linked auction may differ from those of a dedicated collectibles marketplace.
How to use this story if you have old games
For most readers, the useful lesson is not that old games are valuable, but that value depends on specifics that headlines leave out. If you are trying to judge an item you own, compare these details with the sale:
- Confirm the exact title, platform and release. The 1986 original and later reprints or re-releases are different products.
- Describe the seal and packaging honestly, including tears, dents, peeled stickers and wrap damage. The Goodwill copy sold with visible wear and still drew 145 bids, but that does not mean worn copies sell for similar amounts.
- Look at completed sales, not asking prices, and filter for the same condition and packaging.
- Consider professional grading if the item is sealed and potentially high-value, since the Goodwill copy had none.
If you are donating a collectible rather than selling it, the sale price is not the same as your donation’s tax value, and the tax treatment depends on rules this article does not cover. Check with a qualified tax professional before assuming any deduction.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Side-scrolling action game featuring Nintendo superstar Link
- Save Hyrule from the minions of Ganon
- Jump and slash your way through enemies
- 3rd-Person Perspective
- For one player
Rank #4
- The original title in the classic adventure series
- Help Link save Princess Zelda
- Explore the world of Hyrule and interact with its inhabitants
- Many power-ups and items to discover
- For one player
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
