In 1989, it seemed like every kid in my neighborhood played video games and collected cards. Topps and Nintendo capitalized on the craze with a 60 card and 33 sticker set featuring six of Nintendo’s biggest titles.
The games included Double Dragon, Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario 2, Zelda, Zelda 2, and Punch Out. There were ten scratch off game cards for each title, but there were no prizes awarded if you scratched off the correct symbols.
1989 Topps Nintendo Mario Sticker #13
1989 Topps Nintendo Zelda sticker #12
Today, it seems the stickers have a bit more collector appeal than the game cards, although some unscratched game cards can sell for upwards of $8 each according to recent eBay sales. At the time of this post, the asking price for complete sticker and game card sets is between $90-$140.
At release, each wax box contained 48 packs with each pack having 3 cards and two stickers inside. Sealed boxes are becoming harder and harder to find, and they have become one of the most expenses junk wax era products to pick up. Sealed boxes routinely sell for over $200 on eBay.
Just the Tip
1989 Topps Nintendo sticker tip #8.
Back in 1989, the internet as we know it today didn’t exist quite yet. We had to rely on friends and Nintendo Power to learn our video game hints and tips. Well each of the 33 stickers in this set had a “Top Secret Tip” for one of the games on the back!
Recovering energy in Punch Out, getting more flagpole points in Mario, and suggestions on how to beat Dodongo in Zelda were some of the 33 tips found on the sticker backs. Nothing felt better as a kid than being the first one in your friend group to know a hidden secret cheat code!
My Sticker Find
I had completely forgotten about this set until I stumbled across a stack of about 25 stickers in a recent collection I purchased. Seeing the different Punch Out, Mario, and Zelda characters in this lot immediately took me back to the days where my friends and I crowded around the 19” TV to beat level after level of these games. Oh, the nostalgia runs deep with these stickers!
Checklist
You can find the sticker checklist here on TCDB.com and the checklists for the other game cards are on this page.
COMC.com has about every card listed on the site and you can see images of the front and back if you want to read all the tips! They are also available on eBay and Sportlots.
Box and Pack photos courtesy of TCDB user ComposerMike.