1981 Nintendo Donkey Kong Mario Jumpman Rookie Menko Card High Grade

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1981 Nintendo Donkey Kong Mario Jumpman Rookie Menko Card High Grade:
$19999.00

1981 Nintendo Donkey Kong Mario Jumpman Rookie Menko Card High Grade Description This listing is for one authentic vintage Japanese menko card featuring Nintendo’s early Donkey Kong arcade artwork with Mario in his original “Jumpman” era design. Menko are traditional Japanese paper game cards that were widely played by children during the Showa era. Because these cards were originally produced as inexpensive play items rather than long-term collectibles, well-preserved surviving examples have become highly sought after among collectors of vintage Nintendo memorabilia, Japanese paper ephemera, retro arcade history, and early video game culture. The illustration shows Donkey Kong carrying Pauline while Mario appears on the elevated girder platform surrounded by rolling barrels, based on the original 1981 Nintendo arcade era imagery. This artwork represents one of the earliest appearances of Mario before the release of the Famicom and before the character became globally recognized as Nintendo’s mascot. Early Nintendo printed items from this period are considered especially significant among collectors due to their connection to the formative years of Nintendo’s arcade history. This example retains unusually strong color, clean surface presentation, and well-preserved silver borders compared to many surviving menko cards from the era. The pink background, blue platform artwork, and character outlines remain vivid, giving the card excellent display presence. The reverse side also remains notably clean with clear printing and minimal visual distraction for a paper item of this age. Unlike modern trading cards, vintage menko were generally handled by children and rarely stored with long-term preservation in mind. Because of this, higher-grade surviving examples from Nintendo’s early arcade period are becoming increasingly difficult to locate, especially with strong visual appeal and balanced overall presentation. Condition
Pre-owned vintage item in well-preserved overall condition.
The card retains strong color, clean print clarity, and attractive silver borders with light age-related wear consistent with vintage paper items from the early 1980s.
Minor edge and corner wear may be present upon close inspection, but the overall presentation remains especially strong for this type of original Showa-era Nintendo menko card.
The reverse side remains notably clean with clear printing and minimal visible discoloration.
Please review all photos carefully to understand the exact condition of the item. This is an original vintage item produced in Japan in 1981 and not a reproduction, reprint, or modern copy. A distinctive collectible for advanced Nintendo collectors, Donkey Kong enthusiasts, Mario “Jumpman” collectors, vintage arcade historians, and collectors of early Japanese gaming artifacts. The item shown in the photos is the exact card you will receive. Payment

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Shipping

All items are shipped from Japan using SpeedPAK or an equivalent international tracked shipping service.
・Handling time: within 3 business days after payment.
・Each item is carefully packed using appropriate materials based on item type and size to ensure safe delivery.

Terms of Sale

Returns or exchanges are accepted only if the item differs significantly from the description. Please check all photos and details carefully before purchase. Feel free to contact me with any questions before placing your order.

International Buyers - Please Note:

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