A rare boxed, VGA 85-graded copy of Nintendo's Stadium Events has sold for $35,100 in an eBay sale that closed on January 15.

The game was released in the US in 1987, but was swiftly recalled from shelves after Nintendo purchased the FFF mat (later known as the Power Pad) and decided to "bundle" the technology.  

Stadium Events was recalled by Nintendo in 1987

The vast majority of Stadium Events cartridges were destroyed and the game was re-released in 1988 under the name World Class Track Meet.

The seller, a former employee of Nintendo, explained how he came by the game to Gamespot.com: "While working at Nintendo games are often available to employees at end of life cycles.

"I did not realize the value until 2011, when a story came out about this game being sold on eBay for $44,000.

"I told my wife 'I know I have that game.' I collect a lot of different items, so after looking through several boxes I found it!

"Since I was still working for Nintendo I could not sell this item for profit, which is a smart company policy. When I left in 2012, it was possible for me to sell this game."

Only around 10 boxed copies are known to exist.

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