I love going to thrift stores. It’s amazing what you can find. Today, I came across a most awesome find. It was a special Target store boxed edition of the SNES. At first I thought it was completely brand new as the plastic wrapping was present on all of the pieces. After looking it over I realized that it was missing it’s included copy of Super Mario World. Also missing is some of the inserts and the included issue of Nintendo Power.

What is pretty awesome is that there is a controller inside that has not been opened at all.

That means this iconic paddle has fresh buttons and is ready to be played with. I know that sounds geeky but shit does that get me all sorts of excited. Also cool is that the SNES looks barely played with. The reason that I feel confident saying that is as these consoles sat out in the open over the years they often would get darker and dirtier. In fact, I have my girlfriends childhood SNES for comparison.

All you have to do is look at my girlfriends console on the right and the difference is amazing. The bright purple power and reset buttons really stand out as well. One of the best things about this set though is that the original receipt was inside the box. I know that sounds boring but when you look at it the date is stamped on it and there is also an unredeemed Super Mario All Stars coupon that was filled out by the original owner but never mailed in.

I love knowing that this console was purchased just a little over 17 years ago and appears to be barely used. Some kid didn’t know what they had on their hands. I would so love to contact the person who bought this to see why they never turned the coupon in and see if they have any other games with this that they may have just laying around. I would also love to try and redeem the Super Mario All Stars coupon just to see what kind of response I’d get. This is like the ultimate level of nerdery but goddamn is this thing so fucking cool. And all of this nostalgia and iconic consoleness for only $25.