A used but working originalNintendo Entertainment Systemcurrently goes for between 70 and 200 dollars on eBay, not a bad price for a classic piece of gaming history that’s nearing its 40-year anniversary. And many gamers still appreciate the 8-bit pixelated retro look, hence the success of theNintendo Switch Online subscription service, which gives access to over 100 classic NES and Super NES games.
The popularity of the original NES and other classic consoles is still going strong. Recently, asealed copy ofSuper Mario Bros.sold at auction for a jaw-dropping $660,000, while a factory-sealed copy ofThe Legend of Zeldawent for $870,000, breaking the record for the most expensive video game collectible. And in July, a mint condition NES and 27 games sold for $30,000, a less extreme but still attention-grabbing price.
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So what if such a valuable piece of hardware was spotted one day just sitting on the side of a highway, alone and forgotten? That’s precisely what happened in October, when YouTuber Rob Ivy, aka The Obsolete Geek, drove past a clearly recognizable originalNintendo Entertainment Systemabandoned on the shoulder of Texas Highway 121. He posted about the find on Facebook, including a map in case anybody wanted to go pick it up. Nearly 24 hours passed and still nobody had scooped up the discarded treasure. So Ivy grabbed it and dropped it off with his friend, fellow YouTuber The 8-Bit Guy, who repairs and restores all manner of retro tech.
The abandoned NES cosmetically seemed to be in pretty good condition, with just a few black marks on the case that almost looked like tire tracks. The inside wasn’t quite as pristine, but there were still no obvious major problems. The RF shield was inexplicably dented, which The 8-Bit Guy posited might be due to being run over. However, no matching damage was found on the console’s exterior.
Upon attempting to insert aSuper Mario Bros./Duck Huntcartridgeinto the system, The 8-Bit Guy discovered that the tray wouldn’t stay down, a problem that was easily fixed with a paperclip. However, once powered on, the TV screen simply flashed on and off, which usually just means a bad contact with the cartridge. Cleaning the contacts didn’t work, though, and so the entire 72-pin connector piece had to be replaced. There was also significant corrosion on parts of the motherboard, and this was quickly taken care of with some denatured alcohol. With those two issues fixed, the game loaded up fine.
Then, all that was required was giving the console’s housing a thorough cleaning, a little hammering to get the RF shield back in shape, and a few screw replacements. The roadkill NES worked well and looked better than many of theconsoles sitting safely in people’s homes. It’s still a mystery how such a precious piece of tech ended up on the side of a highway, but it has found a good home with The 8-Bit Guy.
