An Iconic Piece Of Gaming Artwork Just Fetched A Princely Sum At Auction
An original 1981 promotional poster for the arcade classic Donkey Kong has set a new record, selling for $329,400 at auction—making it the most expensive piece of original video game art ever sold. The iconic artwork, drawn by artist Leslie Cabarga as a sales flyer for Nintendo of America, depicts the game’s core premise: the titular ape hoisting a barrel while Mario (originally called “Jumpman”) climbs scaffolding to rescue Pauline from danger.
The poster holds historical significance as the first public appearance of Mario, the character who would become gaming’s most recognizable icon and help propel Nintendo to international prominence. What makes the story even more remarkable is that the artwork nearly became lost to history entirely. According to Landry Pop Auctions, former Nintendo of America employee Donna Darbous rescued the poster from a collection of materials marked for disposal, preserving what would become an invaluable piece of gaming heritage.
The sale was part of a broader Nintendo memorabilia auction that highlights the growing market for vintage video game collectibles. The poster’s record-breaking price reflects both its cultural significance as a window into arcade gaming’s formative era and its role in introducing one of the world’s most beloved video game characters. For collectors and gaming historians alike, the sale underscores the importance of preserving these artifacts from the medium’s early days—items that nearly vanished but now serve as tangible reminders of the industry’s revolutionary origins.