Classic Donkey Kong Poster Rescued From Trash Sells for Record $329,400

An original 1982 Donkey Kong poster, rescued from the trash decades ago by a former Nintendo employee, has sold at auction for $329,400, reportedly making it the most expensive piece of video game artwork ever sold.

According to reports, the rare find was saved by former Nintendo of America employee Donna Darbous during an office expansion. Darbous reportedly rediscovered the artwork four decades later among her belongings before sending it to auction. The piece significantly surpassed its initial pre-auction estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.

Details of the Record-Breaking Artwork

• Artist: Illustrated by Leslie Cabarga in 1982.
• Subject: Features Donkey Kong atop a tower with Pauline, throwing barrels at Jumpman (the early prototype for Mario).
• Condition: Remarkable condition for its age, featuring only minor wear, rubbing, and small tears on the archival paper.
• Uniqueness: It is an original, one-of-a-kind painting rather than a mass-produced consumer poster.

Practical Implications and Verification

• Rare video game memorabilia, particularly promotional items never released to the general public, continue to draw massive collectors' interest.
• Similar high-profile auction sales include a prototype of Pokémon Red and a sealed copy of the original Legend of Zelda.
• Readers can verify auction results and find provenance records through official auction house announcements and public collectibles databases.

Disclaimer and Verification

This summary is based on reported secondary coverage of the auction event. Claims regarding the rescue and prior ownership originate from statements provided to or by auction organizers and media outlets.