1989 Topps Nintendo Game Pack - The Legend of Zelda Screen 2
Link (Protagonist) · Topps (under license from Nintendo of America Inc.) · Gaming / Scratch-Off Insert
Player
Link (Protagonist)
Set
1989 Topps Nintendo Game Pack
Year
1989
Card #
Zelda Screen 2
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Unscratched. Centering appears slightly heavy toward the left and bottom. Corners look sharp with minimal white showing. Surface is clean with no visible scratching on the silver coating.
Category
Gaming / Scratch-Off Insert
Manufacturer
Topps (under license from Nintendo of America Inc.)
Demand Level
Strong. Nintendo collectibles, particularly early Zelda items from the 1980s, have seen a massive surge in the 'Pop Culture' card market alongside traditional sports cards.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $30.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $50-75, PSA 9: $125-175, PSA 10: $450-600 (highly dependent on pop report and pristine surface)
Comparable Sales
Recent unscratched Zelda Screen 2 raw copies have sold between $18 and $28. PSA 9 examples have reached $150+, while PSA 10s can fluctuate wildly upward of $500 depending on auction timing.
Description
This is an unscratched 1989 Topps Nintendo Game Pack card featuring 'The Legend of Zelda.' Specifically designated as Screen 2, the card depicts Link with his shield and sword facing a Peahat enemy across a bridge. The card features original 8-bit NES-inspired artwork and contains silver scratch-off circles used for the interactive 'game' mechanic typical of the set.
Key Features
High-nostalgia crossover between Topps and Nintendo. Unscratched condition is the primary driver of value. Features Link, the iconic protagonist of The Legend of Zelda, in his classic 1980s character design.
Authenticity Indicators
Correct 1989 copyright font for Nintendo of America Inc. Authentic matte cardstock texture. Correct 'silver' grit on the scratch-off material that shows no sign of tampering. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
The card is off-center (OC) toward the left and bottom borders. While the scratch-off surface is intact, there is a minor risk of microscopic surface wear ('rubbing') that occurs inside original packs. The bottom right edge shows very slight handling wear.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best marketplace for this specific card to reach global Nintendo collectors. Heritage Auctions or Goldin may be appropriate if it were a high-grade PSA 10 specimen, but raw or mid-grade copies perform best on eBay.
Selling Tips
Do not scratch the silver circles, as this destroys 90% of the card's value. List with keywords such as 'Unscratched', 'Vintage Nintendo', and 'Link'. If the surface is pristine, consider grading with PSA as the 'Pop' for high-grade vintage gaming cards is relatively low compared to sports.