Entertainment · Gaming · 3 hrs ago
Original Donkey Kong artwork sells for nearly $330,000
Original Donkey Kong artwork sold for nearly $330,000 at an auction of Nintendo memorabilia.
The illustration was made to promote the arcade game to operators about 45 years ago.
It shows an ape throwing barrels and a mustachioed hero, among the earliest images of Donkey Kong and Mario.
Former Nintendo advertising director Donna Darbous saved the piece after it was nearly thrown away during an office cleanout.
The artwork helped shape the early images of Mario and Donkey Kong and later appeared on related merchandise.
The auction also included other items from Darbous’s collection, such as rare games and promotional materials.
The sale highlights the value of preserving gaming history, which companies may otherwise discard when moving or reorganizing.
A 1981 Donkey Kong promotional flyer sold at auction for $329,400, setting a record for original video game artwork.
The artwork features the first public appearance of Mario, then called Jumpman.
Former Nintendo of America employee Donna Darbous saved the flyer after it was marked for disposal.
Artist Leslie Cabarga created the flyer for Nintendo of America.
The previous auction record for video game artwork was $63,000 for original Prince of Persia cover art.
- Who
- The flyer was created by Leslie Cabarga and saved by former Nintendo of America employee Donna Darbous. The buyer was not identified.
- What
- The original Donkey Kong promotional artwork sold for $329,400, a record for video game artwork sold at auction.
- When
- The flyer dates to 1981. It sold at auction in October 2026.
- Where
- The auction was held by Landry Pop Auctions. The auction location is not stated.
- Why
- The flyer was created to promote Donkey Kong to arcade operators. Darbous saved it from materials marked for disposal.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leslie Cabarga created the Donkey Kong promotional flyer for Nintendo of America.
Donna Darbous saved the artwork after it was marked for disposal.
Darbous uncovered the artwork again, according to GameSpot.
The flyer sold at auction for $329,400.
- Sale price
- $329,400
- Artwork date
- 1981
- Artist
- Leslie Cabarga
- Rescued by
- Donna Darbous
- Previous auction record
- $63,000 for original Prince of Persia cover art
- Auction house
- Landry Pop Auctions
2 sources
What people are saying
Long before Mario became the face of a multibillion-dollar entertainment franchise, he was a character on an arcade flyer. The $329,400 result is a striking reminder of how far Nintendo's most famous plumber has come, and how valuable the surviving artwork from his earliest days has become