Fortnite may be known today as a digital titan, but a rare sealed physical copy of Fortnite has just made its mark in the collector’s market. The copy sold for $42,500, smashing the previous record and sending shockwaves through the auction world. What made this sale so special? The game wasn’t even the battle royale everyone knows, it was Fortnite’s original 2017 version.
Why the physical copy of Fortnite is so rare
Before it became a free-to-play phenomenon, Fortnite launched as a co-op looter-shooter with tower-defense elements. It was published with Gearbox and only had a limited physical release. That early run included boxed copies that now rarely surface in sealed condition.
The one sold in this record-breaking auction wasn’t just sealed, it received a pristine Wata 10 A++ grade, the highest ever recorded for this title. According to Wata’s September 2025 report, no other copy has matched it.
Rockstar bans FiveM GTA 5 RP server for Harry Potter-like content as its creator defends $100K fantasy world from copyright claims.
The sale price triples Fortnite’s previous auction high
The winning bid came in at $42,500 on Heritage Auctions. That figure more than triples the earlier record of $13,750 for a Fortnite copy. As of now, it’s the highest known sale price for any version of the game.
Even though other listings exist, for example, eBay sellers have asked as much as $10,000 for similar items, none have generated this kind of bidding war.
What other Fortnite copies are selling for
Collectors looking to spend less still have options. While sealed, high-grade units fetch massive amounts, opened boxes are far more affordable.
Here’s a breakdown of recent prices:
- Opened copy with unused Founders Deluxe code: $750
- Listings with asking prices between $600–$650
- Most used copies sell around $100
The value difference shows just how crucial condition and rarity are in collector markets.
The physical copy of Fortnite becomes more than a game
What began as a $60 boxed title has now become a museum-worthy item. It’s rare, untouched, and certified as flawless. For serious collectors, this sale marks a turning point, not just for Fortnite, but for modern-era video game collecting. And just like that, a game built on virtual currency now carries real-world weight.
