The MiSTer is the gift that just keeps on giving. It is the FPGA console that has more cores for it than anything else available on the market (or off the market).
Now, heavyweight developer Sergiy Dvodnenko (srg320) has added competition cart support for the already excellent Super Nintendo core. The level of support this developer provides is uncanny.
If you’re unfamiliar with the competition cart, then you’ll find a basic rundown below.
During the 1990s, Nintendo produced a handful of legendary “competition cartridges” for the SNES. These were never sold at retail; they were custom-built for high-stakes tournaments in malls and university campuses.
Today, these are some of the rarest and most expensive video games in existence, often selling for thousands of dollars.
1. Nintendo Campus Challenge (1992)
This is widely considered the “Holy Grail” of SNES collecting. It was used in a touring competition across college campuses in the US.
- The Games: It features timed versions of Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilotwings.
- Gameplay: Players had 6 minutes to collect 50 coins in Mario, finish 2 laps in F-Zero, and land on targets in Pilotwings.
- Rarity: Only a few authentic copies are known to exist (estimates suggest around 3). The cartridge itself has an unusual, bulky shape because it uses specialized hardware to link the three games.
2. Nintendo PowerFest ’94
This cartridge was created for a massive tournament held in 1994. Regional winners were flown to San Diego to compete on a custom-built stage.
- The Games: It contains Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels (from Mario All-Stars), Super Mario Kart, and Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball.
- Gameplay: Players had 6 minutes total. They had to finish World 1-1 of Mario, complete 5 laps of Mario Kart, and then hit as many home runs as possible in Baseball with the remaining time.
- Rarity: Most copies were returned to Nintendo and destroyed/reused for parts. Only about 2 authentic copies are confirmed to exist in the wild.
3. Super Star Fox Weekend (Starwing Competition)
Unlike the carts above, this one was produced in slightly larger quantities, making it “attainable” for serious collectors.
- The Games: A modified version of Star Fox (known as Starwing in Europe).
- Gameplay: Players had 4 minutes to play through shortened versions of Corneria and the Asteroid Belt, plus an exclusive “Ring” bonus level created specifically for the competition.
- Availability: After the competition ended, Nintendo sold the remaining stock to subscribers of Nintendo Power magazine for $45. Approximately 2,000 were made.
4. Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge
Used primarily for the Blockbuster World Video Game Championships II in 1995.
- The Games: A specialized version of Donkey Kong Country.
- Gameplay: A 5-minute timed run where the goal was to achieve the highest score possible. Several levels were modified (e.g., removing extra lives and replacing them with high-point banana bunches).
- Availability: Like the Star Fox cart, these were later sold through the Nintendo Power catalog. About 2,500 copies were produced.
| Cartridge | Year | Games Included | Rarity |
| Campus Challenge | 1992 | Mario World, F-Zero, Pilotwings | Ultra Rare (~3 known) |
| PowerFest ’94 | 1994 | Lost Levels, Mario Kart, Griffey Baseball | Ultra Rare (~2 known) |
| Star Fox Weekend | 1993 | Star Fox (Modified) | Rare (~2,000 made) |
| DKC Competition | 1995 | Donkey Kong Country (Modified) | Rare (~2,500 made) |
Here is an eBay listing of “Super Nintendo SNES Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge Complete in Box” which is going for $15,000 (one cent short)
Here is an eBay listing of “Starfox Super Weekend Competition Cartridge (SNES) Super Nintendo 1993 RARE” which is going for above $4,000.
[image credit – taken from embedded eBay listings]