Norman resident Nick Membrez-Weiler, 40, was the youngest competitor in the inaugural 1990 Nintendo World Championships. 33 years later, he is auctioning memorabilia from the competition, including a tournament game cartridge, through March 14 at ComicConnect.com.
Membrez-Weiler, who was 7 when he started competing, traveled to seven cities in 1990 as part of the competition. The most sought after item on his list of collectables is a cartridge used during the 1990 Nintendo World Championships that has Super Mario Bros, Word 1-1 and 1-2, Rad Racer and Tetris. Other items include multiple Nintendo hats, tournament instructions, duffle bags, a plaque and a trophy.
Membrez-Weiler said his family collected memorabilia along the way and he is glad his parents kept everything. With classic gaming items garnering significant value from collectors and enthusiasts in recent years, Membrez-Weiler is looking to make some cash from the auction. Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect, estimates the cartridge alone could fetch around $70,000.
Zurzolo said most people who grew up in the last 50 years have previous exposure to video games, and as vintage products become older, the nostalgia rises, and with that comes an increase in monetary value. He believes the combination of scarcity, demand, popularity and an incredible story means the collection will sell for a considerable amount.
Membrez-Weiler now teaches sociology at the University of Oklahoma and still plays video games when time allows. He said his students are amazed to hear about his experience in the Nintendo World Championships.
33 years after competing in the inaugural Nintendo World Championships, Norman resident Nick Membrez-Weiler is auctioning off memorabilia from the competition. The auction, which includes a tournament game cartridge, multiple Nintendo hats, tournament instructions, duffle bags, a plaque and a trophy, is taking place through March 14 at ComicConnect.com. According to Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect, the cartridge alone could fetch around $70,000. Zurzolo believes the combination of scarcity, demand, popularity and an incredible story means the collection will sell for a considerable amount. Membrez-Weiler, who now teaches sociology at the University of Oklahoma, said his students are amazed to hear about his experience in the Nintendo World Championships.
