Original Donkey Kong Poster That Was Nearly Thrown Away Sold at Auction for Record-Breaking $329,400

ign.com Oct 29, 2026

Original Donkey Kong Poster That Was Nearly Thrown Away Sold at Auction for Record-Breaking $329,400

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 29, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A 1981 Nintendo of America promotional poster for Donkey Kong, the first public appearance of Mario, sold at auction for $329,400, setting a new record for original video‑game art. The flyer, drawn by Leslie Cabarga, was rescued from disposal by former Nintendo employee Donna Darbous and later auctioned by Landry Pop Auctions. The sale eclipsed the previous record of $63,000 for Prince of Persia artwork and was part of a larger auction that included Super Mario Bros. pieces and a 1985 NES cartridge.

💡 Why It Matters

· The record price underscores the cultural and monetary value of early gaming artifacts, revealing how iconic characters like Mario can command unprecedented sums long before their mainstream success.

Capsules Gaming

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PS5 Finally Gets SSX Spiritual Successor Fans Have Been Begging For

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eurogamer.net · Oct 29

Dawn of War 4 may be the most generous RTS I’ve played

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💡 By prioritizing player agency, Dawn of War 4 challenges traditional RTS pacing, offering a more accessible yet richly branching experience that could reshape how future titles balance narrative depth with gameplay freedom.

windowscentral.com · Oct 29

Warzone players will have to wait to find out more about the…

Activision announced that Call of Duty: Warzone will not receive the upcoming integration with Modern Warfare IV until the new title launches. The decision follows a brief preview of the feature, which was expected to allow Warzone players to access MW4 content and cross‑play. The delay means Warzone users must wait for the full MW4 release before the integration becomes available, postponing the promised cross‑title experience. The announcement was made by the publisher’s official channels and confirmed by industry analysts.

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gamesradar.com · Oct 29

How to find the Phantom Blade Zero Cell Key and open the…

In Phantom Blade Zero, the first collectible is the Cell Key, found near the Weeping Creek Valley outpost. Players locate it by passing the Forge, crossing the Outpost Bell, and entering a shrine‑lit doorway. From there, a rightward path leads to a wooden shack; inside, a dead NPC’s body hides the key. Using it unlocks a nearby jail cell, yielding a Blackstone Fragment. Four fragments combine to raise Attack and Guard Break by 10%, offering a modest but permanent stat boost.

💡 The fragment’s 10% stat increase can noticeably improve combat performance, making the seemingly minor side quest a worthwhile detour for players seeking a competitive edge.

ign.com · Oct 29

BioWare Co-Founder Speaks Out on Studio Closure, Mass Effect Cancellation

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playstationlifestyle.net · Oct 29

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💡 Sulfur’s full release demonstrates how indie developers can successfully transition from Early Access to a polished console launch, offering a rich, replayable experience that rivals larger titles.